Old Town is a cozy little business district that can be easily bypassed by those not in the know as they zip down Schuster to admire Ruston's waterfront attractions. Those that take the time to travel just one block up from Ruston to North 30th are in for a delightful addition to their journey.  Just as its name indicates, Old Town is packed with history, playing home to the tiny Job Carr Cabin Museum, a reincarnation of Tacoma's first citizen's log home, as well as a variety of places to grab a nibble and do some shopping.

Here are just a few finds for fellow urban spelunkers:

[Bites and Brews]

Tacoma's oldest saloon still stands! The Spar is a rare pub gem that has both a family friendly dining atmosphere and a great go-to for a brewski.  On one side lies the Spar café, which serves up espresso drinks, smoothies and lunch, while the other side includes more seating for those under age as well as a pool table area and a well-loved wood rail for folks to ante up to. The menu includes a vast selection of sandwiches and waterfront staples like fish and chips accompanied by a fabulous selection of beers on tap. Sunday nights are blues nights, when The Spar transforms itself into an intimate, live music venue that includes lots of booty shaking. 2121 N. 30th St., Tacoma, 253.272.2122. Open Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to midnight.

[Mud Slingers]

Throwing Mud Gallery is not your average pottery studio shopping experience. This little shop is headed toward a much-needed expansion, and is currently in the process of taking over its neighboring space. The shop is teeming with local and national talent, with loads of hand-crafted pots, art and glassware and even extends the inventory to locally crafted jewelry. Furthermore, throughout the year, owners Mark and Eileen Hudak offer pottery instruction in the back of the house. A handful of pottery wheels, clay and the necessary tools for convenient 6-week courses allow for ample studio time. For more information, visit throwingmudgallery.com/class_info. 2212 N. 30th St., Tacoma, 253.254.7961. Open Monday, noon to 5 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

[Waterfront Walks]

Awaiting five years of renovation, Old Town Dock has finally been restored and is open to the public. This dock has a mooring site during daylight hours with convenient pull up for kayakers as well. With sweeping waterfront views, plenty of bench seating and comfortable lighting for the early evening, Old Town Dock is a lovely stroll. As a bonus, Chandler O' Leary's exhibit "Droplets" adds tokens of hidden art all over the dock. Look high, look low and you'll catch vignettes of history and art in glorious matrimony. 2200 Ruston Way, Tacoma. Open 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.

[Comfy Café]

Treos cafe defines elevated expectations of the cafe experience. You can pop in for your early morning caffeine needs, a mimosa and fresh pastries or opt to stop by in the evening for a glass of vino or cold pint of craft brew. Its menu features flavorful flatbreads that are easily shareable for a light bite to boot. Nestled beside Old Town Park, Treos café's patrons can choose to sip outdoors and take in the summer sun or stay inside in the earthy modern ambiance. The service staff is exceptionally friendly and partakes in fun, themed activities like Trivia Night, which adds to the experience that much more. 2312 N. 30th St., Tacoma, 253.212.2287.

[Park Play]

Old Town Park is a charming patch of park bliss with a small tot big toy and half-court basketball court. Bring a lunch or grab a latte from conveniently located neighbor Treos café, and dine in the grassy area or opt for the shaded gazebo to stay cool. Open for some of the week and ever-popular for history buffs and school fieldtrips alike is the Job Carr Museum. This little log cabin is a reproduction of Tacoma's first citizen Job Carr's original home. Inside, adventurers will find loads of Tacoma history. 2350 N. 30th St., Tacoma, 253.627.5405. Open Museum: Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday to Tuesday. Old Town Park is open from dusk to dawn daily. 

LINK: Urban Spelunker - Proctor District

LINK: Urban Spelunker - Downtown Olympia