Guidebook for Olympia
Food Scene
Amazing pastries also sold at Olympia Farmer's Market and Olympia Coffee Roasters.
26 locals recommend
Left Bank Pastry
1941 4th Ave EAmazing pastries also sold at Olympia Farmer's Market and Olympia Coffee Roasters.
Farm Fresh Market
2010 Black Lake Blvd SWGrocery store specializing in local and organic food.
Eclectic local shop featuring mostly organic takes on classic cafe faire.
15 locals recommend
Traditions Fair Trade
300 5th Ave SWEclectic local shop featuring mostly organic takes on classic cafe faire.
Local, whole grain and organic bakery run by incredible people, local icon and favorite with free live music on Sundays.
13 locals recommend
Blue Heron Bakery
4419 Harrison Ave NWLocal, whole grain and organic bakery run by incredible people, local icon and favorite with free live music on Sundays.
Immersive playspace for children from 1-12; a fantastic place to take the kids on a rainy day.
67 locals recommend
Hands On Children's Museum
414 Jefferson St NEImmersive playspace for children from 1-12; a fantastic place to take the kids on a rainy day.
La Petite Maison
101 Division St NWOne of the few fine dining options in town.
One of our favorite speciality grocery stores in town, family owned with a wide selection of house made goods.
Arirang Asian Market (Korean Grocery Market)
7940 Martin Way EOne of our favorite speciality grocery stores in town, family owned with a wide selection of house made goods.
Great way to sample the bounty of Thurston County, visit their website for updated seasonal hours. A variety of beautiful walks can be taken from here, leave your car and explore downtown or percival landing.
93 locals recommend
Olympia Farmers Market
Great way to sample the bounty of Thurston County, visit their website for updated seasonal hours. A variety of beautiful walks can be taken from here, leave your car and explore downtown or percival landing.
Great produce selection when the Farmer's Market's hours dwindle in winter, Jay's is open everyday!
Jay's Farm Stand
4315 Harrison Ave NWGreat produce selection when the Farmer's Market's hours dwindle in winter, Jay's is open everyday!
The Mouse Trap
408 Washington St SEFrench cheese store, right in downtown Oly!
King Solomon's Reef
212 4th Ave EBest diner in Olympia.
Crossover/fusion mexican food with great bar (kombucha cocktails).
13 locals recommend
Quality Burrito
213 4th Ave ECrossover/fusion mexican food with great bar (kombucha cocktails).
Parks & Nature
Beautiful scenic hike through gorgeous forest filled with salamanders and salmon spawning.
6 locals recommend
McLane Creek Nature Trail
McLane Creek Nature TrailBeautiful scenic hike through gorgeous forest filled with salamanders and salmon spawning.
Gorgeous territorial views and hiking/atv/horse trails. Our street turns into a trail into Capitol Forest! See this map for trail details:
http://capitolriders.org/Maps/CapForestBrochure.pdf
Capitol Forest
Capitol ForestGorgeous territorial views and hiking/atv/horse trails. Our street turns into a trail into Capitol Forest! See this map for trail details:
http://capitolriders.org/Maps/CapForestBrochure.pdf
Hiking trial to beach where a railroad trestle has created the perfect habitat for bats!
13 locals recommend
Woodard Bay Conservation Area
Hiking trial to beach where a railroad trestle has created the perfect habitat for bats!
Beautiful views and a nice light walk leading from Farmer's market and port up to shopping district of downtown. Local artist sculptures dot the way!
31 locals recommend
Percival Landing
217 Thurston Ave NWBeautiful views and a nice light walk leading from Farmer's market and port up to shopping district of downtown. Local artist sculptures dot the way!
Incredible, especially for birders.
65 locals recommend
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
100 Brown Farm Rd NEIncredible, especially for birders.
Garfield Nature Trail
Garfield Nature TrailStretching from the food co-op to the Rotary park with views of the port.
Kenneydell Park
6745 Fairview Rd SWLake beach and playgrounds.
Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
12315 Waddell Creek Rd SWEntertainment & Activities
Drive in with nightly double features during season (March-October).
22 locals recommend
Skyline Drive In Theater
182 SE Brewer RdDrive in with nightly double features during season (March-October).
Independent and historic movie house that is largely volunteer run!
26 locals recommend
Capitol Theater
206 5th Ave SEIndependent and historic movie house that is largely volunteer run!
Delphi Golf Course
6340 Neylon Dr SWThis is a public golf course within walking distance of the guest house.
This local access station has weekly shows where anyone is encouraged to join: Dance Oly Dance and KaraokeOly.
TVW
1058 Capitol Way SThis local access station has weekly shows where anyone is encouraged to join: Dance Oly Dance and KaraokeOly.
Alley Oop Gymnastics Center
2643 Mottman Ct SWGreat for kids, they have open activity times.
A bouncy activity center for kids, you pay by the hour.
6 locals recommend
DEFY Olympia (Previously Boomshaka)
7960 Center St SWA bouncy activity center for kids, you pay by the hour.
Shopping
Green Lady Westside
2405 Harrison Ave NWCannabis store with a wide selection and great customer service.
Browsers Bookshop
107 Capitol Way NBest locally owned bookstore downtown.
Cove Crystal Shop
510 SE Old Arcadia RdIncredible array of gemstones and other esoterica. A hidden gem in and of itself!
Rainy Day Records
301 5th Ave SEExcellent record store with video rental.
Incredible taste and selection of a variety of goods from kitchen wares, camping supplies and stationery.
33 locals recommend
Compass Rose
416 Capitol Way SIncredible taste and selection of a variety of goods from kitchen wares, camping supplies and stationery.
Radiance Herbs & Massage
113 5th Ave SEMassages, herbs, oils and soaps!
Psychic Sister
109 5th Ave SECurated thrift store.
Sightseeing
College campus surrounded by farmhouse, beautiful trails and scenic beach on Eld inlet.
27 locals recommend
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NWCollege campus surrounded by farmhouse, beautiful trails and scenic beach on Eld inlet.
Fresh shellfish and some seafood at general store, beautiful calm kayaking and gorgeous views - not to mention beautiful neighborhood.
43 locals recommend
Boston Harbor Marina
312 73rd Ave NEFresh shellfish and some seafood at general store, beautiful calm kayaking and gorgeous views - not to mention beautiful neighborhood.
Washington State Capitol Building
416 Sid Snyder Avenue SouthwestCheck their website for tours.
Arts & Culture
Hosts a variety of arts events throughout the year, always an excellent time.
22 locals recommend
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington St SEHosts a variety of arts events throughout the year, always an excellent time.
Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
2011 Mottman Rd SWChildhood's End Gallery
222 4th Ave WGallery Boom
3959 Martin Way EastOlympia's annual earth day parade is called the Procession of the Species. Locals create their own costumes and organize by biomes to parade downtown in style and music! Free to watch and make your own costumes!
Procession of the Species Studio, by Earthbound Productions
406 Water St SWOlympia's annual earth day parade is called the Procession of the Species. Locals create their own costumes and organize by biomes to parade downtown in style and music! Free to watch and make your own costumes!
Essentials
The west side branch of the locally owned co-op, they have an amazing bulk selection.
46 locals recommend
Olympia Food Co-op
921 Rogers St NWThe west side branch of the locally owned co-op, they have an amazing bulk selection.
Costco Wholesale
5500 Littlerock Rd SWHaggen
1313 Cooper Point Rd SW24 hours!
Grocery Outlet
2100 Harrison Ave NWTrader Joe's
1530 Black Lake Blvd SWReally close to our house and full of great food!