Guidebook for Olympia
Food Scene
Vegan, gluten free cafe. It's a new place in town and a new favorite!
Currently only open until 6 p.m.
Check website for updates/phone:
http://www.littlegeneralolympia.com/
Little General Food Shop
500 Capitol Way SouthVegan, gluten free cafe. It's a new place in town and a new favorite!
Currently only open until 6 p.m.
Check website for updates/phone:
http://www.littlegeneralolympia.com/
Farm fresh food, excellent honey and local crafts. Open Saturdays 10-3 Jan 7 - Mar 25. Check online for updates.
http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
58 moradores locais recomendam
The Olympia Farmers Market
700 Capitol Way NorthFarm fresh food, excellent honey and local crafts. Open Saturdays 10-3 Jan 7 - Mar 25. Check online for updates.
http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
Great food - Vegan, GF/DF options, drink menu
Calling for reservations is recommended - they only serve a certain number per evening. (360) 754-4414
http://www.themarkolympia.com/
The Mark Olympia
407 Columbia Street SouthwestGreat food - Vegan, GF/DF options, drink menu
Calling for reservations is recommended - they only serve a certain number per evening. (360) 754-4414
http://www.themarkolympia.com/
Farm fresh food, crafts, music (when social distancing is lifted) - I enjoy it, thought you may as well! Check the website for updated days/hours open.
http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
Olympia Farmers Market
Farm fresh food, crafts, music (when social distancing is lifted) - I enjoy it, thought you may as well! Check the website for updated days/hours open.
http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
I'm putting this under dessert because they serve Olympic Mountain Ice Cream!! They also serve sandwiches, and it's only one block from the Farmer's Market (Farmer's Market hrs: Thurs - Sun 10-3)
Sidewalk Cafe
601 Capitol Way NI'm putting this under dessert because they serve Olympic Mountain Ice Cream!! They also serve sandwiches, and it's only one block from the Farmer's Market (Farmer's Market hrs: Thurs - Sun 10-3)
Coffee and Gelato - How could you go wrong? :)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/business/article115032663.html
Across from The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Hawley's Gelato and Coffee
511 Washington St SECoffee and Gelato - How could you go wrong? :)
http://www.theolympian.com/news/business/article115032663.html
Across from The Washington Center for the Performing Arts
Thai restaurant. Great reviews from previous guests! And I have enjoyed it as well.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Lemon Grass Restaurant
212 4th Avenue WestThai restaurant. Great reviews from previous guests! And I have enjoyed it as well.
Great reviews. "At Hart's Mesa we specialize in classic American and Latin inspired breakfast/brunch dishes created with the freshest local ingredients."
https://www.facebook.com/hartsmesa
Hart's Mesa
903 Rogers St NWGreat reviews. "At Hart's Mesa we specialize in classic American and Latin inspired breakfast/brunch dishes created with the freshest local ingredients."
https://www.facebook.com/hartsmesa
New Moon Cooperative Cafe
113 4th Avenue Westhttp://www.newmooncafe.coop/menu.html
- I hear they have wonderful biscuits and gravy.
- If you're trying to hit all of the McMenamins, which I guess is a thing :)
https://www.mcmenamins.com/spar-cafe
16 moradores locais recomendam
McMenamins Spar Café
114 4th Avenue East- I hear they have wonderful biscuits and gravy.
- If you're trying to hit all of the McMenamins, which I guess is a thing :)
https://www.mcmenamins.com/spar-cafe
Wayside Cafe and Deli
609 Capitol Way SVegan cafe, great prices. Soy and gluten free options available.
honeycuspe
2504 Pacific Avenue SoutheastHands down the Best Waffles in Oly!!!
Drinks & Nightlife
Alternative Folk/Jazz music often on weekends. Good whiskey selection! Wear layers - it's a bit chilly in the winter.
16 moradores locais recomendam
Rhythm and Rye
311 Capitol Way NorthAlternative Folk/Jazz music often on weekends. Good whiskey selection! Wear layers - it's a bit chilly in the winter.
Parks & Nature
Nice trails through part of Capitol State Forest. Lots of birds! http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mclane-creek
McLane Creek Nature Trail
Nice trails through part of Capitol State Forest. Lots of birds! http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mclane-creek
Walking distance from your stay here. It's a really nice, short, often quiet walk. See the pictures on the listing for location.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Watershed Park
2500 Henderson Blvd SEWalking distance from your stay here. It's a really nice, short, often quiet walk. See the pictures on the listing for location.
Mount Rainier National Park: It takes about 2 hours to Paradise (the most accessible of the visitor centers). Paradise has a nice restaurant in the lodge and a helpful cafeteria near the Visitor Center, a quite informative museum on the NP and the area. You may find the back roads from Olympia to Nisqually helpful to avoid heavier traffic.
