Summer is pretty much the best time of year no matter where you live. Here in the Pacific Northwest, summer is when our jewel of a State shines! Our hometown of Tacoma WA is no exception. With mountain views and waves rolling in off of the Sound, there is no place your team at Giesy Dental would rather spend their days. We have put together a few of our favorite local sites and businesses to help you get the most out of this special time of year. So take a stroll with us, eat, relax and enjoy the views!

Our Favorite Waterfront Park

This is a year round favorite for walkers and joggers, rollerbladers, or anyone that just wants to sit and take in the some fresh air. In the summer time however, it becomes "one of Tacoma's most scenic areas" according to Trails.com! What are we talking about? The beautiful Ruston Way of course! We love exploring the over 2 miles of scenic waterfront trails with majestic views of the Olympic and Cascade ranges, Commencement Bay and Vashon Island. We always leave refreshed and ready to face our day. You might even get to see some baby sea lions during the spring and summer months on the beach!

Tacoma Waterfront Restaurants

Along with beautiful views and some great exercise opportunities, our waterfront area offers some fun eateries! Perfect if you are looking for date night romance or a night out with friends. There are also some options for fun family fare after a day outdoors with the kids. Katie Downs - This is a 21 and over establishment that really brings some class into your evening. They offer a wonderful variety of the freshest seafood on Tacoma's waterfront along with burgers, pizza and cocktails. This is a perfect choice for a fun night out. Check out their site and read over their menu, we know you will be hungry by the time you are done! Duke's Chowder House -  The name pretty much says it all! Using only sustainable seafood, they have developed a delectable menu to suit all tastes. In addition to the incredible food, they have great outdoor seating with a stunning view to enhance your evening. Visit their site to learn more about their mission and guaranteed quality standard. C.I.  Shenanigan’s - Another local favorite offering sustainable seafood, they also have a large selection of steak dishes and live music on Wednesday nights! This is a great place for a mid-week night on the town with friends or your significant other. It was also the Open Table winner for Diners' choice 2015! Visit their site and make your online reservations today!

Things To Do During Summer Vacation

We can't all take big vacations in the Summer, exploring the far reaches of the world. The wonderful thing about where WE are fortunate enough to live, is we don't HAVE to! We can have day vacations right here in our town! Here are a few of our family friendly favorites to take advantage of while the kids are home from school: Wild Waves Theme Park  - Right up the road from us in Federal Way is our States' biggest water park! Combined with a huge array of theme park rides and slides for all ages, including an area designed just for the littler kids, your whole family can spend the day playing, and still sleep in your own bed at night. Which to us, is always a bonus. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium - This Zoo and Aquarium offer nearly 300 species for your viewing pleasure; including meerkats and a landmark red wolf habitat! They also have daily animal showings and Summer camps available for your curious kids! Be sure and visit their site to see upcoming features and shows to help you plan your trip. Foss Harbor Marina - Do you want to explore our harbor in an up close and personal way? This company offers kayak and paddleboard rentals for the adventurous kid in all of us! Open Arts Studio - Keep those creative minds busy with fun classes and activities or even a week long art camp at this local treasure! Visit their site for more information to find a class or program that will fit you. Adults welcome too! We hope you have enjoyed this list of some wonderful local businesses and treasures to explore this summer. Did we miss one of your favorites? Please feel free to share it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page so we can spread the word! And don't forget to call your Tacoma dentist at Giesy Family and Implant Dentistry to schedule your family's summer cleanings!