The wedding will be held here and this would be an excellent place to stay. We have arranged to hold hotel accomodation but please feel free to find somewhere that would suit your needs.
Olympia is on the tip of Puget sound with great views out over the water.We love the commanding views of Olympia afforded by the observation tower at the western end of Percival’s Landing. Heritage Park is located next to the Landing and the fountain is a great way to cool down in the summertime heat (for both kids & adults!). Continue to explore Heritage Park with a stroll around Capitol Lake, leading up to the Washington State Capital Campus. The capital dome has been closed for repairs since the earthquake, but the gardens and grounds make for a nice leisurely walk.
Both of us enjoy walking through downtown Olympia, an interesting hodge-podge of cafes, coffee shops, antique stores, and retailers. The city is very pedestrian and visitor friendly.
An enjoyable drive is found on Plum St., which leads to the Yashiro Japanese Gardens, several great lunch options, and an Interstate-5 on-ramp. In the opposite direction, you can travel along Budd Bay to scenic Boston Harbor. Along the way be sure to stop at Priest Point Park and the Washington State Native, Botanical, and Rose Gardens.
There are many great restaurants downtown. If you’re like us, you’ll find the Asian restaurants especially appealing. John likes Mekong Delta and for a quick teriyaki fix, Karri recommends Happy Teriyaki. If you’re looking for traditional American fare The Spar is an Olympia favorite, housed in a renovated historic smoke-lounge loaded with logging paraphernalia, and located in the heart of downtown. Their breakfasts (omelets especially) are famous! For seafood, visit the The Oyster House or Anthony’s Homeport, both have great views of the water. The farmer’s market located near the end of Percival’s Landing is perfect for a weekend lunch. The market is open Thursday – Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM.
If you’re downtown Friday at noon, stop by Sylvester Park for the free outdoor concert. Or if you’re in town by Wednesday, there’s a twilight show beginning at 6:30 PM. An internet search tells us that a boulder in the park marks the end of the old Oregon Trail.
Washington is known for its water, and once upon a time, there was a brewery perched above the Deschutes Falls in Tumwater– the brew was appropriately named "Olympia Beer". The park surrounding the falls is a great place for a short walk (about 15-20 minutes, with beautiful views of the river) or a picnic. Another “water spot” is the natural spring drinking fountain on the corner of Fourth and Washington. There are several artesian wells throughout downtown, providing a clean water source for some residents and at least one restaurant.
For those looking for some wildlife adventure – two local spots provide a glimpse of Washington’s native species. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (a short drive down Interstate-5) at 100 Farm Brown Rd., covers 3,700 acres with many walking trails that make for a great escape from the city. Wolf Haven International in Tenino, 10 miles south of Olympia, is a nationally recognized sanctuary that cares for close to 40 wolves. They offer tours and special programs about wolves, foxes & coyotes.
