OlympiaOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Native Lands to Territorial Capital

For thousands of years, the area now known as Olympia was home to Lushootseed-speaking peoples, who called it "Cheetwoot." This region, at the southern tip of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet, was a source of shellfish and salmon.

European contact began in 1792 when Peter Puget and his crew from the British Vancouver Expedition explored the site. American settlers arrived in the 1840s, drawn by timber, oysters, and saltwater access to the Pacific Ocean. In 1846, Edmund Sylvester and Levi Lathrop Smith jointly claimed the land that would become downtown Olympia. After Smith's death in 1848, Sylvester platted the townsite in 1850, laying it out in a New England style with a town square, tree-lined streets, and land for public buildings. The town was officially named Olympia, a suggestion attributed to Isaac N. Ebey, inspired by the view of the Olympic Mountains.

The Seat of Government

Olympia's destiny as a political center began in 1853 when Isaac Stevens, Washington's first territorial governor, declared it the provisional territorial capital. This designation was confirmed by the territorial legislature in 1855, and Olympia was incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859. The first session of the Territorial Legislature met in a two-story building known as the Parker-Coulter Dry Goods store in 1854. The Masonic Temple then hosted sessions until a dedicated wood-frame capitol building was completed in 1856.

When Washington achieved statehood on November 11, 1889, Olympia remained the capital. The Old State Capitol Building, originally built as the Thurston County Courthouse in 1892, was purchased by the state in 1901 to serve as the capitol. The state government quickly outgrew it. Construction on the current Legislative Building began in 1912, and it opened in 1928, featuring a dome. The city has faced natural disasters, with earthquakes in 1949, 1965, and 2001 damaging many structures.

• —Washington State Capitol Campus — Explore the grounds, designed by the Olmsted Brothers. The Legislative Building, completed in 1928, has a dome. Free guided tours of the Legislative Building are available.
• —Temple of Justice — This building, completed in 1920, is part of the Capitol Campus. It houses the state's supreme court and law library.
• —Old State Capitol (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) — Originally the Thurston County Courthouse, built in 1892, this Richardson Romanesque-style building served as the state capitol from 1905 to 1927.
• —Sylvester Park — This public square was part of Edmund Sylvester's original 1850 town plat. It features a statue of Governor John Rogers, author of the "Barefoot Schoolboy Law."
• —Percival Landing Park — Walk along the 0.9-mile boardwalk at this waterfront park on Budd Inlet. It offers views of the harbor and connects to downtown.
• —Washington State Library — The library is part of the Capitol Campus. It offers resources and insight into the state's intellectual heritage.

The best time to visit Olympia for warm-weather activities is from mid-July to late August. Temperatures are pleasant, with August highs averaging 78°F. July is the driest month, with minimal rainfall and the most sunshine. Late spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October) also offer mild weather and fewer crowds. April brings cherry blossoms to the Capitol campus.

Avoid visiting from October to March if you prefer drier weather. This is Olympia's wet season, with November being the wettest month. December is the coldest month, with average lows of 35°F and cloudiest skies.

Olympia is south of Seattle and Tacoma, accessible via Interstate 5. The Olympia-Lacey Amtrak station provides train service. Intercity Transit offers free bus service throughout Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm, with various routes and an online trip planner. The Olympia Transit Center is a central hub for bus services.

Downtown Olympia is walkable. Many attractions, including the Capitol Campus and Percival Landing, are explored on foot. Public parking is available, and a downtown parking map can be found on the City of Olympia website. The Olympia Farmers Market operates Thursday through Sunday from April to October, and on Saturdays during winter.