Tourism and Recreation
Taking a Look at Lakewood
Lakewood is a brand new city -- with a long history - and a lot to offer our visitors!
Take a look at Lakewood for excellent value on dining and lodging facilities, a new Towne Center to meet the demand's of the region's shoppers, a nationally-acclaimed estate garden, golf courses and public parks, as well our close proximity to the region's prime attractions.
Known in the 1930's as "the Lakes District," a lovely area of prairie, woods and freshwater lakes, with a splendid view of the Cascade Mountains, Lakewood today is your pleasant and convenient starting point for dozens of destinations in Western Washington.
Lakewood has several parks on American Lake - American Lake North Park & Marina, and Harry Todd Park. Both with boat launches and lakeside beaches for a pleasant day of boating, swimming, picnicking or barbecuing. Harry Todd Park boasts the Commencement Bay Rowing Club facilities and often hosts rowing competitions on the weekends. Fort Steilacoom Park offers a variety of playing fields and open expanse of walking and bike trails. A lovely one-mile walking trail encircles tranquil Waughop Lake. Memorial Day brings a taste of history to the park as you walk through a Civil War Re-enactment. An excellent experience for young and old, this weekend-long event should be a definite part of your plans when you visit! Got bored teens? The Lakewood Kiwanis Skate Park is just the ticket! Boarders and Skaters will enjoy this challenging run!
Located on a beautiful ten-acre site overlooking Gravelly Lake, Lakewold Gardens is considered one of the nation's finest estate gardens. Lakewold offers one delight after another with many gardens within the ten acres; the Rose Garden, the Knot Garden, the Fern Garden, and the Shade Garden to name a few. Other features of the gardens are the quatrefoil pool, the Tea House, the Wolf Tree, the rhododendron and Japanese tree collections, the rare dawn redwood and cherry trees. For unique and unusual gift items, be sure to stop by the Garden Shop. Annual events at Lakewold include High Tea for Mother's Day and summer concerts in the gardens.
For history buffs, Lakewood is the place to visit! Visit the remaining four buildings from the original Fort Steilacoom. Established in 1849 and marked the first official U.S. presence in Washington Territory, the restored buildings illustrate everyday life of the soldiers, officers and settlers during Washington's early history. Tours of the buildings are offered on Sundays in the summer.
Two military bases within minutes of Lakewood also provide artifacts and memorabilia related to the history of our area. Fort Lewis Military Museum features a splendid collection of uniforms, arms and accouterments as well as tanks, cannon and wheeled vehicles. A new addition includes the Army Family Gallery chronicling the history of the military families at the fort. McChord's Air Museum welcomes visitors with exhibits that show a variety of air force operations past and present with ten aircraft in the airpark. One of only two F-106 simulators is another rare exhibit in the museum. You can sit inside to get the feel of a fire-interceptors cockpit. Check out displays of armament, vintage uniforms and an impressive aviation art collection.
Lakewood also has some of the most beautiful and challenging golf courses around! Public Courses include: Fort Steilacoom Golf Course and Meadow Park Golf Course. The Private Courses are: Oakbrook Golf & Country Club and Tacoma Country & Golf Club.
While you're in the area make sure to visit:
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park -
Take a trek to adventure at Northwest Trek, offering you an opportunity to view animals native to the Northwest in their natural setting. Take a 50-minute naturalist guided tram tour through a 534 acre free-roaming area where elk, bison, deer, bighorn sheep, moose and much more wander freely. The walk-through core area hosts the predators on display, including grizzly and black bear, cougar, wolf, a variety of wetlands animals and birds of prey.
Mt. Rainier National Park -
At 14,411 feet, Mount Rainier is the tallest volcano in the 48 contiguous states and is the highest mountain in Washington State. The park has 26 major glaciers, 34 waterfalls, 62 lakes and 600-year old forests. Activities at the mountain include day hiking, camping, backpacking and mountain climbing. Winter fun includes renting cross-country ski equipment or snowshoes by the day, or arrange for lessons and guided tours. Accommodations include the National Park Inn at 2,700 feet (open year round) and Paradise Inn at 5,400 feet (open May through early October).
Getting here couldn't be easier - we're 30 miles south of Seattle on Interstate 5, near the southern end of Puget Sound. Tacoma is just north of us, and the state capitol of Olympia is just 25 miles south.
For a comprehensive listing of Chamber member accommodations, attractions and recreation, return to the Member Business Listings and scroll to the appropriate type of business you are looking for.
