20 Amazing Things To Do In Olympia, Washington

The capitol building itself is a vault of curiosity for new political science students. The campus is rich in Neoclassical architecture and lush gardens. It is loved especially by those who are interested in government.

You can visit the state campus even if you are just curious. This tour will give you a glimpse into Washington State's history and governance. This tour, in fact, can be informative if you book a well-informed guide.

While looking at the campus attractions do not your chance to see the outside public art or the war memorials.

Being the largest and most visited, Hands On Children's Museum has many exhibits. You can come here with your families including young children. This museum has interactive showcases on science, art, and culture that cater to the curiosity of the children.

What attracts the children the most in this museum is the water play area. They can not only play around with water but also learn about water properties. To tell the truth, this is a fun and educational way to spend an afternoon.

The museum is usually visited by families, young children, and school groups. Therefore if you are seeking a fun interactive experience, this place welcomes you.

With varied habitats, the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers. It also has wetlands, forests, and beaches. This refuge is also a great place to spot a wide range of wildlife.

On your trip, you will stop at the Nisqually River Delta. In case you get lucky, with a variety of bird species, you may even see salmon spawning. The outlook of this life in the wild attracts nature photographers and wildlife conservationists.

You are recommended to carry a binocular to enhance the wildlife viewing. Also, book a field guide to learn more about the refuge's diverse wildlife.

The hiking trail range of Capitol Forest is versatile. While you can find gentle nature walks for beginners, there are tough mountains for skilled hikers. You can also rent a mountain bike and ride along the forest trails.

Those forest miles also can be walked and explored by all experience-level hikers. You could say that the Capitol Lake Trail is the best attraction in this place. It is a scenic loop around the lake with views of the pretty Capitol Building.

For the visitors, except for nature lovers, the people seeking a peaceful escape from the city are the regulars here.

Any Aviation enthusiasts will love the history of the flight collection at the Olympic Flight Museum. You can here find historic aircraft and vintage helicopters, including World War II planes.

Those interested in military history will not miss the opportunity to see the artifacts and aircraft. The bomber used in World War II, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is restored and is currently in this museum.

You can even take part in special events like air shows, and history demonstrations. You must try the flight simulator. It is to experience what is it like to be a pilot.

The landscape of Mima Mounds has a unique geological formation. It has thousands of small mounds scattered across the view. Because the scientists still are not unsure of their exact origin, they have become a fascinating mystery.

The geologists are often attracted here by the mound information at the Interpretive Center. The center also has some data regarding the surrounding area as well. Therefore, even hikers and people curious about natural phenomena visit this mound

You can visit Mima mounds during spring and fall to avoid the summer crows. Moreover, you can even enjoy a picnic here, amid the panorama.

What elevates the trip higher? Of course, it is the quality of food you have. While taking a trip to Percival Landing Park, you can find many eateries, cafes, and shops. This waterfront district is a great place to enjoy a meal with a view of the water.

This district is also famous for its Olympia Farmers Market. You can visit the market and shop the fresh produce, local crafts, and delicious foods. This savoring trip has many good shopping options, which will lift your mood.

After eating at some of Olympia Washington best restaurants, you can enjoy a kayak ride. This district also holds special events like music festivals, so check them out and book a trip.

As a historic house museum, The Bigelow House gives a glimpse of 19th-century Olympia life. Visiting this museum house can uncover the fascinating past of the city. Most of the people interested in local history enjoy watching the Victorian decor.

What attracts tourists the most in this living museum are the preserved Victorian-style furnishings. Except for interested ones, the museum is frequently visited by history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.

During the guided tour, you will learn about the Bigelow family and the city of Olympia. You may even get a chance to attend events like Victorian tea or holiday open-house events.

Olympia Washington State also has The Oly on Ice festive event happening this winter. This is a month-long fun fete of tents, skates, and family-friendly activities. The live choir performances on selected nights even attract artists, kids, and loved ones together.

This event has a rink for the interested skaters to play around regardless of their skill level. During the sensory skating, the lights will even be low and the music will be on throughout the hour.

The staff works their best to keep the environment calm and quiet. This event also has lots of volunteers contributing to the event's production and success. This is why this tour provides a unique experience, making it one of the best attractions.

Olympia WA home to numerous local roasters and cafes, thriving the coffee scene in the USA. For the coffee culture, the South Sound Coffee Trail is a great route to explore more. There are also some must-visit local favorite roasters.

One of the local favorite roasters is Batdorf & Bronson Coffee. It is known for its high-quality coffee. Whether you are a coffee lover, foodie, or a businessman, here you learn to define your coffee style.

You can even participate in the coffee-tasting event. During the tastings, you will learn about the different beans, flavors, and aromas of the coffee.

Budd Inlet has a lot of opportunities to ride kayak and paddleboard. The waters are calm and the city and mountain views are breathtaking. Join this adventure and experience the outdoor exploration of the inlet.

