Reconnect with Outdoor Art & Creative Culture
Small communities are the backbone of our region with so many stories to share. Bring your sense of adventure and immerse yourself in all the region has to offer. Remember to plan ahead and practice safe travel.
Pack the car with friends and family and reconnect with your creative side along the Thurston Bountiful Byway.
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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.
Morning of History in Tiny Town Tenino
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Tiny-Town-Tenino.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=45904a1b698ce1671ed11347ccbebcf5 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Tiny-Town-Tenino.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fcb96cdce892e09e5de4a60b77c17931 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Tiny-Town-Tenino.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0b60aa757b7108fb9531ba2c2d03a0c4 720w)
Allow an hour to explore historic downtown Tenino, WA. Tenino is famous for its sandstone; not only was it used in many buildings throughout Tenino, but it was also shipped to many sites around the Northwest for use in buildings, including the old Thurston County Courthouse and the Theodore Jacobson Observatory at the University of Washington. Plan for an additional hour to visit the Tenino Depot Museum and learn more about Tenino’s wooden-money foray during the Great Depression. If you have time, pick up a sweet treat at Aunt Kate’s Chocolates along the way.
For Lunch, Meet the Makers
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c0467d5cc860a667fcea088bbce28ecb 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=30ff941fef96e24aaa823e4e9408b2a6 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=42c8e9696af12e1eff0de1f6d8db66bc 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=693205c3de2f763eedb5016df82043d9 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=db8abca37c941c207e890f6eb34cbcb8 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9a42615ce00df6d2fa5fdf7dfcd66647 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=dcedd1a8d646ac1b27fdf34d7239fbbe 1920w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Lunch-at-Don-Juans.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=188df11c15bc45aeaa0bf9c75643112c 2000w)
Before leaving Tenino, stop in at Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen and pick up some Wet Burritos to go. Just minutes down the road, enjoy a picnic lunch at Sandstone Distillery, the first of its kind in Thurston County since the Prohibition. Owner, John Bourdon, takes great pride in each hand-crafted batch of spirits using locally-sourced grains. Ask him about the tools he displays on his wall!
Afternoon of Outdoor Art
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5c3b779855c14d7ae357dbf03f3efbda 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=fc7c975af93dd6d6a2bcc60743771558 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=87c17024ca65d941a033396db28ce290 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=16636d9807d4756f545c2cdd396bf854 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4a94fb3a8fa57d34e04be88b1c82b112 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0d796306e3ae3efc7d3b0f6690ea74d9 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Monarch-Sculpture-Park.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9f8b0d7d47e5c493a3f1247d76eeb16a 1536w)
Enjoy an afternoon adventure to the Monarch Sculpture Park, upholding the legacy of fine art and sculpture in nature. The park connects to the historic Chehalis Western Trail, formerly a railroad owned by the Weyerhaeuser Chehalis Western Railroad until the mid-1980’s. Take in the many different ecosystems, wetlands, forests, farmlands, prairies, rivers and lakes along the way.
Dinner Outdoors
![](https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d74c6bcc3c6359478f47e7a75ef591b5 320w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=a7a10f8b267211ef0f4d036dce450ee8 540w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=99e1b56d662f1ca03433915a6d802eb7 768w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d875a44c3b4f5964bbe2c729c0fdb3d4 1024w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a31cbf7dec245e418b3ea590a7a543d6 1200w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1d833a311dc61e660bedf3ceb7a7fdd1 1440w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=a1d93be3c1489becd64602142513b4f0 1920w, https://experience-olympia.imgix.net/images/blog-photos/Ricardos_Kitchen_Bar-_Outdoor_2018_Nick_Verbelchuck_IMG_6349.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=f714007f03081af3fd012f45845d3572 2000w)
If you are looking for a dinner spot, check out Ricardo’s Kitchen and Bar in Lacey, WA. If you enjoy your art in the form of food and beverage, this is the restaurant for you. Enjoy a dry-aged steak and a hand-crafted cocktail fireside on the open-air patio.
Don’t forget to share
Spend the weekend and find dining, lodging, events, festivals and entertainment ideas at www.experienceolympia.com. Make sure to share your best shots with us by tagging social posts #ExperienceOlympia and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@Experience_Oly) and Instagram (@ExperienceOly).