Tacoma – September 21, 2026 -- Visit Tacoma-Pierce County has released a new three-day fall itinerary called "3 Feet High," built around what actually excites young children rather than typical adult sightseeing priorities.

The route runs through five small towns near Mount Rainier

The itinerary connects Sumner, Spanaway, Eatonville, Elbe and Ashford, giving families a geographic backbone for a self-paced fall trip. Along the way, kids can feed farm animals, navigate corn mazes and launch apples from cannons at pumpkin patches designed for hands-on play rather than photo ops.

A steam train and a national park anchor the trip

The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad turns the act of traveling into the main event, while Mount Rainier National Park's historic Longmire area adds a stop focused on the mountain's natural and human history. A nearby lakeshore is included as open space for kids to invent their own games.

Overnight stays lean into the adventure theme

Lodging options include cabins and converted railroad cabooses, extending the trip's sense of novelty into bedtime. Meals are kept simple, with diners, casual restaurants and stops for pie and ice cream built into the route for both kids and adults.

"Children are very good at noticing when a trip gets interesting," said Matt Wakefield, Chief Marketing and Data Officer for Visit Tacoma-Pierce County. He pointed to details like a train whistle, a goat eating from a child's hand or a cabin that feels like a hideout as the kind of moments the itinerary is designed around.

Visit Tacoma-Pierce County advises travelers to check seasonal farm openings, train departure schedules and park conditions before locking in dates.