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When most people think of Washington state, Seattle probably comes to mind. Many people are surprised to learn that the state’s capitol is in Olympia and not in Seattle! Olympia was chosen in 1853 as it was one of the biggest settlements in Washington Territory.

In 1889 voters were asked to confirm the permanent location of the capitol. Seattle wasn’t even in the running and Olympia won once again. Now Seattle is about 14 times larger than Olympia in terms of population and travelers often skip right over the capitol city.

While Olympia isn’t full of attractions like Seattle, there are a lot of fun things to do in Olympia, Washington. Whether you are trying to visit all the capitols or are looking for a good place to stop on a road-trip or train trip between Seattle and Portland, Olympia is a good choice.

The cities of Olympia and Lacey, along with the town of Tumwater all run together. This guide to fun things to do in Olympia includes the whole metro area.

How to Get to and Around Olympia

Amtrak trains go through Lacey a few times a day. Olympia-Lacey is an easy stop between Seattle and Portland, as well as other cities in Washington and Oregon. The Lacey Amtrak train station has a small waiting area with restrooms and wifi.

From the train station you can take a taxi or use a rideshare app. Make sure to book a taxi ahead of time and be prepared that there are not a lot of Lyfts and Ubers in the area.

The public transportation in Olympia is free! You simply walk on and off the buses. There is no need for tickets. There is a bus that goes directly from the train station. Unfortunately it only comes once per hour.

Many buses in Olympia only come once every 30 – 60 minutes. They are fairly reliable, but there can be long waits if you don’t plan ahead. It will take about 30 – 40 minutes to reach downtown Olympia from Lacey by bus. While driving it will take 10 – 15 minutes.

Busses are the cheapest option, but driving will save you time and hassle. With a bit of planning and timing, the buses will help you avoid the downtown parking fees. I did everything in this guide of things to do in Olympia by taking a bus.

Where to Stay in Olympia

Hotels are limited in downtown Olympia. Typically they are more expensive, yet lower rated.

The majority of the hotels are located off of I-5 in Lacey. I stayed at the Comfort Inn- Lacey. It is a good option if you are looking for a nice hotel at a lower price. I found it to be the right balance of affordability and comfort.

My room was clean, breakfast was substantial, and the front desk was very helpful. There is self-serve laundry on site as well as an indoor pool and hot tub. Free parking makes the location perfect if you are driving. If you don’t have a car it is a little inconvenient as there is a fence all the way around the hotel. With the extra walking around the hotel it is about 10 – 15 minutes to the nearest bus stops.

Holiday Inn and Express and Hampton Inn are both nearby. They are pricier, but also rated higher.

Fun Things to Do in Olympia, Washington

Tour Washington’s Capitol

One of the best things to do in Olympia is tour the state capitol. It probably is the main reason you are in Olympia in the first place!

Most capitols offer free guided tours. I never pass up a good free tour! On the guided capitol tour you are able to go in rooms you wouldn’t otherwise be able to on your own and you learn a lot more. There are so many details about the architecture, construction, art, and history that you will glean from the guide.

Visit Tumwater Falls

Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls is a beautiful, free park that should definitely be on your list of what to do in Olympia, Washington. It is actually in the town of Tumwater, but Olympia runs into Tumwater. The falls are only a couple stops south of the state capitol too.

You’ll be able to walk across bridges and on both sides of the falls to see the upper falls, middle falls, and lower falls. Along the way a few informational panels will tell you more about the history of the falls. You’ll learn about the early businesses that were powered by the water and the Olympia Brewing Company that claimed their success came from the water of the artesian wells.

There is also a salmon hatchery with viewing windows and more information about salmon. At the end of September I was able to see thousands of salmon returning to spawn. It’s cool watching them jump up in the water!

Clean restrooms and picnic tables are located here.

Stay Outdoors

In general Olympia is full of parks and nature areas, so it is best to plan your visit during nice weather if possible. Heritage Park curves around the eastern side of Capitol Lake. It’s a nice walk if you are going from downtown to visit the state capitol. Cross over the water to head to Marathon Park. Restrooms are located there.

I didn’t make it to the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge but it is known as a nice area that is a sanctuary for a variety of birds. It’s also a peaceful spot for humans to hike!

If you have a car and some extra time you can drive further afield to other parks and natural areas such as Squaxin Park, Mima Mounds Natural Area, Millersylvania State Park, Tolmie State Park, and Capitol State Forest.

Walk Along the Boardwalk

Another nice place to walk in Olympia is at Percival Landing Park. It’s a boardwalk that goes along the marina. You’ll find sculptures along the way as well as a few restaurants and other businesses. There are restrooms next to the playground.

Explore Downtown Olympia

Other than the natural areas in and around the city, most of the action takes place in downtown Olympia. A lot of boutique shops including several bookstores, vintage, and clothing shops are popping up around downtown.

If you are traveling with children and looking for fun things to do in Olympia you’ll want to check out the WET Science Center and the Hands-On Children’s Museum. As I wasn’t traveling with children I didn’t make it to either, but they are both great hands on museums. I would have happily gone to the Puget Sound Estuarium located nearby, but it is only open on weekends.

Performing arts venues such as the Washington Center for the Performing Arts are located downtown. Check the schedules for current performances.

Hunt for Street Art

Like many US cities downtown Olympia has been revitalized. When I learn that an area has been revitalized I know that means street art. Olympia is no different. There is a mural on almost every block downtown.

The downtown isn’t huge so wander around and you will find most of the murals. Make sure to look down alleyways so you don’t miss any!

Admire Art at Galleries

Outdoors isn’t the only place you can find art. Many art galleries fill downtown Olympia. It’s a great way to see and support local artists.

Eat Fresh Seafood

You would think with all the salmon in the nearby rivers there would be a lot of places to eat really good fish in Washington. I was struggling to find somewhere that had good seafood, but at reasonable costs. That was until I came to Olympia.

Olympia Oyster House is one of the highest rated seafood restaurants in Olympia that isn’t fine dining (trust me, I checked). It has a nice location along the marina with outdoor seating. My waitress was very friendly. Most importantly, the salmon was delicious. It comes with vegetables and a starch of your choice.

Row is another seafood restaurant with outdoor dining along the marina. The Banh Mi with oysters was recommended, but as I am not a fan of oysters I went with the shrimp. It was still a good choice.

The Olympia Farmers Market wasn’t open when I visited, but I would have loved to check out the market with over 100 vendors.

Olympia, Washington may not be big, but there are a lot of fun things to do in Olympia. Plan your visit over the weekend when most places are open. The mid-sized city has a small town feel with many opportunities to get outdoors.

Fun Things to Do in Olympia, Washington

How to Get to and Around Olympia

Where to Stay in Olympia