We’re so glad you’ll be joining us for an upcoming Mobile Tour during PLACES 2025! To ensure your learning experience is a smooth one, we’ve put together this webpage with important reminders and tour-specific information regarding your upcoming Mobile Tour.
Questions? Visit our Registration HQ at Hop Pharm, and we’ll be happy to assist!
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Reminders for All Tours
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes/clothes!
- Tours will happen rain or shine, so be sure to bring a rain coat, umbrella, and whatever else you’d want to enjoy your tour in the rain.
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes in advance of your tour’s departure time. Several tours will be meeting at the same time, so look out for your tour usher, who will have a sign with the appropriate tour name on it.
- Check the schedule for your Mobile Tour meeting location.
- Most Mobile Tours depart from Hop Pharm, located at 3216 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
- All boat tours depart from 8829 N Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 (the ramp to the dock at Anthony’s Homeport Restaurant / Destiny Harbor Tours on Google Maps).
- Tours will leave promptly, so if you are late, you will have to navigate to catch up with your tour yourself, even for bus-based tours.
Session-Specific Information
Wednesday, October 8
Gig Harbor & Beyond: Educational Boat Cruise (Wednesday)
Time: 1:30-3:00 pm (We’ll be leaving at 1:30 pm sharp, and don’t want to leave anyone behind!)
Meet-up: 1:15 pm at the dock located at 8829 N Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 (the ramp to the dock at Anthony’s Homeport Restaurant / Destiny Harbor Tours on Google Maps).
There is a bathroom in the parking lot across the street from the dock, but there is no bathroom on the boat. We’ll be going rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the weather — the boat is open, “like being in the rain in a canoe,” so plan accordingly (and remember that it will be cooler on the water than on shore!)
To get to and from this tour, we recommend taking the shuttle to the Harbor History Museum. The dock is a scenic 0.5-mile walk (10-15 min) from there. There is no on-site parking, but if you prefer to drive, you may be able to find street parking. Consider grabbing lunch in the Finholm District before this tour to be nice and close to the dock!
Tips are accepted (but not expected!)
Cities as Historic Preservation Champions: The Restoration and Management of Historic Properties by the City of Gig Harbor
Time: 1:30-4:30 pm
Meet-up: 1:20 pm at Hop Pharm (3216 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335)
On this walking tour of Gig Harbor, you can plan to walk approximately 2.25 miles. There will be limited breaks during the walking tour, though park benches will be available at each stop. Restrooms will be available at most stops. There is a hill down from Hop Pharm to the first stop and some stairs or a steep hill on the way to the second (an ADA lift is available to this second stop). Most walking will be on sidewalks, although some are not fully ADA-compliant and have curbs at intersections.
Anchored in Bremerton: A Maritime Main Street Experience
Time: 1:30-4:30 pm
Meet-up: 1:20 pm at Hop Pharm (3216 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335)
On this mobile tour around Bremerton, you can expect a 30 minute bus ride to Bremerton, followed by five (5) intermittent local stops. Each stop will have time to walk and explore the sites with seating available for walking breaks and restroom access at most locations. All stops are ADA accessible.
For participants with mobility needs, a golf cart will be available. Please let the tour leaders know at the start if you would like to use this option.
Thursday, October 9
Hop-On/Hop-Off Tacoma T-Line Tour
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Meet-up: 8:50 am at Hop Pharm (3216 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335)
On this mobile tour around Tacoma, you can expect a 35 minute bus ride to Tacoma, followed by riding the light rail to three (3) local stops. Each stop will have time to walk and explore the sites with limited seating available for breaks at most locations. The majority of the tour will be outdoors along paved sidewalks. ADA ramps and elevators are alternatives to stairs at first and second stops. Bathroom access is limited on this tour; there are coffee shops at the last stop which have restrooms for customers. Please plan accordingly.
Tour Ushers will have preloaded Orca cards for you to use on the light rail. Sound Transit does not allow eating or drinking while riding the light rail; no open food or drink containers. Lidded or sealed containers are fine.
Interpretive Planning Made Easier: A Step-by-Step Approach to Creating a Basic Interpretive Plan
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Meet-up: 8:50 am at the Harbor History Museum (4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, WA 98332)
On this walking tour around Gig Harbor’s Harbor History Museum, you can expect about 0.5 miles of walking, with bathrooms and opportunities to sit inside the museum. The museum is fully ADA accessible with tour occurring over flat, paved surface and some gravel trails.
To get to this tour, we recommend taking the shuttle to the Harbor History Museum stop. If you prefer to drive your own vehicle, there is ample parking space.
Gig Harbor & Beyond: Educational Boat Cruise (Thursday)
Time: 1:30-3:00 pm (We’ll be leaving at 1:30 pm sharp, and don’t want to leave anyone behind!)
Meet-up: 1:20 pm at the dock located at 8829 N Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 (the ramp to the dock at Anthony’s Homeport Restaurant / Destiny Harbor Tours on Google Maps).
There is a bathroom in the parking lot across the street from the dock, but there is no bathroom on the boat. We’ll be going rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the weather — the boat is open, “like being in the rain in a canoe,” so plan accordingly (and remember that it will be cooler on the water than on shore!)
To get to and from this tour, we recommend taking the shuttle to the Harbor History Museum. The dock is a scenic 0.5-mile walk (10-15 min) from there. There is no on-site parking, but if you prefer to drive, you may be able to find street parking. Consider grabbing lunch in the Finholm District before this tour to be nice and close to the dock!
Tips are accepted (but not expected!)
From Policy to Placemaking: Neighborhood Action Planning Implementation
Time: 1:30-4:30 pm
Meet-up: 1:20 pm at Hop Pharm (3216 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335)
On this bus tour around Tacoma’s McKinley neighborhood, you can expect a 30 minute drive to Tacoma followed by about 0.5 miles of walking between local stops. This 0.5 miles of walking is mostly flat with a slight incline at the last stop. Two coffee shops along the tour will provide opportunities for walking breaks and restroom access.
Gig Harbor through a Main Street Lens
Time: 1:30-4:30 pm
Meet-up: 1:20 pm at Hop Pharm (3216 Judson St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335)
On this walking tour around Gig Harbor, you can expect about 1.3 miles of walking between local stops. This 1.3 miles of walking will be outside over some uneven terrain and stairs, though alternative routes to stairs are available if needed. Multiple stops along the way will offer walking breaks and restroom access.
This tour will conclude in the Finholm District, which is 0.3 miles away from the shuttle stop at the Harbor History Museum. Consider taking the shuttle back into town, or enjoy the scenic walk mile walk back.
Friday, October 10
Gig Harbor’s Maritime Histories and Mysteries
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Meet-up: 8:50 am at the Harbor History Museum (4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, WA 98332)
On this walking tour around Gig Harbor, you can expect about 1.3 miles of walking between local stops. This 1.3 miles of walking will be outside over a nearly flat path with slight undulations. Multiple stops along the way will offer walking breaks and restroom access.
To get to this tour, we recommend taking the shuttle to the Harbor History Museum stop. If you prefer to drive your own vehicle, there is ample parking space.