Location: Olympia
Top Things to do in Olympia
The 9 Best Museums in Olympia, Washington (WA)
Birthplace of riot grrl music and home to an energetic independent art and music scene, Olympia is a hub of innovative cultural movements. The nontraditional Evergreen State College draws young pioneers and artists while the surrounding landscape of Puget Sound beckons the environmentally aware to its embrace. With 40 city parks incorporating 963 acres as well as a vast, municipally-funded public art collection, the city is a study in inventive and ecological civil design.
Restaurants in Olympia
1. Hands On Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 483 reviews
Come Play with Us! The award-winning Hands On Children's Museum is the largest and most visited children's museum in the Pacific Northwest. We celebrate play and believe in its importance in early learning. With over 150 exciting exhibits in 10 beautiful galleries and a fabulous art studio, we encourage children and their parents to play and learn all about science, nature, and art in settings inspired by our beautiful Northwest. Our Outdoor Discovery Center, a half-acre of unique outdoor exhibits, expands opportunities for play and learning with a trike and hike loop, lighthouse lookout, Puget Sound beach replica, children's garden, and Megan D schooner where kids can climb a six-foot rope ladder to the top deck of a real 56-foot vintage schooner, cross the rickety bridge, explore the crow's nest, and captain the ship. Online Reservations Required
Reviewed By patannlinz
We visited this awesome place with a 4 year old and 22 month old and a great time was had by all. Market place, creative arts room, construction “zone”, water tables, science area, make believe section with props for different occupations including a police car, and a hospital nursery. If needed, there is a “4 and under” escape room. There is also an outdoor play area which must be pretty awesome in the warmer months. Something for everyone at this hands on kids place.
2. Childhood's End Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Since 1971, Childhood's End Gallery has focused on contemporary Pacific Northwest fine art & craft. We represent over one hundred American artists and artisans working in oil, glass, ceramics, wood, metal, and more. We are pleased to provide an exceptional variety of choices for truly unique gifts, personal mementos, functional craft, and home decor.
Reviewed By JALFAN - Sumner, United States
Wonderful gallery our go to place to find that special birthday, wedding, anniversary gift. We always find something unique. They also do wonderful gift wrapping.
3. The Artist's Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
The Artists’ Gallery features fine contemporary and modern arts by over twenty five local Washington artists. There are on display a wide variety of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, functional art, abstract art, jewelry, fine wood works, clayworks, printmaking, mixed-media and much more! There is some thing for every taste in this lovely gallery.
Reviewed By juliestzen
The Artists' Gallery is open an spacious with a variety of art, paintings, sculpture, wood work & jewelry.
4. WET Science Center
5. Bigelow House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
3-13-2020. TEMPORARILY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. The Bigelow House Museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the early history of Olympia and Washington Territory. It is the oldest residence in Olympia, Washington, and one of the earliest still standing in the Pacific Northwest.The house is a rare surviving example of the Carpenter Gothic style architecture popular in rural America during the mid-1800s.
6. Washington State Capital Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Small museum near the Capitol building.
Reviewed By CATXWASteveG - Yakima, United States
All the reserved parking really put us off, there should be weekend signage. The gift shop is terrific, walking around inside is amazing but DO NOT miss the guided tour. Mark Greene was our tour guide and we enjoyed every minute. His tour was the highlight of our trip to Olympia. Having toured the capitols in Austin and Sacramento, this was every bit as much of a treat. You get to see both chambers of the legislature, the beautiful and elegant formal reception room, and a million details that make you proud of what we the citizens have here.
7. Olympic Flight Museum
8. Tugboat Sand Man
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
Welcome to the Tugboat Sand Man, a 106 year old floating museum, located at Percival Landing, in downtown Olympia, WA. The Sand Man is open for free tours every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm (12-3 pm in the winter). This classic tugboat is on the national, state, and local historic registers, and tells the tale of the maritime heritage of Olympia, Budd Bay, and Puget Sound.
9. State of the Arts Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
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