Top Rated Attractions in Olympia

One of the best places in the city to spend quality time with your children, the Hands on Children's Museum is a must-visit with the young ones. Boasting of a number of interactive exhibits that are both educational and fun, the museum ensures that children have a good time at the museum while learning about the world around them at the same time. Tours are also organized in which the children are tend to enjoy some quality time here. Summer camps for children are also held here every year along with other events and programs like puppet shows, martial art workshops and gardening. If you are looking for a fun-filled yet educational experience for your kids, then head to the Hands On Children’s Museum.

Built in the 1850s, the Bigelow House Museum is a house museum that documents life during the 19th century and also offers a glimpse into the life and times of Daniel R. Bigelow, a prominent lawyer and politician of those times. Built in the Carpenter Gothic style, the house is full of photographs, documents and original furnishings from that time. It’s also one of the oldest residences in the region. School tours and guided tours for groups are also conducted here on a regular basis. If you are a history buff, then certainly head to the Bigelow House Museum.

The legacy of Washington yet lives on in the elegant grandeur of this capitol building, the towering dome of which proudly watches over rolling, green lawns. However, the Washington State Capitol is more than just the capitol building. It is a holistic ensemble that includes the Governor's Mansion, the Washington Supreme Court and other executive offices and agencies. Its architecture bearing a progressive tenor, this capitol building is upheld by pristine columns and a modest pediment. The glorious national flag flutters and fronts this magnificent edifice which is deeply entrenched in a long-standing history. Crowning a hilltop which towers over the Capitol Lake, this regal canopy is awash in lovely interminglings of the City Beautiful style and Neoclassical styles of architecture. In addition to the buildings on campus, the capitol grounds are accentuated even more by a tapestry of monuments and striking art installations. An effervescent wonder come night, this opulent building reserves a great place of pride in Olympia's heart.

Skirting the harbor, the picturesque Percival Landing Park is one of the most popular in the city. Besides the lush open spaces and picnic areas, the park includes a popular boardwalk that offers beautiful vistas of the bay. Beautifully landscaped with sculptures and other public art installations, the park is also the site of several public events and celebrations through the year.

Touted to be the city's first waterfront park, the Priest Point Park was once a Native American settlement. A recreational spot, the park is frequented by outdoor lovers and bird watchers. The park can be explored by various trails and bird species like downy, breasted nuthatch, osprey etc. can be spotted here.

The Mimo Mounds spans across the cities of Littlerock and Olympia in Washington. These mounds are circular, dome-like formation over a flat piece of land. Scientists have invested many years of research, but the reason behind these structures is still not known. The entire area is strictly preserved and is considered as a Natural National Landmark. The entire trial encompasses 637 acres (180.08 acre) of land and is a good hiking spot.