Location: Olympia
Top Things to do in Olympia
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Olympia, Washington (WA)
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. Puget Sound Estuarium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
3. Oly Float
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Floating is part therapy, part meditation, part transcendence, and all relaxation. Classically known as “sensory deprivation“, floatation therapy is suitable for all ages. It has a myriad of documented benefits, including improved health and well-being; deepened meditation; relief of physical pain, mental stress & anxiety; and improved sleep and immune function. Our healing arts center, The Soul Space, also offers a variety of related wellness services, including infrared sauna, massage, craniosacral therapy, kinesiology & energy work, botanical medicine, counseling, nutritional therapy, and more.
Reviewed By idiazjr
Five months ago today I was looking forward to some amazing quiet time, but life took a detour. Today, I was able to get back to some incredible self care. So ironic, my adventure out into the world, was an adventure straight to my favorite place...an isolation tank! Today I had the opportunity to float and enjoy an infrared sauna session. My friends at OlyFloat opened back up yesterday, and I am so grateful. I’ve missed my times there and I’m happy to start regular floats again. Thank you Dan and crew. The visit was spectacular and the new rules around COVID safety were very well handled and felt very kind, caring and most of all, very safe. See you again soon. Thank you. ???????? PS: The upgrades are great and the place feel so alive!
4. Washington Center for the Performing Arts
5. Childhood's End Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Since 1971, Childhood's End Gallery has focused on contemporary Pacific Northwest fine art & craft. We represent over one hundred American artists and artisans working in oil, glass, ceramics, wood, metal, and more. We are pleased to provide an exceptional variety of choices for truly unique gifts, personal mementos, functional craft, and home decor.
Reviewed By JALFAN - Sumner, United States
Wonderful gallery our go to place to find that special birthday, wedding, anniversary gift. We always find something unique. They also do wonderful gift wrapping.
6. Sound Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Sound Escape is a real-life interactive escape room adventure. Use wits and teamwork to unravel the room's mysteries in 60 minutes. See our website for much more information.
7. Exit Puzzles Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Exit Puzzles offers an escape room experience that will keep you immersed for 70 minutes as you and your teammates explore a thematically decorated room for clues to solve the room's puzzles and mysteries. This room features custom-made puzzles, artwork, and interactive electronics, along with a visually striking set design. For booking and more information visit our website.
Reviewed By AreWeHavingFunYet - Olympia, United States
I (grandma) took my 15 year old grandson, plus two friends, and we did the Landlord escape room. It was excellent. We were joined by another group (4 fun ladies). We were concerned about how that would go since we didn't know each other, but it worked out great, and the boys actually were very proud to be able to help the women since it was their first time. The puzzles are not linear, so it allowed all to begin solving different ones at the same time. Compared to other escape rooms we've done, this one was better labeled, making it less frustrating to solve. We only had one hiccup. One person in the group messed up a lock trying to use the wrong key. We had to have the staff guy come fix it. He was pretty upset and flustered, which was understandable given the circumstances, but he could have handled it better. He called out the person in the group and berated her in front of anyone. I am not saying I would not have acted the same way, but come on, breathe and remember Customer Service is key. As it was, we solved all and were able to escape with seconds to spare! Afterwards, the staff person walked us through all the solutions and explained some interesting things we had missed. We highly recommend this Escape Room experience and are excited to return to try their other room. It's not really that pricey given that it's a full hour of exciting mental and rewarding fun. Afterwards, there are fun photos to pose for.
8. WET Science Center
9. 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.
10. 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!
