Hometown Series - Carrie of Living it up in U.P.

Happy Tuesday! I might have mentioned it before but back in January I started running with a friend and it has been great. My running in general has been so much more enjoyable and when you are working with someone towards a goal since we signed up for a half marathon in May, there is a purpose to the running. Honestly if any of you have work-out partners, you know what I am talking about. If you need to find a work-out partner, do it, it will help your work-outs like you wouldn't believe.
Today is another installation of the hometown series. Today we are in the northwest with Carrie of Living it up in U.P. If you have been following the series, you know the premise of the post, but if you are new then welcome. For this hometown series, I asked bloggers to write the post from the perspective that if I was coming to visit them, what would the blogger plan for us, where would we do, what would we do, see and eat.
Take it away Carrie!



Hi everyone!  My name is Carrie and I blog over at Living It Up in U.P.  I live in University Place, Washington, which is a suburb of Tacoma, Washington.  Tacoma is about 35 miles south of Seattle.  Some snobby Seattleites like to make fun of Tacoma, but Tacoma is actually a very cool city.  I’ve lived in both cities, and each has its positives and negatives.

 

If you were coming to visit Tacoma, I would suggest you stay at the upscale Hotel Murano.  Hotel Murano is a newer hotel in downtown Tacoma that has been named in in Conde Nast's top hotels list the previous few years. 

 Hotel Murano Lobby

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Savi Day spa is attached to the hotel lobby, so if you need a relaxing massage or a pick-me-up facial on your visit, you won’t have to look far!  

    The cozy dining area of Babblin Babs Bistro

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We’ll start our day in the Proctor neighborhood with breakfast at Babblin’ Babs Bistro.  They have the most amazing, unique menu.  I highly suggest the "No More Frenchy." It is toast layered with pesto, tomato, red onion, Jambon ham, a custard egg and Brie cheese. It is so delicious!

The “No More Frenchy” breakfast}

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After our bellies are nice and full, we can walk around the neighborhood a little and look at local shops such as Megs & Mo Upscale Retail, Flourish, and Envy.  We can also pop into Sugar, which has a variety of vintage candies. 

The breathtaking view of Chambers Bay

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After letting our stomachs settle I suggest we take a walk in my city, University Place, at the public Chambers Bay Golf Club.  Chambers Bay will be the site of the 2015 U.S. Open.  The golf course was recently named the best municipal golf course in the country by LINKS Magazine.

Let’s go fly a kite at Chambers Bay!

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I’m not much of a golfer, so I prefer to walk the 2.9 mile loop around the golf course, taking in the views of the south Puget Sound and islands. 

 

 our cheese plate at Stink
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After our walk we’ll want to relax with a wine happy hour at STINK.  We’ll order one of their $4 specials of whatever wine they’re serving that day and enjoy a cheese plate. 

When we feel adequately relaxed, we’ll hit the town for a last bit of sightseeing at a popular Tacoma Attraction, The Museum of Glass. 

          

The Museum of Glass
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There are a few different galleries of glass artwork to look around in.  The last time I was there my favorite was the kid’s gallery.  In it there were glass works that were made from drawings that little kids drew.   We can make our way to the “Hot Shop” where they show hot glass demonstrations of artwork being made.  After we’ve seen everything inside, we can venture outside to walk over the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. This is really cool because there is so much glass artwork on the bridge. It is really impressive!

The Museum of Glass
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After our full day, we’ll want a delicious dinner before we end the night.  We’ll drive to Ruston Way and have dinner at the always fantastic Lobster Shop.  While we eat our fresh seafood or steak we can take in the beautiful views of Commencement Bay. 

          

The Lobster Shop

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After dinner I’ll drop you off at Hotel Murano where you’re sure to get an excellent night of sleep.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of Tacoma and University Place! 


Thanks Carrie for this post! I have been up to Seattle but definitely need to take a visit to Tacoma for sure.