Author: nathanadmin
Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast
Historical Bed and Breakfast with Day Spa in walking distance to downtown Olympia. One of only three bed and breakfasts in Olympia. A very unique mansion with a modern day spa on-site.
Updating Basecamp Olympia (yet again)
So after a number of misfires and the like, we are having another stab at making Basecamp Olympia my perfect idea of tourism for Olympia. Olympia as your basecamp. Not Lacey or Tumwater, although they would fit only slightly less. Olympia has better walk-ability than its neighbors, especially when you are staying with us at the Swantown Inn Bed & Breakfast.
Unlike other tourism entities we do not have to politically correct and all inclusive. Lets talk plainly. Olympia has the best farmers market, local attractions (Hands On Children’s Museum, WET Science Center), it has access to the sound at Percival Landing, great restaurants, and friendly residents. Is it perfect? No! Far from it. However it is a great place for tourists visiting our area to base themselves and reach out to nearby national parks and monuments, attractions or even just to chill out and relax.
We will be editing some of our posts to take out the “timing” and just showcase the event or attraction. Tweaking until the site is fully populated with all of our top suggestions.
If you own a business, attraction or tourism related entity let us know and we will add it to the site.
Of course this site is primarily here to help drive bookings to our Olympia B&B.
Mount Ellinor
Mount Ellinor is an easy drive from Olympia, and one of the best hikes we have ever been on. We went in August and the wildflowers were better than the famed ones of Mount Rainier.
Capital Lakefair
During the third weekend in July we have Capital Lakefair. The carnival rides move in to Heritage Park and surrounding streets are shut down for food vendors and the like.
Recognizing our youth and seniors and also giving local non-profits the opportunity to fund raise and be seen, Lakefair has over a 50 year history. From humble beginning before the park even existed to today’s week long event, capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.
Make sure you see the grand parade, the kit car races, or participate in the run. Â There is so much to do and experience!
Visit Capital Lakefairs Web site, for itineraries, sponsors, all the activities, and historic information about Lakefair.
Walk Olympia
In our searching and browsing of all things Olympia today I happened upon this great blog specializing in walks around Olympia. It features walks in four different categories, Forest, Fresh Water, Prairie and Salt Water. There are about a dozen walks reviewed at the moment.
We shall have to see if the author, Ryan, is interested in contributing here. We shall see if this little blog post comes up on his radar! In the meantime let us hope he keeps adding to Walk Olympia.
Inspiration?
I love this idea. Basecamp Olympia. Olympia, the Basecamp. Whatever you want to call it. The idea of putting Olympia on the map as more than the Capital. More than a crossroads. More than the birthplace of grunge. More than Evergreen. It is all of that and so much more!
If you have the time and a bottle wine listen to this.
Arts Walk Olympia | Fall and Spring
One of our favorite semi-annual events has to be Olympia’s Arts Walk. It is when Olympia comes alive for a Friday and Saturday bubbling over with personalities, and visually astounding us with a variety of artists.
If you love art and you are anywhere near Olympia this really is a great place to be!
The City of Olympia’s information on this event can be found here
For fantastic details such as maps and vendor and artist information see the Arts Walk Web site.
Apple Festival at Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm
Looking for an Apple Festival in Olympia? Well everyone’s favorite cider mill is having their annual Apple Fesitval from the last weekend in September through the last weekend in October from 9am to 5pm.
There is a small charge of $2 per vehicle for parking but there are no entrance fees. Here are what the fine folks at Lattin’s have to say about the event;
Enjoy a day in the country with Bluegrass music amid the sweet aroma of apples.
Sample our fresh-picked, crunchy apples and take some home at a great low price.
Tractor-drawn wagon rides to our Pumpkin Patch from 11am to 4pm.
Find your way through our new year round Maze.
Kids can pick our their own pumpkins, bob for apples, enjoy the clown and visit our farm animals.
Savor apple crisp, caramel apples, apple butter, apple cake, baked apples, apple pie by the slice and our famous apple fritters.
For more information on the Apple Festival here in Olympia visit the information page.
Music in the Park : Two Concerts this week!
What a treat this week! Two evenings of Music in the Park! Albeit the one on August 5th is at the Port Plaza, however that still counts right? So take your family and friends, pack a picnic dinner, snacks, or desert. Then head to downtown Olympia for some great free entertainment!
Wednesday Night: Yogoman Burning Band
August 3 at Sylvester Park, 7:00-8:00 pm
On Wednesday evening the Yogoman Burning Band, a reggae/rock group from Bellingham, Washington will get you on you feet dancing!
Friday Night: Jacob Merlin Band
August 5 at the Port Plaza, 7:00-8:30pm
On Friday night the Jacob Merlin Band from Portland, Oregon brings an old school sound with a new style of funky jazz, pop rock.
See more details about Music in the Park here.
A Midsummers Night’s Dream at Priest Point Park.
In the evenings Thursday through Sunday until July 31st you can see a wonderful free production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Take a blanket and a picnic and get settled in for a lively performance.
The show starts at 7:30pm, and is set within Olympia’s Priest Point Park. This is a beautiful park where you can take the kids to play on the ship and swings in the playground, or take a walk through the rose garden or rhododendrons.
This production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream is put on by Animal Fire Theatre.