Olympia, WA

Travel Guide

Olympia which includes heritage architecture and an administrative buidling as well as a couple
Olympia showing a park as well as an individual male
Olympia showing outdoor art
Olympia which includes a park, cuddly or friendly animals and a river or creek
Olympia showing outdoor art

The capital of the State of Washington sits on Puget Sound and excites with its aquatic pursuits, art, wildlife and museums.

Olympia is an attractive city of natural beauty and historic and cultural attractions. See public displays of art, cruise waterways and wander through a rainforest.

Charter a boat and sail around Puget Sound or canoe along the vast waterway. If you are looking for a more adventurous pursuit, go whitewater rafting on the Cispus or Skykomish rivers. 

Olympia has more than 900 acres (364 hectares) of parks within its boundaries and a network of trails. Grab your camera for a wildlife watching trip at the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area. There are habitats for bald eagles, bats, river otters and harbor seals. See more wildlife, such as woodpeckers, grouse and warblers, on the McLane Creek Nature Trail in Capitol State Forest. Stroll through wetlands and a temperate rainforest at Watershed Park. 

A popular place for a walk is the boardwalk at the waterfront Percival Landing Park. Here you can enjoy views of the Olympic Mountains, visit bars, shops and restaurants and admire displays of public art.

There’s more artistic work on show in several city locations. Since 1990, new construction projects have budgets set aside for public art. Rest on one of the downtown area’s colorful art benches and refill your water bottle from the artesian well.

Learn more about Olympia’s past by touring historic attractions. Explore the mid-19th-century Bigelow House and see original furniture and Victorian-era artifacts. Pick up insights into the area’s Native American history at the State Capital Museum.

Also worth a visit is the Washington State Capitol campus. See the senate chamber in the Capitol building and marvel at the interior ceiling of the dome. View art installations around the campus including World War II and Korean War memorials. 

Arrive in Olympia by train, car, bus or plane. The closest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 48 miles (77 kilometers) away. The nearest railway station is 5 miles (8 kilometers) away in Lacey. Get around by the city’s efficient bus system or via the 32 miles (51 kilometers) of bike lanes. 

Visit Olympia for a vacation filled with nature, culture and history.

Where to stay in Olympia

Olympia showing a garden and a pond

Downtown Olympia

While visiting Downtown Olympia, you might make a stop by sights like Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market.

Downtown Olympia
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South Westside

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

When in South Westside, you can plan a visit to Washington State Capitol and Olympia Farmers Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

South Westside
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Eastside

While there might not be top attractions in Eastside, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Hands On Children's Museum and Old State Capitol.

Eastside
Best breakfast in town. Expect a wait, but it's worth it.

Northwest Olympia

While there might not be top attractions in Northwest Olympia, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Olympia Farmers Market and Hands On Children's Museum.

Northwest Olympia
Nice evening in Olympia.

South Capitol

While visiting South Capitol, you might make a stop by sights like State Capitol Museum and Capitol Lake.

South Capitol
Olympia showing a garden and a pond

Downtown Historic District

Downtown Historic District might not have many top sights, but Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Downtown Historic District
Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
2 out of 5
400 Lee St Sw, Tumwater, Olympia, WA
The price is NT$1,662 per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
NT$1,662
NT$1,915 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Olympia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,018 reviews)
Great
"Great, staff were nice and welcoming"

Reviewed on 2025/6/27

Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
3 out of 5
621 Capitol Way South, Olympia, WA
The price is NT$3,385 per night from Jul 3 to Jul 4
NT$3,385
NT$3,843 total
Jul 3 - Jul 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
6.2/10 (1,009 reviews)
"was ok"

Reviewed on 2025/6/19

Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tumwater - Olympia
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tumwater - Olympia
3 out of 5
4600 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater, Olympia, WA
The price is NT$3,849 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
NT$3,849
NT$4,358 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"I wish I got the young lady’s name when we checked in she was so awesome and welcoming thank you"

Reviewed on 2025/6/25

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tumwater - Olympia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
3 out of 5
1701 E Valley Rd, Renton, WA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Renton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,263 reviews)
"Good value."

Reviewed on 2025/6/25

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
3 out of 5
15805 SE 37th St, Bellevue, WA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bellevue. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,481 reviews)
"The room was clean and comfortable. The property is convenient for our visits."

Reviewed on 2025/6/24

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Medallion Inn & Suites
Medallion Inn & Suites
3.5 out of 5
16710 Smokey Point Blvd, Arlington, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Arlington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,154 reviews)
"Go once a month.8 .times... Will continue."

Reviewed on 2025/6/25

Medallion Inn & Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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