Olympia, WA
Olympia is the capital of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. The city borders Lacey to the east and Tumwater to the south. Olympia is a major cultural center of the Puget Sound region. Olympia is located 60 miles southwest of Seattle, the largest city in the state of Washington.
With an economic engine fueled to a great extent by state government, Olympia enjoys the benefits of a stable work force, engaged and educated community, and well-supported school system.
Historic downtown Olympia offers a variety of eclectic shopping and dining experiences, while Olympia’s westside is a regional shopping destination at numerous national brand stores and the auto mall.
Mild winters and pleasantly warm summers make the Olympia area an ideal place for outdoor recreation. In Olympia, you can “get out of town” without even leaving the city. Olympia maintains 40 public parks for your recreation enjoyment. Public trails lead to saltwater beaches where native tribes once met for potlatches 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.
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.
Home
Schools
The Olympia School District provides diverse and challenging learning opportunities for more than 9,000 students with a staff of administrators, teachers and support personnel totaling more than 1,300. Their major focus is for continuous and maximized academic achievement of all students. They take a holistic approach to educational excellence, with strong programs in International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP), fine arts, technology, basic education and athletics. They provide exceptional opportunities for students in Special Education, alternative education, gifted education and Career and Technical education.www.greatschools.org.
Dining and Shopping
Our downtown core is what makes us unique in the Puget Sound. Geographically located between the salt waters of the Puget Sound and the fresh waters of the Deschutes River and Capitol Lake, visitors enjoy stunning views of Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountain Range.
Spanning just .5 square miles, downtown houses over 450 independently owned businesses and over 1,900 residents. The Farmers Market , State Capitol Campus , Hands on Children’s Museum and 8 public parks are the main attractions for both Olympians and tourists. The local arts scene thrives with regular performances at 5 different theaters and a bi-annual Arts Walk celebration.
Entertainment
Whether you want to celebrate the Arts with 10,000 of your closest friends, put your pets on parade, or just enjoy great music, shows and nightlife – there really is something for everyone.
Parks and Recreation
The City of Olympia has over 1,200 acres of park land that consist of neighborhood, community, and open space parks, as well as recreational facilities. Each park has something unique to offer and amenities to better serve you. From playgrounds and ball fields to public art and wildlife habitats, come explore nature in a way that only Olympia can offer!
Commute
Olympia is located 16.5 miles from Joint Base Lewis McChord. 52.8 miles from SeaTac International Airport, 61.2 miles from Seattle, and 114 miles from Portland.
