Location: Olympia
Top Things to do in Olympia
What to do and see in Olympia, Washington (WA): The Best Things to do
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. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 602 reviews
Located on the Nisqually River Delta in Southern Puget Sound, this refuge consists of three thousand acres of salt and freshwater marshes, grasslands and mixed forest habitats that provide a resting and nesting area for a wide variety of migratory birds.
Reviewed By finley-n-miley - Medford, United States
The paths take you into various ecosystems, each with some diversity of birds, vegetation, and other woodland creatures. Lots of enthusiastic bird watchers - all of whom were friendly and excited to show you what they have seen.
3. Priest Point Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
This 314-acre park offers hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities only minutes from downtown Olympia.
Reviewed By HighPriestessSusan - Olympia, United States
Priest Point has many trails packed into a beautiful area. Lots of steps and bridges. A couple of trails lead to the inlet, which was still and glass-like on the day we visited. Good for walking, trail-running and dog-walking. Peaceful and not crowded on an autumn weekday.
4. Monarch Sculpture Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Monarch Sculpture Park is a contemporary outdoor sculpture park and center for the arts. The grounds are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. Located in the heart of the Thurston County prairie lands just a few miles south of Olympia, near Tenino, Washington, the park is designated as a primitive park with walk in, bike in, access from the Chehalis Western Trail. The park will continue its legacy of fine art and sculpture in nature. Monarch is a part of the Thurston County Bountiful Byways project. Its neighbors include the internationally renowned Wolf Haven and the new Great Wolf Lodge. Pets are welcome but must be leashed at and cleaned up after.
Reviewed By SandraL68 - Maidstone, United Kingdom
I just love this quirky sculpture park and I would have loved to have visited with children because many of the sculptures are musical ... bells being predominant... and you are encouraged to ring them. What child (or adult!) could resist! The one I liked best was a series of pipes which were 'played' by an old flipflop sandal! Although here are many weird/quirky (even disturbing) sculptures, the park itself is very peaceful (at least it was when we visited) and even spiritual (The Sacred Grove). There is walk in /bike in access from the Chehalis Western Trail. It is amazing that this park is free entry (donations welcomed) and the sculptures are donated by their artists. I will return.
5. Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 398 reviews
Reviewed By michaeltR4512YN - Olympia, United States
From April through October opened Thur thru Sun Wonderful locally sourced purveyors Vegetables, fruit, meat, fish , bread, desserts The vendors understand take pride in the products A good selection of arts and crafts.
6. Percival Landing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By ecstrozyk
What a great place to view Olympia from. From Percival Landing, if you look south you can see the state capital building and if you look to the north, the Olympic Mountains are usually in clear view. Beside the view, there are plenty of place to shop and eat on the waterfront. A perfect place to familiarize yourself with Olympia.
7. Washington State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 519 reviews
Reviewed By judithbackhaus
The WA State Capitol provides free capitol tours. The tour guides are knowledgeable and provide interesting and fun facts about the architecture of the building and historical events that have occurred there. Also, there is a great little gift shop that offers fun "Olympia" and state capitol items - great for birthday gifts for those who already have everything!
8. Tolmie State Park
9. Millersylvania State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
One of the highlights of this state park is Deep Lake, a summertime favorite among local residents.
Reviewed By HighPriestessSusan - Olympia, United States
Millersylvania has a variety of terrain including boardwalks and tree roots that make the trails somewhat challenging in places. Most of the trails are within the forest, which make sunglasses unnecessary even on a sunny day. We had the trails mostly to ourselves on a weekday in October. Beautiful lake and scenery.
10. Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 286 reviews
Red Wind Casino is the greater Olympia area’s go-to spot for gaming, dining and entertainment. We feature more than 1,500 slot machines, a complete array of table games, four restaurants, a new sports bar, a 600-space parking garage, and the largest smoke-free gaming area in the region. Our award-winning dining options include a range of cuisines from unpretentious staples to fine dining at our Blue Camas Buffet, Medicine Creek Deli, The Squalli-Absch Grille, The Seafood Restaurant, and our new sports bar, the Coho Sports Pub. Our 46,000+ sq. ft. gaming floor features the latest slot releases along with all your old favorites in both our smoke-free area and our main casino floor. We also offer table games including craps, roulette, blackjack, Pai Gow, and three-card poker along with Keno and Speed Keno. Nisqually Red Wind Casino opened its doors on May 1997. It is located 15 minutes east of Olympia and is owned by the Nisqually Indian Tribe of southern Washington.
Reviewed By shyboy2011 - Portland, United States
Really nice casino.. played the tables and came away $20 better off.. slots was a win win too ????.. ate in the cafe and really good food.. chicken tenders were real chicken breasts.. throughly enjoyed the few hours we spent here..walked away richer than when we arrived ????
