Visit the Freighthouse Square, Downtown Tacoma - Shopping and Dining
by wlseattle on 04/04/08 at 1:16 pm
The most surprising thing about stepping into this renovated train depot near the Tacoma Dome is that it has somehow managed to become trendy and fun without having that commercialized “chain store” feeling that is all too common these days. With authentic international boutiques and ethnic foods galore, my husband and I felt like we were walking around the markets of Singapore or India or Germany, rather than downtown Tacoma.
With the building’s original structure still intact, and commuter trains pulling in and out like they have for generations, carrying business men in suits and students on the way to classes at the nearby University of Washington branch campus, it’s hard to imagine what the inside corridors and cubbyholes have been transformed into.
The building spans three city blocks and houses 15 food vendors, more than 35 specialty shops, 2 art galleries, a photography studio, and lots more that we didn’t even have time to see. They also have things as unique as the only licensed Lego® display and education center on the West Coast, and the Tacoma Northwest Model Railroad Club (both are open to the public). On the day we went, the window of the Lego display had been turned into a huge fantasy land of dragons and fairies and castle, in honor of the “Fairy Festival” taking place on the bottom floor. Celtic music floated throughout the square, as fairies young and old paid $20 each to attend the festival and get artist autographs from the likes of Jody Bergsma, learn the art of making beeswax candles, and turn their heels in a fairy dance or two. Events like this, as well as concerts and demonstrations, keep the square lively throughout the year.
Our favorite part of the Freighthouse Square is the food, hands down. Side-by-side vendors line the center court in street fair style, reminding us both of experiences in Europe or Asia (back in the days when we gypsied around the world and didn’t have “real jobs”!) We’re pretty adventurous eaters, so decided to graze from the 
various stands, creating our own moving tapas bar from one end to the other. We had plenty to choose from: an Asian barbeque house, a Mexican grill, Japanese sushi, Vietnamese, Thai fish and chips, Greek, Italian, German, and ….. well, you get the picture. Most of the food was very good, and reasonably priced. The seating lacks a little by American “mall standards,” but the whole point of the Freighthouse is the feeling of authenticity, and the opportunity to connect briefly with pieces of the extended world that have settled within our city. Restrooms are accessible and clean, and the place is generally child-friendly.
Apart from the international food, the stand-out places for us had to be the Africans Expressions shop, run by owner Fatu katiku from Liberia, who is a professional hair braider, and Global Creations, where the owner travels to third world countries and brings back art, linens, dolls, etc. from the native peoples. 
Directions
From I-5 (North or South) Take Exit 133 (I-705 N, WA-7 S, City Center, take East 26 St (Tacoma Dome) to the right, turn right onto E 26th Street, turn left onto E D Street, turn right onto E 25th Street. FREE parking on the south front part of the building, along East 25th Street and in the Tacoma Dome Station parking garage on East 25th Street.
Freighthouse Hours of Operation: Open 7 days a week! Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
2501 East D Street,
Tacoma, WA 98421
What a great memory this brought back. When my mother worked in downtown Tacoma, we met here a few times for lunch. Not sure if I was working, in school or what, but I remember meeting her for lunch. A great place, wish I lived back in these neck of the woods sometimes.