Olympia Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia

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 harbour 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 colourful 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 artefacts. 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 kilometres) away. The nearest railway station is 5 miles (8 kilometres) away in Lacey. Get around by the city’s efficient bus system or via the 32 miles (51 kilometres) of bike lanes.

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

Where to stay in Olympia

Olympia which includes a pond and a garden

Downtown Olympia

If you're spending some time in Downtown Olympia, Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Olympia
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South Westside

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in South Westside and surrounding area, you can visit Washington State Capitol and Olympia Farmers Market.

South Westside
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Eastside

While Eastside may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market.

Eastside
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Northwest Olympia

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

Northwest Olympia
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South Capitol

If you're spending some time in South Capitol, State Capitol Museum and Capitol Lake are top sights worth seeing.

South Capitol
Olympia which includes a pond and a garden

Downtown Historic District

When in Downtown Historic District, you can plan a visit to Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Downtown Historic District
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey

3 out of 5
4704 Park Center Ave Ne, Olympia, WA
The price is AU$142 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
AU$142
21 Oct - 22 Oct
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"Had an early medical appointment and hotel was ideal for staying close to where I needed to go."

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey
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 AU$172 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$172
20 Oct - 21 Oct
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 ...
6/10 (1,045 reviews)
"The guests need to be reminded NOT to smoke ANYTHING on the property! It's horrible walking into the elevator and being hit with the smell of marijuana. I couldn't even open my balcony door because someone was smoking dope on one of the balconies! Awful!!"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
Spark by Hilton Tumwater

Spark by Hilton Tumwater

2.5 out of 5
1600 74th Ave SW, Tumwater, Olympia, WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$150 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
AU$150
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (218 reviews)
"Staff was very helpful."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Spark by Hilton Tumwater
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.
Woodsy Retreat has the trail to the temperate rain forest, and outdoor spa.

Woodsy Retreat has the trail to the temperate rain forest, and outdoor spa.

Olympia
Book a stay at this ski vacation home in Olympia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a garden. Popular attractions Tolmie State Park and Nisqually Reach Nature ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (70 reviews)
"What an incredible stay. Every tiny detail was carefully curated and thoughtful. I wish I had taken more/better photos, but the pictures do not do it justice anyway. It was very clean and the kingsize bed with the mattress topper was incredible. The snacks, pastries, fresh bread, and endless tea ..."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Woodsy Retreat has the trail to the temperate rain forest, and outdoor spa.
Lovely residential home in the heart of Tumwater

Lovely residential home in the heart of Tumwater

Tumwater
Stay at this vacation home in Olympia. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Olympic Flight Museum and Brewery Park at Tumwater ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (58 reviews)
"Comfortable house with nice private rooms for sleeping. Well stocked kitchen and nice viewing area to watch the large screen tv."

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

Lovely residential home in the heart of Tumwater
Spacious 2BR house. Pet friendly with fenced yard. Outdoor covered patio.

Spacious 2BR house. Pet friendly with fenced yard. Outdoor covered patio.

Olympia
Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Olympic Flight Museum and Monarch Sculpture Park are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
"This is definitely a pet friendly home! There werr dog beds and crates, toys a d food bowls as well as a fenced in area.The house is on well water. We found it easy to adjust and work around that."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Spacious 2BR house. Pet friendly with fenced yard. Outdoor covered patio.
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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