Things to Do in Tacoma

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.