Your Guide to the Ultimate Day in Puyallup, WA
With impressive views of Mount Rainier, endless options for activities and many outstanding restaurants, downtown Puyallup, WA, and the surrounding area make a terrific getaway, even if it’s just for a day or two. So here is a great itinerary of things to do in downtown Puyallup.
The near-constant sunshine and long days are perfect conditions for events and festivals. And as the long-time host of the Washington State Fair, Puyallup LOVES to throw a party! So be sure to research what’s going on before you visit so you don’t miss anything. The same advice goes if you prefer to avoid the crowds. We’ll include some of the most popular events in downtown Puyallup and beyond as we offer suggestions.
In This Article
Morning Coffee in Puyallup
Start the first day exploring things to do in downtown Puyallup with a bagel breakfast sandwich and coffee at Anthem Coffee & Tea.
More decadent drinks include peaches & cream latte and s’mores coldbrew. Dulce Café is another option for today or tomorrow. It specializes in Latin-style baked goods and beverages like café de olla, a traditional Mexican coffee.
The Mid-Morning Stretch
To warm up your muscles for the day ahead, take a walk on the Foothills Trail with Mount Rainier as a breathtaking backdrop. For a shadier experience, try Wildwood Park where 80 acres of old-growth trees form canopies over hiking trails.
Check Your Calendar!
The best months to visit are April to November when neighboring farms spring to life with blooming flowers and produce. There’s usually a lot less rain, too. In fact, a little-known secret is the Puget Sound doesn’t get much moisture in the summer.
Family Farms and an Immense Farmers Market
Agriculture has always been integral to Puyallup, so enjoying the local bounty is a must. Visit a local producer such as Spooner Farms, Sidhu Farms or Knutson Farms for just-picked rhubarb, berries, pumpkins and flowers. If you’re in town on a Saturday, the vast Puyallup Farmers’ Market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pioneer Park. In addition to fresh, well, everything, there are bakery stands, food trucks, artists and live bands.
Lunchtime Is for Foodies
If you’re still hungry after the market, the burgers, sandwiches and salads make Crockett’s Public House a must-visit restaurant in downtown Puyallup. Many say Jake’s Burgers at Sterino Farms are the best in town. Jake also whips up berry shakes. And for Saturday or Sunday brunch, Farm 12 is the place for omelets and benedicts. The Puget Sound is known for its international flavors, and in Puyallup, Fiesta Taqueria & Tequila Bar, Karma Indian Cuisine and the Japanese food at My Lil’ Cube are highly rated.
Afternoon Action
Puyallup has been around since the late 1800s, and downtown Puyallup’s long history is reflected in many of its restored buildings. An afternoon stroll passes by shops like Lick Homemade Ice Cream, Meeker Mercantile (find a great Washington-made gift!) and Atomic Genius Records, which occasionally hosts performances.
If you’re looking for more venerable keepsakes, several stores make up the Puyallup Antique District, including Kings Row Antiques & Collectibles and The Pink Chandelier, offering women’s apparel and afternoon tea.
Art on Foot
There’s more pretty stuff to see in the form of a ballerina, butterfly, American flag and Big Leg Mama. With 50-plus works, downtown Puyallup has one of the most significant outdoor art collections in the Pacific Northwest. Two indoor galleries showcase additional pieces. The Outdoor Gallery Guide is available online or drop by the Puyallup Activity Center or public library for a hard copy.
For History Buffs
Way back in 1890 when Puyallup was founded, the city’s first mayor, Ezra Meeker, and his wife, Eliza Jane, built a grand, Italianate-style Victorian home. Today, the fully refurbished Meeker Mansion is open for tours.
More of the area’s heritage is on display at the Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts, where permanent exhibits and special events tell the stories of Native peoples of the Puget Sound, explorers and adventurers who circumnavigated the globe, the history of the Oregon Trail, and 1968 – The Year That Rocked Washington.
Events & Festivals & Shows, Oh My!
After considering all that’s going on, you might want to stay an extra day or two to check out more things to do in downtown Puyallup and beyond. Puyallup is home to the Washington State Fair, one of the country’s biggest state fairs, which runs for 20 days in September. The Washington State Fair Events Center actually bustles with activity year-round with Spring Fair, The Taste NW, Oktoberfest Northwest, Holiday Magic and numerous concerts. So be sure to keep tabs on the events schedule.
Signature events not to be missed include Red, White and KABOOM! This annual event, presented by the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce, promises a full day of fun, ending with a one-of-a-kind drive-in fireworks display at the Washington State Fairgrounds. The event also includes live music, a beer garden, food trucks, a 5K event and a lively kids’ corner. When the sun goes down, the event is capped by a spectacular fireworks show.
The fairgrounds is also the setting for Brewallup, a 21+ event also from the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce that celebrates the region’s hops-growing heritage. The event (held on Nov. 7 in 2026) draws visitors from all over to the fairgrounds’ AgriPlex to try tasty craft beers and ciders, and enjoy live music and a car show. Food trucks are also on hand to help you enjoy the festivities.
Another venue to consider is Liberty Theatre, known for Broadway musicals produced by the ManeStage Theatre Co. During the summer, Pioneer Park, where the farmers’ market happens, puts on a free Concert in the Parks series. There’s a Night Market there, too, which runs throughout the year. And don’t forget the Daffodil Festival, Meeker Days, Puyallup Nashville Nights and SIP Puyallup. Whew! Here’s a handy festival schedule.
Evening Eats
While the countless events, festivals and shows can be overwhelmingly awesome, dinner in Puyallup is relaxed, unpretentious and tasty, so make time for the lobster risotto or filet mignon at Toscanos Italian Grill.
The Meridian serves elevated American fare like fried rockfish & southern grits and root beer glazed pork loin. Bourbon Street Creole Kitchen & Bar dishes up Louisiana favorites such as crawfish étouffée, shrimp po-boys and beignets for dessert. The restaurant is also a destination for live Saturday jazz.
As the Sun Sets
With the day winding down, head to The Coaster for a signature cocktail. Or get your nightcap at Firemind Brewing with porters, ales and seltzers. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewing has a dozen or so craft beers on tap along with pizza, burgers and tacos.
And if you get a second wind and feel like shaking your groove thing, Big Whisky Saloon has country line dancing, a full bar and a mechanical bull. It closes at 2 a.m., just in time for some quick zzz before morning coffee. Repeat.