10+ Spine-Chilling Haunted Spots in Tacoma to Explore This Halloween

As Halloween approaches, there's no better time to explore the haunted history and eerie charm of our local landmarks. One such place is the Old Tacoma City Hall, a building steeped in both history and mystery. Built in 1893, this former government headquarters may have fallen into disrepair, but it remains very much alive—at least in the realm of the supernatural. The infamous spirit, Gus, has been known to cause quite a stir, from flipping lights to breaking wine bottles, making the Old City Hall a must-visit for those who love a good ghost story.   As you embrace the haunted history of Tacoma, why not take your Halloween plans up a notch? This season, the city is buzzing with spooky events perfect for all ages. From haunted house tours to family-friendly trick-or-treating events, there's something for everyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit.     1. Fright House Station One of the most popular haunted houses in the area, Fright House Station offers multiple haunted attractions all under one roof. Prepare to scream your way through this terrifying, immersive experience that’s perfect for adults and older kids who love a good scare. Location: 626 E 25th St, TacomaDates: Open weekends through October 2. Hoot and Howl Guests can stroll along Northwest Trek’s illuminated animal paths, searching for all eight trick-or-treat stations while enjoying festive games like pumpkin checkers and tic-tac-toe. Don’t forget to snap some spooky photos along the way! Keep your ears open for nighttime animal sounds (did you catch that howl?) and meet the barn owl, raccoons, or beavers along with their keepers.  Location: NW Trek 11610 Trek Dr E EatonvilleDates: October 25-26, 2024 5:00-9:00pm 3. Haunted Hike at Point Defiance Park Visitors to Point Defiance Park often report eerie encounters with the ghost of Jennifer Bastian, a fourteen-year-old girl who tragically went missing in 1986. Her body was later found near the main road of Five Mile Drive. Many believe her restless spirit still lingers, appearing at night alongside her bike. Witnesses claim to have seen her with hollow eye sockets and a chilling smile as she gazes at those who pass by. For a spine-tingling experience, join a guided hike through the haunted woods of Point Defiance Park, where the ghostly tales and spooky legends of the Pacific Northwest come alive. It's the perfect way to soak in the crisp fall air while enjoying a few well-timed frights! Location: Point Defiance Park, TacomaDates: Fri.-Sun., Oct. 16-Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 4. LeMay Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Take a Halloween trunk or treat tour around the Historical Marymount Campus with over 50 trunk hosts each year kids come to enjoy a safe and unique way to trick-or-treat as they work their way from car to car around our campus. Decorated in themes ranging from “Mad Scientist” to “Charlie Brown Halloween,” this event is one that both children and adults will look forward to. Location: 325 152nd St E, TacomaDate: October 26 1:00-3:00 5. The Haunted Woods at Maris Farms Venture to Maris Farms in nearby Buckley for a haunted corn maze and creepy farm experience that’s sure to give you