246 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Nacional do Monte Rainier
Mount Rainier National Park: It takes about 2 hours to Paradise (the most accessible of the visitor centers). Paradise has a nice restaurant in the lodge and a helpful cafeteria near the Visitor Center, a quite informative museum on the NP and the area. You may find the back roads from Olympia to Nisqually helpful to avoid heavier traffic.
Mount St Helens: The first Visitor Center for Mount St Helens is located just 1 1/2 hour South on 101 not very far from I-5. To see the mountain and the more comprehensive Visitor Center is another hour drive East.
Also, check out the Ape Caves! But be sure you have sturdy shoes and a headlamp... this is not an ordinary hike!
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Mount St Helens: The first Visitor Center for Mount St Helens is located just 1 1/2 hour South on 101 not very far from I-5. To see the mountain and the more comprehensive Visitor Center is another hour drive East.
Also, check out the Ape Caves! But be sure you have sturdy shoes and a headlamp... this is not an ordinary hike!
It takes about 3 hrs to drive Hurricane Ridge, the most popular entry point for the Olympic NP. A cafeteria & a Visitor Center serve the area. In the summer there are nice trails to follow from here.
It's another hour to get to Lake Crescent, another must see location in the area. Look for Crescent Lodge for food options and for the best views of the lake; kayaking and other water activities from here.
If you want to close the circle it's another 45 minutes to Forks (from the Twilight saga), and many hiking trails begin from the area both from the NP and from the State Forests surrounding the town. From Forks back to Olympia it's faster to keep on driving South on 101 till you reach 12 East.
65 moradores locais recomendam
Península Olympic
3002 Mt Angeles RdIt takes about 3 hrs to drive Hurricane Ridge, the most popular entry point for the Olympic NP. A cafeteria & a Visitor Center serve the area. In the summer there are nice trails to follow from here.
It's another hour to get to Lake Crescent, another must see location in the area. Look for Crescent Lodge for food options and for the best views of the lake; kayaking and other water activities from here.
If you want to close the circle it's another 45 minutes to Forks (from the Twilight saga), and many hiking trails begin from the area both from the NP and from the State Forests surrounding the town. From Forks back to Olympia it's faster to keep on driving South on 101 till you reach 12 East.
http://www.capitolforest.com/
Hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or driving (it's not all paved road). See the site above for details!
Capitol Forest
http://www.capitolforest.com/
Hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or driving (it's not all paved road). See the site above for details!
A gorgeous, challenging hike. Located about 1.5 hours from Olympia. Mountain goat sightings :-) There are lower and upper trailheads. My recollection is that the lower section is not very difficult, but it is time consuming, so if you are looking for the challenge, and are time-limited, consider starting at the upper trailhead.
See WTA or other sites for more information:
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-ellinor
Mount Ellinor
A gorgeous, challenging hike. Located about 1.5 hours from Olympia. Mountain goat sightings :-) There are lower and upper trailheads. My recollection is that the lower section is not very difficult, but it is time consuming, so if you are looking for the challenge, and are time-limited, consider starting at the upper trailhead.
See WTA or other sites for more information:
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mount-ellinor
A nice park for a casual hike - with woods and water. It's only about 15 minutes from the studio.
http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/priest-point-park
47 moradores locais recomendam
Priest Point Park
2600 East Bay Drive NortheastA nice park for a casual hike - with woods and water. It's only about 15 minutes from the studio.
http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/priest-point-park
There's a nice walking trail around the lake. I park at Olympia Supply on Columbia, and walk from there.
17 moradores locais recomendam
Capitol Lake
There's a nice walking trail around the lake. I park at Olympia Supply on Columbia, and walk from there.
Essentials
Many organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Olympia Food Co-op
3111 Pacific Avenue SoutheastMany organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options.
Trader Joe's
1530 Black Lake Boulevard SouthwestEntertainment & Activities
Local theater located in downtown Olympia. They often show older or indie-type movies. In winter, dress in layers or bring a small blanket - it's an older building and can be chilly for those who run cold. Excellent organic popcorn with do-it-yourself toppings!! Hot tea and various snacks also available.
15 moradores locais recomendam
Capitol Theater
206 5th Avenue SoutheastLocal theater located in downtown Olympia. They often show older or indie-type movies. In winter, dress in layers or bring a small blanket - it's an older building and can be chilly for those who run cold. Excellent organic popcorn with do-it-yourself toppings!! Hot tea and various snacks also available.
Getting Around
Budget Car Rental
4424 Lacey Blvd SEEnterprise Rent-A-Car
2802 Pacific Ave SECentennial Station
6600 Yelm Hwy SE Amtrak Train Station
Everything Else
You may find this to be a helpful page if you are considering a move to Olympia: https://www.movebuddha.com/blog/moving-to-olympia-wa/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=olympia-general
9 moradores locais recomendam
Olympia
You may find this to be a helpful page if you are considering a move to Olympia: https://www.movebuddha.com/blog/moving-to-olympia-wa/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=olympia-general