Welcome to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington – part of the Lakewood-Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest Puget Sound region, just an hour’s drive away from the great city of Seattle, there is no shortage of exploring to be done, sights to be seen, and adventures to be had!
While there are tons of guides for exploring the Seattle region and nearby Mt. Rainier National Park, less highlighted are the countless activities and attraction in the area south of Tacoma and around Lakewood, including Nisqually Reach. Because of this lack of emphasis, we will focus here primarily on the abovementioned regions, separately from Seattle, and all that they have to offer. You certainly do need to explore the Emerald City and Mt. Rainier National Park, but there are more exhaustive guides for those worthy adventures!
Let’s start with a few useful facts…
Lakewood, WA:
- Population: 63,612 people (April 2020)
- BIPOC Population: 54% (2020 Census, PRSC Analysis)
- Unemployment Rate: 5.9% (January 2022)
- Median Home Price: $525,000 (March 2022)
- Median Household Income: $69,522 (2022)
- Elevation: 262 ft (80 m)
- Mayor: Jason Whalen
- Primary Airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Largest Industry Sector: Healthcare (35.7%)
- Average Commute Time: 28.9 minutes
1. There is Something Here for Everyone – Including Families!
The cool thing about this region is that there is something here for almost every taste and predilection. Are you a city slicker? Well, Lakewood has you covered, and Seattle is just a stone’s throw away. Are you more of an outdoorsy type? The Puget Sound region is replete with parks, nature areas, beaches, and other havens. Abutting a major metropolitan area, Lakewood is bustling with activity, businesses, and opportunities. The places below are just a starting point for your explorations!
Paradise Lanes Entertainment Center – a cool thirty-two lane venue with an arcade, pool tables, full-service bar, restaurant, and conference and party rooms available. (12505 Pacific Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98444; (253) 537-6012)
Wild Waves Theme and Water Park – a popular water park destination – one of three in the entire state – with thrill rides like the Raging River Ride and the Pacific Plunge. (36201 Enchanted Pkwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003; (253) 661-8000)
Warrior Zone – calling all gamers: Warrior Zone is a hi-tech recreation facility for ages 18 and up that features game stations with 55-inch HD monitors, computers, movie rooms, shuffleboard and billiard tables, plus a café! (11592 17th St, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433; (253) 477-5756)
W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory – a 27-acre arboretum and tropical plant conservatory built in 1908 that houses exotic plants and flowers, orchids, bird of paradise, ferns, palms, figs, citrus trees, and unusual and endangered species of flora. (316 S G St, Tacoma, WA 98405; (253) 404-3975)
Airhouse Adventure Park – Auburn – a fun, family-friendly indoor adventure park filled with jump areas, rock wall climbing, an arcade, and a GrubHouse for food and drinks. (1101 Outlet Collection Way #1275, Auburn, WA 98001; (253) 943-6770)
Muckleshoot Casino Resort – operated by the Muckleshoot Tribe, this nearby facility features literally thousands of video game machines and table games, live entertainment, and dining. (2402 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002; (800) 804-4944)
Children’s Museum of Tacoma – a play-based, interactive museum that is both fun and educational. Admission is by donation. (1501 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 627-6031)
Dorky’s Arcade – find retro fun at this ‘80s-style arcade, serving up pizza and beer. After 9 p.m., only 21+ allowed. (754 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 627-4156)
Tacoma Book Center – attention bookworms: this used bookstore has been in operation for over 30 years and touts itself to be the largest used bookstore in the state! (324 E 26th St, Tacoma, WA 98421; (253) 572-8248)
Tacoma Comedy Club – a hopping venue featuring top-notch touring acts, open mic nights and other events, and full food and drink menus. (933 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 282-7203)
Debbie Dolittle’s Indoor Petting Zoo – get up close and personal at this petting zoo that specializes in baby and miniature pets, farm animals, and exotic animals. Fun for the whole family. (120 138th Street South, Tacoma, WA 98444; 253-539-5011)
Lakewood Playhouse – founded in 1938, this 180-seat theatre features live theatrical productions and youth and adult education classes. A touch of culture. (5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499; (253) 588-00420
Great American Casino – you don’t have to travel very far for the chance to strike it rich. Featuring live bands on the weekend and a full-service restaurant, you’ll be all set to try your hand. (10117 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98499; (253) 396-0500)
Lakewood Shooting Range – this is Lakewood’s only indoor shooting range. It features sixteen 25-yard lanes, touch screen controllers, and gun rentals. (11701 Pacific Highway S.W. Ste. B Lakewood, WA 98499; (253) 582-0222)
Nisqually Red Wind Casino – one of the premier casinos of the greater Olympia region, owned and operated by the Nisqually Indian Tribe. It has over 1,600 slot machines, table games, a high limit room, as well as drinks and dining. (12819 Yelm Hwy SE, Olympia, WA 98513; (866) 946-2444)
Lakewood Towne Center – for a shopping center nearby to McChord AFB that is sure to contain most of your shopping needs and desires, the Lakewood Towne Center won’t disappoint. It has department stores like Target, restaurants, clothing stores, a movie theater, and more. (5731 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499; (253) 584-6191)
White River Amphitheatre – if live music is your jam, you’ll want to check out this venue’s season schedule. This major live music venue is in Auburn, and it can seat 16,000 people. Catch big acts here. Bands and performers that have played here include Iron Maiden, Sting, and Jimmy Buffett.
