Point Defiance garden festival will impact traffic this week. Plan ahead.
The annual Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival will take place on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Starting Thursday, June 5, traffic will be impacted in and around Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.
On Thursday, the Pearl Street entrance, Roberts Garden Road and Marina tunnel will be affected, according to a Wednesday news release from Parks Tacoma.
The Pearl Street entrance will be closed at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. During the festival, the gate will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Normal operations will resume on Monday.
Roberts Garden Road's left fork that leads to the Pearl Street entrance is scheduled to close from Thursday to Sunday. Crews will reopen it on Monday by 2 p.m.
The Marina tunnel will also be closed starting Thursday, and will return to normal operations on Monday by 2 p.m.
Throughout this period, drivers entering Point Defiance must exit the park through the marina, according to the news release. Those who wish to visit the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Owen Beach and the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum during this time have to use the Mildred Street Entrance.
Other than that, entrance to the Point Defiance Marina, boat launch or Vashon Island ferry won't be affected.
The festival is free to the public, but experiences like guided garden tours, workshops, lectures and happy hour vary in price, according to the Parks Tacoma website.
Free parking is limited, but available in the boat launch parking lot and on neighborhood streets. Paid parking can be found above the boat launch parking lot for $16 and at Point Ruston. Attendees can pre-pay in the Point Ruston garage and walk across the Wilson Way pedestrian bridge to enter Point Defiance Park.
Reserved parking is available for visitors with disabilities near the lodge crosswalk at Point Defiance. Visitors can also take public transportation to the park, including Pierce Transit buses 10 and 11.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Condé Nast Traveler
a day ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Sea Turtle Care Center at the South Carolina Aquarium — Aquarium Review
Let's start big picture. What's the vibe here? Fresh breezes from the harbor greet you as you walk up the ramp into this friendly behemoth. It's architecturally very spacious, so despite the definite kid energy here (children absolutely love this place), there are still plenty of nooks where you can zone out to the hypnotic undulations of a pulsing moon jellyfish, or stare down a suspended longnose gar. Most folks head straight for the biggest attraction: the multi-story Great Ocean Tank with its concentric parade of sharks and ginormous pufferfish. But it's the Sea Turtle Care Center that gives this place such heart. For 25 years now, whenever ailing sea turtles are stranded and rescued from regional waters (caught in netting, injured by a boat prop or shark attack, accidentally hooked by a fisherman, or stunned by a cold front), they are brought here for care, recuperation, and a second chance at life. You can help, simply by paying the price of admission and bearing witness. Tell us about your fellow tourees. All ages, all types, but definitely families with children big and small. There's something to interest everyone, from technicolor roseate spoonbills to interactive 'touch tanks' (stingrays, horseshoe crabs). You learn so much about the waters that surround you here. Any standout features or must-sees? On the main floor, head to the Sea Turtle Care Center where prehistoric patients swim around in roomy display tanks. You can meet each one and read all about their journeys, from highly endangered petite Kemp's ridley turtles to hundred-pound loggerheads (their largest loggerhead weighed in at 360 pounds; their largest leatherback a whopping 500!). From behind glass, you might witness an X-Ray in progress, or watch caregivers applying honey to wounds—that's right, honey, with its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, a biodegradable sealant. You might even catch a surgery in progress, like the reattaching of a flipper, or cataracts removal (yes, turtles get cataracts, too). Best of all are turtle release dates, when staff doctors deem a turtle healthy enough to rewild—the community comes to the beach to see it off, joyful and even tearful as the turtle ambles into waves and disappears beneath them. Was it easy to get around? Ramps, escalators, and elevators make the aquarium easy to access. It flows. Sometimes the crowds can be a bit much, like little boys jostling for position at the snake and alligator tanks, but you can always walk over and commune with the less popular (but very handsome) invasive lionfish. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Humanity! It's priceless to witness such hands-on dedication to the protection of endangered sea life. Charleston is full of people who really care: volunteers who obtain permits to walk beaches at night to protect nesting sea turtles on barrier islands. When you walk into the Sea Turtle Care Center, you'll see a wall of local donors who make it all possible.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods Discusses National Seashell Day with YourUpdateTV