You will launch your kayak or paddleboard conveniently in the waterfront park. Moreover, you can also rent one and tour the nearby islands and the coves. Hire a knowledgeable guide to lead you and you will get to know about the local history and ecology.

The people who are Outdoor enthusiasts and water sports enthusiasts must not miss this trip. It can be a fun and active way to spend your day enthralled.

While looking for things to do in Olympia wa, visiting the Yashiro Japanese Garden is on priority. This area is like a sanctuary and has ponds, bridges, and carefully manicured gardens. This placid estate has the calmness to give you peace and relaxation to unwind.

The garden views here are among the best sceneries regardless of any Olympia weather. You can sit inside the tea house and drink a cup of tea with pleasure. The house hosts traditional Japanese tea ceremonies where you can even learn about the art of tea.

As a tip, do bring a book or a journal with you to spend time with yourself. You can even meditate in this tranquil atmosphere of the Yashiro Garden.

The scene of craft beer in Olympia is growing. Several breweries are opening up tours and tasting events to sample local as well as craft beers. The best tour attraction here is the Olympia Beer Experience.

This brewery is a unique celebration and a safe haven for beer enthusiasts and experience seekers. When you trip around the brewery tour you can learn a lot of information about the brewing process.

Lately 'Well 80 Brewpub' is getting popular due to its food, drinks, fun, and hospitality. Its qualitative and tasteful drinks brought this brewery to fame. Come on in and try their amazing samples.

The Monarch Sculpture Park, an outdoor art gallery has sculptures of monarchs and other historical figures. The most famous carving is the largest sculpture of George Washington in the world.

The feeling this park makes you experience is thought-provoking. Therefore enthusiasts of art and history can enjoy this fascinating sight. Moreover, a lot of visitors who are interested in public art visit the park again and again.

You may want to carry your camera with you because the sculptures are irresistible to snap. You will surely enjoy the park setting with the surrounding grassy areas. 

Ever have you thought of hiking around the reflections of calm water? Surrounded by the bushy forest hiking trails, Capitol Lake itself is a sight on the line. Many people in this place love to go for a hike, picnic, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

If you are looking for an escape from the bustle of the city towards peace, stop by this lake to enjoy nature. The spot beside the lake is popular for photography as well as birdwatching. Therefore you could appreciate the beholding view.

The event held at the lake community orchestrates a music festival or a farmer's market. You can also do the waterbody exploration with a rented kayak or paddleboard.

The Olympia Film Festival celebrates independent films. It shows a wide range of films from all around the world. You can also grab this opportunity to meet filmmakers and see some of the best independent films.

People wait for the opening night gala in this festival to watch special screenings and mix with filmmakers. From film enthusiasts to cinephiles, the guests here are mostly those interested in independent film.

During this trip, you can volunteer at the festival and get access to the behind-the-scenes and their organizing ways.

Downtown Olympia has a Farmers' Market selling fresh produce, local crafts, and tasty food. The vendors here are local and they have everything from fresh seafood to gourmet pastries. To tell the truth, many local cuisine tastes on par with some of Olympia Washington best restaurants.

If you are a foodie who believes in supporting local businesses, come up to the market to buy what you need. This market is also a good platform for you to attend cooking classes. Moreover, there are also demonstrations done which you can see and learn for free.

However, it will be best if you bring your own reusable bag to reduce waste, and support sustainability. You can also visit this market to shop for unique gifts or souvenirs.

Dress up a little and to enhance the theatre experience as a special occasion. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is a premier performing arts venue. It hosts numerous shows, that include concerts, plays, and dance performances.

The center has the historic Pantages Theater, a beautiful Art Deco theater, which has successfully hosted some of the biggest entertainment industry names. Most of the visitors to this center and theatre are cultural enthusiasts, theatergoers, and music lovers.

However, it is not widely known that if you visit the center during special events, like backstage tours, you can meet and greet the performers.

As a world-renowned park with stunning scenery, the Olympic National Park has glaciers, rainforests, and coastal beaches. This park is a great place to go for hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and doing a wildlife adventure.

The Hurricane Ridge hike attracts outdoor, nature, and wilderness enthusiasts with a panoramic overlook of the Olympic Mountains. This breathtaking view of this tranquil area will make you love the park more than before.

The popularity of this park of Olympia WA, far exceeded your imagination. Therefore if you are uncomfortable with crowds, visit here during off season. You can enjoy a good time here without the rush of people.

The scenic walkway of Percival Landing Boardwalk is along the waterfront and offers stunning Budd Inlet views. Although the Boardwalk can be used for walking or biking, it is still a great place to stroll around to simply relax your nerves.

While taking in the serene beauty, you can also enjoy watching the boats come and go through the Olympia Harbor Marina. You can rent a two-wheeling vehicle and complete this peaceful outdoor trip.

The maximum visitors of this scenic boardwalk are Waterfront enthusiasts, walkers, and those looking for experience. You can visit here with a lunch box and enjoy your savors sitting at one bench along the pathway.