LeMay Collections at Marymount – got a thing for classic cars? This venue houses over 500 vintage vehicles and is the state’s largest automotive collection. Take a tour, attend one of their annual car shows, and even get an opportunity to drive a Ford Model T. (325 152nd St E, Tacoma, WA 98445; (253) 272-2336)
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden – a free admission preservation of two private gardens that were deemed of cultural value by the community. It’s worth checking out for the beautiful rose garden, greenhouse plants, and the collections of fuchsias, daylilies, and iris. (13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98168; (206) 391-4003)
2. Jobs and PCS Resources are Plentiful
A significant part of the economy of Tacoma is sustained by JBLM and several international companies that make their home here: True Blue Inc. (formerly Labor Ready), the lumber company Simpson, and food companies Brown and Haley and Roman Meal. The major employers in the area include the military, healthcare, finance and insurance sectors, as well as aerospace, trade, logistics, government, and education.
The unemployment rate sits at 5.7%, and as the economy heals from the devastation of the pandemic, this should improve over time, making this city a true job seeker market. The average salary in Lakewood is $ 51,972. In 2022, the minimum wage in Washington is $14.49 per hour.
Additionally, there are many privately-owned companies here that make it a top priority to recruit military and veteran job-seeking candidates.
A few useful tidbits…
- JBLM is located between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia, next to the town of Lakewood.
- The population of JBLM is approximately 295,000.
- JBLM is the oldest military installation in the Pacific Northwest.
- Camp Lewis was established in 1917.
- Nature envelops the Pacific Northwest. A 30-minute drive could get you from base to climbing Mount Rainier or to kayaking in the Puget Sound.
- Facebook Groups remain an excellent way to meet and connect with other PCS families in the area. Some of the ones currently most popular include: The Military Wives/Spouses of JBLM, JBLM Families, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Wives And PCS Resource. Other useful Facebook groups include: JBLM Babysitters and JBLM Buy Sell Trade.
3. Traffic is manageable
Interstate 5 goes by Exit 125 which will take you to JBLM-McChord Field, Main gate, and is open 24 hours a day (for Air Force personnel). Exit 120 will take you to JBLM-Lewis Main, Liberty Gate, and is open 24 hours a day (for Army personnel). Interstate 5 and the roads surrounding base can get gnarly with traffic. The Washington State Department of Transportation website for real-time travel data can be useful for planning your trips ahead of time.
4. Lakewood is an Affordable Housing Market
Lakewood is growing at ~1% per year. The entire region is seeing positive net migration. Still, Lakewood is the second most affordable Pierce County municipality, second to Spanaway. The median property value in Lakewood, WA was about $270,000 in 2019, slightly higher than the national average of $241,000. In the current market (May 2022), home prices were up, selling for a median price of $530,000.
The homeownership rate in Lakewood is 43.4%. On average, homes sell after six days on the market. The largest share of households in Lakewood pay taxes in the $3k+ range. It is worth noting that the JBLM Off-Base Housing Study found a deficit in the ratio of housing units to households. The national ratio is 1.14 and Pierce County’s ratio is 1.06.