goosebumps. If you’re looking for a real scare, this attraction is packed with live actors, special effects, and plenty of terrifying surprises. If nothing else, you gotta check out their video preview of the event here. Wow! Location: 24713 Sumner Buckley Hwy, BuckleyDates: Weekends through October 6. Rocky Horror Picture Show at Blue Mouse Theatre For fans of cult classics, catch a live screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Blue Mouse Theatre. Join in with fellow fans in this interactive showing, where costumes are highly encouraged. Location: 2611 N Proctor St, TacomaDates: October 28 & 31 7. Halloween Pub Crawl – Tacoma Downtown For adults looking for a lively night out, the Tacoma Halloween Pub Crawl is a fun way to celebrate. Dress up in your best costume and enjoy special drinks, themed parties, and plenty of entertainment across multiple bars.  Location: Various locations in downtown TacomaDate: October 28   8.  Halloween Glow Golf Show up in costume and score an exclusive goodie bag filled with candy and wearable Halloween surprises. Bring your friends for a frightfully fun 9-hole golf adventure at Meadow Park, Tacoma. Tee off with glowing golf balls while you sip on devilishly delicious drinks from the bar. This is one Halloween experience you won’t want to miss—tricks, treats, and a whole lot of fun await! Location: Meadow Park Golf CourseDates: Fri-Su October 31, 10:00 am-3 pm 9. Tacoma Ghost Tours Explore the haunted history of downtown Tacoma with this 90 min guided ghost tour. Learn about the city’s eerie past, including haunted hotels, ghostly sightings, and mysterious deaths, as you walk through Tacoma’s streets and historic buildings. Location: Tours start at Pantages Theater, TacomaDates: Offered nightly through October 10. Sumner Street of Treats Bring your children to Historic Downtown Sumner for a night of Trick or Treating. This annual event is sponsored by the downtown merchants and is open to all children. The City even closes the street for the safety of the kids who will be celebrating along the main street as they show off their costumes and receive treats from the merchants. Location: Main Street SumnerDate: October 31  4:00p,-7:00 pm   Bonus #11: You know Rethinking Real Estate always gives you more than you expect.  11. My Haunted Forest Nestled in the heart of Washington State, My Haunted Forest is more than just a Halloween event – it’s an immersive medieval experience that combines thrilling entertainment with a deep commitment to community and inclusivity. Established eight years ago, My Haunted Forest has grown to become one of the region’s most anticipated and spine-chilling attractions. From heart-pounding scares to breathtaking special effects, My Haunted Forest promises an adrenaline-pumping experience. Our attractions are designed to leave you breathless and eager for more, with a mix of new characters and classic frights steeped in medieval lore to keep you on your toes.   Location: 17616 S. Vaughn Rd NW, Vaughn, WADate: Oct. 1-30  💡 Curious about more homeownership tips? Follow us at Rethinking Real Estate for insights and advice that keeps you informed! We have more blog posts at https://rethinkingre.com/blog or go to our youtube channel at  https://youtube.com/@rethinkingre

