BY MATT KITE for WEEKLY VOLCANO 9/12/25 |
If you’ve noticed that Tacoma no longer resembles its pre-pandemic self, you’re not alone. Peggy Cleveland, local author of 100 Things to Do in Tacoma Before You Die, was inspired to revisit her work just three years after the book’s publication. The result is a much-anticipated second edition, published by Reedy Press and available now online and at brick-and-mortar bookstores.
“COVID devastated small businesses in Tacoma, with many shops and restaurants closing,” Peggy says. “The book has 30 percent new entries, and all the photos are new. The first edition sold out, and with all the changes after COVID, it made more sense to write a second edition than a new run of the first edition.”
Whether you’re a longtime local, frequent visitor, or newcomer to Tacoma, you’ll find the book bulging with activities and sightseeing opportunities in the city and surrounding communities. Its enthusiastic tone and thorough descriptions reflect Peggy’s love for Tacoma.
Asked to describe what makes South Puget Sound such a wonderful destination, especially for someone who has lived all over the world, Peggy has a ready-made answer. “Mountain, city, sea,” she says. “I always wanted a forever home with either a mountain or water view. Here we have both. We live in Steilacoom, so I have the small-town feel I love, and we’re close enough to Tacoma to enjoy all the big city has to offer. Also, there’s so much to do here. Usually, after a few years, I was ready to move, feeling like I had seen everything in the area. We’ve lived here eleven years now, and I still feel like there’s so much I haven’t done yet.”
Born in California, Peggy moved a total of 33 times before finally settling in the Tacoma area in 2014. She can trace her ever-changing home address to the military. Her father was in the Navy while she was growing up, she later served as a military intelligence officer in the Army for a dozen years, and she married a military man. Only after her husband was relocated to Joint Base Lewis-McChord did Peggy decide she was ready to grow roots. “My husband was at retirement age,” she explains, “and we fell in love with this area. With two boys in high school, it just made sense to stay here.”
What she found is a city and landscape that never stop surprising her. Far from growing bored of the area, she felt stirred to forge a new career. With a résumé that includes motherhood, active-duty service, the Army Reserves, photojournalism, and volunteer work, she was more than equipped to make the transition to book author.
Peggy offers sound advice to anyone hoping to follow in her footsteps. “For travel writers,” she says, “start local. Meet with your local destination marketing office or convention and visitors bureau. Look at the website, and you’ll find info for the media contact. Explain that you’re just starting and love your city. Ask what’s new and what they want coverage for. Hone your skills. Pitch, pitch, pitch stories to editors and network. Always look for new story ideas. Join TravMedia.com. Look at every story and see who the author wrote it for and pitch to them. Update and claim your Muck Rack profile. Editors are always looking for something new, so if you have a fresh idea, they’re often willing to give someone a chance. Lastly, always deliver what you promise. Never, ever, ever miss a deadline, and don’t be oversensitive. The editor is always right.”
The new edition of Peggy’s book covers everything from museums to gardens and hiking trails in depth. One highlight that Peggy says most locals don’t know about is the Puyallup Tribal Walk, an app-guided tour that features several stops in downtown Tacoma and the insights of Charlotte Basch, historic education coordinator for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
If you’re visiting Tacoma for the first time and only have one day, Peggy suggests using one of the itineraries listed in the back of her book. “I would spend the day exploring the Discover Dale Chihuly itinerary,” she says. “He’s from Tacoma, and so many of his artworks in the area are free to see.”
