Springtime In the Olympia Area
Spring usually comes early in the Olympia region and it's highlighted by bursts of color as bulbs and flowers bloom, and cherry and magnolia trees put on a spectacular pink and fuchsia display.
Spring Blooms Highlight Warmer Weather
You can be sure to expect rain here in the spring, but we know you won't let that keep you from enjoying a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor adventures here in Thurston County. We've got plenty of cozy restaurants, craft breweries, and coffee shops to keep you fueled up for days of exploring and plenty of shopping and events to keep the rainy day blues at bay.
Spend time hiking and biking when the weather clears, or let us suggest some family-friendly indoor spots to spend your time. We'll even point you to some great live performances when the day winds down. However you plan on spending your time with us, get ready for a breath of fresh air that will send you home refreshed!
The highlight of any visit to Olympia is a walk through the beautiful and lovingly preserved historic gardens of the Washington State Capitol Campus.
The weather can be unpredictable in the spring, but these tips will keep you comfortable
Love a quality road trip? Us too! We also happen to love foods grown and harvested in the region where we eat them!
AND we also love getting to know the local history, culture and characters in the areas we explore. If this sounds like you too, then a little road trip on the Thurston Bountiful Byway is in order. The Thurston Bountiful Byway is 60-miles of authentic cultural and culinary experiences. Plan your getaway, load up the car and hit the open road!
Eat Your Way Around the Olympia Area
There's never a bad time to get a cup of coffee in the PNW, but when the air is still a bit chilly and damp from spring rains, the locals know to head to their favorite roaster for a hot cup of joe and some time connecting with each other. There are oodles of places, but here are a few of our current favorites.
Coffee Culture
The Owl’s Nest
116 Capitol Way N Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 584-9085
Ember Goods
422 Washington St. SE Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 338-0315
Fog & Fern Coffee House
4219 6th Ave SE Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 359-4622
Cutters Point Coffee Co (Lacey Blvd)
5831 Lacey Blvd SE, A Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 456-2974
Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters
4211 Pacific Ave SE Lacey, Washington 98503 (360) 923-0973
Sweet Magnolia Coffee House
125 Tumwater Blvd #119 Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 915-9243
The Shiplap Shop & Coffee House
112 Yelm Avenue E Yelm, Washington 98597 (360) 200-0262
Northwest Grind (Rochester)
10408 US-12 Rochester, Washington 98579 (360) 858-7247
Saved Items
Create a Travel Plan
Make a list of must-sees in the Olympia area! To save items for your trip, explore our website for upcoming events, restaurants, hotels, attractions, and more. When you find something that suits your interests, click the "♥" button. These items will be added to your personal itinerary and can be shared with friends via email or with a link.
Experience the Outdoors this Spring
Explore More
![Harbor Days 2012](https://experience-olympia.s3.amazonaws.com/imager/photoshelter/Website%20Collection/Events%20Collection/Annual%20Events%20Gallery/608102/I0000jDB.OOAtIZw_90fd6919ad0ceb00485791718e562559.jpg 320w, https://experience-olympia.s3.amazonaws.com/imager/photoshelter/Website%20Collection/Events%20Collection/Annual%20Events%20Gallery/608102/I0000jDB.OOAtIZw_dd27b7e51efdc9b97f7f1925c84599a4.jpg 540w, https://experience-olympia.s3.amazonaws.com/imager/photoshelter/Website%20Collection/Events%20Collection/Annual%20Events%20Gallery/608102/I0000jDB.OOAtIZw_0dec49d02fbed77e69af43fd6b5f15d2.jpg 768w, https://experience-olympia.s3.amazonaws.com/imager/photoshelter/Website%20Collection/Events%20Collection/Annual%20Events%20Gallery/608102/I0000jDB.OOAtIZw_7df259c5eeb39ae58504a7edd6134c7a.jpg 1024w, https://experience-olympia.s3.amazonaws.com/imager/photoshelter/Website%20Collection/Events%20Collection/Annual%20Events%20Gallery/608102/I0000jDB.OOAtIZw_3376ef0da08cd220c8bed7b875261d8c.jpg 1200w, https://experience-olympia.s3.amazonaws.com/imager/photoshelter/Website%20Collection/Events%20Collection/Annual%20Events%20Gallery/608102/I0000jDB.OOAtIZw_e3475a1fb91b3fbe703167b7d63f6c9a.jpg 1293w)
Annual Events
Discover our signature events that keep people coming back to our region every year.
![A child admires the cherry blossoms of a tree during spring.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/Mar-2-Signs-of-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=045e31df12bdccfcfd573fd2807cc514 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/Mar-2-Signs-of-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=ddf2b2bbe375c0deac6d705207fee406 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/Mar-2-Signs-of-Spring.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=f7ecf554dafc12f11f58b45358b0d4b9 645w)
Easter Activities Around Thurston County
Celebrate Easter in the Olympia region with a wide assortment of activities and events.
![A performer juggling during the Olympia Arts Walk event.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/Olympia-Arts-Walk006.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=9bdb963f1fa05bb872e2201cf7b69005 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/Olympia-Arts-Walk006.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=4b7e934ed554af7611d0321dd04f2146 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/Olympia-Arts-Walk006.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=a5d63166696a25cfd56c801e2323890f 600w)
Olympia Arts Walk
Explore the biannual Olympia Arts Walk with striking visual works and family-friendly fun.
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/kid_climbing_rock_forest_nature_outdoors.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=068272ca223f6dd60c839af0dc7a1fa5 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/kid_climbing_rock_forest_nature_outdoors.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=62f50079ab7bec28297e22821e7f57f7 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/kid_climbing_rock_forest_nature_outdoors.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=41251a8463d5f8136d30de35e51c9b81 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/kid_climbing_rock_forest_nature_outdoors.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=25e70186af80f0fca8bbd300e4f82126 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/kid_climbing_rock_forest_nature_outdoors.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=3a50f0ba1d2f34732c59c1e165d9e233 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/kid_climbing_rock_forest_nature_outdoors.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=ffb51ceb458fddabed5f46c7ef746e27 1334w)
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…
![A man and woman enjoy sharing a cookie with a toddler at an open-air market](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/161006_jayray_OLTVCB_093_family_cookie_fun_spring_break_dining.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=7a1e85338d340341a088f704467101ab 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/161006_jayray_OLTVCB_093_family_cookie_fun_spring_break_dining.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=dac4e4dcb7352087b2f677d3fccf31a5 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/161006_jayray_OLTVCB_093_family_cookie_fun_spring_break_dining.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=983c262d83a237a93b14e2fa1145394f 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/161006_jayray_OLTVCB_093_family_cookie_fun_spring_break_dining.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=dd1274d967f9a0b60ff39adb14040810 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/161006_jayray_OLTVCB_093_family_cookie_fun_spring_break_dining.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=9494d5a5b7ffff0fec51b714463405a3 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/161006_jayray_OLTVCB_093_family_cookie_fun_spring_break_dining.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=3f61ad2cbd9b9e0b905df7661a43e8fc 1331w)
Top Fun-Filled Family Activities to Wow Your Kids
Always on the quest to become the coolest parent ever but still searching for the perfect place to bring the…