Guidebook for Olympia
Sightseeing
Watershed Park
2500 Henderson Blvd SEGreat one mile walking trail through rainforest like terrain.
Wonderful place to stroll and birdwatch!
65 locals recommend
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
100 Brown Farm Rd NEWonderful place to stroll and birdwatch!
Taking a walk around Capitol Lake is a must! Try it in the evening hours when the sun is going down and people are out and about!
39 locals recommend
Capitol Lake Park
Water Street SouthwestTaking a walk around Capitol Lake is a must! Try it in the evening hours when the sun is going down and people are out and about!
In the month of October-November you will see salmon swimming upstream to spawn and die. Very educational, but smelly. It's actually off of Old Olympia Hwy.
Kennedy Creek Natural Area Preserve
In the month of October-November you will see salmon swimming upstream to spawn and die. Very educational, but smelly. It's actually off of Old Olympia Hwy.
If you are a long-distance runner/biker this is the trail for you. I'm told it goes for some eighty miles connecting several local communities. A bit tricky to find, so ask for directions.
Chehalis Western Trail
Chehalis Western TrailIf you are a long-distance runner/biker this is the trail for you. I'm told it goes for some eighty miles connecting several local communities. A bit tricky to find, so ask for directions.
Food Scene
Dancing Goats® Downtown Olympia
550 Capitol Way SBest mochas in town!
Breakfast AND a kayak around the Budd Inlet! See some harbor seals and running salmon!
35 locals recommend
Tugboat Annie's
2100 W Bay Dr NWBreakfast AND a kayak around the Budd Inlet! See some harbor seals and running salmon!
Best dinner view! There's Anthony's main restaurant but this grill has the best view at sunset of the inlet and the Olympic mountains that can't be beat! Great food too!
53 locals recommend
Anthony's Hearthfire Grill Olympia
1675 Marine Dr NEBest dinner view! There's Anthony's main restaurant but this grill has the best view at sunset of the inlet and the Olympic mountains that can't be beat! Great food too!
Best breakfast in town! European-inspired meals. Everything is good!
51 locals recommend
The Bread Peddler
222 Capitol Way NBest breakfast in town! European-inspired meals. Everything is good!
Best lunch sandwiches in town! I've always been satisfied!
7 locals recommend
5th on 4th Sandwiches and More
926 4th Ave EBest lunch sandwiches in town! I've always been satisfied!
Five Guys
1200 Cooper Point Rd SWA chain but a damn good one! I love me a Five Guy burger!
Best Indian food in all of the South Sound. The lunch menu is tasty and inexpensive.
9 locals recommend
Curry Corner
9408 Martin Way EBest Indian food in all of the South Sound. The lunch menu is tasty and inexpensive.
Olympia Coffee Roasting
2601 N Proctor StGreat coffee. Period.
Best thin crust specialty pizza around! For those pizza connoisseurs!
24 locals recommend
Vic's Pizzeria Wildwood
2822 Capitol Blvd SEBest thin crust specialty pizza around! For those pizza connoisseurs!
Best sustainable cafe around! For earthy types. Right next to Capitol Lake.
15 locals recommend
Traditions Fair Trade
300 5th Ave SWBest sustainable cafe around! For earthy types. Right next to Capitol Lake.
Best Mexican Food in all the South Sound! Seriously. Large portions. Inexpensive.
6 locals recommend
Ramirez Mexican Store
5105 Capitol Boulevard SouthBest Mexican Food in all the South Sound! Seriously. Large portions. Inexpensive.
Entertainment & Activities
Best educational place to let the kids run wild. A bit pricey though. There is a free faux-stream for the kids to play in during the summer.
67 locals recommend
Hands On Children's Museum
414 Jefferson St NEBest educational place to let the kids run wild. A bit pricey though. There is a free faux-stream for the kids to play in during the summer.
Grandpa's Soda Fountain Ice Cream Shop
208 4th Ave WBest ice cream joint, hand's down!
Kid entertainment. My kid's will play laser tag here ALL DAY LONG! It's next to Regal movie theatre in case you want to just drop them off.
