From Wikitravel

Olympia [1] is in the South Sound region of Washington.

Understand

Olympia is the state capital of Washington State, and the Thurston County seat. The culture of the city reflects a diverse economic base and culture. Olympia is also home to The Evergreen State College, one of six public four-year schools in Washington.

Olympia's art and music scene is unusually large and active for a town of its size, and its identity as a city remains distinct despite strong influences from Seattle, Tacoma and Everett to the North and from Portland/Vancouver to the South. Olympia is a breeding ground for Pacific Northwest alternative culture, and has spawned or influenced many of the region's better-known personalities.

The city's downtown core has been designated as a National Historic District.

The natural beauty in Olympia is of particular note. From downtown, one can see the Olympic Mountains to the northwest set behind Puget Sound's Budd Bay - and towering Mt. Rainier to the southeast set next to the state capitol building and Capitol Lake.

• Fly in through SeaTac airport. [2]
• Olympia Regional Airport (private, charter)

• Amtrak station 6 miles from downtown in Lacey. Takes 15-20 mins to drive there. Bus #64 goes to the station from both the Olympia and Lacey transit stations, about 40 minutes from the former.

• Greyhound Bus Station centrally located
• City buses are operated by Intercity Transit, [3]. Schedules available on their site. Public buses also run from Seattle and Tacoma, you can plan a trip from Sound Transit's website [4].

• Olympia's numbered streets run East-West, and the city is broken into four quadrants with the center point in downtown. Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. These indicators come after any address.

• Capitol Way is the main north - south street in the downtown area. Fourth Avenue is the main connector that runs through downtown east - west.

• The city's downtown district lies in the middle of what residents refer to as the Westside and the Eastside. Most residents of the city will claim these two areas are distinctively different.

• Intercity Transit [5] operates the bus system. $1 per trip or $2 for a day pass.

• The Washington state capitol building. One of the largest free standing masonry domes in the world.
• The Evergreen State College - Public baccalaureate liberal arts college
• Puget Sound
• Olympia Marina
• Olympia has a thriving music community, with frequent local performances by rock, jazz, blues, folk, and other bands. Local noncommercial community radio station KAOS at 89.3 FM (which also streams live at [6]) features tremendous variety of independent artists, often live in their performance studio. The station is on the campus of The Evergreen State College.
• Capital Playhouse, 612 E. 4th Avenue, ☎ +1-360.943.2744. Plays shows like Sweeney Todd (with Tony award winner Jarrod Emick), 1940's Radio Hour, 6 Women with Braindeath or Expiring Minds want to Know, Side Show, and Man of La Mancha.  edit

• Washington Center For The Performing Arts, 512 Washington Street SE, (360) 753-8585, [7]. South Puget Sound's largest performing arts facility provides a wide variety of entertainment and cultural activities.
• Hands On Children's Museum, 106 11th Ave. SW, (360) 956-0818, [8]. The Hands On Children's Museum stimulates curiosity, creativity and learning through fun, interactive exhibits and programs for children.
• Budd Bay Charters, Olympia Harbor, (360) 539-8981, [9]. Budd Bay Charters provides boat tours of the Olympia harbor and beyond. Has 21' electric boats that tour the harbor or you can rent them. Also have tours on 38' Sailboat and 18' Runabout speed boat.

• Olympia Farmer's Market, North End of Capitol Way near the waterfront, [10]. One of the largest in the state. The market's schedule is seasonal.
• Tea Lady, 430 Washington Street SE, (360) 786-0350, [11]. Tea shop & bar, offer over 700 teas from around the world.
• Wind Up Here, 5th & Washington across from the Performing Arts Center, (360) 943-9045. Toy store for kids of all ages. Educational, hard-to-find & zany toys, puzzles & novelties.
• Chehalis Western Trail, (Click the url for directions), [12]. always open. Great 'Rail Trail' for bicycling. The Trail is paved and close to 20 miles long. Goes along lakes, farms, orchards, and a river.  edit

• Cebu Restaurant, 9408 Martin Way East, (360) 455-9128, serves excellent Filipino food in a friendly atmosphere. It's a little bit hard to find--it's in a strip mall next to a gas station. If you're heading east on Martin Way, it's not too far past Marvin Road.
• Norma's at Tanglewilde, 7210 Martin Way East, ☎ +1-(360) 456-6547), [13]. A local chain, whose burgers and shakes cannot be beat. Norma's won the Best Burger in Washington State for the year 2007, probably for their John Wayne Burger. Also serves breakfast, sandwiches, and seafood. $10/entree.  edit
• Norma's at I-5, 10322 Martin Way East (Nisqually Exit 114), ☎ +1-(360) 412-0333), [14]. A second location for this local chain.  edit
• O'Blarneys, 4411 Martin Way E (Near I-5 exit 109.), ☎ +1-360 459-8084 (fax: +1-360 456-0674), [15]. If you like chicken, try the "Breasts and Jos".  edit
• Eastside Big Tom Drive Inn:, 2023 4th Ave E, (360)357-4852) has the best burgers anywhere. No contest from anyplace else, in town or otherwise. Nothing beats a Big Tom with the works. Milkshakes and crinkle fries are also excellent. Bring cash and a hearty appetite.
• Anthony's Homeport, 704 Columbia Street NW, (360) 357-9700 on Olympia waterfront. Upper scale fine dining.
• Lemon Grass Restaurant, 212 4th Ave. W, (360) 705-1832. If you love Thai food, this is the place.

• The lounge at King Solomon's Reef, 212 4th Ave E, 360-357-5552. is the quintessential Olympia dive-bar. Dark, tobacco-stained, with well drinks that bite back and bar food to match, The Reef is where the locals go after shows or just to hang out late at night. A good place to go absorb some drinks while avoiding Oly's meat-market scene.
• Jake's on 4th - A gay nightclub with dj dancing Th-Su.
• The Urban Onion lounge - Gay lounge with dj's spinning on weekends.
• The Mark, 407 Columbia Street SW, ☎ (360)754-4414, [16]. The Mark is the only certified organic restaurant in Washington. Local ingredients are used when possible. Banquet facilities available. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 5PM – 1AM and Monday through Wednesday by private hire. Reservations recommended.  edit

• Phoenix Inn Suites, 415 Capitol Way N, Tel: +1 360 570-0555. [17]. All suite accommodations with complimentary breakfast buffet, high speed internet, and 24 hr. business center
• Chez Cascadia, 323 Milroy St. NW, +1 360 570-0823, [18]. Hostel-style beds at $18 per night, private room at $35 per night, additional person $10. Wi-fi, kitchen access, linens provided, nice gardens. Condescending attitude from hipster staff provided free of charge.

• The Timberland Regional Library [19], 313 8th Ave. E, offers free wireless internet.

Get out

Olympia is relatively centrally located between Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and many gorgeous state and national parks.

Seattle ← Lacey ←

N  S

→ Tumwater → Portland