Olympia: Best Things to Do
SIGHTSEEING
When you go sightseeing around Olympia, make sure to visit the Washington State Capitol Building. The Legislative Building is the home of the government of the state of Washington. It’s whitewashed and has a dome on top of it.
It’s not the only building in the area for the Capitol is a governmental complex. The campus also consists of the Temple of Justice (home to the State Supreme Court), the State Law Library and the Governor's Mansion. There are 18 art installations and monuments on the campus, a fountain and beautiful gardens.
All of them are quite picturesque. You can join a daily public tour to get to know the Washington State Capitol Building and Campus.
Washington State Capitol Building
DOWNTOWN
There are some downtowns in Olympia filled with busy streets and business properties, but one you shouldn’t miss is The Olympia Downtown Historic District. The downtown covers 17 blocks and 51 business establishments. The majority of the buildings were established between 1911 and 1930.
Some of them are the landmarks of the city including the Hotel Olympian, the Old Capitol Building, Capitol Theater, Olympia Public Library, and Towns Square (Sylvester Park). As the name suggests, the downtown is rich in history.
SHOPPING
As one entity of the Historic Downtown, The Olympia Farmers Market is a wonderful place offering genuine shopping experience for you. The market includes street markets where you can feast on your eyes on the colorful, fresh farm products while strolling and flea markets where you can get the best deals on second-hand goods.
To get to know the city better while shopping, you can also visit Childhood's End Gallery. This is an art gallery showcasing beautiful exhibits and selling antiques in their store with affordable prices.
The Olympia Farmers Market
Childhood's End Gallery
FOOD & DRINK
You can get American food like burgers, steaks, sandwiches, tater tots and many more in the available restaurants spread across the city, especially downtown. But if you’re serious about learning about the local food and agriculture, then GRuB (Garden-Raised Bounty) will gladly help you.
The non-profit community often hosts several events where the vendors sell organic herbs, sauces from all over the world, and many more. You can also learn to grow your own plants and cook the local dishes in the cooking classes offered.
CULTURE
Olympia is a cultural center of the southern Puget Sound region and becomes a regional center for fine arts. That’s why you’ll likely bump into theatres, art galleries and studios as well as murals and art installations both indoor and outdoor in Olympia.
From plays and music performances to sculptures and paintings, you’ll find the charms of the city through the arts, all spreading across the city ready to satisfy your curiosity.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The region surrounding Olympia has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. You’ll also find that the summers are dry with cooler nights in July and August. That said, it’s best to visit the city on Summer.
If you plan to visit outside the recommended time, you can go either in September or October for November through February are Olympia's rainiest months, otherwise you’ll experience the inconvenience of floods.
HOTEL
Stay in Olympia in these recommended hotels by TripBoba. Located in the heart of Downtown Olympia, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Olympia is just a 7-minute walk from Childhood's End Gallery. This is an extended-stay hotel where you’ll feel like home with amenities such as fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. Besides, there’s a BBQ area, onsite laundry and fitness center.
For a refreshing view, you can stay at Hotel RL Olympia. The hotel is set on 12 lush acre overlooking the Capitol Lake. Not only guestrooms and suites, Hotel RL Olympia features The Living Stage—an intimate stage for thought-provoking events. They also serve best coffee selection at the onsite café.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Olympia
Hotel RL Olympia
RESTAURANT
To satisfy your hunger, just go downtown and visit Pizzeria La Gitana. Pizza may not be America’s local cuisine, but it’s loved by the locals and people all over the world. This restaurant uses traditional techniques in the pizza-making through a wood pizza oven. This restaurant offers nice ambiance of wooden interiors and brick walls.
Cascadia Grill is where to go if you fancy burgers, steaks, skewers, tacos, and wraps. Serving best selections of craft beers, the restaurant opens daily, from 11 a.m. up to 10 p.m.
Pizzeria La Gitana
Cascadia Grill
CAFE
Overlooking a bay, Budd Bay Café serves variants of seafood in indoor and outdoor seating areas. They offer many kinds of menus, starting from entrees and appetizers to steaks and vegetarian fare. There are curbside and Uber delivery services which you can try if you stay at the nearby hotels.
If you don’t want to go far from the downtown, then McMenamins Spar Café is where to go. This New American pub serves selected craft beers in a historic building with a bohemian vibe and shuffleboard. The business has been run for over 70 years, so expect hand-crafted menus, from ales and cider to wine and coffee.
Budd Bay Café
McMenamins Spar Café
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
Looking for a night entertainment with great stage performances? Then Rhythm and Rye is all yours. This easygoing cocktail bar and performance space hosts many kinds of music acts as well as comedy and burlesque. The bar is open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. You can also bring your own food since there’s no food service at the bar.
For a more personal, cozier ambience, you can go to Dillinger's Cocktails, Kitchen & Rum Room instead. The cocktail bar offers handcrafted cocktails and serves many kinds of New American nibbles. You can speak to the bartenders and learn the making process of each drink. The rum room is also loved by guests both locals and tourists.
Rhythm and Rye
Dillinger's Cocktails, Kitchen & Rum Room
INTERESTING PLACE
One of must visit public parks in Olympia is Percival Landing Park. This maritime landmark features picnic areas, public art, boat moorage and a playground. There’s also an extended boardwalk for your stroll. For the art installments, you’ll encounter a carved Orca by Olympia artist Joe Tougas.
If you want to host special events here, then book a reservation to the Harbor House. Overlooking the bay, this venue is perfect for family gathering or birthday party. Bring your kids for there’s a playground just next to it.
Percival Landing Park
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
Olympia city is entirely picturesque. One of buildings you have to take picture of (or with) is the Old Capitol Building. Taken back to the old times by taking great shots from various spots around the castle-like building.
To complete your Instagram feeds with the looks of nature, go photo hunting at the Watershed Park. You can take photos of the boardwalks, towering trees, or the creeks at this park. Finding best time to shoot is also important to dramatize your shots.
Watershed Park
Old Capitol Building
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