5 Local Gems for Your Spring Staycation
Make the most of spring break and warmer days by rediscovering the gems in your hometown. A “staycation” means less stress and is often friendlier to your wallet. You can be more spontaneous and see places you’ve been meaning to visit.
We asked some of our locals to share some of their favorite Thurston County hidden gems.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/cherrytrees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=ddd1aad2dd52ab59348674c25427d365 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/cherrytrees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=dd6e198cb64b3fcdb2372b40fd353927 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/cherrytrees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=8fe51b342be94b73656452df69c50c2f 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/cherrytrees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=79e104db30311dcc534d943d70aeedee 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/cherrytrees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=02cbe3c014b33eab6b9f3728a07fde13 1084w)
Cherry trees at the Capitol Campus
Cherry trees at the Capitol Campus should be bursting with blooms in the first half of April. Shina Wysocki of Chelsea Farms recommends visitors check out the trees on Cherry Lane, the street east of the Temple of Justice and the Legislative Building.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Yelm_Graffiti_Wall.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=900b65744a81477d4d9db2220869643b 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Yelm_Graffiti_Wall.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=9c475964bd75db2c45b5bd01842ea5fb 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Yelm_Graffiti_Wall.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=62c74af1c632af648557e7f744fb77b7 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Yelm_Graffiti_Wall.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=6c4b154c8f1845e4257f68a2efa2e029 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Yelm_Graffiti_Wall.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=5f120caf5951d87774a0d15a67b4ca89 1151w)
Yelm’s Graffiti Wall
Yelm's graffiti wall greets walkers, runners and cyclists on the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail. A Yelm High School graduate--now professional graffiti artist--regularly updates this longest free art wall in eh Northwest with help from 20 of his friends. Line Critchfield, executive director, Yelm Chamber of Commerce, said the ever-changing graphics make every visit interesting.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=f0d6eedf62d50b43da226d20d0dab000 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=d08a3d1a636a6e38f6d9a86ff3dde5a2 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=b9dbbbe43d88a230a71c98775b0b8cab 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=2e2a3c1e69478057c8c347537ebd4b5d 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=1f6a21e3deb4e7329ee17a63e87745fa 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=83f4b0e156c18be84e1f3b24e798debb 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/170623_oltvcb_054.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=4b93e41bf96baae34bcd6d156f1f608a 1775w)
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls
Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls is a beautiful walk that includes views of the old brewery, says Thane Bryenton of Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm. Two footbridges at each end of the gorge over the Deschutes River are highlights of the park’s paved trails.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Wooden_Money.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=19646d4b93c111e80a11c3066a38bdab 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Wooden_Money.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=6db64a1c3458c45f0080204e89989290 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Wooden_Money.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=68d128b523ee8ef823ead3722c7c390a 615w)
City of Tenino
Experience "main street" shopping in Tenino at The Iron Works Boutique, Aunt Kate's Chocolates and more. Residents and visitors can present $20 in cash at the Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce and receive a $21 Wooden Scrip. “During the Great Depression, the Tenino Chamber issued a similar wooden scrip to help support businesses. We’re taking a page from the history playbook to support our small businesses and give a benefit to our residents and visitors for their support of our community,” Chamber President Cheryl Pearce said.
![A closeup of a Revival Motors Coffee and Choppers coffee cup with a motorcycle in the background.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/revmo-choppers-and-coffee-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=a26a2e611b01a64b1200fbaabb74e9dc 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/revmo-choppers-and-coffee-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=585c9d28ad4b8d3e01a76bcb4e1a2617 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/revmo-choppers-and-coffee-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=765818d2f60a7cfb9ea25c992f3977e0 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/revmo-choppers-and-coffee-03.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=fae8d3b0a8910afc3aeade14773fb774 800w)
RevMo Choppers and Coffee
Revival Motors & Coffee Co. is an unusual blend of motorcycle shop and coffee bar. Fuel up on coffee and PNW snacks (often fresh pastries) and check out the bike restorations in progress.
There is plenty to see and do in Thurston County this spring break. More ideas: Pick up flowers and early season produce at the Olympia Farmers Market. Starting April 1, the market will be open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pack snacks and car BINGO for a drive on the Thurston Bountiful Byway. “Although some of the venues (like our lavender farm) are only open seasonally, just to drive around Thurston County can be very charming,” Thane said.Count the many birds and other species enjoying spring at the Billy Frank Jr Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Capitol State Forest has miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles. You’ll need a Discover Pass for your vehicle to access the area, managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.