Are you in the market for a new home or looking to sell your home? Not sure where to start? Fortunately, there are plenty of great resources available, including our very own PCS Joes Veteran Home Advocacy Group. This specialized real estate team finds beautiful and affordable homes throughout the country for military members. PCSJoes offers exclusive military incentives to service-members buying and selling homes. Check out the savings calculator on the homepage to see how much you can save.
5. The History and Culture of the Region is Rich, Diverse, and Vibrant
In the beginning, the very beginning, Lakewood was called “the Prairie.” It was a wide expanse of land that was dotted with small lakes and oak trees. The Steilacoom and Nisqually Indians lived on the Prairie and found in it a ready source of food and shelter and all the necessities of life. Then, came the advent of the white hunters, trappers, and settlers to the region, and with them came agriculture and farming. Fort Steilacoom, operated by the U.S. Army, was established to help quell Indian uprisings. When the railroad was built, the once wild beauty of the region saw a development of industry and population growth.
As such, Lakewood and surrounding Puget Sound region have an abundance of historical interest, pain, and beauty – much of it tragic, proud, joyful, and fascinating. The points of interest below are great starting points for immersing yourself in the vibrancy of this richly storied landscape.
Job Carr Cabin Museum – located near the site of settler Job Carr’s original settlement, on land that once belonged to the Puyallup people, this museum is a replica of Tacoma’s first permanent non-Native residence. (2350 N 30th St, Tacoma, WA 98403; (253) 627-5405)
Lewis Army Museum – a military museum housing collections of uniforms and equipment; features a vehicle park with a collection of tanks, jeeps, weapons, and rockets. (4320 Main St. and, Constitution Dr, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433; (253) 967-7206).
Pacific Bonsai Museum – one of only two museums in the nation dedicated solely to bonsai. This museum maintains a collection of 150 bonsai and group tours, educational programs, and public events throughout the year. (2515 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98001; (253) 353-7345)
The Museum of Flight – it’s closer to Seattle, but if you’re Air Force, you must check out the Museum of Flight – the largest independent non-profit air and space museum in the world, containing over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, thousands of artifacts, rare photographs, and a library. (9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108; (206) 764-5700)
Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park – a sculptured landscape of a Chinese garden set against the natural beauty of Commencement Bay, this lovely park is a celebration of cultural diversity and aesthetic beauty. Great for leisurely strolls and relaxation. (1741 N Schuster Pkwy, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 330-8828)
Steilacoom Historical Museum – preserving the history of Washington’s first incorporated town, this small museum features thousands of historical photos and a collection of artifacts from pioneer life. (1801 Rainier St, Steilacoom, WA 98388; (253) 584-4133)
Museum of Glass – a contemporary art museum dedicated to glass and glassmaking, ranked by USA Today as a top ten tourist destination in the state. (1801 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 284-4750)
Lakewold Gardens – a 10-acre non-profit historic estate, garden, and nature center open year-round to visitors. An ideal setting for weddings. (12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499; (253) 584-4106)
Washington State History Museum – a history museum in the heart of downtown Tacoma that maintains three permanent exhibits that highlight the history of the state, from Native American history to the Women’s Suffrage movement and industrialization. Check out the top floor which houses the state’s largest permanent model train layout. A 3-minute walk from the Museum of Glass. (1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 272-3500)
Tacoma Art Museum – named by USA Today as one of the “Top 10 Great Places to See Art in Smaller Cities,” this art museum houses over 5,300 works that emphasize the rich art history of the Northwest and broader western region. (1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402; (253) 272-4258)
Dupont Historical Museum – a small gem of a museum that presents the role of DuPont in the development of the Puget Sound Region. It features Native American displays and artifacts, industrial history, and archival photographs of the community. (207 Barksdale Avenue, DuPont, WA 98327; (253) 964-2399)
6. The Food is Amazing
The food scene in Lakewood is adequately varied and catering to every taste. Don’t worry. You can eat quite well in Lakewood, including all the standard fare of most American diets. But, what we want to let you in on is not the standard, but rather, the food that deeply means something integral to the culture of the region, and the flavors and staples unique to Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest, for which we are renowned. When in Rome, right?
First things first. Obey your thirst. Special shout-out to FOB Forward Operating Base Brewing Company, a veteran-owned and operated brewpub and BBQ eatery that honors and caters especially to military members, Veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders.
