Wings + Woven: The Must-Do Summer Adventure in Tacoma, WA

When summer hits the South Sound, Tacoma comes alive. From waterfront trails to skyline views, indie eats to stunning waterfront dining destinations. And what better way cap your perfect day in T-Town by taking to the sky with a scenic seaplane adventure.

Introducing Wings + Woven – a dream day trip built for adventurers, food lovers, and anyone looking to shake up their weekend routine. The ideal curated summer experience combining a jaw-dropping 25-minute scenic seaplane flight over the South Sound along with happy hour and dinner at Woven, Tacoma’s stunning waterfront restaurant. Both are steps apart, right on Ruston Way, offering one seamless and unforgettable summer outing.

Here’s how to plan the ultimate Wings + Woven day with no passport or ferry ticket required.

9:30 AM — Brunch at The Hob Nob

Start your day with comfort and character at The Hob Nob, a Tacoma institution tucked into the Stadium District. This cozy neighborhood spot has been serving up hearty breakfasts and retro diner vibes since 1936. Go classic and try the French toast with whipped butter and warm syrup. Locals love the easygoing atmosphere and generous pours of coffee, perfect fuel for a day of exploring.

11:00 AM — Stroll Through the Tacoma Art Museum or Foss Waterway Seaport

Before you lift off, get grounded in Tacoma’s cultural scene. Head downtown and explore the Tacoma Art Museum, home to a stellar collection of Northwest and Coast Salish art, including rotating exhibits that celebrate the region’s deep creative roots. Or, wander the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum, where maritime history, shipbuilding artifacts, and waterfront views come together inside a beautifully restored dockside warehouse.

12:00 PM — Check In for Your Scenic Seaplane Flight

At noon, make your way to Kenmore Air’s check-in kiosk at the Puyallup Tribe Air Terminal, located just behind Woven on Ruston Way. The check-in process is quick, smooth and friendly, with pilots greeting guests and answering questions before boarding.

The Kenmore Air South Sound Scenic Flights, created in partnership with the Puyallup Tribe, depart daily at 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM (Mon – Fri) and 1PM and 2PM (Sat – Sun), from May 15 through September 15, starting at just $99 per person. Seats fill fast, so book early and bring your camera.

Soar Above the South Sound

Then, it’s go time.

As you rumble away from the dock, your scenic seaplane flight lifts off directly from the water, and within seconds, the views take your breath away. Watch as the city fades behind you and the South Sound unfolds in every direction: glimmering shorelines, rolling forests, distant islands, and sky-high perspectives you can’t get any other way.

This is more than just a sightseeing flight, it’s a pre-recorded fully narrated journey that shares insight into the region’s geography and traditional Puyallup Tribe place names as you soar above their ancestral lands. A rich storytelling experience that deepens your understanding of the land beneath your wings.

Highlights of the route include:

• Point Ruston
• Tacoma Narrows Bridge
• Chambers Bay Golf Course
• Anderson Island
• McNeil Island
• Fox Island
• Tacoma Narrows Airport
• Point Defiance
• Brown’s Point

Every seat is a window seat. You’ll soar over sailboats, islands and rugged coastlines as you experience the South Sound from the perspective of the sky, through the lens of deep cultural history.

2:00 PM — Walk the Ruston Way Waterfront

After a smooth landing back at the dock where you started, ease back into the day with a leisurely walk along the Ruston Way Waterfront Trail. This two-mile paved path hugs the shoreline, offering views of the bay, passing boats, and plenty of benches for taking it all in.

Check out the Fireboat No. 1, a restored maritime relic, or spend a few peaceful minutes at the Chinese Reconciliation Park, a serene and beautifully designed space honoring Tacoma’s history and cultural diversity.

4:00 PM — Happy Hour at Woven

After your waterfront stroll, step into Woven, Tacoma’s must-visit waterfront restaurant. Anchored on the water’s edge, the space is stunning – open, modern, and filled with natural textures, Indigenous design elements, and thoughtful details.

Enjoy Happy Hour with a rotating lineup of seasonal cocktails, local wines, and creative small plates like burrata caprese, Hamachi crudo or an assortment of fresh shucked oysters. It’s a gorgeous place to unwind, snack, and sip.

Pro tip: Snag a patio seat. The waterfront views are some of the best in the city and the late afternoon light is unbeatable.

5:30 PM — Dinner at Woven

When the golden hour rolls in, stay put for dinner. The evening menu at Woven takes things up a notch, highlighting the bounty of the Pacific Northwest with dishes like cedar-plank salmon and a seafood louie salad.

Each dish is a nod to the natural surroundings and regional culinary traditions, with flavors that are bold, layered, and memorable. The service is warm and unhurried, encouraging you to linger as the sun sets over Commencement Bay.

7:30 PM — Check Out McMenamins Elks Temple

If you’re not ready for the adventure to end (and why would you be?), turn your Wings + Woven day into an overnight escape by booking a stay at the McMenamins Elks Temple, just minutes away in downtown Tacoma.

This lovingly restored historic building is a destination in itself, with multiple bars, a rooftop patio, secret hallways, and live music venues tucked into its eclectic layout. Every room is uniquely styled, with quirky artwork and vintage charm that makes the entire place feel like a storybook.

9:00 PM — Nightcap at The Vault

Before you call it a night, find your way to The Vault, the Elks Temple’s hidden speakeasy carved into an old bank vault. It’s moody, candlelit, and full of just the right energy.

Know Before You Go

• Scenic seaplane flights run daily from May 15 – September 15
• Departure times: 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM (Mon-Fri) 1PM and 2PM (Sat-Sun)
• Check-in: 12:00 PM at Kenmore Air, 535 Dock Street (Ruston Way waterfront)
• Flight duration: 25 minutes round-trip
• Scenic Flight Price: Starting at $99 per person (May 15 – June 19) and $109 (June 20 – Sep 15)
• Book S. Sound Scenic Flight online or call 866-435-9524
• Book Reservations for Woven

Whether you’re planning a birthday surprise, a date day, or just shaking up your weekend routine, Wings + Woven is your elevated summer adventure and the kind of experience that turns a regular summer day into something extraordinary. Book the flight. Reserve that patio table. And rediscover how incredible the South Sound can be by land, by sea, and by sky.

Looking for More? Explore New Direct Flights from Tacoma

This summer also marks the return of Kenmore Air and the Puyallup Tribe’s direct scheduled service from Tacoma to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, along with the launch of brand-new flights from Tacoma to Victoria, BC’s Inner Harbour! Both routes run May 15 through September 15, departing directly from Ruston Way on Kenmore’s iconic seaplanes.

Whether you’re planning a weekend in the San Juans or a spontaneous escape to British Columbia, these flights offer a fast, scenic, and stress-free way to skip the ferries and arrive in style.