Where to Live: Olympia, Washington

Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1

Distance: 0.25mi , Attraction : Capitol Grounds

1129 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Washington State Capitol Grounds

Why don’t we start off with a quick tour of the Washington State Capitol grounds? Please turn right on South Diagonal. After turning right you will see the Tivoli Fountain on your right. It is a replica of the Tivoli Fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark. On the left is the Washington Vietnam Veterans Memorial which has over 1,100 names of Washington State residents killed or missing in the Vietnam War.

Just past the Tivoli Fountain is the Medal of Honor Memorial which is patterned after the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.

As you reach the roundabout you will see the World War 1 Memorial named Winged Victory. Please turn right on Capitol Grounds.

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_Capitol

Place #2

Distance: 0.22mi , Attraction : Building

State Capitol Building, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

State Capitol Building

So if the road and parking lot ahead of you is open, go ahead and continue straight. If it is closed then please turn left on Cherry Lane. Regardless of the road you take, I’m going to tell you about the buildings. On the north side of the parking lot is the Washington Supreme Court, also known as the Temple of Justice.

On the south side of the parking lot is the Washington State Capitol building. By the way, did you know that if you spell capitol with an “o,” that means a building. If you spell it with an “a,” that means the city. How do I remember the difference? Well, capitol buildings usually have domes. The word “dome” is spelled with an “o.” So capitol is spelled with an “o” when it is a building. You are welcome.

Anyway, back to the capitol. Also known as the legislative building, this lovely piece of architecture is vastly different from the two story wood-framed building which served as the home of the government here in 1854. There’s lots to say about this building and there are tours that you can take to learn more, but I really wanted to share this fun-fact with you: All of the lamps in the rotunda were made by the son of the founder of Tiffany and Company, and those lamps make up the largest collection of Tiffany bronze in the whole world. Want more fun-facts? Ok! There’s a 10,000 pound chandelier above the rotunda suspended by a 101 foot chain. Also inside the building you can find a big brass bust of George Washington with a shiny nose from visitors rubbing it for good luck. How about that?

Read More

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_Capitol

Place #3

Distance: 0.71mi , Attraction : Mansion

23PV+5Q Olympia, WA, USA

Washington Governor’s Mansion

On the other side of those trees opposite the capitol building is the Washington Governor’s Mansion. It was built in 1909. I’m kind of in the mood for more fun-facts so here goes: In 1997 the mansion became infested with bats. Governor Gary Locke and his family were continually harrassed by the bats until finally the governor and his family and their cats fled to a different residence while the bat problem was handled. Oh, and they all got rabies vaccinations, just in case.

Well that was fun, wasn’t it? Ok, time to move on. It’s time to head north toward some fun stuff. Follow your navigation to our next point of interest.

  https://wagovmansion.org/history/

Place #4

Distance: 0.22mi , Attraction : Library

825 Franklin St SE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Olympia Timberland Library

You know what they say - “Life ain’t hard when you have a library card!” With that in mind, check out the Olympia Timberland Library on your right. Their mission is to welcome everyone to a vibrant world of possibilities, connect people, places, and ideas, and evolve to meet the needs of the community. What’s the best book you’ve ever read? Good to know.

  https://www.trl.org/locations/olympia

Place #5

Distance: 0.18mi , Attraction : Brewery

408 7th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Three Magnets Brewing

Check out Three Magnets Brewing for Alcohol, food and cornhole. Three great things that go great together. This is a place Autumn loves to go to and meet clients and get to know them better.

  https://www.3magbrewing.com/

Place #6

Distance: 0.61mi , Attraction : Pub

415 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98512, USA

Fish Tale Brew Pub

In case you missed it, and I doubt you did, Fish Tale Brew Pub was on your right. Their Black and Blueberry Ale is one of my favorites.
Please turn right on 4th Avenue and then left on Plum Street. Along the way you will see Olympia City Hall, Olympia Coffee Roasting, an antique mall and a tattoo shop. Then when you get to Olympia Avenue, please turn right.

  https://www.fishbrewing.com/fish-tale-brewpub

Place #7

Distance: 0.40mi , Attraction : Historic House

1107 Olympia Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98506, USA

Byrd House

We are gonna turn left on Puget Street but first, look to your left just past the Bayview Apartments parking lot. Olympia has some great history and that historical house is the Byrd house there at 1106 Olympia Avenue. It is the quintessential Queen Anne style home. This excellently maintained home was built somewhere in the 1870’s, 1880’s or 1890’s. No one really knows, but there are lots of homes just like this one that are registered both as local and national landmarks. I just think the Byrd House is really cool. Turn left when you get to Bigelow Avenue and I’ll show you another cool, historic home.

