Visitor Experience
While you're planning a trip to the Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater vicinity, read some of the great experiences that others have had. Take a look at what they recommend.
$1 corkage night at Dockside
Warren Carlson — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thumbs Up Thurston County Experience is hitting the Dockside Restaurant on Tuesdays for $1 corkage night. ...
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A lovely winters day!
Leslie Maxwell — Burien, Washington — Dec 20, 2011
We had such a lovely day enjoying lunch at the Spar downtown, the farmers market and walking the waterfront on Sunday, all items we found on your webiste! Thanks for laying it all out for us! ...
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A night out in Olympia
Kelli Erb — Centralia, WA, United States — Dec 20, 2011
It has been so wonderful to visit Olympia in the past few months. Getting ready for the holidays...There are so many great businesses to shop at, love going to the mall, and downtown. Going to dinner ...
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Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
Carlissia Miles — Seattle, WA — Mar 16, 2012
My experience with visiting Thurston County was mindblowing!! I was never aware that Olympia had a waterfront with shops on the pier and farmers market and info on the first settlers was amazing, the ...
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Antiques
Jack Fallat — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is visiting the wonderful restaurants and antique shops of Olympia. ...
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Art Walk
Sandra Gonzales — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is walking through downtown in the evening during Art Walks, whether its in the spring or fall. I enjoy all the art displays, food, activities and the interest ...
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Bike Paths and Hiking Trails
Annabel Kirschner — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is using the bike paths & hiking trails, seeing our local art and the beauty of our water. ...
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Boston Harbor
Stacy Simpson — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is visiting the Capitol, Percival Landing and Boston Harbor ...
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Boston Harbor
John Clees — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going out to Boston Harbor Marina between May & October to enjoy the water view, boating activities such as canoeing or kayaking and the Sunday morning b ...
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Bread and Music
Alison Peacock — Lakewood, WA, USA — Oct 22, 2011
Olympia and I have had a long history, starting with my cousin’s 10th birthday party, which included a tour of the Capitol building—and also the Olympia Brewery. We loved watching all that swirling am ...
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Budd Bay
Mike Godat — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is visiting Budd Inlet. ...
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Business in Olympia
Mike Hammond — North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada — Feb 21, 2010
I was in Olympia last month on a 2 day business trip. I stayed in a beautiful hotel with a view of Capitol Lake. My days were mostly spent in business meetings but I found plenty of great things to do ...
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Capital Food & Wine Festival at St. Martins
Al Eckroth — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
I enjoy going to the food and wine festival to try new food and wines. ...
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Capital Lake
Tiffany Scroggs — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 28, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is running around Capital Lake ...
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Capital Lake
Norma Davey — Longview, WA — Dec 20, 2011
With having my daughter living in Thurston County, we try to get together as often as we can. We have spent quite a lot of time at the parks around the Capital. They are so peaceful and well kept. The ...
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Capitol Visit
Art Selhorn — Olympia, Wa, Usa — Mar 05, 2012
Visiting our Capitol is always an exciting and enlightening experience. ...
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Choosing a home
Patrick Pulley — Fayetteville, AR — Dec 20, 2011
After a year of praying over where God might us to relocate to, my wife and I finally made it out to the area this fall and immediately fell in love. Thumbs up to the locals who made us feel at home. ...
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Christmas Eve at The Washington Center for Performing Arts
Tammy Redmon — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
Our community provides amazing free events all throughout the year! And this one is just another example of the generosity our city offers.
Come one - Come All to Christmas Eve at The Washington ...
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Clyde & Dales Tree Farm
Rachele Brady — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
We LOVE going to Clyde & Dales tree farm every year for our Christmas tree! This family owned farm has horse rides, local carolers, cocoa and cider, and even boy scouts to shake all the loose need ...
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Cycling on the Chehalis Western Trail
Jane Andrew — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 27, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is cycling on the Chehalis Western Trail with friends and family ...
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Downtown Olympia
Michelle Paul — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 27, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is taking visitors for a downtown Olympia experience -- cruise the local shops, enjoy local owned restaurants and catch some entertainment. ...
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Downtown Olympia and the Many Restaurants
Douglas McCrea — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is walking the parks on the water in downtown Olympia and enjoying all the great restaurants. ...
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Farmer’s Market
Karen Schade — Thurston County, Washington — Jan 03, 2011
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to the Farmer’s Market. I love all the fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. What a great atmosphere! ...
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Finance & Office Services Manager
Crista Rifenberg — Lacey, WA, USA — Dec 20, 2011
My best experience was Harlequin. I didn’t think that I would like something like that but I was wrong. My first show was the Elephant Man. It changed my whole outlook on small theaters. I have seen m ...
