Olympia, the capital of Washington State, is located at the southern end of Puget Sound, between Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. It is a diverse and engaged community of artists, college students, long time locals, military members and state employees among many others.
Historic Downtown Olympia offers a variety of eclectic local shopping and delightful dining experiences. Just up Capitol Way from downtown, The Washington State Capitol Campus, beside Capitol Lake, includes the stately Legislative Building, the 1909 Governor’s Mansion and the historic South Capitol Neighborhood, with some lovely historic homes. Along the downtown waterfront, Percival Landing Park has a boardwalk, public art instillations and great waterfront dining options.
With an economic engine anchored by state government, Olympia enjoys the benefits of a stable work force, engaged and educated community, and a well-supported school system.
Olympia is rich is recreation opportunities, with numerous public trails leading to saltwater beaches, through woods thick with big-leaf maples and towering Douglas firs. Salmon return to Budd Inlet each fall and run the ladder under the 5th Avenue Bridge, and at Tumwater Falls Park. More than 200 bird species can be found at the estuary habitat of the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Olympia's strategic geographic location along Interstate 5 at the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, puts one within two hours or less of regional recreational attractions - from hiking and skiing in the mountains to beachcombing along ocean shores. (* Some information shared from the Olympia Government & Thurston County Chamber)
