Chihuly At Union Station

After visiting the Glass Museum we were left with a lingering desire to see some larger Chihuly installations that he is famous for. They didn’t mention this in the museum, but as we walked on the Bridge of Glass, we noticed the Union Station building, and what looked suspiciously like Chihuly glass pieces in the window. Our curiosity was peaked, and we walked across the bridge towards the building.
The Tacoma Union Station itself is worth visiting if you like history. It is a beautifully renovated and restored train station building. The Tacoma Union Station was built by the North Pacific Railroad from 1901 – 1911. The building is now used for the Tacoma court house. Many of the materials inside the Neo Baroque and Classical dome are original.
To enter the dome lobby go through the security check. The entrance is free, and inform the guard you are just visiting the Chihuly installations. He will inform you of what you can and cannot take pictures of in the area, as it is a working courthouse space.
If I remember right, there are four different installations to view inside.

If you’re in the area and checking Chihuly’s Bridge of Glass, you might as well walk down to Union Station and check out his additional installations in that building. The pieces are very reminiscent of pieces at the Seattle Center, but still breathtaking to see. You get an opportunity to get close to the pieces on the second floor and for some educational opportunities, check out the exhibits downstairs that detail the history of the actual station itself.
Remember, have your ID as there’s security personnel that check people in. Also, make sure to avoid having the security folks in your photographs, as they’ll scold you.

In our check out everything free visit to Seattle/​Tacoma we heard about the Chihuly glass at Union Station. Did I mention it’s FREE! The architecture and glass compliment each other nicely. It’s good to go upstairs and check everything out from that level. Downstairs there’s some exhibits from the days gone by when this was an actual train station.
Combine this along with the Bridge of Glass for a Gratis day in Tacoma.

Attended and helped set up an reception here. Beautiful venue. Had good interactions with most of the workers and security personnel. The rules surrounding being able to enter and exit and lack of load/​unload areas were a huge drawback to ever have another event here. Lots of parking for guests, but be prepared to have a long walk to the front doors. The acoustics are horrible. Do not use this venue if music or speeches are important to hear clearly. We had an outside caterer. The venue doesn’t provide any amenities so be prepared to use your budget on rentals. Also you must pack out your own trash. Another huge drawback.

After viewing Chihuly glass pieces at the Tacoma Museum of Art, we were told that on our way to the Glass Bridge and the Museum of Glass, we could see more Chihuly pieces at the train station and the courthouse and since both buildings are public places, it would be free to see. Being the frugal people that we are, my cousin and I were all over it. We enjoyed the blown glass pieces in both places and thought that the public art fit well in the building spaces plus you can’t beat the price — it was more money for us to spend on dim sum in Seattle the next day!

Wouldn’t it be nice to own a luxury yacht and have it decorated with Chihuly art like this tycoon (
)? Ah yes, must be nice…

After checking out the bridge, continue into the great historic architectural courthouse to see more of Dale Chihuly’s glasswork. Large open spaces with large windows complimenting the beautiful artworks he’s created. The fusion of old and new blends quite well here.

The glass art work really breaks up the antique/​historic architecture of this beautiful courthouse!

EXTRA CHIHULY PHOTO OP! If doors are locked… look for one that says «enter». The guard loves the locked door dance. Be ready to show ID.

Shhhhhh… This semi-​secret Chihuly glass installation is amazing! And free!
There is the Chihuly glass chandelier smack dab in the middle of the domed building.
You are then surrounded on all four sides with colorful works of art. My favorite is the window full of orange glass discs. I am reminded of some unearthly field of jellyfish that I want to reach out and stroke.
Plus you can see some fantastic views of the Tacoma waterfront, Tacoma dome, Glass Bridge and Mt. Rainer.
Fantastic. Free. Fun.

Captivating! Fascinating!
It’s a huge, drafty space with glorious bug your eyes out glass sculptures which you can’t see very many places.

I attended an evening function here recently and I must extend an urgent warning to dress warmly if you plan to visit. It’s beautiful but cavernous, not the sort of place where you can wear a tiny dress and expect not to hear your teeth chatter. Verrrry drafty.
The catered food provided by the Station was just slightly above mediocre, but the server/​bartender service was excellent — professional and very friendly. Whether the band at your function is awesome or horrific, the acoustics are so abysmal you won’t know the difference. Restrooms are surprisingly basic (but clean) and perhaps a bit scarce, or maybe just hard to find. Security was impressive; not only was the facility well supervised, the parking lot was closely watched as well.
Fantastic looking facility, particularly the Chihuly artwork and upward architecture. Nice layout, with a balcony surround allowing you to check out party attendees from afar to decide whom you’d like to talk to next. Or avoid. Whichever.

I traveled on a train in the «old days» that stopped at Union Station back when it was a seedy stop for Amtrak, but that’s all changed now and it’s a courthouse with an amazing public space chock full of Chihuly glass installations, including his famous medusa chandelier. Worth a visit, especially if you cross the Chihuly bridge from the Museum of Glass. Free public art is good and the historic and restored Union Station with its dome top is a great place to see it.