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Hands on Children’s Museum
Marge Price — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is taking my granddaughter to Hands On Children’s Museum and all our community events. ...
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Hands on Children’s Museum
Marge Price — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is taking my granddaughter to Hands On Children’s Museum and all our community events. ...
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He is just one of those guys that knows everything about cars
Terry Zander — Olympia, WA — Sep 24, 2010
His name is John. That’s all I have ever known. For close to 10 years John helped me with every Volvo I ever owned, and he continued to help me with my older Ford Ranger and now he continues to help ...
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Hearthfire Grill
David Schaffert — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is eating at the Hearthfire Grill. ...
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Hope Island Paddle
Reid Bates — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is kayaking out to Hope Island from Carlyn Beach. ...
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Kayaking on Budd Bay and Boston Harbor
Dana Pethia — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experiences are kayaking Boston Harbor, attending shows at the Center for Performing Arts or Harlequin, shopping at the Farmer’s Market & the Red Door, visiting Childh ...
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Late night in Downtown Olympia
Stephanie Johnson — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
I love the feeling downtown when the theater performances end and the streets are filled with hundreds of people! Almost like a flash mob - people going to get a bit to eat, going to their cars and ta ...
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Living ina beautiful place
Janeen Anderson — Olympia, WA, Thurston — Feb 24, 2012
I have lived in the Pacific nrthwest all my life. No matter how many times I look at "the mountain" (Mount Rainier) I am amazed at the beauty.
Seeing the different colors, clouds, sh ...
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LOTT Wet Science Center
Corey Lopardi — Olympia, WA — Dec 21, 2011
The new Science Center was very informative! ...
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Market, wooden boats and sunshine
Debi Tracy — Cosmopolis, WA — Jan 03, 2011
Visiting the Farmers Market on a sunny Saturday last May not only provided me with delicious fresh fruits, early veggies and bread for a delicious spring meal, but a short walk along the marina brough ...
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McLane Nature Trail walk
Daryl Murrow — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 27, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is walking the McLane Nature Trail, Capital Peak and Tumwater Falls ...
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McLane Park
Don Chahmers — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going out to McLane Park. ...
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Mr
Arnold Goldstein — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
People watching along Percival Landing. ...
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MR
John Steenmeyer — Bellingham, WA — Dec 20, 2011
My family’s visit to the Capital Building was both educational and memorable. Steenmeyer Family. ...
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Mr.
Jimmie Barnett — Sumner, Washington, Pierce — Feb 03, 2012
I moved to Washington 4 years ago and I love it up here I love that everything is always green ...
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Mrs
Kyla Salas — Centrlia, WA - Washington — Dec 20, 2011
Going to downtown Olympia and having dinner then walking on the boardwalk watching the sunset is the perfect evening for anyone. We bring visitors to the area no matter what the weather and it is alwa ...
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Ms.
Cheryl Selby — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
We have two dogs and appreciate that Thurston County is so friendly to our four legged kids. Being able to walk downtown Oly and tie our dogs up outside a restaurant while we eat is great. The dogs ...
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Ms.
Barbara Bosch — Olympia, Washington, United States — Dec 20, 2011
Thumbs up to Thurston County! I enjoy the positive affirmations received from friendly people in this county. Most take time to smile; many take time to help others less fortunate. We have a beauti ...
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Ms.
Heather Zba — Rainier, Washington, Thurston — Mar 05, 2012
Year round my favorite place to visit is Priest Point Park. Its a place I visit for walks, a place to take guest, friends. It is a wonderful park for all ages, perfect for a pinic, parties. Its a plac ...
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Mud Bay Dig Site
Leslie Johnson — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is learning about the Mud Bay dig site and seeing the findings & discoveries on display at the Squaxin Island Museum. ...
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Music in the Parks
Connie Lorenz — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thumbs Up Thurston County Experience is going to Music in the Park, Downtown for the Holidays and to the Hands on Children’s Museum. ...
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My family’s 1st 4th of July
Betsy Borgacz — Olympia, WA, United States — Dec 20, 2011
Our first year in Olympia we were still very homesick for Chicago. We weren’t quite used to living in a smaller city and fourth of July was coming up. We had many fourth experiences in Chicago so we ...
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Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
Renee Ries — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is checking out Percival Land, walking at Tumwater Falls, touring the State Capital, enjoying Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, all the great restaurants and the Olymp ...
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Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
David Cordero — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
One of our favorite places not just in Thurston County, but in the Northwest is the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.