Nationwide media tour conducted by Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods in conjunction with D S Simon Media and YourUpdate TV to discuss National Seashell Day on June 20, from Sanibel Island, the Seashell Capital of the World NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A video accompanying this announcement is available at: As National Seashell Day and the first day of summer arrive on June 20, Sanibel Island, the Seashell Capital of the World, offers more than sand and sun. It offers a hunt for nature's jewelry…seashells. Thanks to the 400 species of shells that can be found along its shores, Sanibel is widely celebrated as the 'Seashell Capital of the World.' Sanibel's dedication to conservation is a defining characteristic, with over 70% of the land deemed preserved land. Combined with no traffic lights, no buildings taller than a palm tree and more than 26 miles of bike trails, the island offers a rare combination of natural beauty and laid-back charm, making it a truly unique destination. The Bailey-Mathews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, located on Sanibel, is the only accredited museum in the United States devoted solely to every aspect of seashells and mollusks. With a mission to use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences and science to be the nation's leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation and celebration of shells, mollusks and their ecosystems. The museum has some 500,000 shells on display and recently opened an aquarium exhibit called 'Beyond Shells Living Gallery,' which is home to over 50 species of marine life. For visitors seeking an authentic, Sanibel shoreline experience, museum educators from the Bailey-Mathews National Shell Museum & Aquarium lead a weekly, guided beach walk on Wednesdays at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. The tour offers an in-depth look at local shells while providing hands-on exploration and insights into the island's unique coastal ecosystem, making it a must-do for visitors looking to discover what makes Sanibel so special. Since 2022, the island has recovered tremendously— featuring new restaurants, boutique hotels and fresh experiences. But the heart of Sanibel remains unchanged: a coastline where the ocean leaves gifts every morning. An array of new restaurants have recently opened and reopened on Sanibel island including The Blue Giraffe, Gramma Dot's, Wickies Lighthouse, The Shipyard, Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro and many more. In addition to restaurants, many hotels on Sanibel Island have recently reopened including Sanibel Island Beach Resort and Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. Shalimar Beach Resort will be reopening later this year. The destination continues to welcome travelers this summer, with more than 80% of rooms open across Fort Myers and its islands, beaches and neighborhoods. The coastal destination is easily accessible with more than 69 direct flight options from major airports including ATL, ORD, LGA, BOS, MSP and more. For Floridians, Fort Myers' convenient location makes the destination a perfect choice for an in-state, close-to-home summer getaway from cities like Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, Orlando and more. For more information, visit About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. About Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For more information, visit Contact: Dante Muccigrossodantem@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods Discusses National Seashell Day with YourUpdateTV
Nationwide media tour conducted by Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods in conjunction with D S Simon Media and YourUpdate TV to discuss National Seashell Day on June 20, from Sanibel Island, the Seashell Capital of the World NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A video accompanying this announcement is available at: As National Seashell Day and the first day of summer arrive on June 20, Sanibel Island, the Seashell Capital of the World, offers more than sand and sun. It offers a hunt for nature's jewelry…seashells. Thanks to the 400 species of shells that can be found along its shores, Sanibel is widely celebrated as the 'Seashell Capital of the World.' Sanibel's dedication to conservation is a defining characteristic, with over 70% of the land deemed preserved land. Combined with no traffic lights, no buildings taller than a palm tree and more than 26 miles of bike trails, the island offers a rare combination of natural beauty and laid-back charm, making it a truly unique destination. The Bailey-Mathews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, located on Sanibel, is the only accredited museum in the United States devoted solely to every aspect of seashells and mollusks. With a mission to use exceptional collections, aquariums, programs, experiences and science to be the nation's leading museum in the conservation, preservation, interpretation and celebration of shells, mollusks and their ecosystems. The museum has some 500,000 shells on display and recently opened an aquarium exhibit called 'Beyond Shells Living Gallery,' which is home to over 50 species of marine life. For visitors seeking an authentic, Sanibel shoreline experience, museum educators from the Bailey-Mathews National Shell Museum & Aquarium lead a weekly, guided beach walk on Wednesdays at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. The tour offers an in-depth look at local shells while providing hands-on exploration and insights into the island's unique coastal ecosystem, making it a must-do for visitors looking to discover what makes Sanibel so special. Since 2022, the island has recovered tremendously— featuring new restaurants, boutique hotels and fresh experiences. But the heart of Sanibel remains unchanged: a coastline where the ocean leaves gifts every morning. An array of new restaurants have recently opened and reopened on Sanibel island including The Blue Giraffe, Gramma Dot's, Wickies Lighthouse, The Shipyard, Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro and many more. In addition to restaurants, many hotels on Sanibel Island have recently reopened including Sanibel Island Beach Resort and Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. Shalimar Beach Resort will be reopening later this year. The destination continues to welcome travelers this summer, with more than 80% of rooms open across Fort Myers and its islands, beaches and neighborhoods. The coastal destination is easily accessible with more than 69 direct flight options from major airports including ATL, ORD, LGA, BOS, MSP and more. For Floridians, Fort Myers' convenient location makes the destination a perfect choice for an in-state, close-to-home summer getaway from cities like Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, Orlando and more. For more information, visit About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. About Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For more information, visit Contact: Dante Muccigrossodantem@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