  https://olympiahistory.org/byrd-house/

Place #8

Distance: 0.50mi , Attraction : Museum

519 Quince St NE, Olympia, WA 98506, USA

Bigelow House Museum

There on your right is the Bigelow House - the oldest residence in all of Olympia. It was built in the 1850’s by Daniel Bigelow after he crossed the Oregon trail and settled in Olympia. He married school teacher Ann Elizabeth White and they raised eight children here. The house currently functions as a public museum.
Turn left on East Bay Drive. The East Bay will be on your right. Then turn right on Olympia Avenue. Follow your navigation and enjoy the drive!

  https://olympiahistory.org/

Place #9

Distance: 0.84mi , Attraction : Museum

414 Jefferson St NE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Hands On Children’s Museum

Here’s our next stop - The Hands on Children’s Museum. The mission of the Hands On Children’s Museum is to stimulate curiosity, creativity and learning through fun, interactive exhibits and programs for children, families and school groups. The museum is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization.

This amazing place has more than 150 interactive indoor exhibits and a half-acre of outdoor space to run around in. Here, I’ll tell you about a few of the exhibits:
The Emergency exhibit let’s kids drive a police car, helicopter, fire engine and medic va. They can also work in an emergency room and children’s hospital.

The Good for You exhibit teaches gardening, picking, cooking and serving colorful, healthy foods.

In the Move It exhibit kids will get to send scarves and balls of yarn through a 25 foot maze. They can also make paper rockets to launch in the Rocket Launcher!

The Hands on Children’s Museum also has special annual events, sensory-friendly events, parenting programs and camps. This really is a great place to keep kids busy learning and exploring.

Now let’s follow Marine Drive north alongside the marina so I can show you an incredible restaurant. If you are hungry - this would be the place to stop.

  https://www.hocm.org/

Place #10

Distance: 0.65mi , Attraction : Restaurant

1515 Marine Dr NE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill

Do you feel like eating designer beef and fresh Northwest seafood cooked in a special hearthfire? What if we added unobstructed views of the Puget Sound? Sounds great to me. Here at Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill you can dine on steaks and seafood while taking in the beauty of the water. This is one of Autumn’s favorite restaurants and the views are amazing.

This family-owned company is all about commitment to community. Anthony’s supports local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen and always looks for ways to participate in local events and volunteer within the community.

Head on in for something delicious. To get to our next stop, head back the way you came in and then turn right on Market Street.

  https://www.anthonys.com/

Place #11

Distance: 0.18mi , Attraction : Market

103 Market St NE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Olympia Farmers Market

It’s time for the Olympia Farmers Market!

Now, on your right isn’t just your typical roadside vegetable stand, as you can tell. The bustling Olympia Farmers Market has over 100 vendors and welcomes over 400,000 visitors per year! This amazing place is open year-round so you can enjoy the bounty of local, seasonal, farm-fresh foods. Autumn tries to get as much from the local markets to support the community as possible, and the honeys there are the best!

Are you feeling crafty? The Olympia Farmers Market has crafts galore! And I do mean galore. There’s not enough time in the day for me to tell you all of the things that are available here to see, sample and purchase. Oh, there are actual restaurants in there as well, and live entertainment. Mark off a few hours on your calendar and come back!

For now, please follow your navigation. We will now be driving along the West Bay.

  https://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/

Place #12

Distance: 0.15mi , Attraction : Park

34 Martin Marina, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Percival Landing Park

Olympia has three waterfront parks and Percival Landing on your right is one of them. That’s Budd Bay on the other side, which by the way is the southernmost tip of Puget Sound. If you need a park near the heart of downtown, this is the place. There are picnic areas, open space, restrooms, a playground, a harbor house and some pretty sweet art pieces.

  https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/parks___recreation/percival_landing/index.php

Place #13

Distance: 0.05mi , Attraction : Directions

222 Columbia St NW, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Directions

Oysters up ahead!

