Across street is Sylvester Park (the original town square donated by the city founder Edmund Sylvester). This is an attractive park that hosts many civic activities. Music in the Park was just winding down when we arrived. While mingling among the locals and tempting food booths, we almost missed the unassuming End of the Old Oregon Trail marker. We were unaware that one leg of the legendary pioneer trail led north to the shores of the Puget Sound.

A few blocks from the Capitol Campus is the Washington State Capitol Museum. Its housed in a stately structure known as the Lord Mansion. The museum is small, but the exhibits are well presented … we especially liked the Native American cedar plank house (we could actually smell the smoked salmon hanging from the overhead racks), and the story of the recently exonerated Chief Leschia. Before leaving we walked around the South Capitol Neighborhood Historic District with its well-tended homes, mature trees and views of the capitol dome.

An unexpected surprise was finding the Yashiro Japanese Garden tucked away next to the City Hall. This small traditional Japanese garden with its bamboo grove, winding stone paths and reflective pond is quiet and serene. Strategically placed in the garden are gifts from Olympia’s sister city, Yashiro Japan … two cut stone lanterns, a 13 tier pagoda and a gate built without nails.

Fresh fruit & veggies, flowers, live music and tasty food were in abundance at the Farmers Market. Click on the photo to see some vendor artistry!

Adjacent to the downtown core, we enjoyed the great views from Percival Landing with its yacht filled harbor and the very busy Olympia Farmers Market. Further up the road we escaped the crowds for a quiet picnic at the lush moss filled Priest Point Park.

Our favorite place in Olympia is Wagner’s European Bakery and Café ... a very popular and exceptional bakery. We returned multiple times for one of their specialties known as rooster combs ... the best reason we know of to return to Olympia ... again and again.

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