Lakewood Scenic Loop Drive Tour
A New City Shares its Historic Roots 12.6 miles.
True to its name, Lakewood is built around a dozen large and small lakes set among towering trees. Lakewood has been a city only since 1998. However, at old Fort Steilacoom, you'll find restored historic buildings that recall the fact that the American presence began here in Washington Territory in 1849. You can visit houses restored to original condition and glimpse the surrounding prairie as it must have looked to early settlers. This scenic loop takes 30 minutes of drive time, but allow plenty of time for strolling, exploring and shopping the many mall areas.
Begin Tour: Leave Interstate 5 at exit 124, Gravelly Lake Drive. Turn right from freeway from southbound, or turn left if you are coming northbound. Stay in the left hand lane. Follow Gravelly Lake for 1.2 miles. Watch for entrance to Lakewold Gardens on the right. Parking is available on grounds.
Lakewold Gardens: Lakewold Gardens showcases one of the largest collections of rare plants and shrubs, rhododendrons and Japanese Maples in the Northwest on its ten acres. You'll wander along carefully tended paths in a setting of roses, ferns, alpine, plants, and a waterfall that transforms this former private estate into your own magic garden. A must see for your introduction to Lakewood. The gardens, designed by noted Landscape Architect Thomas Church are open to the public year-round. April-September, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. October-November & February-March, Friday-
Sunday, 10am-3pm. December-January, Fri or weekends by member appointment, 10am-3pm. General admission $6. Seniors and children under 12 is $5. Call 253-584-3360 for reservations.
Depart Lakewold Gardens for American Lake North 1.3 miles total. Leave driveway of Lakewold. Turn left onto Gravelly Lake Drive. Immediately get into right hand lane and turn right at signal onto Veterans Drive. Follow Veterans Drive 1.2 miles. Veteran's Drive curves to the right at park entrance creating a "Y." Veer to the left onto Vernon Drive. Follow sign directing you to American Lake North Park entrance. Turn right into Driveway. Park in the lot is available.
American Lake North Park: This small park and marina offer access to American Lake with its small sandy beach and playground. This gorgeous location is Lakewood's major lake, nearly 4 miles long. Seaplanes land and take off from here from the only full service seaplane base between Seattle and Mexico. An unparalleled view of Mt. Rainier is available to the south on clear days. Bring binoculars for a glimpse of the eagles whose aerie is in a spired tree on the north shore. Directly across you'll catch a glimpse of Thornewood Castle, which covers 32,000 square feet and sits on five acres of Lakefront property in Tillicum. The mansion was built between 1909 and 1911 and was recognized as one of the most beautiful estates in the nation. It has 28 rooms, 23 bathrooms and 11 fireplaces, and more than 100 stained glass windows. ABC filmed a mini-series at Thornewood that was released in early 2002. The film title is "Rose Red." Thornewood Castle also serves as a Bed & Breakfast during the spring and summer visitor season.
Leave American Lake for Fort Steilacoom Park and Historic Fort Steilacoom. 3.8 miles with optional visit to St. John Bosco Meditation Park. At park entrance, turn left onto Vernon Drive ¼ block to Dolly Madison. Follow Dolly Madison ¼ block. Turn left onto Veteran's Drive. Follow Veteran's Drive (.4 mile) to Edgewood. Right on Edgewood to Old Military Road (.7 mile) Left on Old Military to 112th. (.6 miles) Right on 112th for Fort Steilacoom (for optional trip to St. John Bosco Meditation Park (.2 mile) turn left on 112th and continue for two blocks. Left at 105th Street to St. John Bosco Church. Turn right into third Driveway. Garden is at southwest corner of church complex. Arrive at SJBM Park.
St. John Bosco Meditation Park: This one-acre garden, created by volunteers, combines hundreds of plants along wheelchair accessible paths which frame the Stations of the Cross, many shrines, including the Grotto Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, patterned after the original grotto in France. Shrine features following water over a natural rock facade. The entire park provides all people a rustic, quiet, native environment for meditation. Benches and areas to pause for reflection.
Leave for historic Fort Steilacoom Garrison (2.0 miles). Turn left on 105th. Right on 112th. Cross Old Military Road. Go one more block on 112th, turn left onto Far West Drive. Follow Far West (2.0 miles) past Lakes High School on left, Pierce College on right. At Steilacoom Blvd., turn right. Get into left hand lane. Turn left at signal light and main gate entrance to Western State Hospital. After entering hospital grounds, make an immediate right, following one-way arrow to follow drive past cannons to the old army quarters.