Charlie's Safari
3610 Marvin Rd NEKid entertainment. My kid's will play laser tag here ALL DAY LONG! It's next to Regal movie theatre in case you want to just drop them off.
The RAC has a great playground for kids, at least that's what my kids say. A bit out of the way, but if I'm in the area, I'll let stop in to let them play.
Regional Athletic Complex
8345 Steilacoom Rd SEThe RAC has a great playground for kids, at least that's what my kids say. A bit out of the way, but if I'm in the area, I'll let stop in to let them play.
Drinks & Nightlife
3 Mags is the newest joint in town and always shows the latest sports event on their big screen tv, especially soccer! Great beer.
21 locals recommend
Three Magnets Brewing Co.
600 Franklin St SE3 Mags is the newest joint in town and always shows the latest sports event on their big screen tv, especially soccer! Great beer.
Best beer in town! Love the organic IPA! Good food too. The everyman locale!
33 locals recommend
Fish Tale Brewpub
515 Jefferson St SEBest beer in town! Love the organic IPA! Good food too. The everyman locale!
Revolving taps of Northwest beer! No food though. Boo. But it looks out onto Percival Park with a great playground, in case you want to feel like a deadbeat dad/mom and "watch" your kids from afar!
19 locals recommend
Oly Taproom
312 Columbia St NWRevolving taps of Northwest beer! No food though. Boo. But it looks out onto Percival Park with a great playground, in case you want to feel like a deadbeat dad/mom and "watch" your kids from afar!
To locals, it's referred to as the BroHo! So be cool and saddle up to this eclectic charmer! It's kinda the quintessential Oly spot. O-lee, not Ollie.
21 locals recommend
The Brotherhood Lounge
119 Capitol Way NTo locals, it's referred to as the BroHo! So be cool and saddle up to this eclectic charmer! It's kinda the quintessential Oly spot. O-lee, not Ollie.
Eastside Club Tavern
410 4th Ave EGreat place to shoot pool.
Arts & Culture
For those hard to find independent films set in the historic Capitol Theatre! Support independent cinema!
26 locals recommend
Capitol Theater
206 5th Ave SEFor those hard to find independent films set in the historic Capitol Theatre! Support independent cinema!
If you want to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster this is the one. I only list them because if you sign up for their Regal Card on Tuesday's it's only $5 to see a movie all day! $2 popcorn too!
11 locals recommend
Regal Martin Village ScreenX & IMAX
5400 Martin Way EIf you want to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster this is the one. I only list them because if you sign up for their Regal Card on Tuesday's it's only $5 to see a movie all day! $2 popcorn too!
Orca Books
315 5th Ave SEBest local bookstore!
The Squaxin Island museum is a nice little jaunt from Oly toward Shelton. Get off when you see the Little Creek Casino on the left. But turn right and follow the road until you see the sign.
Squaxin Island Tribe
10 SE Squaxin LnThe Squaxin Island museum is a nice little jaunt from Oly toward Shelton. Get off when you see the Little Creek Casino on the left. But turn right and follow the road until you see the sign.
Little Creek Casino Resort
91 WA-108I like the spa here. Not much of a gambler.
Just listing this so you know it exists somewhat nearby.
13 locals recommend
Nisqually Red Wind Casino
12819 Yelm Hwy SEJust listing this so you know it exists somewhat nearby.
Small casino but expanding. They just added a hotel, but don't stay there, cause airBnB is way cooler, and cheaper! If you see John, the GM, tell him Jeff Barehand of Sky Bear Media sent you. ;)
6 locals recommend
Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel
12888 188th Ave SWSmall casino but expanding. They just added a hotel, but don't stay there, cause airBnB is way cooler, and cheaper! If you see John, the GM, tell him Jeff Barehand of Sky Bear Media sent you. ;)
Shopping
I don't know about you but our family exists on Costco! From a gallon of ketchup to free samples to $1.50 hotdog combos, it's a great place!
8 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
5500 Littlerock Rd SWI don't know about you but our family exists on Costco! From a gallon of ketchup to free samples to $1.50 hotdog combos, it's a great place!
Caffé Vita Coffee
124 4th Ave EGood place to do some work and sip coffee and really see Oly's underbelly.