Location: Olympia
Top Things to do in Olympia
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7 Sights & Landmarks in Olympia That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Nisqually Reach Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Q503AXjohnl - Olympia, United States
Back when this was a boat rental place. Folks rested row boats to go out onto the Nisqually reach, generally to fish for salmon or to hunt ducks. Now it is a nature preserve. There is a boat ramp which is busy during salmon runs and a nature interpretive center. The center is very nice with many displays and things live and preserved that you can touch. It is a wonderful place for kids. There are volunteers who are knowledgeable and informative in the center. Lots of folks come here to watch birds, mostly waterfowl and bald eagles and herons. And there is some beach combing but watch the bottom as some areas are muddy. Tides can run over fifteen feet from high to low and this are is totally different at the flood than at the ebb. Flood tide is right up against the bulkhead and the ramp is pretty much covered. The lone tide mark is maybe a mile out. It is amazing. If you intend to launch a boat, watch the tide! Good view of Mt. Rainier. Always a fun place to visit. Stop by!
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 5th Avenue Bridge
5. Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By lferst2013 - Fairmont, United States
My daughter, granddaughter and I spent about 3 hours at Cider Mill and had a wonderful time walking around looking at the animals and in the farmers market. We especially loved the baby animals and the homemade pies.
6. Port Plaza Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By jessjjmc - Texas, United States
A neat little side stop after going to the farmers market. Kids enjoyed climbing the tower and looking at all of the boats along the boardwalk. Very neat!
7. Regional Athletic Complex
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