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 showing 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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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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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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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 showing 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
Ramada by Wyndham Olympia

Ramada by Wyndham Olympia

2.5 out of 5
4520 Martin Way E., I-5 & Exit 109, Olympia, WA
The price is Rp1.432.897 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.432.897
Rp1.634.471 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,297 reviews)
"Over all pretty good but the always have a terrible smell."

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Ramada by Wyndham Olympia
Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia

Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia

2 out of 5
400 Lee St Sw, Tumwater, Olympia, WA
The price is Rp1.055.828 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.055.828
Rp1.211.789 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Olympia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,036 reviews)
"It's easy to find good parking. Friendly staff easy check in. Lots of dining options nearby. Quiet."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
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 Rp1.593.733 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp1.593.733
Rp1.814.353 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
6.2/10 (1,022 reviews)
"Overall, my wife and I had a nice stay here! The A/C was broken, which we were warned about during check-in, and the staff equipped us with a box fan. The fan plus the large sliding door in the unit helped keep us as comfortable as possible. Everything was clean, taking into account some stains on ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
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.
< 2 Mi to Budd Inlet: Pet-friendly Home!

< 2 Mi to Budd Inlet: Pet-friendly Home!

3 out of 5
Olympia, WA
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Olympia. Enjoy free parking, in-room fireplaces and air conditioning. Popular attractions Bigelow House Museum and Hands On Children's ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Olympia Fun
"The house was conveniently located in Olympia, and just 6 miles from the event that brought us to Olympia. The kitchen was very well stocked for cooking for a family. We appreciated all the different ways to brew coffee too. However, we then discovered that we were right next door to the famous San ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

< 2 Mi to Budd Inlet: Pet-friendly Home!
Waterfront Washington Getaway w/ Hot Tub & Deck!

Waterfront Washington Getaway w/ Hot Tub & Deck!

3 out of 5
Olympia, WA
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in Olympia. Enjoy free parking, patios and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Shankz Black Light Mini Golf and Yauger ...
Waterfront Washington Getaway w/ Hot Tub & Deck!
The Swedish Fish: Getaway on Lake Saint Clair!

The Swedish Fish: Getaway on Lake Saint Clair!

3 out of 5
Olympia, WA
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Olympia. Enjoy free parking, balconies and air conditioning. Popular attractions Lake St Clair and Long Lake are located ...
The Swedish Fish: Getaway on Lake Saint Clair!
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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