Old Fort Steilacoom: This is part of the original square mile that was leased by the Hudson Bay Company to the U.S. Army in 1849 that made Fort Steilacoom the first permanent U.S. American Government presence on Puget Sound.
The military presence is still very important to Lakewood that prides itself on good neighbor relationships with neighboring Fort Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base. These present buildings were officer's quarters built in 1858. They have been restored to their original state. Inside, you'll see the furniture, accessories, down to a partly used candle in a pewter candle holder, that would have been typical for military families, living two families to a house, on the great, lonely prairie.
The Museum Association gives tours to school children and groups during the year and to visitors during the summer. Christmas at the Fort is presented on the second Sunday in December when the officer's quarters are decorated for Christmas and you can eavesdrop on conversations as the officers and their families go about their routine tasks. Civil War battles are also re-enacted on Memorial Day Weekend when more than 300 re-enactors set up camp and recreate the living history of the Civil War. The Museum, operated by volunteers, is open from 1-4 on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For more information, call (253) 584-1528.
North of Western State Hospital is a nine-hole public golf course. Fort Steilacoom Golf Course has 105 acres, and a golf pro shop.
Leave Old Fort Steilacoom for Fort Steilacoom Park (.6 mile) Return to Western State Hospital Driveway. Turn left onto Steilacoom Blvd (.6 mile) Turn right on 87th Street. Turn right into park entrance.
Fort Steilacoom Park: The park covers 340 acres. It's open year-round, opening at 7:30 a.m. and closing a half hour after sunset. This park is a favorite with locals who enjoy the paths for walking, running and biking. There are two softball, and two soccer fields for local teams. On dry and windy days, you'll see a myriad of kites flying over the fields. Drive inside past the soccer fields and barn to the parking lot. This is as far as motorized vehicles are allowed. Just walk a few feet and you can take a one-mile walk around Lake Waughop that is host to many varieties of water fowl, that are for watching - not feeding. Bring your picnic basket and enjoy the quiet tranquility of the lake. The trees around the lake include massive Sequoias and Redwoods that were planted by Mrs. Waughop who loved trees and brought them to the park from all over the world. Pets are welcome but must be on leash 8' or shorter and owners must clean up after them.
As you leave and drive along the outside perimeter, you look into the park and have a good view of the way this land looked when the pioneers arrived. Only the oak and fir trees are native to this area. All of the others were planted later, and the fir trees largely worked their way in after the ground was broken by plow.
Leave Ft. Steilacoom Park. Cross 87th to stop sign at Elwood Drive. Right on Elwood along the edge of the park. Elwood veers left and becomes Angle Lane. Follow Angle (.1 mile) to Hipkins. Right onto Hipkins. Go one block to stop sign at 104th. Left onto 104th (.1 mile) Left onto Short Lane. Short Lane becomes Interlaaken Drive for a sweeping drive across beautiful Lake Steilcoom. (1.1 mile) Continue as the road becomes Mt. Tahoma Drive. Mt. Tahoma Drive becomes Motor Avenue as you pass in front of the shopping center built by Norton Clapp in 1937. You'll see Colonial style buildings that were part of the first shopping center west of the Mississippi! The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center is housed next to the picturesque Lakewood Theater building at 6122 Motor Avenue. Open 9-5 Monday through Friday. The Visitor Center is open from 9-4 on weekends during the summer season and from 11 to 3 during the shoulder season. Call us at (253) 582-9400. Pass the Colonial Center and turn right onto Gravelly Lake Drive. Continue on Gravelly Lake Drive (.5 mile) and you can turn left into the Lakewood Mall for fun and family shopping or continue along Gravelly Lake Drive (.6 mile) and turn right into the Lakewood Library at 6300 Wildaire Road SW.
Lakewood Library: The kids will want to stop and count the rings on the 9-ton log section to see for themselves that the tree it came from was really 600 years old (it dates back to 1359). The log is almost 13 feet high! It was cut from a Douglas Fir that stood 238 feet tall. Upstairs the Lakewood Library has the Friends Gallery that features work by local artists on a rotating basis.
Leave Lakewood Library. Turn right onto Gravelly Lake Drive. Get into the left hand lane. (.4 mile) Turn left onto Nyanza. Follow Nyanza to Gravelly Lake and onto Interstate 5 (.2 mile).
But you don't have to get back on the interstate! Let us recommend quality accommodations and restaurants for you and your family to enjoy since you're already here! But if you really have to go, we just want to say, "Hurry Back!"
