Olympia, Washington

Reading Time: 5 minutes

---

Geographic Coordinates: 47.041700, -122.896000

Population: 200836

Language: English

---

Olympia is a city located in Washington State, United States. It is the capital city of Washington and has a population of approximately 52, 000 residents. The city lies at the southern end of Puget Sound and is surrounded by lush green forests, Mountains, And water bodies that make it an ideal destination for nature lovers. The history of Olympia dates back to 1846 when it was established as a small settlement by Edmund Sylvester. The city has grown into a vibrant community with numerous cultural attractions like museums, Galleries, Theaters and festivals that celebrate its rich heritage.

One such attraction is the Hands On Children’s Museum which offers interactive exhibits for kids to explore science, Art and culture. Olympia has also become known for its thriving arts scene with several galleries showcasing local artists’ works throughout the year. The Capitol Theater hosts live performances ranging from plays to musical concerts while Harlequin Productions puts on some amazing theater productions. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy exploring many parks in Olympia including Priest Point Park which offers miles of hiking trails through beautiful forests along with stunning views of Puget Sound.

Another popular park is Tumwater Falls Park where visitors can watch salmon spawning during fall while enjoying scenic views from observation decks. Foodies will love Olympia’s diverse culinary offerings ranging from locally sourced seafood dishes to international cuisine served in trendy restaurants like Budd Bay Cafe or Waterstreet Cafe & Bar. There are also plenty of breweries offering craft beer tours such as Fish Brewing Company or Three Magnets Brewing Co.. One unique aspect about Olympia is its commitment towards sustainability and environmental conservation which includes bike-friendly streetscapes, Recycling programs and green spaces throughout the city.

Overall, Olympia offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or cultural experiences – making it an ideal place to visit or call home!

---

---

1. Olympia Farmers Market
2. Washington State Capitol Building
3. Percival Landing Park
4. Tumwater Falls Park
5. Hands On Children’s Museum
6. WET Science Center
7. Priest Point Park
8. Olympic Flight Museum
9. Bigelow House Museum
10. Olympia Downtown Historic District

---

• The major industries and businesses in Olympia, United States include:
1. Government (state and local)
2. Healthcare
3. Education
4. Technology
5. Retail
6. Hospitality and tourism
• Some of the largest employers in the area are:
1. The State of Washington
2. Providence St. Peter Hospital
3. South Puget Sound Community College
4. Evergreen State College
5. Joint Base Lewis-McChord
• There are also several small businesses and startups in the area that contribute to its economy.

---



Noteable History

1. The founding of Olympia in 1850 as the capital city of Washington Territory.
2. The Treaty of Medicine Creek was signed in 1854 between the United States government and the Nisqually, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island tribes, resulting in the cession of land that would become Olympia.
3. The establishment of Fort Vancouver in 1825 by the Hudson’s Bay Company played a significant role in developing Olympia as a trading center.
4. Construction on the Washington State Capitol Building took place between 1912 and 1928, and it remains an iconic landmark in Olympia today.
5. Notable people associated with Olympia include Governor Isaac Stevens (who chose it as territorial capital), musician Kurt Cobain (who spent part of his childhood there), and poet Nikki Giovanni (who taught at Evergreen State College).
6. In recent years, Olympia has gained recognition for its progressive politics and activism, including protests against police brutality and environmental issues such as climate change.

---



Museums and Things To See

1. The Washington State Capitol Building is a must-see attraction in Olympia, where visitors can take a guided tour and learn about its history, architecture, and significance to the state.
2. The Hands On Children’s Museum is an interactive museum designed for children to explore science, art, and culture through hands-on exhibits and activities.
3. Aviation enthusiasts will enjoy the Olympic Flight Museum which features vintage aircraft from World War II to present day.
4. Tumwater Falls Park offers scenic views of waterfalls on the Deschutes River along with hiking trails, picnic areas, and historical exhibits.
5. Percival Landing Park is located on the waterfront in downtown Olympia offering walking paths, public art installations, fishing piers, and access to local restaurants and shops.
6. The WET Science Center is an interactive learning center focused on water education with hands-on exhibits for all ages.
7. Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm is a family-owned farm that produces cider using traditional methods along with pumpkin patches during fall season.
8. Bigelow House Museum showcases life during that era as it was built in 1850s making it a historic house museum.
9. The Olympia Farmers Market features fresh produce from local farmers along with artisan crafts making it a popular spot for locals as well as tourists.
10. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge located close by attracts nature lovers who can visit this wildlife refuge which has over 300 bird species along with other animals like elk, beavers etc.

