Things to do in Olympia, Washington
- The city was originally named Smithter after early settler Levi Lathrop Smith, but was renamed Olympia in 1853 for its view of the Olympic Mountains.
- Olympia is home to the oldest operating brewery building in Washington, which is now part of the historic Tumwater district landscape.
- The city's downtown area features a high concentration of restored 19th-century buildings that survived multiple major earthquakes in the 20th century.
- It is one of the few U.S. state capitals that maintains an active, working harbor integrated directly into its downtown street grid.
- The city's regional identity is heavily tied to the 'Olympia' breed of oyster, which was nearly extinct by the early 20th century but has been successfully restored through conservation efforts.
About Olympia, Washington
As the capital of Washington state, Olympia serves as the political and cultural hub of the Pacific Northwest, uniquely positioned at the southern tip of the Puget Sound. The city is defined by its deep maritime history and access to nature, ranging from the boardwalk views at Percival Landing Park to the lush river landscapes of Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. It functions as a gateway to the Olympic Peninsula and is known for a robust local food culture supported by the nearby Nisqually Delta. Families frequently gather at the Hands On Children's Museum, while the urban core remains anchored by historic green spaces like Sylvester Park.
Highlights of Olympia, Washington
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
Witness the dramatic descent of the Deschutes River through a series of scenic waterfalls and historic industrial ruins.
Museums
Engage with interactive science and art exhibits specifically designed for children's learning and sensory development.
Parks
Stroll the extensive public boardwalk to view boats and sunset vistas overlooking Budd Inlet.
Parks
Visit this central urban square, which serves as the site of the original 1850s town plat and remains a community gathering point.
Parks
Explore the expansive network of forested trails and meadows located just minutes from the city center.
Parks
Enjoy panoramic water views from this quiet park located along the historic southern shore of Capitol Lake.
Top things to do in Olympia, Washington
The 68 highest-rated places in Olympia, Washington, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge protects the Nisqually River delta, the largest relatively undisturbe...
2
Parks
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls is a 15-acre riverside park managed by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation featuring a series...
3
Museums
The Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia is the largest children's museum in the Pacific Northwest, featuring over 150...
4
Parks
Millersylvania State Park is a 903-acre forested recreational area located along the shores of Deep Lake in Washington S...
5
Parks
Squaxin Park, formerly known as Priest Point Park, is a 314-acre forested waterfront park located on the eastern shore o...
6
Parks
Percival Landing Park serves as the primary waterfront boardwalk for downtown Olympia, Washington, located along the sou...
7
Parks
Capitol State Forest is a 110,000-acre working forest managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, l...
8
Parks
The Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) is a 100-acre sports facility managed by Lacey Parks and Recreation in Olympia, Wash...
9
Parks
Tolmie State Park is a 105-acre marine day-use park located on the shores of Puget Sound in Olympia, Washington. It prov...
10
Parks
Rainier Vista Community Park is a 38-acre municipal facility located in Lacey, Washington, featuring extensive multi-use...
11
Parks
Tumwater Historical Park is located at the original site of the 1845 New Market mill, the first American settlement on P...
12
Parks
Pioneer Park is a 116-acre recreational area situated along the Deschutes River in Tumwater, Washington. The site featur...
13
Parks
Potlatch State Park is a 57-acre marine park located on the Hood Canal in Washington, featuring 9,500 feet of saltwater...
14
Parks
Burfoot Park is a 50-acre public space located on the shores of Budd Inlet in Olympia, Washington. The park features 1,1...
15
Parks
Woodland Creek Community Park is a 72-acre site in Lacey, Washington, featuring a natural pond and extensive forested we...
16
Parks
Watershed Park is a 153-acre urban forest in Olympia that protects the historic McAllister Creek watershed. The park fea...
17
Parks
Wonderwood Park is a 40-acre municipal park located in Lacey, Washington, characterized by its extensive second-growth f...
18
Parks
Kneeland Park is a public community park situated in downtown Shelton, Washington, managed by the city's parks and recre...
19
Parks
Lions Park in Olympia is a neighborhood park defined by its iconic collection of lion figurines located throughout the g...
20
Parks
LBA Park is a 147-acre municipal site in Olympia, Washington, characterized by a transition from managed sports fields t...
21
Parks
Yauger Park is a 40-acre municipal park located in west Olympia, Washington, adjacent to the Capital Mall. The facility...
22
Parks
Yelm City Park is a central community hub located at 115 SE Mosman Ave featuring a seasonal splash pad and playground eq...
23
Parks
Woodard Bay Conservation Area is a 800-acre protected site on the Henderson Inlet in Olympia, Washington, managed by the...
24
Parks
Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is a 637-acre landscape defined by thousands of low, circular, earth-filled mounds of...
25
Parks
Joemma Beach State Park is a 122-acre marine camping park located on the Key Peninsula along the shores of Case Inlet. T...
26
Parks
Marathon Park is a waterfront destination located on the western shore of Capitol Lake in Olympia, Washington. The park...
27
Parks
Jarrell Cove State Park is a 77-acre marine park located on the northwestern tip of Harstine Island within the South Pug...
28
Parks
Thomas W. Huntamer Park is a central community space located in the Woodland Square area of Lacey, Washington. The park...
29
Parks
Cochrane Memorial Park is a community green space in Yelm, Washington, serving as a primary site for local outdoor recre...
30
Parks
William A. Bush Park is a neighborhood-focused green space located in the Woodland Creek area of Lacey, Washington. The...
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Olympia, Washington on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Olympia, Washington
July to September, when the Pacific Northwest marine layer dissipates and allows for optimal outdoor recreation and boat-watching along the waterfront.
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to explore the downtown historic district, the waterfront, and nearby nature trails.
Visitors typically rely on rental cars to reach regional trailheads, though downtown Olympia is compact and walkable.
Stay in the downtown district for proximity to the waterfront and capitol campus, or choose a hotel near the Westside for easier highway access.
Mid-range; lodging and dining prices are generally lower than in nearby Seattle, though seasonal demand can increase costs.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 68 curated attractions in and around Olympia, Washington, ranked by traveller ratings.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is the highest-rated place to visit in Olympia, Washington right now.
The largest category is parks, with 43 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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