Pierce County · South Puget Sound
Sumner
From abolitionist senators to rhubarb fields, Sumner has been writing its own story since the first wagon trains rolled through Naches Pass in 1853.
Sumner sits where the Puyallup, White, and Carbon Rivers once converged in the fertile lowlands of Pierce County, and that geography shaped everything that followed. The first settlers arrived in 1853 after James Longmire led a wagon train through Naches Pass. German immigrant Adam Knoblauch planted rhubarb in the late 1800s, and by the 1940s the area was shipping 150 carloads annually — earning the title on every city sign: Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World.
Today Sumner is a compact, walkable downtown city about 35 miles south of Seattle, anchored by Main Street murals, a furniture warehouse that doubles as a community institution, and two annual festivals that draw visitors from across the South Sound. The Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade rolls through every April — a tradition that began at an Orton family garden party right here in Sumner. Rhubarb Days takes over downtown every June with 200 vendors, a dozen food trucks, and more rhubarb-infused food than any reasonable person can consume in a weekend.
It is not a big city day trip — it is something rarer: a place that knows exactly what it is and celebrates it enthusiastically.
Getting Here
Sumner sits about 35 miles south of Seattle, roughly 45 minutes via SR-167 toward Puyallup — take the Sumner exit and follow River Road or Main Street into downtown. From Tacoma, the drive is about 20 minutes northeast on SR-167 or US-410.
Sumner is also on the Sounder South commuter rail line, with service from Seattle’s King Street Station making it one of the few Pierce County towns reachable car-free from the city. The Sumner Sounder Station sits just a short walk from downtown Main Street.
Things to Do
Shopping
The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse: Seven Miles of Model Train
A furniture warehouse with 7 scale miles of model trains maintained by two full-time employees, a fudge shop with 28 rotating handmade flavors, animatronics throughout, and more than enough to absorb an easy hour. It is also the official Sumner Visitor Center so stop here first.
History
Heritage Park and Main Street Murals
Heritage Park sits on Main Street with a gazebo, grassy field, and a waterfall cascading over plaques naming historic buildings and community figures. The surrounding blocks are lined with murals painted by local artists — a walkable outdoor gallery with real visual texture.
Outdoors
Sumner Link Trail Along the White River
A paved, flat trail following the White River corridor through the valley, connecting Sumner to the broader regional trail network. Easy walk or bike ride with river views and Puyallup Valley farmland scenery.
Craft Beer
Top Down Brewing: Gravity-Fed and Locally Owned
Top Down Brewing sits on Main Street East and serves beer from overhead tanks that flow straight down through the taps, a one of a kind setup that inspired the name. Food trucks park out front most weekends. The taproom is low key and genuinely local.
History
The Sumner Train Depot: Where the Railroad Made This Town
John and Nancy Kincaid platted Sumner in 1883 alongside George and Lucy Ryan, drawing up the plan on the Ryan House dining room table. A decade earlier, George Ryan had built a railroad depot at his own expense to persuade Northern Pacific to stop here. The Sounder South commuter line stops here today.
Festivals
Rhubarb Days: 200 Vendors and More Rhubarb Than You Can Manage
Downtown Sumner fills every June with 200 vendors, more than a dozen food trucks, two live music stages, and a kids zone. Rhubarb pie, crisp, stalks, and rhubarb-infused craft beer all on offer. 2026 dates: June 20 and 21.
Scenic
Puyallup Valley Daffodil Season
In late March and early April, the valley floor turns yellow with daffodil fields — the legacy of an industry that once made Pierce County the Bulb Capital of the World. The Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade rolls through Sumner at 2:30pm on April 4, 2026, with 180 entries including floats, bands, and mounted units.
“The Daffodil Festival began at an Orton family garden party right here in Sumner — a century later, the parade still rolls through downtown every April.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sumner
Conveniently located near downtown Sumner with free breakfast included. About 20 miles from Sea-Tac Airport — a solid base for exploring the South Sound.
Candlewood Suites Sumner
Extended stay format with full kitchens, fitness gym, and free laundry. A good choice for visitors combining Sumner with several days of South Sound exploration.
Sumner Motor Inn
A no-frills option on Main Street East, within walking distance of downtown Sumner. The most affordable overnight choice in town.