Now, that we’ve satiated our thirst, let’s grub! Below is our list of some must-eats of the Puget Sound region:
Salmon – people around here love salmon! It can be prepared in many ways, including as salmon “candy,” a jerky-like snack tossed in marinade and sweetened with maple syrup or brown sugar.
Walla Wallas – the Walla Walla onion is a large and incredibly sweet white onion native to the region that’s makes for an ideal onion ring. Diners throughout Puget Sound offer their version of this buttermilk-coated and fried staple, especially during the summer.
Marionberries – it is a cross-species of Chehalem and Olallie blackberries. Marionberries rely on Oregon’s volcanic Jory soil to create a huge, sweet-tart-floral berry that ripens on vines in July. Marionberry pie is served across the state and jams, infused vodkas, and marinades are sold at nearly every gift shop in the area.
Seattle Dogs – this local concoction is every sports fan’s go-to, a juicy hot dog smeared with cream cheese and topped with sauteed onions.
Hazelnuts – since Oregon grows nearly 100 percent of the country’s hazelnuts, it only makes sense that this delicious and versatile nut is integral to the local cuisine. Try it as a roasted or chocolate-covered, visit the Pacific Hazelnut Factory, or try a hazelnut-themed restaurant, Filberts Farmhouse Kitchen
Fisher Scones – this item is iconic Washington fair food. It is a soft, fluffy scone served hot with honey butter and jam. The name comes from the Fisher flour that was traditionally used in the recipe, but as of now, the factory is closed permanently. You can still get good scones, though.
7. It’s a Great Place to Get Fit and Stay Fit
It might be necessary to work off all that eating! Don’t worry. Lakewood has you covered. It’s as easy to find opportunity to shed the pounds in this town as it is to pack them on. With all the natural beauty of an untamed mountain wilderness a stone’s throw away, outdoor physical activity is year-round. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise of trails, wildlife, parks, lakes, hikes, swims, jumps, and climbs – all in the glory of the great outdoors!
Of course, Lakewood has major gyms and fitness brands like Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness, but it also has dozens of smaller and more specialized facilities, such as Tuladhara Yoga, Black Belt USA Battleground MMA, and the Metro Tacoma Fencing Club (MTFC).
Eagle’s Pride Golf Course – a scenic 27-hole championship course open to the public and situated in the shadow of the majesty of Mount Rainier. Food and drinks available at Eagle’s Pride Grill. (1529 Mounts Rd SW, DuPont, WA 98327; (253) 967-6522)
Five Mile Lake Park – a lakefront park that has, as the name suggests, a good amount of shoreline, picnic areas, a swimming beach, fishing dock, play fields, a baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, volleyball, walking paths, and a forested knoll area for kids to explore. (36429 44th Ave S, Auburn, WA 98001; (206) 477-6150)
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center – attention all swimmers! Built for the 1990 Seattle Goodwill Games, this Aquatic Center is one of the premier natatoriums in the country with its 8-lane, 50-meter course pool. (650 SW Campus Dr, Federal Way, WA 98023; (206) 477-4444)
Saltwater State Park – a beautiful 137-acre camping park located halfway between Tacoma and Seattle with 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on Puget Sound. It is the only state park with an underwater artificial reef for diving. (25205 8th Pl S, Des Moines, WA 98198; (253) 661-4956)
The Classic Golf Course – one of the best and most beautiful golf courses in the area. It is the home course of PGA Tour Professional Ryan Moore, but it is accessible to golfers of all skill levels. (4908 208th St E, Spanaway, WA 98387; (253) 847-4440)
Fort Steilacoom Park – at 340 acres, this is the largest park in Lakewood. It includes Waughop Lake, a trail system, a kid’s playground, an off-leash dog park, an RC fly area, soccer fields, and baseball fields. (8714 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498; (253) 983-7887)
Sunnyside Beach Park – a small and picturesque beachfront park with access to the shoreline and lovely views, picnic tables, grills, benches, disabled access, restrooms, showers, trails and sidewalks, and a volleyball Court. (2509 Chambers Creek Rd,
Steilacoom, WA 98388; (253) 581-1912)
Dash Point State Park – a cool 461-acre camping park with 11 miles of forested hiking trails and eight miles of biking trails. However, its main draw is the beach, with 3,301 feet of saltwater shoreline. (5700 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, WA 98023; (253) 661-4955)
Spanaway Park – a very popular 135-acre park with many amenities, plus aquatic recreation, including two swimming beaches (no lifeguards), a boat launch, and a fishing pier. (14905 Bresemann Boulevard South, Spanaway, WA 98387; (253) 798-4177)
