It's easy to confuse South Hill with Puyallup, since they border each other. South Hill extends just south of the Puyallup valley, hence the name. Having been a prior resident, I saw first hand the growth coming to that area, with residential areas stretching further south on Meridian Avenue, the main road that runs through South Hill to Puyallup and to the Interstate.

Getting there

Easily a quick 25-30-minute drive from Lacey or Tacoma, you can find South Hill by taking I-5 to the 512 interchange and exiting at WA-161 south toward Eatonville. This will take you into the shopping district of Puyallup, but follow the main Meridian Avenue to South Hill, which is distinguishable by a road sign on the side of the road welcoming you to the hometown of Megan Quann, Olympic gold medalist.

Where to stay

There are plenty of hotels, such as Best Western, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn, just to name a few, located near the South Hill Mall and staying in that area will give you quick and easy access to shopping, restaurants, activities and highway. There are more hotels here. If you're searching for a home, go through Gateway Real Estate, a local real estate company, helping families find their next home.

Eating out

South Hill offers a variety of eateries depending on your appetite. If you're a couple looking to explore the town, South Hill Mall area offers BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Olive Garden, Famous Dave's BBQ, and more. There are also fast food stops strewed all through Meridian. If you're looking for more of a hometown eatery, go to the RAM or Shari's, both very family friendly.

Top tourist attractions

South Hill Mall has everything for families. A trip to the mall will include easy shopping at Target, attached to the mall, a food court, a movie theater, mechanical rides, a play area and Wiggle Works for the kids. They also host events at the mall seasonally. If it's a nice day, head to Sunrise Village, an outdoor shopping complex to do some shopping at Party City, catch a tan at Seattle Sun Tan, and get a pedicure at Soleil Nail Spa. Don't forget to get lunch at MOD Pizza, Trapper's Sushi, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt and more!

South Hill nature

A trip to South Hill would not be complete without a stroll at Bradley Lake Park, located near South Hill Mall and Walmart. This hidden gem features covered pavilions for family gatherings, a two-mile paved trail around the lake, fishing and parks galore for the kids, including specially modified equipment for children of every ability. Take a picnic lunch on a nice day and enjoy the walk and people-watching.

For more activities and events around town, check out the South Hill Library and the Sounds Fun Mom Blog.

Commerce is booming and growing in that area, so if you secure a job in South Hill/Puyallup, you will never have to take the highway if you do not want to. Everything you need from shopping to activities is right at your fingertips, if you can stomach the slight bottleneck of traffic that occurs on Meridian.