Things to Do in Tacoma

You and your golf pal will receive a wealth of feedback from Tacoma Firs' PGA- and LPGA-certified instructors over the course of each of your hour-long lessons. They tailor instruction to individual needs, so novices can learn the fundamentals of the game, and expert ball-swatters will season their swing, perfect golf posture, and hone alignment. The staff's careful instruction, observation, and friendly demeanor make it easy to make balls to soar more gracefully than an ultralight made of dreams.

The handsome, 12,000-square-foot museum is home to four exhibition galleries and a permanent collection that focuses on the wealth of regional talent in the Northwest, in addition to housing Japanese woodblock prints and European paintings. Tacoma's own Dale Chihuly fills a gallery space with his permanent installation of playful and fantastical glasswork, much of it inspired by his love for the sea. Brush up on your goose-whispering skills at the Secret Language of Animals exhibit, a family-friendly flock of approximately 40 paintings, sculptures, and videos depicting rodents, birds, horses, dogs, crazy uncles, and more.

Maneuvering on the 16-foot poles at Poledello may seem daunting to anyone but a firefighter, but the fitness pros that teach pole-dance classes can quickly dash any trepidation a student may have. Each staff member each has safety training, and classes are conducted in groups of 10 or fewer students to ensure each dancer gets personal attention when working on moves. That said, the class members include beginners and pros alike—pole dancing can be helpful to anyone seeking increased core strength, flexibility, and enough upper-body muscle to win the annual company wheelbarrow race. From intro classes, to four tiers of Trick and Spin, to Aerial Hoop and Silks, each of their sessions offer a different level or type of sensual dance, with an end goal of honing a tighter physique.

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.