View more

Why Skipping a Well Test Could Cost You: A Real-Life Tale of Water Woes and Solutions

At Rethinking Real Estate, we’re all about making sure your home is safe and secure, and that includes the water you drink! If your property relies on a private well, it's essential to regularly test your water to ensure it’s free of contaminants. Why Well Testing Matters Protecting Your Health: Contaminants like coliform bacteria, nitrates, and even arsenic can be present in your well water without any noticeable signs. Since these contaminants can lead to serious health issues, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women, annual testing is highly recommended. Water quality can fluctuate based on various factors, so testing regularly ensures you’re drinking safe water. Ensuring Adequate Water Flow: Besides testing for contaminants, it’s also important to check the well's water flow, particularly if you plan to use the water for more than household needs. If you're planning to raise animals or use the well for irrigation, a flow test can determine if your well produces enough water to meet your requirements. How to Test Your Well Water In Washington State, private well owners are responsible for testing their own water. There are two primary water testing options available on the market today: At-home test stripsAt-home, do-it-yourself water testing kits are popular thanks to their low cost and rapid results. You can find dozens of them for sale on Amazon. But while you’ll have your results shortly after taking your samples, what you’ll see will be limited in both accuracy and information (there’s a reason professional lab equipment costs millions of dollars). Laboratory test kits. Laboratory water testing kits are more expensive and require waiting several days for results. But those results are far more accurate and comprehensive. Contact a Certified Lab: If you decide to go the Lab Kit method, then you need to find a certified laboratory that can handle the testing. In Washington, there are many state-accredited labs that can analyze your water for common contaminants like coliform bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic. You can find one in your area by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/labs.  Inspectors: Some home inspectors can also test the well water if you are buying a new home, so ask how they test (Lab vs Strip) and what the cost is. You also want to know which Lab they are sending it to. Collecting the Sample: The lab will provide instructions and the necessary materials for collecting a water sample. Follow the directions carefully, as improper sampling can affect the results. The time of day you collect your water sample can also impact your results.Certain plumbing-dependent metals like lead are most likely to show up after water has sat in the pipes overnight. For sampling bottles labeled for metals testing, you may choose to collect them first thing in the morning. This is generally called a “First Draw Sample.”Dissolved gasses and other VOCs are more likely to diffuse out of the water if they sit in the plumbing for a long time. To capture whether your water has VOCs (or radon) it’s often better to let the water run for a few minutes first. Testing for Flow: If you're concerned about water pressure or flow, this test involves running the water continuously to observe if the well can maintain steady pressure. It's especially crucial for properties with higher water needs, such as farms or homes with large gardens. Review the Results: The lab will provide a report detailing whether the water meets safe drinking standards and if any further action is necessary. If contaminants are detected, treatment options like filtration or shock chlorination may be required. A Recent Client’s Story Water testing may seem like an unnecessary expense when buying a rural property, but skipping it can lead to much bigger problems down the road. Recently, we worked with a client purchasing a rural property with a private well. Since they planned to keep animals, we strongly recommended conducting not only a water quality test but also a flow test. The client was initially hesitant, considering the $450 cost. However, after explaining the importance of ensuring both water safety and the well’s flow capacity, they decided it was worth the investment. What the tests revealed was eye-opening. After just a few minutes of running, the well lost half its pressure, and the water turned slightly brown—an indication of potential issues. This could have easily been missed if they hadn't performed the tests. Now, we're helping the client explore the costs and process of installing a new well, which can be quite an undertaking. In this specific area, wells typically need to be drilled between 150 and 400 feet to reach a reliable water source. For this client, the estimated cost for a new well is around $15,000. That’s a hefty price tag, and it’s certainly not a surprise anyone wants after closing on their dream property. The takeaway? The cost of water testing pales in comparison to the potential expenses—and headaches—of discovering well issues after the purchase. Testing is an essential step to protect your investment and ensure the property can meet your needs, especially in rural areas with private wells.   When Should You Test? Annually for Quality: At least once a year, test for coliform bacteria and nitrates. If you live in an area with known arsenic contamination, test for that as well. After Major Events: If there’s been flooding, nearby construction, or you’ve made repairs to your well system, it’s a good idea to test the water immediately afterward. During Property Transactions: If you’re buying or selling a property with a private well, water testing is typically required as part of the sale process to ensure the water is safe for consumption.   Why Invest in Testing? We get it testing may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it's a critical part of ensuring the safety and functionality of your home’s water system. Whether you're dealing with unexpected issues like our recent client or ensuring your water is safe to drink, a small upfront cost can save you from much larger problems down the road. 💡 Curious about more homeownership tips? Follow us at Rethinking Real Estate for insights and advice that keeps you informed! We have more blog posts at https://rethinkingre.com/blog or go to our youtube channel at  https://youtube.com/@rethinkingre

View more

Pumpkins, Mums, and Hay Bales—Oh My! How to Make Your Porch the Fall HQ (Without Losing Your Mind

