Places to Visit in Olympia Washington

When most people think of visiting Washington, the first place they think of is Seattle. I don't blame you a bit, it would be a crime to go there and not go for a ride up the Space Needle, or get a fish thrown at you in the Market! However, the capitol of this wet and rainy state often goes unvisited by even Washington's natives! Downtown Olympia is not even half as big as Seattle but it's got it's own cool little vibe to it, and although it may not be #1 on the tourists list, it has tons of great places to check out and explore.

Wagner's European Bakery and Cafe' is the best bakery in town. Every pastry is made in house and fresh daily. You can buy everything from breads to danishes, sticky buns, baklava, cookies, donuts, cinnamon bread...........whoo sorry sweet tooth took over there!

Once you have your pastry (or twelve) of choice, you can stop by the counter and choose from their deli sandwiches, or soup specials all of which are also delicious. Prices are decent and it's one of the best places to stop for a casual lunch (they also have a secondary location at the Olympia Farmer's Market).

Batdorf & Bronson Cofeehouse is another great cafe to visit if you want to get away from the quintessential Starbucks. The coffee's great as well as the atmosphere. It's in the heart of downtown, close by to all the great shops, and only two blocks from the waterfront.

Hot Toddy is a great little clothing store on 4th Ave. The clothes are primarily for women and are made by local designers. It's a great place to find vintage-style apparel (if that's your style), at pretty good prices considering their uniqueness.

Yolli Shoes is another great place to shop. They run a bit expensive, so now you're warned, but these shoes are unique and you won't find them at your local shoe shop guaranteed. It's a small store but you'll find everything from gogo boots to flats, to vintage-style pumps. Plus don't forget to check out the back room by the stairs, that's where all the clearance shoes are!

If you're ready for a good sit-down place to catch a bite, right by Yolli Shoes is a great place called The Spar, one of many regional Mcmenamin's pubs and restaurants (just try saying that one). The menu has it all from breakfast to dinner choices. In the lunch/dinner category you can get delicious a fresh-made pizzas, soups, great deli sandwiches, and more. Pricing is fair, with an individual pizza costing around $9.75 depending on the kind, and a soup and sandwich combo priced at about $11.

The last place you have to see in Olympia, especially during the summertime, is the Farmer's Market. Akin to the Pike's Place market in Seattle, the Olympia Market is both in and out of doors. There are always local bands playing and a variety of food stands to grab a bite. Inside you'll find organic local produce, meats, cheeses, hand-made jewelry and more. Less than a block a way you can visit the pier and enjoy the rest of the day by the water.