Olympia, WA

Travel Guide

Olympia which includes heritage architecture and an administrative buidling as well as a couple
Olympia showing a park as well as an individual male
Olympia showing outdoor art
Olympia which includes a park, cuddly or friendly animals and a river or creek
Olympia showing outdoor art

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 harbor 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 colorful 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 artifacts. 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 kilometers) away. The nearest railway station is 5 miles (8 kilometers) away in Lacey. Get around by the city’s efficient bus system or via the 32 miles (51 kilometers) of bike lanes. 

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

Where to stay in Olympia

Olympia showing a garden and a pond

Downtown Olympia

While visiting Downtown Olympia, you might make a stop by sights like Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market.

Downtown Olympia
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South Westside

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

When in South Westside, you can plan a visit to Washington State Capitol and Governor's Mansion, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

South Westside
Best breakfast in town. Expect a wait, but it's worth it.

Northwest Olympia

While there might not be top attractions in Northwest Olympia, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Olympia Farmers Market and Hands On Children's Museum.

Northwest Olympia
Nice evening in Olympia.

South Capitol

South Capitol might not have many top sights, but Washington State Capitol and Governor's Mansion are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

South Capitol
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Eastside

While there might not be top attractions in Eastside, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Hands On Children's Museum and Olympia Farmers Market.

Eastside
Olympia showing a garden and a pond

Downtown Historic District

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

Downtown Historic District
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 NT$2,956 per night from May 20 to May 21
NT$2,956
NT$3,365 total
includes taxes & fees
May 20 - May 21
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 ...
6.4/10 (1,007 reviews)
Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
"If you're looking for a fancy hotel, this is not for you. It's a bit rundown, but I understand they are planning a renovation. The staff were pleasant, and it was clean. It was conveniently located near transit and the performance venue I attended, and there are good dining options nearby. The only ..."

Reviewed on 2025/5/12

Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey
2.5 out of 5
4704 Park Center Ave Ne, Olympia, WA
The price is NT$2,792 per night from Jun 1 to Jun 2
NT$2,792
NT$3,179 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 1 - Jun 2
Book a stay at this 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! (1,012 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on 2025/5/13

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey
Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
2 out of 5
400 Lee St Sw, Tumwater, Olympia, WA
The price is NT$1,808 per night from Jun 8 to Jun 9
NT$1,808
NT$2,080 total
includes taxes & fees
Jun 8 - Jun 9
Stay at this motel in Olympia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Fast and Easy check-in bed was comfortable. For the price, it was great."

Reviewed on 2025/5/18

Motel 6 Tumwater, WA - Olympia
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.
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
3 out of 5
15805 SE 37th St, Bellevue, WA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bellevue. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,406 reviews)
"More than acceptable for such price."

Reviewed on 2025/5/19

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
3 out of 5
1701 E Valley Rd, Renton, WA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Renton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,169 reviews)
"It was a comfortable place to spend a night"

Reviewed on 2025/5/16

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Sonder RailSpur
Sonder RailSpur
3.5 out of 5
417 Occidental Avenue South, Seattle, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Seattle. Enjoy laundry facilities, concierge services, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park ...
9/10 Wonderful! (179 reviews)
"Great spot. Only drawbacks were a very poor mattress for the pull out couch, and some steep ladder steps up to the loft."

Reviewed on 2025/5/11

Sonder RailSpur
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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