We love to visit early in the morning and be surprised on what we see. We have seen, ...
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Oh the view
Erich Brown — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
My family moved here just under fiver years ago to the day. We were from Michigan and had an opportunity to transfer anywhere in the USA. My wife had family in Bellevue and when we heard about Olymp ...
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Olympia Farmers Market
Kari Quigstad — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to downtown Olympia, the Farmer’s Market and the Port Plaza. ...
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Pie Fest 2012
George Sharp — Olympia, WA, USA — Feb 22, 2012
Had a great time at Pie Fest 2012 at the Olympia Center. Great event that raised money for the Thurston Food Bank. Great pie, coffee and company. Great to see friends there. ...
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Red Wind Casino
Judy Tober — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to Red Wind Casino in Yelm, visiting the Capitol campus, downtown Olympia and Budd Bay. ...
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Such a fun day at the Farmers Market
Frances And Alan Erickson — El Paso, Texas — Nov 06, 2011
We live in El Paso, Texas but will be moving to Olympia. We have been visiting every year for about 7 years and the Farmers Market is a must see and must experience. The atmosphere is wonderful and ...
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The Capitol Christmas Tree
Allen Miller — Olympia, WA — Dec 20, 2011
Viewing the Christmas tree in the Capitol Rotunda is a must during the holidays! ...
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The many things to do in Downtown Olympia
Larry Poplack — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is visiting the Capitol, wine tasting at local wineries, eating at the local restaurants, going clamming, shopping at the Farmer’s Market and in downtown Olympi ...
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The Washington Center
Alan Vanell — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to downtown Olympia to visit the Farmer’s Market, the antique shops and the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. ...
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The Wine Loft
Diana Ehri — Olympia, WA — Jan 03, 2011
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, Jim and Mary do wine tastings. There is always a theme. It costs $6.00 and you get 6 pours. There are 2 different venues - inside their shop - warm and cozy ...
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Touring the government buildings
Lee Largent — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 22, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is to bring groups to the government buildings and out to Red Wind Casino ...
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Touring with my Grand Children
Fred Adair — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thumbs Up Thurston County Experience is touring the capital, patronizing the excellent restaurants in Olympia, the live theatre performances and the Hands on Children’s Museum with my grandchildren ...
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Tugboat Annies
David Black — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 27, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to Tubboat Annies. ...
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Tumwater Falls
Ross Irwin — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 27, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to the park at lower Tumwater Falls and Capital Lake. ...
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Tumwater Falls Park
Christopher Brown — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going to the Farmer’s Market and Tumwater Falls Park. ...
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Tumwater Park
Dave Bills — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is walking in Watershed Park and visiting Tumwater Historical Park. ...
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Tumwater’s July 4 Parade and Artesian Family Festival & Thunder Valley Fireworks Show
Dave Nickerson — Tumwater, WA — Dec 20, 2011
Another fantastic turnout for this year’s signature special event in Tumwater and already looking forward to the July 4, 2012 Independence Day Parade followed by the biggest fireworks show in this are ...
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Visiting My Sister in Olympia
Gary Johansen — Idaho Falls, Idaho — Aug 09, 2010
I took the whole family to visit my sister in Olympia for a couple of days last summer, July 2009. I couldn’t get over how green and beautiful it is in Olympia.
We went for a tour of the capito ...
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Walking around downtown Olympia!
Stefano Damato — Sunrise, Florida — Nov 06, 2011
Had an amazing time in Olympia. I’d love to go back soon! :) ...
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Walking Capital Lake
Gina Carlsen — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is enjoying downtown Olympia, the waterfront shops and restaurants and walking Capital Lake. ...
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Washington State Holiday Tree at the Capitol Building
George Sharp — Olympia, WA — Dec 03, 2011
This years tree looks beautiful and worth a stop in at the Capitol ot see it. ...
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WineTasting
Summer Townsend — Thurston County, Washington — Dec 21, 2010
My Thurston County Thumbs Up Experience is going out to eat and wine tasting. ...
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Wonderful Wine Tours
Debbie Drewitz — Burnaby, B.C., Canada — Dec 20, 2011
We did the wine tour when we stopped for a quick visit. We need to come back for a longer stay next time so much more to see and do!! Thurston County is a TWO Thumbs Up!! ...
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Woodard Bay
Angie Regensburg — Olympia, WA — Jan 03, 2011
My Thumbs Up Experience was a crisp morning walk out to Woodard Bay with the sun dancing on the water, the smell of salty air, and dozens of majestic blue herons gliding gracefully above the water the ...
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