Pretty Gritty Tours

  • Home
  • Pretty Gritty Tours

Pretty Gritty Tours The Puget Sound's most decorated walking tour company. Let’s celebrate Washington together.

14/02/2025

A real love story for the ages. Anyway, happy Valentine’s Day or whatever. 

12/02/2025

Are you familiar with the iconic Nalley Valley here in Tacoma? It was once home to the Nalley company, which is most famous now for it’s chili. It began here in 1918 producing potato chips and pickles and has since gone on to be one of the most famous companies in the nation. 

12/02/2025

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨

Your favorite hilarious history podcast is evolving! We’re expanding beyond the Pacific Northwest to bring you even more wild, weird, and wacky history from all of Western North America! 🎉

And with that, we have a fresh new name:
🔥 History Unhinged: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes 🔥

Don’t worry—our ridiculous takes, unhinged tangents, and belly laughs aren’t going anywhere. Just more bizarre history, more hilarious moments, and more ways for us to roast the past.

💡 Got any wild historical topics you want us to cover? Drop them in the comments or email Shea at [email protected]!

11/02/2025

What IS the Tacoma Aroma? Well the phrase started in the 1890s and in order it has been: Ambrosia, tide flats, ASARCO, lumber mill, pulp mill, rendering plant, Carson meat packing, chlorine mamufacturing, burned glue, chocolate, pickles, oil refining, money, and destiny. Let’s break down the history of the Tacoma aroma real quick. #254 

11/02/2025

Before you come after me in the comments, remember, there have been MULTIPLE contributors to the aroma of Tacoma and this was just one of them. For more you can always watch this. ( https://fb.watch/xHGUXYSfb_/? )

Are you familiar with the iconic Nalley Valley here in Tacoma? It was once home to the Nalley company, which is most famous now for it’s chili. It began here in 1918 producing potato chips and pickles and has since gone on to be one of the most famous companies in the nation. 

07/02/2025

Great news! The live rats in the old Hickory Dickory Clock at Point Defiance’s Never Never Land were NOT electrified to make them run to the top of the clock. It has been confirmed that they were trained rats and the button would open a door so that they could go and get food at the top of the clock. They were all trained by the general manger Jim Reuter.

Hey we are coming to town for an exciting tour of History and Haunts. Want to get to know the hidden secrets of Walla ...
06/02/2025

Hey we are coming to town for an exciting tour of History and Haunts. Want to get to know the hidden secrets of Walla Walla and some of its ghost stories and tragedies? Great! Come join one of our expert local guides on Feb 22. https://prettygrittytours.com/walla-walla-ghost-tour.html .

05/02/2025

Have you ever seen the small abandoned concrete structure on the edge of Drollinger Park in Richland Washington, and wondered what it was? Well luckily, we have some answers. 

04/02/2025

That’s right! We have new tours. Both are up at Pretty Gritty Tours dot com and explore the exciting quest for justice in the 1920s as lone actors fight against the univers’s moral ambivalence in Tacoma and Olympia. A little bit true crime, a little bit mystery, all good stuff.

28/01/2025

Yet again it is that time of year, Monkey Shines are back! Started as an accidental tradition back in 2004. This is now become one of the most beloved experiences in all of Tacoma. Local artists will hide pieces of glass art stamped with something to represent the current year of the lunar zodiac. Since this is year of the snake, that’s what you’re looking for. Good luck! #253 🐍 If you like this consider donating to the Monkeys to help fund the project.

Join me for Foss Waterway Seaport’s Thursdays on Tap, a brand-new 21+ event! Come down to the Seaport on Thursday, Febru...
23/01/2025

Join me for Foss Waterway Seaport’s Thursdays on Tap, a brand-new 21+ event! Come down to the Seaport on Thursday, February 13, at 6:00 PM for trivia, but like fun trivia. Low stakes trivia with humor as the goal. Grab a drink, check out our beautiful venue, and test your knowledge of Pacific Northwest maritime trivia, again looooooow stakes trivia. Who are we trying to impress? Prizes will be awarded to the top three (3) teams, so either take on the challenge yourself, or join a team of up to eight (8) folks. We can’t wait to see you there!

TICKETS
$25 per ticket - includes two (2) adult beverages, snacks, and trivia game. All guests must be 21+.

