Olympia

Travel Guide
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 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 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

Default Image

Northwest Olympia

Northwest Olympia might not have many top sights, but Olympia Farmers Market and Percival Landing are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Northwest Olympia
Default Image

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 5th Avenue Bridge.

South Westside
Default Image

South Capitol

South Capitol might not have many top sights, but Washington State Capitol and Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

South Capitol
Default Image

East Bay Drive

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in East Bay Drive and surrounding area, you can visit Olympia Farmers Market and Priest Point Park.

East Bay Drive
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$129 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$129
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
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 in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"The room was comfortable and clean. The hot tub was warm enough, but the jets didnt work. We would have liked coffee with breakfast but there seemed to be a problem with the staff refilling it."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Olympia - Lacey
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 S$143 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
S$143
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (1,000 reviews)
"Close to restaurant's and lots of shops. Continental breakfast was good."

Reviewed on 24 Mar,2024

Red Lion Inn & Suites Olympia, Governor Hotel
Ramada by Wyndham Olympia
Ramada by Wyndham Olympia
2.5 out of 5
4520 Martin Way E., I-5 & Exit 109, Olympia, WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$164 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$164
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Olympia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"Nice hotel but starting to show it's age."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Ramada by Wyndham 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 Bellevue - An All-Suite Hotel
Larkspur Landing Bellevue - An All-Suite Hotel
3 out of 5
15805 SE 37th St, Bellevue, WA
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bellevue. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,784 reviews)
"Proximity to Bellevue."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Larkspur Landing Bellevue - An All-Suite Hotel
Larkspur Landing Renton - An All-Suite Hotel
Larkspur Landing Renton - An All-Suite Hotel
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 clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,350 reviews)
"I see a lot of reviews that say the property is dated etc. I guess it is, but it’s nothing extreme or terrible. The rooms are clean and the beds are nice. The TVs are new and have streaming services on them. There is free grab n go breakfast every morning and delicious fresh cookies every night. ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Larkspur Landing Renton - An All-Suite Hotel
Sea Breeze Cottages
Sea Breeze Cottages
3 out of 5
131 Barnacle St, Ocean Shores, WA
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Ocean Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (249 reviews)
"Super cute with everything you could need!"

Reviewed on 18 Feb,2024

Sea Breeze Cottages
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do