Find a Cabin Near Sumner
Find a Cabin Near Sumner
Food & Drink
Township 20 (1012 Wood Ave) serves modern American food with 20 rotating taps covering craft beer, cider, seltzer, nitro cold brew, and batch cocktails. Open daily from 11:30am — the most full-service dining option in town.
Top Down Brewing Co. (15355 Main St E) runs a gravity-fed brewing system and hosts food trucks most weekends. Low-key, locally owned, and an easy afternoon stop.
Rhubarb (16202 64th St E) leans into the city’s identity with American comfort food and bar favorites. Named for the crop that put Sumner on the map.
Farrell’s Pizza — artisan wood-fired pizza on stone, full bar, good for groups.
Festivals & Events
April
Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade
The 93rd annual parade rolls through Sumner on April 4, 2026, with the Sumner leg timed at 2:30pm. Over 180 entries including floral floats, marching bands, and mounted units pass through four Pierce County cities: Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting.
June
Rhubarb Days
June 20 and 21, 2026. Downtown Sumner fills with 200 vendors, food trucks, two live music stages, and a kids zone. The festival celebrates Sumner's identity as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World with freshly cut rhubarb, rhubarb pie, rhubarb crisp, and rhubarb craft beer.
December
Street of Treats
Sumner's annual winter festival transforms Main Street into a walkable holiday event with treats, boutique shopping, and seasonal activities for families. Check sumnerwa.gov for 2026 dates.
Day Trips
Puyallup — 10 minutes west on SR-410. Home to the Washington State Fair (late August through September), the Meeker Mansion National Historic Landmark, and a compact downtown worth a half day. EWS has a full Puyallup visitor guide.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park — About 30 minutes south near Eatonville. Washington’s premier native wildlife park features bison, elk, moose, wolves, bears, and mountain goats on a guided tram tour through 435 acres of natural habitat. One of the best wildlife experiences in the South Sound.
Tacoma — 25 minutes west on I-5. Museum of Glass, Washington State History Museum, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and a genuinely excellent food scene make Tacoma a natural full-day add-on to a Sumner visit.
Planning Your Visit
Sumner rewards a half day rather than a full weekend — unless you are timing your visit to Rhubarb Days (June 20 to 21, 2026) or the Daffodil Parade (April 4, 2026), when the town genuinely packs in. Outside of those events, the downtown is quiet and walkable with no crowds.
The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse alone absorbs an easy hour, and Top Down Brewing makes a solid end-of-afternoon stop. There is no strong reason to book lodging in Sumner itself — most visitors come as a day trip from Seattle or Tacoma. Spring and early summer are the best seasons, with daffodil fields blooming in the valley from late March through April.
More Sumner on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sumner, Washington known for?
Sumner is known as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World, a title earned through more than a century of agricultural history. German immigrant Adam Knoblauch planted rhubarb in the area in the late 1800s, and by the 1940s the district was shipping 150 carloads annually. The city also hosts the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade each April, which began in Sumner at the Orton family farm.
How far is Sumner from Seattle?
Sumner is about 35 miles south of Seattle, roughly 45 minutes via SR-167 toward Puyallup. It is also accessible by Sounder South commuter rail from Seattle’s King Street Station, making it one of the few Pierce County towns reachable without a car from the city.
What should I not miss in Sumner?
The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse is Sumner’s most distinctive attraction — a furniture store with 7 scale miles of model trains, a fudge shop with 28 rotating flavors, and animatronics throughout the building. If your visit lands in June, Rhubarb Days (June 20 and 21, 2026) is worth planning around.
When is the best time to visit Sumner, Washington?
Late March through June is the strongest season. Daffodil fields fill the Puyallup Valley in late March and early April, the Grand Floral Parade rolls through in April, and Rhubarb Days takes over downtown in June. Summer is pleasant for walking Main Street without a crowd.
Does Sumner have a train station?
Yes. The Sounder South commuter rail stops at Sumner Station, with service to Seattle’s King Street Station. The historic Sumner Train Depot, built in the early 1900s, is within walking distance of the current station and marks the railroad stop that originally shaped the town.
How many people live in Sumner, Washington?
Sumner has approximately 10,900 residents as of 2024, making it a small city by Washington standards but one of the more walkable and historically distinctive communities in Pierce County.