Experience Budget-Friendly Fun
Free Things to Do Around Olympia
Explore a variety of free activities around Thurston County.
Seeking affordable things to do around the Olympia region? Whether you’re planning a budget-friendly itinerary or embarking on an action-packed adventure with a large group, Olympia features exciting free things to do for all interests. Embrace the outdoors, wander through lively farmers markets, or find striking works of art.
1. Embrace the Outdoors at the Woodard Bay Conservation Area
This wildlife sanctuary transports nature lovers to a tranquil space that’s filled with lush greenery and gentle lapping waters. Be immersed in nature while listening to the calls of seals in the distance and spotting birds among the branches of the trees. While walking along the path of this natural reserve, you’ll find signs detailing the history of the area, exploring its log dumping origins. Although visitors typically need a Discover Pass or a $10 day pass for access to this area, the Discover Pass Free Days program allows access to this outdoor spot without a fee during various national holidays.
![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&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8f59717a43369cdddd93697779bd911c 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Woodard_Bay.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3132f56f0898be4372a1fd8fdbcc34ac 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Woodard_Bay.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8393ffb6ca30a7504e05541d33401c58 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Woodard_Bay.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9dc90657d775f62f44ecfa3e8053ce69 800w)
2. Bring Your Little Ones to the WET Science Center
Located in downtown Olympia, the WET Science Center infuses informative exhibits with interactive fun. Explore in-depth guides on water conservation, wastewater treatment and more. Browse through vibrantly colored installations that encourage hands-on learning experiences. This science-focused learning center is filled with an assortment of educational activities, including family-friendly events on Saturdays and arts and crafts sessions.
3. Explore Olympia’s History with a Self-Guided Tour
Embark on a self-guided adventure and transport yourself to different time periods in Olympia. Created by students from the Evergreen State College, Olympia’s Hidden Histories unveils a series of spots that explore different parts of Washington’s state capital. Discover a diverse range of locations, delving into topics such as the Squaxin Island Tribe and Olympia’s Chinatown.
![Childhood End's Gallery in downtown Olympia](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ab8bf19a35b944ccfe4b4484e456ae92 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7b76eaa68d93ca1249a6f101451d7425 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=25ceb69089bd45074edf1a93c98032ae 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d81892e05871679352c02f3e28c15506 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5a8ec8824abe2720cd2512a972be40a1 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4ecfdb324b7f112a08bfe7555f344c51 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/walking-tour-13.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=baccca8a358cc65249a2557cfa7cf0d8 1602w)
4. Admire Art at the Childhood’s End Gallery
This downtown Olympia-based gallery features whimsical artworks and handcrafted items. Displaying contemporary Pacific Northwest art, Childhood’s End Gallery showcases an array of local artists. Find breathtaking paintings, pottery, glass fixtures, and wooden boxes.
5. Wander Through a Poetry Installation Near West Bay Park
Make your way to West Bay Park and engraved poems along a sidewalk. Connecting West Olympia to the downtown area, this sidewalk showcases poems that cover the walls and grounds of the area with haikus. Don’t miss taking in the picturesque sights of the State Capitol and the peaks of the Olympic Mountains.
6. Stroll Through a Farmers Market
Thurston County is home to plenty of local farmers markets that beckon visitors with a welcoming and vibrant ambience. Local vendors, gourmet bites, and fresh produce are just some of the unforgettable delights at these markets. Visit the Olympia Farmers Market and receive a free apple for your little ones from Thursday through Sunday. Music enthusiasts will enjoy tapping their feet to infectious beats at the Tumwater Farmers Market, which hosts live performances on a weekly basis.
![A hallmark of the year-round Olympia Farmers Market is the live entertainment.](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=65113e9a94567c806ece215c72044ba7 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d71ea2e160994484d865c6d3d8117674 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6526849e56aa89bfd9f4988434741123 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=dd15f89d630214e06c9050ef7dec60a7 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e827014e511514318e019024bd3d0f31 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d4f213a09887c9347343847f813bf41b 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/olympia-farmers-market-entertainment-01.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=cd660e1e42a1050ed248ac6b145db215 1611w)
7. Dive into Beach-Filled Adventure at a Park
Whether you’re looking for the best sandcastle-building spots or planning a picnic, Olympia’s parks boast stunning scenery along sandy shorelines. Fitness enthusiasts and active families will enjoy participating in thrilling water sports at these parks. Along with the Woodard Bay Conservation Area, a Discover Pass spot like the Tolmie State Park offers a number of free days throughout the year. With areas such as Frye Cove County Park and Squaxin Park, it’s easy to unwind in a peaceful atmosphere.