The transition from summer to fall always feels like the biggest shift for me, especially here in Washington. One day you’re in shorts and t-shirts, and the next you’re bundled up in flannels and turtlenecks—it’s like someone flipped a switch overnight, don’t you think? Fall is prime time to fall back in love with your home. The temperature drops, and suddenly everyone’s gravitating indoors for pumpkin-spice everything and hearty comfort food. Forget heading out for a nice day at the park—now it's all about cozying up at home and hosting the crew for football games and chili. And since your house is the new hangout spot, I figured you might appreciate a few budget-friendly tips to spruce up your porch for fall. Because, let’s be honest, the porch is the first thing your friends and family are going to see, so what better way to welcome them. 1. Get Cozy (Because It’s Cold, Obviously) If you're like me, there's nothing better than sitting on the porch and enjoying the crisp night air. I've found that adding cozy fall blankets and pillows to the outdoor furniture creates a peaceful retreat, allowing me to savor those moments even longer. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns—plaid, leaves, pumpkins—if it screams fall, toss it on a chair. By doing this you get to extend sitting on the porch and enjoying nature just a little bit longer.  2. What Would Mum Do? Mums are the queens of fall, and they know it. These beauties come in every fall color imaginable, from burnt oranges to yellows so bright they’ll make your pumpkins jealous. Pro tip: buy an absurd amount of them. Seriously, you can never have too many mums. Pop them in some rustic pots (or wooden baskets if you want to look extra fancy), and suddenly, your porch looks like it was designed by HGTV’s finest. Great place to purchase Walmart.  3. Fall in Love With Lanterns (Not Actual Fire) Turn off those harsh porch lights that make your house look like a crime scene and switch to lanterns. Their soft, warm glow will make your porch the perfect spot for sipping pumpkin spice lattes. Place a few pumpkins around them for good measure—because pumpkins. Just make sure the lanterns don’t double as hand warmers; we’re not looking to recreate a fall bonfire situation. 4. Think Vertically (Because the Ground is Overrated) If you want to show your neighbors that you’ve got levels to your decorating skills (literally), stack some vintage crates. Fill them with gourds, mini pumpkins, or anything else that screams fall. It’s like a cornucopia exploded on your porch, but in a chic way. 5. Swap Out Seasonal Planters (RIP Summer Flowers) September means it’s time to say goodbye to your summer petunias and embrace the changing foliage. Swap out your planters for something a little more autumnal. Not feeling creative? Just throw in more mums. Trust us—when in doubt, mums are always the answer. Tall grasses are also a great tip to get height at the front door. 6. Rugs on Rugs on Rugs (Fall’s Answer to Sweaters on Sweaters) Thought you might like to see what I did for fall! Here’s our front porch, where I love decorating to welcome our guests. It’s fun to switch things up as the seasons change, and I feel like it’s a way to pause and appreciate each new season. One of my go-to tricks is layering rugs. I add a plaid rug underneath with a welcome pumpkin doormat, and just like that—Instagram-worthy porch decor! The smaller rug helps keep the larger one clean, so I typically use an affordable top rug and reuse the bottom one throughout the year. 7. Take Your Decor to New Heights (Literally) If your porch decor is looking a little flat, it’s time to break out the hay bales. Not only do they give off that perfect fall-farm vibe, but they also provide elevation for your pumpkins. Plus, who doesn’t love the chance to climb all over them while figuring out the perfect decor arrangement? Just make sure you don’t take a tumble. Gravity is real, friends. 8. Throw a Scarf  or Ribbon on It (Yes, Really) Turns out, scarves aren’t just for your neck. Drape an oversized flannel scarf or an inexpensive ribbon over your hay bales or pumpkins for an extra layer of texture. You’ll feel like a porch-decorating pro, and who knows? Maybe your pumpkins were just waiting to accessorize. 9. Dress up your plants by using a cauldron or a pumpkin as a pot. Add a festive touch to your front porch by dressing up your plants with a creative twist! Use a cauldron or a pumpkin as a pot for your fall greenery or flowers. This fun and seasonal idea adds a playful Halloween or autumn vibe to your decor, instantly transforming ordinary plants into eye-catching porch features. It's a simple way to bring the spirit of the season to life while keeping your outdoor space vibrant and welcoming.   10. Swap Seasonal Wreaths (Because Your Summer One is Out of Style) Switching to an autumn wreath is the easiest way to give your front porch a fall-ready look. It’s much quicker than carving a pumpkin, and who doesn’t love a time-saving hack? A wreath can also be a great way to express your personality. It can be playful, like one with Halloween witch legs sticking out, or more elaborate with lots of bows—whatever suits your style! This is your way to say who you are. 11. Create Depth With Steps (It’s Not Just for Fitness) If your home has front steps, use them! Line those bad boys with pumpkins, mums, and lanterns like you’re decorating for a fall-themed wedding. The key here is to stagger your decor, so it doesn’t look like you just threw it all down in a pumpkin-spice-fueled frenzy. Now that your porch is fall-tastic, take a step back and admire your handiwork. Your neighbors will be peeking out their windows, mumbling, "Wow, they really went all out this year." Congratulations—you’ve officially won fall. Time to reward yourself with a pumpkin-flavored treat!  

View more