A Nature Ed-Venture
Here, educational opportunities await in the beautiful outdoor spaces that make up our destination.
This fall, get off the Zoom calls and experience all the Thurston Bountiful Byway has to offer!
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Daycation_logo_2022-04-28-200202_zzwf.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a8af78b8b3913320de6c850de59fd772 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Daycation_logo_2022-04-28-200202_zzwf.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=dbc3d142cf104127682d97dcee58cb34 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Daycation_logo_2022-04-28-200202_zzwf.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=09f04be7d56528cb2eafda750b9f7299 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Daycation_logo_2022-04-28-200202_zzwf.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=aaccd18071bb51d5407873829582556d 864w)
Throughout the summer, and beyond, our team will concoct monthly daycation itineraries. Let us take away the indecision and pressure of making plans and give you an easy option to enjoy ALL our region has to offer.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/coffee2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=6427e6902cfdfb3360b226c8362537ab 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/coffee2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=178cc5fc3f11183c5e6216b85fd9f9ad 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/coffee2.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=ca5524094d197955dfb73d41d43ca396 709w)
Grab A Hot Beverage To Go
Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters is Lacey’s only full-service coffee company, offering customers a look at the most state-of-the-art roasting technology which uses infrared burners and heat exchangers for a cleaner roast. Grab a fresh pastry and a hot beverage for the road!
![A dock at the Woodard Bay Conservation Area in Olympia, WA.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Woodard_Bay.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=6496d2e32b8c99f858f089440f5a42fc 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Woodard_Bay.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=f9303620430e442024382141071698dd 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Woodard_Bay.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=987edf711193cf416febf2b857a2050f 619w)
Watch The Birdie
Allow about 20 minutes from the roastery to get to the Woodard Bay Conservation Area just north of Lacey. Designated by the legislature in 1987, it’s one of the first conservation areas of its kind in the state. A former log transfer site once operated by Weyerhaeuser, this sanctuary provides wetland habitat for shorebirds and songbirds, harbor seals, river otters, bald eagles, a large maternity colony of bats, and one of the most significant heron rookeries in the state.
Hiking trails include a forested loop-trail, and another that is barrier-free, overlooking Woodard Bay.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/natureed3.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=739824177740bf90848512a7398287e6 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/natureed3.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=ad4e14e19b44f89ba66627984d42f0f9 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/natureed3.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=c29eaccf8a8022edd5b4e2efe07ba02d 600w)
Lunch And Farm Fun
With such a busy morning, the family will be ready for a handcrafted burger and fries at the Medicine Creek Café. Kids eat FREE here, and a takeout menu is available.
From the cafe, it’s a 5-minute drive to Schilter Family Farm with something for the whole family. New this year is an outdoor trike trek, zip swings and a "beer barn" for the adults. Of course, the farm staff invite you to view the many animals in the barn where baby goats welcome selfies with you.
The Rutledge Corn Maze, just 15 minutes south of Lacey, also offers a legendary corn maze experience among other activities for kids, including story time with Spookley The Square Pumpkin. For the supernatural experience of a lifetime, show up after dark for the haunted version of the maze. Book your ticket online, in advance, if you plan to visit.
Make sure to pick up a pumpkin at either Schilter Family Farm or the Rutledge Corn Maze to be ready for the season!
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/caulicrust.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=b22941725a3f81740607ba0e5abbad7d 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/caulicrust.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=847d1ee5a6c8eba89d26c19451ec569f 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/caulicrust.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=4acd9fe6ab34fd79f8c1b3cec92ce161 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/caulicrust.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=c46791f8509524973668eb93e6d2372b 800w)
Dinner
If you are looking for a dinner spot, check out Brewery City Pizza. The first restaurant opened in 1982 as a ode to the region’s beer brewing history. There are three locations in Thurston County for your convenience and their menus feature traditional and cauliflower crust!
Don’t forget to share
Don’t miss out on any of these easy to plan adventures. Check back monthly for new trip ideas and daycations (or staycation if you’re a local) and don’t forget to share! Tag your social posts #ExperienceOlympia and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@Experience_Oly) and Instagram (@ExperienceOly).