About sixty miles south of Seattle, Olympia is a small town that packs a lot of amenities and activities in a small footprint. And there are just more than five great things about living here.
Olympia has a beautiful nature scene with parks and trails, beaches, lots of trees, and views of both the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. There is a strong creative community in all mediums from painters to musicians to the theater. Distilleries are branching off from Olympia Beer’s beginning. State government, of course, is the main employer. There is a sense of community in Olympia and you can find your tribe here for whatever interests you!
Here are my top five great things about why I like living in Olympia, Washington State’s capital city.
#1 The Olympia Farmer’s Market
The Olympia Farmer’s Market is located at the northernmost point of Capitol Way along the waterfront. Not only is this a great location but this market is the only vendor-owned market in the entire state with over 100 vendors. These local vendors grow, make or produce their items and they come from Thurston County and nearby counties. Truly, you can find a local item here!
https://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
#2 The Capitol Campus
Walking the Capitol Campus is one of my favorite things to do and you can even walk to and from the Olympia Farmer’s Market from here. The campus is beautiful any time of the year but especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. Visitors can tour the gardens, the displays on the grounds, and tour the Legislative Building (with the dome).
https://des.wa.gov/services/facilities-and-leasing-management/capitol-campus
#3 Percival Landing and The Waterfront
Olympia has beautiful waterfront areas that are walkable and accessible for boating and paddleboarding. Walking along the boardwalk, Percival Landing, and marinas, and stopping by shops and restaurants including Budd Bay Café is also a year-round activity you can do.
One of my favorite stops along my walk is the Bayview Thriftway, which is much more than a grocery store. They have a huge deli and bakery where you can get lunch, cooking classes, and lots of interesting finds for foodies and chefs.
Another stop is the Splash Gallery in Olympia on the boardwalk featuring local artists and usually one of the artists is there on-site.
Along the boardwalk is the Percival Plinth Project where every year, a new selection of local artists display their sculptures. Your walk along the waterfront is always changing and is a new experience every time!
#4 South Capitol neighborhood
The South Capitol neighborhood, just south of the Capitol Campus, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the homes in this neighborhood were built between 1900 to 1929, and many of the original owners were government officials and business owners. If you are looking for a home or a neighborhood “with character,” this is it. This neighborhood contains many styles of architecture you can see as you walk along the tree-lined sidewalks.
#5 Hands On Children’s Museum
This museum is a must-see for kids! It is an interactive museum to stimulate “curiosity, creativity and critical thinking through fun, interactive and engaging exhibits.” People travel here specifically to see this award-winning museum.
Located near the Farmer’s Market along the waterfront, the location is easy to get to and to venture on to other downtown Olympia activities.
Be sure to check out the museum’s page as there is always so much happening here.