Museum of Glass 🇺🇸

Located along Tacoma, Washington's Thea Foss Waterway, the Museum of Glass invites you to celebrate the vibrant studio glass movement inside a striking 75,000-square-foot contemporary venue. Designed by renowned architect Arthur Erickson, this iconic facility features a sweeping exterior spiral concrete stairway, three rimless reflecting pools, and a direct connection to downtown Tacoma via the breathtaking Chihuly Bridge of Glass.

As you explore the 13,000 square feet of gallery space, you will encounter diverse permanent collections including 20th and 21st Century Glass, Cappy Thompson's Gathering the Light, the Kids Design Glass Collection, and "Triceratops"—the museum's historic first permanent functional glass pipe installation. The absolute centerpiece of your visit is the 7,000-square-foot hot shop amphitheater.

Housed inside an incredible 100-foot-tall angled cone wrapped in 2,800 diamond-shaped stainless steel panels inspired by old sawmill burners, this space allows 145 seated visitors to watch live glass blowing and casting demonstrations firsthand. Whether you are observing visiting artists create groundbreaking works through the museum's renowned residency program or appreciating world-class contemporary art, the Museum of Glass offers you an unforgettable, creative experience right on the Pacific Northwest waterfront.

What to see at Museum of Glass

• Live glass blowing demonstrations inside the 145-seat hot shop amphitheater
• The iconic 100-foot angled cone crafted from 2,800 stainless steel panels
• The Chihuly Bridge of Glass connecting the museum to downtown Tacoma
• Diverse collections featuring 20th and 21st Century Glass and Kids Design Glass
• The historic functional glass pipe artwork 'Triceratops' by Ryan (Buck) Harris

Visiting tips

Take a seat inside the 145-guest hot shop amphitheater to watch artists blow and cast glass live during your visit.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: During live hot shop demonstrations

How to get there & what’s nearby

Museum of Glass is easy to reach on Tacoma’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tacoma travel guide.