JBLM Base Guide

Welcome to JBLM! Home to Air Force & Army commands, Joint Base Lewis-McChord is just an hour outside of Seattle, Washington. Great for hiking, trails, day trips & more, whether you’re visiting or getting ready to settle in, here are our favorite landmarks to make your time there a memorable one! 

For The Family

Children’s Museum of Tacoma has five main areas for fun, education and lots of structured play! Whether they choose to play with water, air, building, creating art, or climbing – the Children’s Museum is perfect for an afternoon out with the family or the early Saturday morning visit. This museum strives to provide learning and fun for children of all abilities and allows for families to engage with one another. 

This museum is Pay as You Will, or donation based, in an effort to maintain its ability to serve all families within the community. Visit https://greentrike.org/childrens-museum-of-tacoma for more information! 

Children’s Museum at JBLM is the first of its kind on a military installation! This museum is accessible to military families within the JBLM area and provides the opportunity for increased family involvement, interaction and play while escaping the stressors of everyday military life. While only open Friday – Saturday, they provide many opportunities for other programs like the Exceptional Family Member Program Playgroup & Low Sensory Hours reserved for families with sensory sensitivities. 

Visit https://greentrike.org/playjblm for more information! 

For the lover of the Outdoors

Mount St. Helens – AN ACTIVE VOLCANO! It first erupted in 1980 and you can see it all up close with a direct view into the crater! Hiking is a fan favorite with locals and visitors alike, but hiking to the top of Mt. St. Helens requires a permit! 

Mount Rainier National Park is open year round and you can receive an annual pass with your DoD ID! Perfect for visiting historical locations, rock climbing, hiking & setting up for a great night of sleep. 

Olympic National Park with hundreds of trails fit for camping, hiking, biking, a rainforest and even a mountain – what’s there not to love when you’re right on the coast. 

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard where you can walk aboard a ship right in the heart of Bremerton, Washington! 

We can’t write about JBLM without mentioning the Emerald City, last but certainly not least, Seattle. You can get on a ferry boat, with your car, and get dropped off right there in Seattle. Start your morning off and grab a cup of coffee at Pike Place Starbucks & then head over to the Seattle Space Needle – a staple in Seattle’s skyline. Take some extra time and dine-in on the observation deck while the deck does a complete 360 rotation every hour! 

My name is Sasha Hernández-Ticali and I’m a PCS Mentor with MilHousing Network. I’m a military spouse stationed with my family in Maryland. When I’m not working, I’m cooking, dancing & enjoying time well spent with family and friends.