Olympia

Walking the streets of historic Downtown Olympia, or as the locals call it, “Downtown Oly,” reveals the city’s appreciation for creativity and innovation displayed through public art. From murals to Olympia’s Traffic Box Wrap project, the community streets become unofficial galleries. Downtown Olympia sits at the core of Washington’s state capital, offering scenic views of Capitol Lake and the Puget Sound. Along with a thriving local art scene, the area houses more than 450 businesses, serving as a hub for retail, business and culture.      “Downtown Oly is a vibrant place for artists' programs and for artists to succeed,” says Matt Murray, a 20-year resident and Realtor with Van Dorm Realty, Inc. “The city supports local artists through programs such as the Olympia Art Alliance, and each year residents get to vote on public art projects like the traffic box wraps. Artists use these obscure traffic boxes on the side of the road as their canvasses and turn them into beautiful art. It’s really cool to see.”     The Arts, Cultures and Heritage (ARCH) initiative funds Downtown’s Creative District, encompassing 30 blocks and houses over 100 creative businesses. The district includes record shops, galleries, performance venues, eateries and historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s, such as the Old Capitol Building. Downtown’s theatre experience includes the Washington Center for Performing Arts, which features comedy shows and jazz performances by artists like the Dmitri Matheny Band and Dungeons and Drag Queens, where the audience watches drag queens play a live DND game. Harlequin Productions offers rotating plays, cabarets and more, from local productions to major works such as Sweeney Todd and Pride and Prejudice. Sandwiched between the vintage clothing boutique Hot Toddy and the Compass Rose gift shop, is the SS T.J. Potter Historic Alleyway, a back pathway filled with murals. The alleyway reflects just one of the wall art displays downtown. The city has a self-guided tour with nearly 100 displays depicting activism, political statements and public figures.     “One of the biggest celebrations of art would be The Olympia Arts Walk, which happens twice a year,” Murray says. “Many businesses transform their spaces into creative hubs for demonstrations and performances. And then there’s this quirky parade called the Procession of the Species, where people dress up like their favorite animals, walking around downtown with DIY and homemade animal costumes.”     Downtown Oly’s shopping and dining choices are just as rich as the art scene. From American, Thai and Vietnamese to Mexican and South Indian, eclectic eateries and shops proudly state: “Locally owned is the way of life.” With the lake as its backdrop, downtown houses bookstores, apothecaries, and novelty shops within walking distance. String lights hang overhead from trees and between buildings, creating an illuminated canopy.     A staple in the community since 1975, Archibald Sisters is a fragrance and eccentric gift store that is the go-to for personal care essentials, with its anchor fragrance Oly Girl, a blend of rain and coconut and unconventional gifts like the emotional support chicken. Danger Room Comics imprints the arts scene with its collection of beloved visual images.   Hearty morning meals at coffeehouses, such as New Moon Cooperative Café, help start the day, while food trucks like Akashic Food Trailer serve South Indian-American dishes for lunch on the go. Dining al fresco with views of the lake from the decks of the Olympia Oyster House or Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill provides a relaxing way to end the week. Breweries rank high among favorites in Downtown Oly, with Well 80 Brewhouse offering classic pub fare and using artesian well water for brewing.     “Cascadia Grill is the epitome of the Pacific Northwest,” says Murray. “They serve up Pacific Northwest dishes with a twist. They have pictures all over the walls of beavers, Bigfoot, and people who have gotten fame in the Cascadia region. We also have the 1889 Prime Steakhouse. It’s the bomb if you’re willing to spend $100. It’s the year when the state of Washington became a place.” The Olympia Farmers Market stays packed with residents and local farmers. It’s open year-round with vendors selling fresh produce, crafts and artisan foods. Traditional grocery shopping can be done at the Bayview Thriftway market.     The housing landscape comprises mainly townhouses and condo communities, some with sweeping lake views. The price ranges from $450,000 to $600,000, depending on square footage and amenities. The few available single-family homes lie near the Washington State Capitol and on the outskirts of either the Westside or Eastside of Downtown. These homes have modest front lawns and rest on single lots with an average of 2,000 square feet of interior living space. These detached homes are similar in price to the condos, with the price increasing depending on renovations and upgrades.     Stretched across 24 acres, Heritage Park overlooks Capitol Lake, and its pedestrian paths are ideal for a morning or afternoon stroll while its amphitheater hosts events. Heritage is home to the annual Capital LakeFair, a summer carnival experience with a car show, live performances and rides, and concludes with a fireworks show. Percival Landing Park, a waterfront green space on Puget Sound, features a boathouse and offers a venue for casual gatherings and public events. Every year, the Percival Plinth Project showcases sculptures by local and regional artists. The Yashiro Japanese Garden provides a modest space with ponds, sculptures, and tranquil paths. Several artesian wells offer free water for refilling bottles along all green spaces in the area. “The wells run all day, and we can fill up as many jugs as we want with fresh water,” says Murray.    Education can begin at Madison Elementary, which earns a B-plus Niche score. Washington Middle School earns an A rating, while Avanti High, which receives a B-plus, provides students with volunteer opportunities with Olympia Film Society and Harlequin Productions. They can also participate in community activism through local political parties and Thurston County Food Bank.     When school is out, education continues at the Hands-on Children’s Museum with activities like pet parades, summer camps and field trips. The Puget Sound Estuarium also provides interactive learning experiences about marine life, allowing for up-close and personal encounters with animals.    Getting around town is made accessible via the Intercity Transit bus, a fare-free transit system. The community also has over 30 miles of bike lanes and 10 miles of pedestrian trails. Additionally, Interstate 5 runs through the community, providing a convenient way to travel north to Tacoma and Seattle.

