# Point Defiance Park: Owen Beach Promenade & Old-Growth Forest Trails > Place to go for families in the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue area (WA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Open daily 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; Owen Beach pavilion open… - Where: Owen Beach & Point Defiance Park, 5601 Five Mile Dr, Tacoma, WA 98407 - Ages: All ages; ADA-accessible paved beach promenade, ramps, and nature play structures; stroller friendly - Price: Free admission; Free parking at Owen Beach lot and throughout Point Defiance Park; Restrooms and picnic facilities are free - Schedule: Open daily 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; Owen Beach pavilion open during daylight hours - Organizer: Metro Parks Tacoma - Official page: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org - Last checked: Wed, Nov 4 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/point-defiance-park-owen-beach-promenade-and-old-growth-forest-trails--listing-5593a637002c240de180169a ## About Occupying the northern tip of the Tacoma peninsula overlooking the Tacoma Narrows, Point Defiance Park is a 760-acre municipal gem second in size only to New York's Central Park. Its premier family waterfront destination, Owen Beach, features an ADA-accessible paved promenade, pebble and sand beaches for beachcombing, sculpted driftwood seating, and sweeping winter views of Mount Rainier rising over Commencement Bay and Vashon Island. Children can explore a nature-inspired climbing play area featuring carved wooden killer whales and sea creatures. Inland from the beach, miles of serene, sheltered forest trails wind beneath ancient 450-year-old Douglas firs and western red cedars that buffer chilly coastal winds. The beach pavilion provides heated ADA restrooms, sheltered picnic tables, and kayak launch access, making it a beloved year-round family nature haven. ## Similar picks in Seattle - [Fish Tales Story and Craft at the Point Defiance Marina](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/fish-tales-story-and-craft-at-the-point-defiance-marina--listing-7f7142db6d5e14a9e5163eea) — Thu, Nov 12 (+1 more date) · 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Point Defiance Marina (covered area behind the fishing pier), Tacoma · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. A monthly story-and-craft hour at the Point Defiance Marina, held under the covered area behind the fishing pier on the second Thursday of each month. It is geared toward younger… - [Family Nature Walk – Fall Colors at Point Defiance](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/family-nature-walk-fall-colors-at-point-defiance--listing-3f70317cfe7fd303724d20a4) — Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Point Defiance Park (meet at the Fort Nisqually Picnic Shelter), Tacoma · Free · checked Oct 20. An hour-long family nature walk in Point Defiance Park that looks at the park from a child's point of view: participants discover the plants and animals that live there and how… - [Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/zoolights-at-point-defiance-zoo-and-aquarium--listing-ccb8cd68cbd90728f355468c) — Nov 27 – Jan 3 · 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma · All ages · From $16 · checked Nov 4. A Puget Sound holiday tradition for over 35 years, Zoolights illuminates Point Defiance Zoo with more than 800,000 sparkling LED lights crafted into iconic Pacific Northwest… - [Washington Park Arboretum: Joseph A. Witt Winter Garden & Azalea Way Trail](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/washington-park-arboretum-joseph-a-witt-winter-garden-and-azalea-way-t--listing-0631c23d3380e3e20723326a) — Arboretum grounds open daily dawn to dusk, 365 days a year; Graham Visitors Center open… · Washington Park Arboretum · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. Tucked between Montlake and Madison Park along the tranquil shores of Lake Washington, the 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum is an urban nature sanctuary renowned for its… - [Discovery Park & West Point Lighthouse: Puget Sound Winter Beach and Forest Loop](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/discovery-park-and-west-point-lighthouse-puget-sound-winter-beach-and--listing-70a2e887b3fa0919f067f3e6) — Park grounds open daily 4:00 AM–11:30 PM; Environmental Learning Center open Tue–Sun… · Discovery Park & West Point Lighthouse · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. Spanning 534 scenic acres on the Magnolia bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park is Seattle's largest city park and a premier family winter nature retreat. On crisp winter… - [Veterans' Appreciation Days at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/activities/veterans-appreciation-days-at-point-defiance-zoo-and-aquarium--listing-e2eb2764c9c740fb90dbee1d) — Nov 11 – Nov 15 · 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM · Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma · With admission · checked Oct 20. Around Veterans Day, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium admits U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members free, and their immediate family members get half-off general… ## More for families - [Things to do with kids in Tacoma, WA](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/towns/tacoma-wa) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/seattle/towns/tacoma-wa.md) - [Things to do with kids in Pierce County, WA](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/counties/pierce-county-wa) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/seattle/counties/pierce-county-wa.md) - [Things to do with kids in Seattle — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/seattle/events/2026-11.md) - [This weekend in Seattle](https://grassyknees.com/seattle/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/seattle/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Seattle](https://grassyknees.com/seattle) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/seattle.md)