Guidebook for Olympia
Parks & Nature
Local Parks as well as nearby State and National Parks
Nice trails through part of Capitol State Forest. Lots of birds! http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mclane-creek
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McLane Creek Nature Trail
McLane Creek Nature TrailNice 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.
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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.
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Mount Rainier National Park
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!
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Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
3029 Spirit Lake HwyMount 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!
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
Capitol Foresthttp://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
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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
Renamed Squaxin Park. A nice park for a casual hike - with woods and water. About 15 minutes from the studio.
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Priest Point Park
2600 East Bay Drive NortheastRenamed Squaxin Park. A nice park for a casual hike - with woods and water. About 15 minutes from the studio.
There's a nice walking trail around the lake. I park at Olympia Supply on Columbia, and walk from there.
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Capitol Lake Park
Water Street SouthwestThere's a nice walking trail around the lake. I park at Olympia Supply on Columbia, and walk from there.
Essentials
Olympia Food Co-op
921 Rogers St NWMany organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options.
Trader Joe's
1530 Black Lake Blvd SWEntertainment & 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.
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Capitol Theater
206 5th Ave SELocal 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
632 BroadwayEnterprise Rent-A-Car
940 Market StCentennial 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
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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
Arts & Culture
Gallery Boom
3959 Martin Way EastShopping
There are all kinds of shops around downtown Olympia, mostly on 4th and 5th Avenues. I enjoy just strolling around with a friend and popping in the different stores - art, toys, books, international - and of course, there are many cafes and restaurants as well.
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Downtown
There are all kinds of shops around downtown Olympia, mostly on 4th and 5th Avenues. I enjoy just strolling around with a friend and popping in the different stores - art, toys, books, international - and of course, there are many cafes and restaurants as well.