Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Olympia is the capital of Washington, a city of about 55,000 people at the southern tip of Puget Sound. Founded in 1846 at the mouth of the Deschutes River, it became the territorial capital in 1853 and kept the title when Washington became a state in 1889.
The Washington State Capitol, finished in 1928, has one of the tallest masonry domes in the world and stands on a bluff above Capitol Lake, surrounded by gardens, memorials and the historic Governor's Mansion. Free tours show off its marble halls. Below, Heritage Park and the Capitol Lake trail circle the water with views of the dome.
Downtown Olympia has independent shops, cafés, the Olympia Farmers Market on the waterfront and the historic Capitol Theater. Percival Landing boardwalk follows the harbor, Priest Point Park and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge offer forest and wetland trails, and Tumwater Falls Park is just south of town.
The Washington State Legislative Building, finished in 1928, with one of the tallest masonry domes in the world, marble halls and grand chambers. Free guided tours run daily, and you can explore the landscaped campus with memorials, gardens and Lake views on your own. Allow an hour for a tour and walk.
A lake formed by damming the Deschutes River estuary below the Capitol, with a walking loop of about 1.5 miles offering classic views of the dome reflected in the water. It is popular with walkers and joggers. The lake is closed to boating and swimming, and its future as an estuary is being planned.
A lakeside park at the north end of Capitol Lake with lawns, a paved path and the Heritage Park Fountain, where kids run through the dancing jets on warm days. It connects downtown with the Capitol Campus. It is a nice picnic spot with great views of the dome; parking is in nearby public lots.
A waterfront boardwalk of nearly a mile along Budd Inlet in downtown Olympia, with public art, an observation tower, marinas and views of the Olympic Mountains on clear days. Restaurants and the farmers market are steps away. Walk it at sunset, and look for seals and herons in the water.
A large wooded city park on Budd Inlet with old-growth forest trails, including the Ellis Cove Trail that leads down to a quiet beach, plus picnic shelters and a rose garden. It feels wild despite being close to town. Trails can be muddy in winter; check tides before walking on the beach.
A forested park near downtown with a loop trail of about 1.4 miles along boardwalks and creeks through a quiet ravine, past old spring water works that once supplied the city. It feels like deep forest in the middle of town. The trail is moderate with some steps; wear good shoes in wet weather.
One of the largest farmers markets in the state, in a covered market building near the waterfront, with local produce, seafood, baked goods, crafts and food stalls serving lunch. It runs several days a week from spring to December. Come hungry and try the oysters or local berries in season.
A compact, artsy downtown with independent bookshops, record stores, cafes, breweries and restaurants, plus street murals and historic buildings. It is easy to walk between the waterfront, Percival Landing and the theaters. Street parking is metered on weekdays; weekends are relaxed.
A historic 1924 theater downtown run by the Olympia Film Society, showing independent and classic films and hosting concerts and festivals in its large auditorium. It has a classic marquee and a friendly community feel. Check the schedule for film series and music shows; tickets are reasonable.
Olympia's main performing arts center downtown, hosting touring musicians, dance, theater, comedy and local arts groups such as the symphony and ballet, in a main hall of about 1,000 seats. It also has a smaller black box stage. Check the calendar and arrive early for parking on show nights.
A large interactive museum near East Bay for young children, with hands-on exhibits about the Puget Sound, building, art and science, plus an outdoor discovery center with play areas. It is ideal for kids up to about age ten. Plan two to three hours, and check for free or reduced price evenings.
A large estuary refuge where the Nisqually River meets Puget Sound, with a long boardwalk over the tidal flats and trails through marsh and forest, great for birdwatching. Look for herons, eagles, ducks and shorebirds. A small entry fee applies; spring and fall migration seasons are best.
Top-rated local businesses in Olympia, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Olympia? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Olympia? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photos
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Photo: Al Toney, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: OceanLoop, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bobjgalindo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jer Hughes at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Roman Eugeniusz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: TateRay, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: OlympiaBuebird, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gärgollaz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Brylie Oxley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brylie Oxley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Steven Pavlov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: OceanLoop, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bluedisk at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Another Believer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: OceanLoop, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brylie Oxley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brylie Oxley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brylie Oxley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brylie Oxley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Photo by Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Photo by Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Photo by Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Photo by Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Photo by Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mattsjc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mattsjc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mattsjc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mattsjc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mattsjc, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Visitor7, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chelsea Nesvig from Seattle, WA, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Pat Castaldo from Portland, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jason Taellious from Olympia, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joaquimoly, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Pacific, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Joaquimoly, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
