As the seat of government for the state of Washington, there is always something going on in Olympia. But it is not all civil servants and legislators here; Olympia is a thriving city with its own music and restaurant scene, the innovative Evergreen State College and a busy working waterfront. Completing the picture is its charming downtown with small restaurants, theaters and retail stores -- all of which are tucked neatly between the spectacular capitol dome and the shores of Budd Inlet.
Tour Washington’s Capitol Grounds
- The Washington State Capitol Building sits high on a hill above downtown Olympia and is the number one tourist attraction in the city. From the ground floor to the top of the capitol dome measures 287 feet. And the 102-foot dome itself, completed in 1928 after six years of construction, is the fifth tallest free-standing masonry dome in the world and the tallest in North America. The capitol grounds are beautiful, too, with monuments and public art throughout. At time of publication, 60-minute tours of the legislative building took place seven days a week, beginning at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. The last tour each day was at 3 p.m.
Find the Artesian Wells
- When Olympia Beer was brewed in nearby Tumwater, Washington, its slogan was “It’s the Water.” The brewery is now gone, but the water that pours from Olympia’s artesian wells still flows. A 1940s-era survey by the city of Olympia, in fact, identified 96 active artesian wells and springs in the downtown area alone. Today, that water is still used by industry, piped through municipal water fountains and used by local restaurants like the Spar Café on Fourth Avenue East. There is one artesian well located near Fourth Avenue East and Jefferson Street. There, the clean, pure water still flows, and locals are known to line up to bottle it. You can too -- it's free. Finding the other wells in the city isn't always easy, but if you ask a local, he just might point you in the right direction.
Explore the Wildlife
- The Nisqually River flows from the glaciers of Mount Rainier into Puget Sound just north of Olympia. This area, where the river delta fans out into the saltwater, has become a protected estuary as part of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. The 762-acre reserve provides a spectacular opportunity to walk among the bald eagles, fish and other wildlife that make their homes in this estuary. There are about five miles of trails in the reserve, many on boardwalks over the marshland. There are also learning opportunities available in the Interpretive Center.
Float on Puget Sound
- Just downhill from the capitol dome and adjacent to the downtown retail core is Budd Inlet, part of Puget Sound. This is still a working waterfront, and you might find a fisherman bringing in his catch, or a tugboat being refinished. But there are also many vendors and concessionaires that cater to visitors, providing adventures on the waters of Puget Sound. For instance, Mystic Journeys Sailboat Charters leaves the Port of Olympia on several catered cruises, including overnight voyages. And for those who wish to power their own boat on Budd Inlet can rent from Urban Kayak and Paddleboards, which operates from Percival Landing, located downtown.