---



---



Sports Teams

1. Olympia High School Bears: The Olympia High School Bears have a long history of athletic excellence in various sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and soccer.
2. Capital City FC: Capital City FC is a semi-professional soccer team that was founded in 2014. They play their home games at Ingersoll Stadium.
3. Olympia Reign: The Olympia Reign is a women’s tackle football team that was founded in 2009. They are part of the Women’s Football Alliance and have won several division championships.
4. Oly Rollers: The Oly Rollers are a roller derby team that was founded in 2006. They have won multiple national championships and are known for their aggressive playing style.
5. Black Hills Junior Football Association: Black Hills Junior Football Association provides organized youth tackle football programs for kids from ages six to fourteen years old.
6. Thurston County Youth Soccer Association (TCYSA): TCYSA offers recreational and competitive soccer leagues for children of all ages throughout Thurston County.
7. Olympia Little League: This league has been providing baseball opportunities to children since 1952 with over 400 players participating annually.
8. Olympia Rugby Club- Founded in 1974 by former military members stationed at Fort Lewis (now Joint Base Lewis-McChord), the club has played continuously ever since with many successful seasons along the way.
9. Olympia Area Rowing- Established in 1985 as an adult rowing club with both recreational and competitive programs available on Capitol Lake.
10. Thurston County Babe Ruth Baseball- A youth baseball organization for players aged between13-15 years old with various levels of competition available based on skill level.

---

---



Cultural Events

1. Olympia Film Festival is a week-long event that showcases independent and foreign films.
2. Capital City Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, which includes a parade, live music, and other events.
3. Lakefair is an annual fair that features carnival rides, food vendors, live music, and a fireworks display over Capitol Lake.
4. Arts Walk takes place twice a year where local artists display their work in downtown Olympia galleries and businesses.
5. Procession of the Species is a parade that celebrates the diversity of life on Earth with participants dressed in animal costumes.
6. Harbor Days Maritime Festival lasts for three days to celebrate Olympia’s maritime heritage with boat races, live music, and food vendors.
7. Fall Arts Walk is similar to the spring Arts Walk but held in October with Halloween-themed art displays.
8. Brewfest at Tumwater Falls Park happens annually as beer lovers can enjoy local breweries’ drinks while enjoying food vendors’ services at Tumwater Falls Park.
9. Thurston County Fair occurs annually featuring carnival rides, livestock shows alongside live music performances among other activities.
10. Olympia Wooden Boat Fair happens every year to celebrate wooden boats through exhibits by builders from around Puget Sound region.

---



Cuisine

• Oyster House – Known for its fresh seafood dishes and oysters.
• The Bread Peddler – A bakery and cafe that serves homemade bread, pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.
• Well 80 Brewhouse – A brewery that serves craft beer along with burgers, salads, pizzas, and other pub fare.
• Basilico Ristorante Italiano – An Italian restaurant that offers classic pasta dishes along with seafood and meat entrees.
• Pizzeria La Gitana – A pizza place that serves Neapolitan-style pies with fresh ingredients.
• Budd Bay Cafe – A waterfront restaurant that specializes in Pacific Northwest seafood dishes like crab cakes and clam chowder.
• Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar – An American-style gastropub serving comfort food like burgers, mac & cheese, and fried chicken.
• Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar – A farm-to-table restaurant featuring oysters from their own shellfish farm as well as other locally sourced seafood dishes.
• Old School Pizzeria- This is a family-owned pizzeria chain known for its delicious thin-crust pizza made from scratch daily using locally sourced ingredients.
• Waterstreet Cafe- This is an upscale eatery on the waterfront offering New American cuisine made with local ingredients alongside cocktails & wine list.

---



Parks and Recreation

1. Capitol Lake
2. Priest Point Park
3. Tumwater Falls Park
4. Yauger Park
5. Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area
6. Percival Landing Park
7. Watershed Park
8. McLane Creek Nature Trail
9. LBA Woods Park
10. West Bay Waterfront Trail

---



Discover New Horizons.

---