Olympia
Olympia is and always has been the capital of Washington State. But our state capital has not always been called Olympia. Our state capital could very easily have been named “Smithter”, no that is not a misspelling, or “Smithfield” after the cities founder, Levi Smith; which was probably a step up from the native Lushootseed name, “Cheet Woot” or “Schictwoot”, meaning “place of the bear”. Fortunately, one Isaac N. Ebey suggested the town be called Olympia after the Olympic Mountains which can be viewed to the Northwest of the city. Much better than “Smithter” or “Cheet Woot”, don’t you think? Anyway, Olympia is a pretty name a nice name; it rolls easily off the tongue. And as a city, Olympia is a nice place, a friendly place, a historic place and a fun place to visit.
Olympia Symphony Orchestra
3400 Capitol Boulevard Southeast, Suite 203
Olympia, WA 98507
360-753-0074
www.olympiasymphony.com
Map
If you enjoy Symphony Orchestras and you happen to be in the Olympia area, this is a must do. If you haven’t experienced a symphony orchestra performance, music that rumbles in your chest, touches every nerve, caresses all of your emotions, touches your very soul, buy a ticket, treat a loved one or friend you wish to share something special with and attend at least one of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra performances. You won’t be sorry you did. Go to the website for ticket information and performance dates and times.
Bigelow House Museum
918 Glass Avenue Northeast
Olympia, WA 98507
360-753-1215
www.bigelowhouse.org/
Map
Visit the Bigelow House Museum, one of the oldest, still standing, houses in the Pacific Northwest. Built between 1855 and 1860, the Bigelow House is a rare surviving example of the Carpenter Gothic style popular in rural America during the mid-1800s. Relive the earliest days of Washington Territory as you explore the house and surrounding gardens.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
100 Brown Farm Road
Olympia, WA 98516
360 753 9467
Nisqually Website
Map
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, on the Nisqually River Delta in southern Puget Sound, provides a resting place and nesting area for migratory waterfowl, songbirds, raptors, and wading birds. The refuge is also home to a multitude of animals, sea life and reptiles. There are several trails one can hike in the three thousand acres of salt and freshwater marshes, grasslands, riparian, and mixed habitats.
Hands On Children's Museum
106 Eleventh Avenue Southwest
Olympia, WA 98507
360-956-0818
H.O.C.M. Website
Map
If you have kids from infants to 10 years old, this place may be just what the doctor ordered -- place where kids can play and learn at the same time. Visit exhibits like Build It and Working Waterfront, where kids can load a cargo ship, operate a crane, or drive a dump truck. Or if you have a little guy, take him or her to the Tot Spot, a special place for infants and crawlers. Or maybe your guys would be more interested in Back Yard Wilderness area or the Young at Art Studio. This is a place both parents and kids can learn and have fun.
The Olympic Flight Museum
7637 A Old Highway 99 Southeast
Olympia, WA 98501
360-705-3925
www.olympicflightmuseum.com
Map
If you are an aircraft enthusiast or you just like to dream about flying off into the “Wild Blue Yonder,” the Olympic Flight Museum is your cup of tea. Get up close and personal with some oldies but goodies, like the infamous WWII A6M2 "Tora" Zero or its bane the FG1D Corsair of Black Sheep Squadron fame. Get a load of the helicopters and jets, too.
Washington State Capital Museum
211 West Twenty-First Avenue
Olympia, WA 98501
360-753-2580
Museum Website
Map
The State Capital Museum, located in the historic Lord Mansion, features two floors of exhibits on regional Native American history and on Olympia as Washington's capital plus a series of provocative temporary exhibits touching on cultural, social and political looks at area history. Be sure to visit the gracious lawns and gardens featuring native Northwest flora. Check the website for times and ticket prices.
Olympia Little Theatre
1925 Miller Avenue NE
Olympia, WA 98507
360-786-9484
www.olympialittletheater.org/
Map
The Olympia Little Theatre has been providing quality entertainment for the enjoyment of its audiences since its inception in 1939, making it Olympia’s oldest theatre, and one of the oldest in Washington State. The Olympia Little theatre offers seven productions each year plus the WOLT radio play version of a classic holiday story – each production is scheduled for fourteen performance dates.
Kenneth J. Minnaert -CFA
Center for the Arts
2011 Mottman Rd. SW
Olympia, WA 98512
360-596-5501
Center for the Arts Website
Driving Directions and Map
South Puget Sound Community College's Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts and all of its services are available for a variety of presentations, exhibits, rehearsals, conventions, concerts and theatre productions – both those of the college as well as the private sector.
Capitol Theater Backstage
206 Fifth Ave. SE
Olympia, WA, 98601
Official Website
Map
Capitol Theater is the home of the Olympia Film Festival and the Olympia Film Society, offering a full slate of films and film events through out the year. But the Capitol Theater is also the home of Backstage, a great venue for live music performances. Check the website for performance times and ticket prices.
State Theater
Harlequin Productions
204 Fourth Ave. E.
Olympia, WA, 98501
360 786-0151
www.harlequinproductions.org/
Map
Harlequin Productions, a professional, non-profit theater company offering a year-round season of classics, musicals, and new works, owns the State Theater. Harlequin is dedicated to high quality theater productions that excite, challenge and enrich theater artists and audiences alike. They offer a slate of six or seven productions a year including everything from Musical Comedy to Gritty Dramas and brand new productions and the tried and true --yes they do some Shakespeare, too.
Capital Playhouse
612 E 4th Ave
Olympia, WA 98501
360 943-2744
www.capitalplayhouse.com/
Map
If you like musical theatre, Capital Playhouse is your cup of tea! The Playhouse uses music, theatre and dance to build self confidence, maturity, self discipline, responsibility and leadership for the arts in the Olympia community. Besides the five full production musicals performed by seasoned adult actors each season, the playhouse also offers through their Kids At Play program six wonderful full scale productions in which the performers range in age from 8 to 17 year olds. To date, several thousand area youth have sung, danced and acted in nearly one hundred KIDS AT PLAY productions to the enjoyment of more than 240,000 audience members.
Bigelow House Museum
918 Glass Avenue Northeast
Olympia, WA 98507
360-753-1215
www.bigelowhouse.org/
Map
Visit the Bigelow House Museum, one of the oldest, still standing, houses in the Pacific Northwest. Built between 1855 and 1860, the Bigelow House is a rare surviving example of the Carpenter Gothic style popular in rural America during the mid-1800s. Relive the earliest days of Washington Territory as you explore the house and surrounding gardens.