8. Marvel at the Washington State Capitol Campus
Enjoy free guided tours of the Legislative Building at the Washington State Capitol Campus. Open on a daily basis, these tours reveal in-depth details on the history of the building, as well as the opulent space with chandeliers and marble interiors. History aficionados will relish self guided tours through monuments and memorial sites near the grounds of the campus.
9. Run Like the Wind Through Marathon Park
Runners and joggers will be enthralled by the winding trails of Marathon Park, which was the location for the 1984 U.S. Trials for the first Women’s Olympia Marathon. Traveling along a path, you’ll soon find that this park gives way to spectacular lakeside views. This outdoor spot can be enjoyed at any time of the year, transforming into a training ground for cold weather sprinters or a charming area for summer joggers.
![The Tumwater Timberland Library features a large clock](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4b67a8aa71e886574d77c50003649cd4 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=725d51e9ca2d494453b10d05cdc5aeb4 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=05c927d0f773a3302f683e6ec834316c 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=82f9ef67fcf69c88b8854729be3350cb 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=bbd273b1cf8d47068b679b6f6a30a706 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4dae0fc481d675c1ac3cd1674377d3bc 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/page-photos/tumwater-timberland-2023.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=e31cd2d7027b9e983646bdedf84ef36a 1920w)
10. Experience a Creative Twist on Storytime at the Library
With a number of locations in Thurston County, the Timberland Regional Library features an assortment of kid-friendly activities for your little voracious readers. Find an immersive spin on classic childhood stories with the Story Trail events. Including reading sessions with books such as “Where the Wild Things Are” and “West Coast Wild Babies,” this program combines storytelling with fun nature walks. Make your way to one of the Timberland Regional Libraries in Thurston County and receive a special backpack for your little birding, fishing, and stargazing aficionados.
![two friends ride bikes along a bike path](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=07f8e7f442fc3cccc9eb60a004fdeb94 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=dd42c698e7feb3ca1fedc7a6ac309f97 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2c34c8b5765584830a6d1a9b0e5631b4 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=c4a6638023dd5e1bba6db8332d280eb6 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=29f59b91cad155346f5c0eb14029343d 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b2e8589eb35438750938b3ab56ffc47e 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=b68393d282cdef04b45a61bc708fa4f3 1920w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/couple_friends_bikers_biking_forest_nature_history_map.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=3579f79a6853d1b7b681f48ab1beaa9a 2000w)
11. Bike Through Scenic Trails
Pedal your way through forested areas and paved trails, taking in the fresh air and peaceful atmospheres. For a family-friendly ride, explore the paved path of the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail, which stretches between Olympia and Lacey. Mountain biking experts will enjoy the winding terrain of the Capitol State Forest, and road bikers will create unforgettable memories at the Hawks Prarie Loop.
12. Capture Photo-Worthy Memories at Monarch Sculpture Park
Situated in Tenino, the Monarch Sculpture Park can be found along the Chehalis Western Trail. This park unveils an assortment of contemporary sculptures throughout the green space. Walk through modern art installations at this Alice-in-Wonderland-like area. Challenge your mind with a butterfly-shaped maze, or listen to a cacophony of gongs and bells in the sound garden.
13. Have a Sports-Centered Day at LBA Park
Planning an outdoor outing with the kids? Find an exciting ziplining and playground area at this park. Take your little sports enthusiasts and athletes to LBA Park, where sprawling fields and courts await. LBA Park offers spaces for spots such as baseball, basketball, and tennis.
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Related Content:
Woodard Bay Conservation Area
Woodard Bay Rd Olympia, Washington 98507
WET Science Center (LOTT)
500 Adams St. NE Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 664-2333
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW Olympia, Washington 98505 (360) 867-6000
Childhood’s End Gallery
222 4th Ave W Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 943-3724
West Bay Park
700 West Bay Drive NW Olympia, Washington 98507
State Capitol
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW Olympia, Washington 98501
Olympia Farmers Market
700 Capitol Way N Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 352-9096
Tumwater Farmers Market
237 Dennis St. SE Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 888-2919
Tolmie State Park
7730 61st Ave. N.E. Olympia, Washington 98506 (360) 456-6464
Frye Cove Park
4000 61st Ave NW Olympia, Washington 98502
Timberland Regional Library
415 Tumwater Blvd. SW Tumwater, Washington 98501 (360) 943-5001
Karen Fraser Woodland Trail
1600 Eastside Street SE Olympia, Washington 98507
Capitol State Forest
PO Box 7338 Olympia, Washington 98507
Monarch Sculpture Park
8431 Waldrick Rd SE Tenino, Washington 98589 (360) 264-2408
Chehalis Western Trail
9605 Tilley Rd. SW Olympia, Washington 98512
LBA Park and Woods
3333 Morse-Merryman Road Southeast Olympia, Washington 98501 (360) 753-8380