Get your tickets online at: https://events.cocoatickets.com/foss-waterway-seaport/thursdays-on-tap---february-13-2025

Address


Opening Hours

Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 21:00
Friday 09:00 - 21:00
Saturday 09:00 - 21:00
Sunday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+12532424715

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pretty Gritty Tours posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Pretty Gritty Tours:

Videos

A real love story for the ages. Anyway, happy Valentine’s Day or whatever. #tacoma #valentines #pnw #history #haunted 

Are you familiar with the iconic Nalley Valley here in Tacoma? It was once home to the Nalley company, which is most famous now for it’s chili. It began here in 1918 producing potato chips and pickles and has since gone on to be one of the most famous companies in the nation. #wa #history #tacoma #nalleyvalley #aromaoftacoma #washingtonstate #explore #discover #trivia

What IS the Tacoma Aroma? Well the phrase started in the 1890s and in order it has been: Ambrosia, tide flats, ASARCO, lumber mill, pulp mill, rendering plant, Carson meat packing, chlorine mamufacturing, burned glue, chocolate, pickles, oil refining, money, and destiny. Let’s break down the history of the Tacoma aroma real quick. #washington #tacoma #tacomaaroma #wa #254 #pnw #history #trivia #pugetsound 

Before you come after me in the comments, remember, there have been MULTIPLE contributors to the aroma of Tacoma and this was just one of them. For more you can always watch this. ( https://fb.watch/xHGUXYSfb_/? ) Are you familiar with the iconic Nalley Valley here in Tacoma? It was once home to the Nalley company, which is most famous now for it’s chili. It began here in 1918 producing potato chips and pickles and has since gone on to be one of the most famous companies in the nation. #wa #history #tacoma #nalleyvalley #aromaoftacoma #washingtonstate #explore #discover #trivia

Great news! The live rats in the old Hickory Dickory Clock at Point Defiance’s Never Never Land were NOT electrified to make them run to the top of the clock. It has been confirmed that they were trained rats and the button would open a door so that they could go and get food at the top of the clock. They were all trained by the general manger Jim Reuter. #wa #pointdefiance #neverneverland #history #trivia #tacoma #pnw

Have you ever seen the small abandoned concrete structure on the edge of Drollinger Park in Richland Washington, and wondered what it was? Well luckily, we have some answers. #mystery #washington #explore #history #richlandwa #haunted #history

That’s right! We have new tours. Both are up at Pretty Gritty Tours dot com and explore the exciting quest for justice in the 1920s as lone actors fight against the univers’s moral ambivalence in Tacoma and Olympia. A little bit true crime, a little bit mystery, all good stuff. #noir #truecrime #mystery #tacoma #olympia #tours #explorewashington #discoverolympia #seetacoma

Yet again it is that time of year, Monkey Shines are back! Started as an accidental tradition back in 2004. This is now become one of the most beloved experiences in all of Tacoma. Local artists will hide pieces of glass art stamped with something to represent the current year of the lunar zodiac. Since this is year of the snake, that’s what you’re looking for. Good luck! #wa #tacoma #253 #monkeyshines2025 #monkeyshine #yearofthesnake🐍 If you like this consider donating to the Monkeys to help fund the project.

Do you know about the haunted hanging room in the former Pierce County Courthouse? It was allegedly one of the most haunted places in all of Tacoma until it’s destruction in 1959. #wa #tacoma #haunted #ghoststory #trivia #history #prettygritty

Hey, I am writing a book about Tacoma and now I am trying to do anything but focus on that task. #wa #tacoma #history #haunted #ghoststory #pnw

Pregnancy and rabbits
Pregnancy and rabbits

Can you detect a pregnancy with a rabbit? You sure can, but it’s bad news for the rabbit. #washington #history #trivia #pregnancy #weird #fyp #strange #rabbits

It is that time of year again! Time for Tacoma Elf Storage to light up the PNW skyline. But how did we get here? #washington #pnw #tacoma #elfstorage #history #didyouknow #fyp #local

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Telephone
  • Opening Hours
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency?

Share

Our Story

We are a diverse group of guides, influencers, and artists who are in love with the South Sound. Pretty Gritty Tours is a passion project of travel experts who are all about sharing the story of this part of the world with you and getting you the most exclusive access to the South Sound’s treasures.

Tawny and Captain Chris are award-winning travel writers and videographers who, after traveling the world, decided to make Tacoma their home. Since meeting on Mount Kilimanjaro in 2008, they have explored the globe together and covered numerous destinations for prestigious outlets such as EXPEDIA, BBC Travel and USA TODAY.

With more than 50 countries under their belts, they chose The City of Destiny as home to their travel tour company in the hopes that you fall in love with Tacoma as much as they have.

Jackie and Paul are local entertainers and artists with a passion for history and performance. Their love story has been framed by the powerful architecture of Tacoma and set upon the stage of her vast waterfront. Together, they have explored all of the hidden alleys and forgotten tunnels of Tacoma and brought them to light. We pride ourselves in the quality and attention to detail with each tour. Our knowledgeable guides are happy to welcome any and all questions. To ensure an intimate environment, we offer small tours of no more than 12 guests. Should you require a private tour, please choose that option under the "Tours" menu. We are happy to cater to all needs and desires.