Guidebook for Olympia
Drinks & Nightlife
Their beer is good and it's a happening place downtown. Also hosts a great for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner!
21 locals recommend
Three Magnets Brewing Co.
600 Franklin St SETheir beer is good and it's a happening place downtown. Also hosts a great for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner!
Great variety of beer, cider and mead. Closest pub to the beach cottage.
12 locals recommend
Skep N Skein
2106 Harrison Ave NWGreat variety of beer, cider and mead. Closest pub to the beach cottage.
New pub serving beer, wine, cider, mead, and non-alcoholic beverages (21+) out on Steamboat Island. Lovely drive from the cottage along Madrona Beach Drive. Fabulous food truck W-S.
Tipsy Whale Mercantile
6541 Sexton Drive NorthwestNew pub serving beer, wine, cider, mead, and non-alcoholic beverages (21+) out on Steamboat Island. Lovely drive from the cottage along Madrona Beach Drive. Fabulous food truck W-S.
Food Scene
San Francisco Street Bakery
1320 San Francisco Ave NETheir pastries are to die for.
If you're looking for all natural, this is the place! To go or dine in. Quick drive from the beach cottage.
13 locals recommend
Blue Heron Bakery
4419 Harrison Ave NWIf you're looking for all natural, this is the place! To go or dine in. Quick drive from the beach cottage.
It's a small and hip place located next to the infamous Dumpster Values located in the heart of downtown Olympia. Any espresso drink will wow you.
9 locals recommend
Bar Francis
110 Franklin St NEIt's a small and hip place located next to the infamous Dumpster Values located in the heart of downtown Olympia. Any espresso drink will wow you.
They are an employee owned cooperative and their jam is the best thing in the world. Long wait times, but it's worth it. Caters to vegans and vegetarians, but also has breakfasts with meat and dairy.
20 locals recommend
New Moon Cooperative Cafe
113 4th Ave WThey are an employee owned cooperative and their jam is the best thing in the world. Long wait times, but it's worth it. Caters to vegans and vegetarians, but also has breakfasts with meat and dairy.
Great and maritime atmosphere, family friendly section and water views. Full bar. Also have kayak and paddleboard rentals. Closest restaurant to the beach cottage.
35 locals recommend
Tugboat Annie's
2100 W Bay Dr NWGreat and maritime atmosphere, family friendly section and water views. Full bar. Also have kayak and paddleboard rentals. Closest restaurant to the beach cottage.
Little stand (not a drive-through) of the famous award-winning Oly Coffee. Located on the Westside, 5ish minutes from the cottage, with outdoor seating with espresso drinks, coffee beans, and pastries for sale.
They often win awards for their roasts and their baristas win in espresso-making competitions. Larger main shop with indoor seating downtown on 4th (600 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA).
Olympia Coffee Roasting
Little stand (not a drive-through) of the famous award-winning Oly Coffee. Located on the Westside, 5ish minutes from the cottage, with outdoor seating with espresso drinks, coffee beans, and pastries for sale.
They often win awards for their roasts and their baristas win in espresso-making competitions. Larger main shop with indoor seating downtown on 4th (600 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA).
Shopping
Dumpster Values
302 4th Ave EA hip vintage/retro/used clothing store downtown Olympia.
They have great taste! It's got a nice variety of cookbooks, dishware, jewelry, cards and journals. Great for gifts.
33 locals recommend
Compass Rose
416 Capitol Way SThey have great taste! It's got a nice variety of cookbooks, dishware, jewelry, cards and journals. Great for gifts.
Parks & Nature
It's got it all, kayak and paddleboard rentals, a market and a public boat launch.
43 locals recommend
Boston Harbor Marina
312 73rd Ave NEIt's got it all, kayak and paddleboard rentals, a market and a public boat launch.
Burfoot Park
6927 Boston Harbor Rd NEBest beach in town!
Walk along the beach and trails at The Evergreen State College. Quick drive or bike ride from cottage.
27 locals recommend
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NWWalk along the beach and trails at The Evergreen State College. Quick drive or bike ride from cottage.
Entertainment & Activities
Get a tour of the Washington State Capitol or just go in and check it out. There are lots of memorials and special sites on the campus to check out. There are also war memorials and rose gardens surrounding the Capitol building.
31 locals recommend
Washington State Capitol Building
416 Sid Snyder Avenue SouthwestGet a tour of the Washington State Capitol or just go in and check it out. There are lots of memorials and special sites on the campus to check out. There are also war memorials and rose gardens surrounding the Capitol building.
Westside Lanes
2200 Garfield Ave NWBowling Alley!
Run mostly by the Olympia Film Society, they show indie flicks and not anything mainstream.
26 locals recommend
Capitol Theater
206 5th Ave SERun mostly by the Olympia Film Society, they show indie flicks and not anything mainstream.
Year-round open-air covered market downtown, near the historic boardwalk. Open Thursday through Sunday during the high season!
Olympia Farmers Market Pavilion
Year-round open-air covered market downtown, near the historic boardwalk. Open Thursday through Sunday during the high season!
Essentials
Westside Laundry
2103 Harrison Ave NWJust up the road (turn right out of the driveway, follow French Rd and turn right at the light if coming from the cottage). Good if you run out of milk, beer, wine or ice cream. They've got you covered.
Texaco
3210 Cooper Point Rd NWJust up the road (turn right out of the driveway, follow French Rd and turn right at the light if coming from the cottage). Good if you run out of milk, beer, wine or ice cream. They've got you covered.
Haggen
1313 Cooper Point Rd SWBig and great grocery store.
Small food co-op with plenty of fresh, organic, and local (when in season) items. If you're a member of a different co-op, they may give you the co-op discount. Just a few minutes from the cottage via car.
46 locals recommend
Olympia Food Co-op
921 Rogers St NWSmall food co-op with plenty of fresh, organic, and local (when in season) items. If you're a member of a different co-op, they may give you the co-op discount. Just a few minutes from the cottage via car.
Closest full-size grocery and gas station. Just a few miles straight down Cooper Point Road from the cottage.
31 locals recommend
Safeway
3215 Harrison Ave NWClosest full-size grocery and gas station. Just a few miles straight down Cooper Point Road from the cottage.
Arts & Culture
Graduation in June, or other times of the year to visit students or attend reunions, workshops, and special events. Very close by, within biking distance. Bus service on main road near studio to TESC.
27 locals recommend
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NWGraduation in June, or other times of the year to visit students or attend reunions, workshops, and special events. Very close by, within biking distance. Bus service on main road near studio to TESC.
See if they are any events while you'll be staying!
22 locals recommend
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
512 Washington St SESee if they are any events while you'll be staying!
This house is located in the historic Bigelow neighborhood and the Bigelows were one of the first families to settle in Olympia.
7 locals recommend
Bigelow House Museum
918 Glass Ave NEThis house is located in the historic Bigelow neighborhood and the Bigelows were one of the first families to settle in Olympia.