Eastside, hence the name, lies directly east of Downtown Olympia. Highlighted by its extended sidewalks and tree-lined streets, the neighborhood creates a cozy feel. Anchoring the community, 4th Avenue serves as the main thoroughfare. It runs the length of the neighborhood, featuring Intercity Bus stops conveniently positioned in front of homes and businesses. “The area is extremely walkable,” says Matt Murray, long-time Olympia resident and Realtor with Van Dorm Realty, Inc. “You could walk downtown to Eastside and stay on the same sidewalk. The community is close to anything you want to get to on foot and by car since the I-5 expressway runs south of the neighborhood.”      Although its proximity to downtown is a bonus, residents don’t have to venture too far for everyday essentials. State & Central lives by the motto: “Meet. Eat. Drink.” This neighborhood gem dishes out classic pub fare and features a rotating beer menu. Northwest Beerworks is popular for its craft beers, but what really draws people in is the outdoor patio, where they can unwind in Adirondack chairs or under tented picnic tables.    The San Francisco Street Bakery has served the neighborhood for three decades, delighting patrons with bread, cookies, and artisan pastries. The Olympia Farmers Market also sells the bakery's signature sweets. “A lot of people here like to dig in the dirt,” says Murray. “At the Eastside Urban Farm & Market, you can buy fruit and fruit trees to plant. You can also buy baby chickens there. They keep them in this big clear area with heat lamps over them. They’re super cute.” In addition to the farmers markets, Ralph’s Thriftway provides fresh produce and grocery needs. Left Bank Pastry offers up delicious French treats like croissants, brioche and macarons. Downtown Olympia is west on 4th Avenue for additional shopping and dining options.     Along with carefully tended lawns, homes peek from behind towering trees, adding to the neighborhood's charm. The housing landscape in Eastside consists mainly of cottage-style homes and ramblers, with interior square footage between 1,000 and 2,000. Homes set back from the road grant spacious front lawns and extended walkways and driveways. Homes that need a bit of TLC cost in the mid $300,000s, while updated properties cost anywhere from $400,000 to $550,000. “There are lots of single-family houses in Eastside, which is ideal since there aren’t that many in downtown,” says Murray. “Downtown mostly has condos, so the Eastside is ideal for those who want to be close to the city center but want a detached home.”     Lions Park offers a mulched play area with elaborate structures, and the splash pad is popular during warmer months. Sports courts and fields provide space for casual or competitive games with friends and neighbors. The active Eastside Neighborhood Association (ENA) keeps Lions Park vibrant with community cleanups and hosts various events. Rods N’ Reels is an event for anglers in June, and the Annual Summer Picnic is in August. It features live music and a cookout. During the colder months, the Winter Window Walkabout sees neighbors decorating their homes. During Christmas, the sounds of caroling fill the streets. Spanning just 2 acres of hillside, Madison Scenic Park offers walking trails, space to hang out with pups and benches for enjoying views of the Washington State Capitol building and serene sunsets.    Education can begin at Madison Elementary, which earns a B-plus Niche grade, and continue at Washington Middle School, which earns an A rating. Olympia High also receives an A, and the student-run OHS Literary Magazine features fiction, poetry, and art for publication.     Getting around town is accessible via the Intercity Transit, a fare-free bus system. The Interstate 5 expressway provides a convenient way to travel north to Tacoma and Seattle.