The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a 500-foot pedestrian overpass spanning Interstate 705 in downtown Tacoma. It links the Museum of Glass on the Thea Foss Waterway to Pacific Avenue’s museum district. Opened in 2002 as a gift to the city from Tacoma native Dale Chihuly, it lets visitors see major Chihuly work for free at any hour (Wikipedia).
The bridge holds three installations (Yelp):
- Venetian Wall: An 80-foot run of glass cases displaying ornate, curling vessels.
- Seaform Pavilion: A glass ceiling filled with more than 2,000 shell-like forms that glow when sunlight passes through. Photographers come for the color it throws overhead.
- Crystal Towers: Two pale-blue spires that rise above the deck and light up after dark.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The bridge is open 24 hours a day and costs nothing to cross (Visit Pierce County). Here’s how to plan your visit:
- Best times: Weekday mornings bring the fewest people and the softest light under the Seaform ceiling. At sunset, the illuminated towers frame the waterway and Mount Rainier on clear days.
- Getting there: Enter from Pacific Avenue beneath the arches beside Union Station, or ride the Tacoma Link light rail to Union Station/South 19th Street.
- Nearby: Pair your walk with the Washington State History Museum or the Tacoma Art Museum. On the waterfront end, climb the stairs around the Museum of Glass’s stainless-steel Cone (Museum of Glass).