Place #14

Distance: 0.19mi , Attraction : Restaurant

Capitol Way at Olympia Ave, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar

For the love of oysters! Check out Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar there on the corner where we are turning. Did you know that there isn’t just one or two types of oysters? Here at Chelsea’s you can get Gem, Bonita, Mirimichi, Reserve, Olympia, Little Lilys, Hump Island, Kumomoto and Petite Manan Oysters.
Chelseas has more than just oysters though. Their dinner menu has something for everyone from seafood, steaks, burgers and mac and cheese.
Their weekend brunch is hugely popular as are their craft cocktails.

Being a proud member of the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Chelsea Farms itself is a family shellfish farm and is the model of environmental sustainability.

  https://www.chelseafarms.net/

Place #15

Distance: 0.23mi , Attraction : Directions

300 4th Ave W, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Directions

Please stay to the right when we get to the intersection.

Place #16

Distance: 1.30mi , Attraction : Sound

529 4th Ave W, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Puget Sound

So we are about to cross over the West Bay now and you may be wondering about all the water everywhere. It’s the Puget Sound and we are crossing the southernmost tip of it. It’s a pretty complex body of water as far as estuaries go, with interconnected marine waterways and basins plus major and minor connections to the Pacific Ocean. It’s about 95 miles long and anywhere between around 5 miles wide, depending on where you are.

So what’s in Puget Sound? Lot’s of fun things! There’s harbor seals and killer whales, which are famous here in the Sound. Of course there are numerous fish species like salmon, trout and cod. You can also find about 28 species of the delicious rockfish and don’t forget the sturgeons, sharks and rays.

Ok, coming up is a roundabout. Please take the first exit onto Olympia Way. Then there’s another roundabout where you will take the second exit onto Harrison Avenue. Finally, turn left on Division Street to get to our next stop. Don’t worry if you can’t remember all that. Just follow your navigation!

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puget_Sound

Place #17

Distance: 0.54mi , Attraction : Shopping Mall

700 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Capital Mall

We all need a mall. Yes we do, and Capital Mall on your right has over 100 stores, restaurants and a 14-screen Theater. And that’s not all at the mall. You can rent their “Gather Loc-Oly” event space that accommodates up to 75 guests. Throw a birthday party or a business meeting and have it catered by one of the many mall restaurants.

  https://capitalmallolympia.com/

Place #18

Distance: 1.14mi , Attraction : Park

Cooper Point at Capital Mall Dr, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Yauger Park

Yauger Park is on your left. Skateboarders really enjoy this skatepark that includes a 5 ft quarter pipe and a beginners flat bar. But Yauger Park is 40 acres, and obviously it’s not just 40 acres of concrete skate park. You will also find picnic areas, playgrounds, athletic fields, a track, horseshoes and thankfully, restrooms.

Please turn left when you get back to Harrison Avenue.

  https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/parks___recreation/parks___trails/yauger_park.php

Place #19

Distance: 0.59mi , Attraction : Directions

3447 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Directions

Please turn right on Kaiser Road. We are going past a Nature Park next.

Place #20

Distance: 1.26mi , Attraction : Park

810 Kaiser Rd NW, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Grass Lake Nature Park

Olympia has parks. Actually over 1,300 acres of parks. This one in particular is Grass Lake Nature Park. There’s a trailhead down 6th Avenue and there is also one just up ahead on your right. It is hard to see, but look for a small gravel parking area and chain link fence with a sign. Now I’ll tell you a little about the Grass Lake Nature Preserve. One of the most environmentally pristine wetland systems is in this park, with over 100 species of birds and 200 species of plants. There’s a pretty great 1 mile loop trail that guides you through a lot of the park where you can see those 100 birds and 200 plants. Make sure you count them!

Next please turn right on 14th Avenue and then right on Cooper Point Road.

  https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/parks___recreation/parks___trails/grass_lake_nature_park.php

Place #21

Distance: 0.39mi , Attraction : Directions

3120 14th Ave NW A, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Directions

Next up we are going to drive past a couple of schools as we make our way back to the beginning of the tour. Please turn left on Conger Avenue.

