Tacoma Guide

Downtown Tacoma, with an emphasis on reestablishing the Theater District as the "Heart of the City", has accomplished a revitalization of massive proportions over the past two decades. Beginning with the restoration of the Pantages and The Rialto theaters 22 years ago, many of our historic buildings and storefronts have undergone face-lifts and refurbishing. ... more »

Downtown Tacoma, with an emphasis on reestablishing the Theater District as the "Heart of the City", has accomplished a revitalization of massive proportions over the past two decades. Beginning with the restoration of the Pantages and The Rialto theaters 22 years ago, many of our historic buildings and storefronts have undergone face-lifts and refurbishing. This beautification effort, combined with improved roads and the debut of Sound Transit's Tacoma Link Light Rail system, has made Tacoma's historic Theater District more accessible, user-friendly and welcoming for tourists and local residents than ever before. A wide variety of unique merchants and restaurants, state-of-the-art museums, including the Museum of Glass and the new Tacoma Art Museum building, along with The Washington State History Museum, invite you to enrich your cultural senses and explore the new world of Historic Downtown Tacoma.

In 1975, a group of concerned community volunteers with a strong belief that the arts are essential in stimulating community growth, campaigned and raised money locally to restore Tacoma's Historic Pantages Theater to its original grandeur. Realizing the desperate need for money to keep the doors open, they negotiated with the City of Tacoma to buy the building and to grant funding to the nonprofit organization running the theater. Succeeding in their efforts the Pantages was reopened in 1983. Without the work of these dedicated community volunteers, and the support of the City of Tacoma and its City Council, what became the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts in 1991 would not exist today.

Now, with three unique theaters and our own acclaimed performance series, the Broadway Center serves as a vital and valuable arts steward. The Pantages, a beautiful historic theater seating 1,169 audience members, offers a lush performance experience and is home to The Tacoma Opera, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Philharmonic, Tacoma Concert Band, and Tacoma Symphony. The Rialto, a 742-seat theater that originally served as a grand movie palace, hosts the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association, the Northwest Sinfonietta and the Puget Sound Revels. Theatre on the Square, a 302-seat facility with a contemporary flair, offers a more intimate setting and is home to the Tacoma Actors Guild.

It is our pleasure to welcome you to Historic Downtown Tacoma and our three exciting theaters filled with rich, cultural performances year-round. Please read on to find out more on the background of each theater.
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