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Coasting with Culture Guides

1/1/2019

Coasting with Culture Guide: Washington State Fair

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The Washington State Fairgrounds is the place to go for seeing locally raised farm animals, enjoying staple fair foods, and riding thrilling rides including a surprising wooden roller coaster, the Classic Coaster, during April's Spring Fair, and September's Washington State Fair. The fairgrounds also hosts other events over the course of the year, but the two fairs are the time to enjoy the rides that are a permanent fixture of the fairground.

​Location:
Puyallup, Washington, USA

Website:
www.thefair.com

Closest Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport - 29 miles

Can't Miss at Washington State Fairgrounds:
> Classic Coaster - A staple of the Washington State Fair since 1935, this wooden coaster started as a side-friction coaster until the 1950's when it's current trains were utilized. This ride offers a surprising ride when compared to many of it's taller wooden counterparts.

> Fisher Scones - A delightful treat that has been a part of the fair for several decades (and has since become a staple at many local county fairs and events throughout the Pacific Northwest), fresh baked on-site and served with raspberry jam inside.

> Piglet Palace - A place to see up close newly born, and absolutely adorable piglets. Many times, the little oinkers you see here are just a few days or couple weeks old when at the fair. 

​> Skyride - A relic of the 1962 World's Fair that was held in Seattle, the Skyride is an excellent way to get great views of the fairgrounds from above, and a nice relaxed way to get from one side of the fairgrounds to the other.
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Midway of the Washington State Fairgrounds

What's Nearby?
Arts & Entertainment:

> Emerald Queen Casino (Tacoma, 9 mi.) - One of the largest casinos in the Seattle area with a variety of gaming options that presents many popular musicians and some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy.

​> Museum of Glass (Tacoma, 10 mi.) - Dedicated to the medium of glass with pieces such as stained glass windows, glass sculptures and items created by glass blowing. The museum was inspired in part by Tacoma resident and famed glass artist, Dale Chahuly.
Festivals/Events:

​> Oktoberfest Northwest (Puyallup 0 mi.) - Just after the conclusion of the Washington State Fair, the fairgrounds event center begins to celebrate like they do in Munich for Oktoberfest! The traditional Fall German Festival, complete with Food, Music, activities for the kids, and of course, beer!
Food:

> Crockett's Public House (Puyallup, 1 mi.) - TripAdviser's #1 restaurant in Puyallup and a featured location on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives, this restaurant offers a popular breakfest with items such as their biscuit sandwiches and breakfast tacos. Those coming for later in the day for lunch or dinner will also have plentiful options to choose from, such as the grilled cheese melt, Mexico City street tacos, or one of their hand-crafted burgers.

> RAM Restaurant & Brewery (Puyallup, 2 mi.) - Created and still headquartered in nearby Lakewood, Washington, RAM Restaurant and Brewery chain offers an excellent assortment of craft beers. Their menu offers choices for a variety of tastes with items like their Hefewisen Beer Battered Fish and Chips, as well as the RAM Mac & Cheese.

​> Zeeks Pizza (Tacoma, 10 mi.) - A Seattle born pizza chain that says "Life's too short for crappy pizza." The good news is that you won't find that at Zeeks as they offer pies that use higher quality ingredients, including the dough which they prepare fresh daily.
PictureTacoma Narrows Bridge
Landmarks & History:

> Fort Nisqually Living History Museum (Tacoma, 18 mi.) - A recreation of the first European settlement in the Puget Sound region, brought to life by costumed interpreters helping to showcase life at the old Hudson Company fur trading post.

> Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Gig Harbor, 21 mi.) - The pair of suspension bridges that connects Tacoma with the Kitsap Peninsula. the Westbound bridge is the bridge that replaced the 1940's bridge nicknamed "Galloping Gertie" when it collapsed after experiencing aeroelastic flutter.

​> USS Turner Joy (Bremerton, 48 mi.) - Hop aboard to see one of the retired destroyers of the United States Navy that was commissioned in 1959, and decommissioned in 1982. ​

PictureMt. Rainier
Natural Wonders:

​> Mt. Rainier National Park (Pierce County, 50 mi.) - Home to the tallest peak in the State of Washington, and some of the state's best preserved old growth forests.

> Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Tacoma, 19 mi.) - Featuring 3,000 specimen of 300+ different species, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium had a large array of creatures to see, from both land and sea near the waters of Commencement Bay

PictureChambers Bay Golf Course
Sports:

> Chambers Bay Golf Course (University Place, 20 mi.) - Golf fans can visit the course that hosted the 2015 U.S. Open that was won by Jordan Spieth

​> Cheney Stadium (Tacoma, 14 mi.) - A ball park that features the Tacoma Rainiers (the Triple-A baseball team of the Seattle Mariners) and Sounders FC 2 (the reserves soccer team for the Seattle Sounders FC)

Theme Park-esque Attractions:

​> Great Wolf Lodge (Grand Mound, 51 mi.) - The popular indoor water park chain with a variety of slides and water attractions that can be enjoyed every day regardless of the weather, including the rainy winters the Pacific Northwest is known for.

Additional Coaster Credit Stops Within 100 Driving Miles:

> Remlinger Farms (Carnation, 50 mi.) - Mine-Twister

Related Coasting with Culture Content
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​Washington State Fair Cultural Connections

(YouTube, Cultural Connections) This episode looks at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, and how it became home to a popular treat, how it was part of one of America's darker times, and how it had a minor role in a recent hit film.
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