Olympia, Washington’s state capitol, is an eclectic city with a small-town feel. Olympia is situated along the Puget Sound and is a short day trip to Mt. Rainier or Mt. St. Helens. Olympia offers parks, museums and plenty of dining options
About
Four attributes make Olympia Washington a great place to visit. It is beautiful, centrally located, historic and eclectic.
Olympia’s beauty is natural, derived from its connection with the waters of Puget Sound, fir forests and views of majestic Mount Rainier. Enjoy walking, hiking or biking in one of over forty public parks located in the Olympia area. Notable among these are Squaxin Park, Woodard Bay Conservation Area, Tolmie State Park and Brewery Park’s Tumwater Falls.
Stroll along Percival Landing, taking in the views of the capital, Olympics and sailboats, or stop and try one of the waterfront restaurants.
Visit the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, one of the USA’s most pristine sanctuaries for migratory and resident waterfowl and marine mammals.
Weather and Getting There
Olympia Washington’s weather is mild. Olympia’s temperatures are moderate, with mild winters and warm summers.
Olympia is located along Interstate 5, 48 miles south of Seattle. Olympia can be reached by AMTRAK, with the historic recreation 1930s-style station. From there, free city buses will take you to your destination. The closest major airport to Olympia is SEATAC, just a short 1-hour drive. Visitors with private aircraft are welcome at the Olympia Airport a few miles south of town.
Be sure to read our blog post, Exploring Olympia for a suggested itinerary.
Dining
Olympia is nestled in Thurston county, home of the Bountiful Byway, featuring many farms that local farm to table style restaurants take advantage of. It is large enough to offer nearly any style of restaurant. Skip the chains and try the locally owned, award winning places which offer memorable dining experiences.
Festivals & Events
A smaller capital city, but with offerings that rival Washington’s bigger cities, Olympia has a diverse range of festivals and events.
Utilizing the waterfront, there is everything from a Dragon boat festival to Tug boat races. With a thriving arts community, ranging from live theater to concerts, there are too many to list them all. Showstoppers include the Procession of the Species, Harbor Days and the Olympia Air Show.
Outdoors
- Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Reserve: Flat walk, mainly on boardwalk over wildlife-filled estuary.
- Percival Landing Boardwalk: Downtown waterfront from Capital to the Farmer’s Market.
- Brewery Park (formerly Tumwater Falls Park): Near the site of the old Olympic Brewery.
- Mima Mounds: A unique collection of mounds best viewed in spring when the wildflowers are abundant.
- Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park): Waterfront city park, with great picnic areas.
- Woodard Bay Conservation Area: Incredible open air interpretive site.
Things to Do
When it comes to being centrally located to take advantage of Washington’s National and State parks, Olympia is hard to beat. Day trips to Mount Rainier, Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Olympic National Park can all be scenic and pleasant drives. In the summer you can drive the scenic loop around Mount Saint Helens as an all day trip, but you can easily visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory as a half day activity. If you only have time to briefly see the Olympic National Park, the Staircase Entrance and the Staircase Rapids Loop hike is spectacular. Mount Rainier is a great stop on your way to one of our Seattle, Wine Country, or Cascades based members.
Locally, Olympia has an abundance of parks, from waterfront, state, city and neighborhood. Olympia has a vibrant artist community. Rather than art museums, this small city features art galleries, festivals, and events that showcase the talented artists of the area. There is always something new to discover.Some favorites include:
- State Capitol Tour
- The Hands On Childrens Museum
- Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
- Olympia’s Farmers Market
Olympia’s beautiful State Capitol and campus can be toured daily. It is especially gorgeous when the cherry blossoms are out in spring. For families with younger children, the Hands On Children’s Museum is a must. Our small Olympia Flight Museum puts on a yearly Airshow around Father’s Day.
