Chihuly Bridge of Glass // (c) Dale Chihuly
Jersey can't get no respect. Sure, people call it "America's armpit." And yes, it's the butt of endless jokes (Why are New Yorkers so rude? Because the light at the end of the tunnel is Jersey). But people from Jersey take pride in their state - and I'm not just talking about knowing the real spelling of Bon Jovi or how to navigate a jughandle.
Seriously, it's not half bad. There's a reason it's called the Garden State (once you've tried a Jersey Fresh tomato, there's no going back), it's home to great schools like Princeton and Rutgers, and there really is a dynamic overflow of people and cultures from the cities nearby. Don't even get me started.
Enter Tacoma. Yes, I've heard of the Tacoma aroma (Jersey's known for its musk, too). I've also heard about it being a supposed "industrial wasteland" with lots of crime and not much culture (fates also assigned to New Jersey). But the reality is quite different. Here are a few spots that prove my point:
1.) Tacoma Art Museum - It might not be as big as the museums back home, but it's a clean, contemporary space with well-organized, thought-provoking exhibits that push boundaries in a completely different way than SAM can.
2.) Museum of Glass - Dale Chihuly's glass might be old news to Seattleites, but outside of seeing his work in Atlantic City casinos, his creations were new to me. It's an amazing collection of glassworks and even better, you get to see artists in action.
3.) Point Defiance Park - Based on everything I'd heard about Tacoma, I was surprised to find a park with beautiful trails through an old-growth forest, a marina where you can rent kayaks, and well-maintained thematic gardens.
Tacoma's also home to some imaginative art galleries and a growing waterfront district. If you're new in town and looking to explore the local art scene, I recommed the drive to Tacoma down I-5 - even though it's no NJ Turnpike.
Comments
Yes, the "Aroma of Tacoma" stigma is over. It's a pretty cool city now. And they have a very cool new place to stay, Hotel Murano -- a former Sheraton property and now a true "art hotel." I stayed there in the midst of its renovation (in one of the new rooms); I'm looking forward to returning there to see the finished product.
Sue Frause
Seattle Travel Examiner
Hi Shiwani. I like your writing. Very likeable tone you have. I'm from South Tacoma (Lakewood), but every time I pass downtown, it does smell. Actually, we had a reunion party downtown lately, and when we were driving around, I thought my brother farted because of the egg-like sulfurous stench. And, he though I did it! But, it was coming from outside, off of Ruston Way. They say it's the paper mills, and depending on where you are, it can be pretty bad. But, despite that, like you said, downtown has become a lot more cultured and interesting.
You remind me of my friend, an Indian American girl from Texas who is a writer. I'd like to introduce you guys.
Thanks for the comments! I have to admit you're right - I did get a whiff of the famous 'aroma' and that's partly what made me feel like I was back home, driving down the Turnpike. But I think if people manage to get past the tough exterior, there's a lot of Tacoma that's worth exploring.
On a side note, if you or your friend want to get in touch, you can drop me a comment on my site: www.shiwani.net. Thanks for reading!
Loving the Twitter post from the Tacoma Art Museum on this piece: "Shiwani Srivastava from Examiner.com gives us love. Tacoma=Jersey. That's a great compliment from a Jersey girl."
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