Place #22

Distance: 0.60mi , Attraction : School

Conger at Cooper Point, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Capital High School

There’s Capital High School on your right, Home of the Cougars. Speaking of capitals, do you remember my little trick about whether to use an “o” or an “a” when spelling the word “capital?”

  https://capital.osd.wednet.edu/

Place #23

Distance: 1.32mi , Attraction : School

Jefferson Middle School, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Jefferson Middle School

On your left is Jefferson Middle School. Go Tigers! Please turn right on Division Street. ANd in case you didn’t remember my capital trick - capitol buildings have domes. Dome is spelled with an “o.” You spell that kind of capitol with an “o.” Otherwise, it is spelled with an “a.” Please turn left on Harrison Avenue. We are going to go back over the West Bay of Puget Sound so we are headed back to the roundabouts. This time take the first exit at the first one and then the second exit at the second one. Just follow your navigation.

  https://jefferson.osd.wednet.edu/

Place #24

Distance: 0.32mi , Attraction : Directions

Deschutes Pkwy at 5th Ave, Olympia, WA 98502, USA

Directions

That bridge off to your left is the one we drove over earlier. To your right is Capitol Lake. It is a man-made lake created in 1951. Please turn right on water street.

Place #25

Distance: 0.06mi , Attraction : Park

219 Legion Way SW suite 203-b, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Heritage Park

We will be turning left on Legion way up ahead. On your right though, is Heritage Park. It’s a 24 acre state-owned park with walking and running paths that connect to other pedestrian paths. This really is a beautiful park with wonderful views. I suggest you come back and enjoy the scenery.

  https://des.wa.gov/services/facilities-leasing/capitol-campus/parks-and-attractions/heritage-park

Place #26

Distance: 0.16mi , Attraction : Bar/Coffee Shop

207 Legion Way SW, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Nicole’s Bar/Burial Grounds Coffee Collective

Ok, we’ve got a few heavy-hitters on this last stretch of our tour so be ready.Just past Capitol Way on your right is Nicole’s Bar.When you have a chance, head on in and say “Hi” to Nicole! After almost 20 years of bartending she decided to combine her experiences at different bars and create her very own bar with a laid back, comfortable atmosphere and amazing food, cocktails, wines and beer on tap. Try out an Old Town Road with a splash of red wine for a fun twist! She is also a personal friend of Autumn’s partner and she is the real deal. A great friend and even better chef!



And now from alcohol to coffee. Burial Grounds Coffee Collective is next.
Spicy Espresso - It’s a thing. Try a combination of Double Shot Espresso, White Chocolate, Strawberry, Marshmallow and Mayan and Chipotle spices. That mix is called Bride of Chucky.
What do you think is in their “Poison Ivy” concoction? How about a double shot of Lavender & Black Pepper infused Espresso, Dark Cacao Powder, Lavender and Coconut and a pinch of Cayenne Pepper.

Spicy isn’t the only experience that Burial Grounds has to offer. They admit their menu is ENORMOUS and over the last 10 years they have lost track of how many drink concoctions they have created. From traditional coffee and espresso, to floral infused espresso, sweet espresso, specialty teas and creative soda creations, Burial Grounds has something for every palate.

Read More

  https://www.burialgroundscoffee.com/

Place #27

Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Park/Building

208 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501, USA

Sylvester Park/Old Capitol Building

We are at our last stop! On your right is Sylvester Park and after the intersection is the Old Capitol Building, spelled with an “O,” right? Right. Edmund Sylvester was the founder of Olympia, Washington and this is his park since he donated the land to the City of Olympia. This park has two trees that are over 100 years old, and statues and landscaping that has been here since the early 1900’s.

The castle next to the park is actually Olympia’s old capitol building. This beautiful behemoth was constructed between 1890 and 1892. It currently houses the offices of the Superintendent of Public Instruction but in times past it was the Thurston County Courthouse, the state Capitol, and seat of the legislature.

This old building has seen a lot. It survived a fire in 1928 which burned down the central tower, and the 1949 Olympia earthquake which took out 10 of its 12 towers, the rotunda, the House chamber and much of the East Wing.

The Old Capitol Building can take a licking and keep on ticking.

That’s it! We did it! Awesome job. I hope you had as much fun exploring as I did showing you around.

Agent Autumn Allen can’t wait to meet you and give you an extraordinary real estate experience. Not only that, but her clients become family, and she loves to stay connected and have potlucks and hangouts. Autumn is looking forward to being your real estate gladiator. Give her a call at 206-604-3160. Have a great day!

Read More

  https://www.des.wa.gov/services/facilities-leasing/capitol-campus/parks-and-attractions/sylvester-park