Things to Do in Lakewood

The nine-hole course at Highlands Golf tests the mettle of mid- to short-range irons with nine par 3s and a bounty of scenarios that demand short-game finesse. Whereas most courses place value on long drives and superhuman muscles like Arnold Palmer's, Highlands Golf makes players rely on dexterity with shorter irons and putting prowess. Tee shots range from just 100 yards to 200 yards on the par 3s, with eight bunkers and three water hazards ready to confound overconfident swings. Rounds typically take less than 75 minutes to complete, providing an unintimidating layout for new players to practice, space for veterans to show off their short-game theatrics, and enough soft landing spots for speed golfers to test the aerodynamics of argyle tracksuits. 

Course at a Glance:

• Nine-hole, par-27 course
• Nine par 3s
• No hole longer than 200 yards
• Rounds often completed in less than 75 minutes

Fort Steilacoom Golf Course covers a flat parcel of terrain with a nine-hole, par 34 layout that measures a modest 2,491 yards when played from the farther of two tee options. Open fairways sparsely lined with evergreens put beginners at ease while inviting more experienced golfers to shoot for low scores, as solid drives can set up potential eagle opportunities on two short par 4s and the 440-yard, par 5 fifth hole. The relatively level setting makes the course easy to walk, though Fort Steilacoom offers golf carts for those who haven’t taught their caddy the art of the piggyback ride. Fort Steilacoom complements its course with a practice area, a snack bar, and a full-service pro shop where golfers can rent clubs.

Course at a Glance:

• Nine-hole, par 34 course
• Length of 2,491 yards from the farther tees
• Course rating 62.1 from the farther tees (adjusted for a par score of 68)
• Slope rating of 96 from the farther tees
• Two tee options
• Scorecard

As winter departs for the year, western Washington begins to wake up. Trees start to bud, Mt. Rainier basks in the glow of gentle sunlight, and residents begin searching for ways to celebrate the coming of another glorious spring. Fortunately for them, they don't have to look very far: if it's April in Puyallup, there's bound to be a fair a-brewin'. Since 1990, The Spring Fair in Puyallup has celebrated the return of warmer weather with attractions designed to delight family members young and old. The sights of the season are most evident at Fair's Garden Show, where representatives from more than five dozen area nurseries, landscape firms, and garden shops honor the coming plant life with their wares and expertise.

Elsewhere, 4-H and FFA students show off stately sheep and prized pigs during the Northwest Junior Livestock Show. Porkers also get in on the act during the fair's pig races, outmaneuvering each other around the track in pursuit of a delicious Oreo cookie. More exotic members of the animal kingdom reside at the fair's brand-new Aussie Kingdom exhibit; there, a gaggle of kangaroos, kookaburras, and bearded dragons strut their stuff in true down-under fashion.

The fair's attractions extend far past farms and gardens. Motorsport Mayhem's demolition derbies, monster truck show, and classic car showcases treat guests to a shot of gas-powered excitement, and multiple performance stages fill the air with the sounds of festive live music. Two dedicated kids areas cater to the fair's youngest visitors; KidZone engages youngsters with everything from puzzles to reptile demonstrations, and KidZone, Too! treats them to refreshments from the root-beer garden and wearable art from professional face painters. As dusk falls on the fair's whirling midway rides, visitors are encouraged to look up: Friday and Saturday nights both end with the sizzling excitement of spectacular fireworks shows.

At Operation Paintball, Mother Nature provides the cover: massive tree roots bulge from the ground at the edge of a field, sheltering players from the gobs of paint whizzing past their ears. Beyond the natural bunkers, the six outdoor fields boast manmade obstacles—including barrels, old cars, and inflatables—behind which teammates strafe, dodge, and teleport their way to the safety of two-story towers. Play rotates among the fields throughout the day, presenting players with various scenarios such as Capture the Flag and Elimination.

Despite its wintery moniker, Kent Valley Ice Centre doesn’t just thrive in the colder months. The public ice skating site and home of the Kent Valley Hockey Association also teems with warm-weather activities, housing miniature golf and batting cages on its sprawling facilities. In addition, the family-friendly sports emporium invites guests to a full-service cafe and bar and a pro shop where visitors can purchase hockey equipment, ice skating gear, and off-duty Olympic judges.

Colored paint pellets slice the air and splatter on the rough bark of large oaks and every once in a while on the back of an enemy. During paintball play, shouts and laughter reverberate through the forest canopy as the thudding of footsteps cuts through thick underbrush. Players on the 12 outdoor fields at Operation Paintball engage rival teams during bouts of capture the flag and last-man-standing shootouts, hoping to earn victory for their mates and impress Mom one more time. The Mother Earth field's tall trees stand between natural bunkers, the Speedball concept field boasts a circle of broken wooden picket fences surrounding a central bunker, and wooded slopes take over the Yellow, Blue, and Candy fields. Staffers prepare guests to safely skirmish by providing masks, secure goggles, and padded vests, each of which has helped to contribute to the facility's perfect safety record.