The container cranes, cargo ships and industrial operations of the Tacoma Tideflats are visible from across the city. What actually happens behind the Port of Tacoma’s gates, however, remains a mystery to many of the people who live in Tacoma.
A free public bus tour on Friday, September 18, will give local residents a rare opportunity to see the working waterfront from the inside.
The approximately two-hour guided tour will travel through the Port of Tacoma and surrounding Tideflats, taking passengers about as close as the general public can ordinarily get to the ships, terminals and equipment that move goods between Washington and destinations around the world.
The tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Fabulich Center, located at 3600 Port of Tacoma Road, and is scheduled to conclude at noon. Tour times can run longer depending on traffic inside the Port, so passengers should leave some flexibility in their schedules.
Admission is free, but advance reservations are required and space is limited.
That last detail is worth emphasizing. The Port’s six public boat tours scheduled for September 13 filled before the event arrived, leaving interested residents with only a waitlist. Anyone hoping to join the September 18 bus tour would be wise to reserve a seat early rather than waiting until the week of the event.
Children ages 6 and older are welcome. Every passenger over 17 must bring photo identification.
The Port of Tacoma occupies approximately 2,500 acres within the larger Tacoma Tideflats industrial area. Its marine terminals and related operations connect railroads, highways and ocean shipping routes, moving everything from automobiles and agricultural products to machinery and consumer merchandise.
Container operations in Tacoma and Seattle are managed jointly through the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Together, the two harbors form one of the largest container gateways in North America.
For Tacoma residents, the bus tour offers more than a close look at enormous cranes and stacks of shipping containers. It provides a chance to understand how the Port supports local employment, connects Washington businesses with international markets and manages environmental restoration alongside heavy industrial activity.
The Port reports that its operations and Tacoma cargo activity supported more than 41,000 jobs in 2023. Those workers earned approximately $3.4 billion in total compensation, while associated businesses generated nearly $10.8 billion in revenue.
Additional free bus tours are scheduled for October 13, October 30, November 10 and December 8. All require reservations, and availability may change as each date approaches.
Reservations for the September 18 tour can be made through the Port of Tacoma’s website or by calling 253-383-9463. Telephone reservations should include the names of everyone attending and a phone number or email address that can be used for confirmation.
The tour may be canceled in the event of severe weather or an unforeseen emergency.
For anyone who has looked toward the Tideflats and wondered what happens beneath those towering cranes, this is an opportunity to find out—without paying anything for the ticket.
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