Chambers Bay Golf Course – one of the premier public golf courses in the region. In 2022, it was ranked #1 Best Golf Course in Washington by Golfweek Magazine and has hosted the U.S. Open. (6320 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98467; (253) 460-4653)
Sprinker Recreation Center – a family-friendly community recreation center with indoor and outdoor facilities, including for ice skating, hockey, ice bumper cars, tennis, racquetball, pickleball, basketball, soccer, baseball and softball, skateboarding, rock wall climbing, and picnics. (14824 C St S, Tacoma, WA 98444; (253) 798-4000)
Stewart Heights Pool – an 8,500-square foot public swimming pool facility with a small lazy river, waterslide, and a bubble tub. (5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln, Tacoma, WA 98404; (253) 404-3925)
Fort Steilacoom Park – this 340-acre park is the largest park in Lakewood. It features an expansive trail system with dedicated 5K route, baseball, softball and soccer fields, a playground, an orienteering course, radio-controlled aircraft area, an off-leash dog park, and two picnic shelters and restrooms. (8714 87th Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98498; (253) 983-7887)
Mount Rainier National Park – no stay to Washington is complete without a trip to the iconic national park. At 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier, an active volcano, is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. From subalpine meadows to forest areas, the park has sites to explore in every season. (55210 238th Avenue East Ashford, WA 98304; (360) 569-2211)
Point Defiance Park – an urban oasis and perfect place to spend the day with the family. This 760-acre park in the city of Tacoma features a newly renovated beach area, a scenic Five Mile Drive and walking and running trails, dunes, bridges, gardens, and an off-leash dog park. There is even a Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. (5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407; (253) 305-1088)
Puget Creek Natural Area – a little hidden gem of a trail, about a mile long, that follows Puget Creek through a gulch above Commencement Bay. The creek is one of only three salmon-bearing streams in Tacoma. (N Lawrence St &, Alder Way, Tacoma, WA 98407; (253) 305-1000)
Tacoma Twin Rinks – an ice sports facility with two full regulation sheets of ice, locker rooms, viewing areas, public ice skating, speed and figure skating, youth and adult programs, hockey, curling, broomball, birthday party facilities, and more. (2645 S 80th St, Tacoma, WA 98409; (253) 272-7825)
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge – a great alternative to the national park for connecting with nature. Year-round trails traversing diverse habitats offer visitors plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. The Visitor Center provides an overview of the Nisqually River Delta. Be sure to walk the mile-long Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk which extends over the estuary. (100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, WA 98516; (360) 753-9467)
8. It’s a Safe City
Since 2004, the crime rate in Lakewood has declined steadily, and that is thanks to the concerted efforts of the Lakewood Police Department, community-based efforts, and local government. However, according to the Lakewood Police Department, “the last two years have seen a sharp increase in both person crimes, such as assaults and shootings, and property crimes, including vehicle theft and shoplifting.” Just something to be aware of. The bottom line is this: play it safe and stay smart and alert. But that goes for any town or city.
9. The Schools Are Top Notch
The Clover Park School District operates all public schools in town. It consists of 17 elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, one alternative high school and Harrison Preparatory School (grades 6-12). The private schools in Lakewood are St. Frances Cabrini School, Lakewood Lutheran School, and Harrison Preparatory School. Lakewood is also home to Pierce College Fort Steilacoom and Clover Park Technical College.
10. The Region is Just Plain Beautiful
Finally, the one thing you can say for sure about this area is that it is just plain beautiful. Beauty abounds! Whether you are hiking in the mountains or swimming in the lake, you are sure to be dazzled in this wonderland of natural beauty. Have a sense of adventure and open your eyes to the sights of your new home. Take it all in. Puget Sound has much to offer.
A Few Parting Words Before You Make the Big Move
This is an exciting moment in your life. Relocating to a new city is a big step in anyone’s life, and we know how stressful that can be. Hopefully, this article provides you with a few resources for you to begin your new life in this wonderful city. And Lakewood really is a wonderful town! It is a unique and vibrant place that will offer you every opportunity to live your life to the fullest and to raise your family.
Welcome to your new home.
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