MVW: Olympia, WA

February 24, 2010

Happy Mini-Vacation Wednesday to you!

Last week we visited the Olympic base of Vancouver and today we’re continuing our visit of the Pacific Northwest. We’re headed about 60 miles south of Seattle to Olympia, the state capital of Washington .

So here’s our to-do list for the whole family:

1. Hands On Children’s Museum www.hocm.org Six galleries filled with 55 interactive exhibits and hands-on activities: nutritionally-oriented Good for You!, Build It!, Working Waterfront, Backyard Wilderness, Young at Art and Tot Spot.

2. Washington State Capitol Building www.ga.wa.gov/visitor Great family tour of one of the most magnificent state capitol buildings in the nation with one of the tallest masonry domes in the world at 287 feet; built 1923 – 1928.

3. Olympic Flight Museum (at the Olympia Regional Airport) www.olympicflightmuseum.com Rotating display includes P-51D Mustang, FG-1D Corsair, TBM Avenger, AD5 Skyraider, A6M2 Zero replica, F4F Wildcat, F-86 Saber, F-104A Starfighter, L-39 Albatross, T-37 Tweet, A-37 Dragonfly, T-55 Electric Lightning, BAC-167 Strikemaster, T-75 Hawk Hunter, plus Sikorsky, Cobra and Huey helicopters. More than 300 scale model aircraft, piston and jet engine displays, aviation memorabilia.

4. Heritage Park Fountain www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityservices/par/parks/ Your adorables will love running and jumping through 47 dancing water spouts, springing up in random patterns.

5. Percival Landing Waterfront Park, Boardwalk & Farmer’s Market www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityservices/par/parks/ Climb up Percival Landing Observation Tower to watch the working waterfront and sample in the local fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market.

6. Priest Point Park www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityservices/par/parks/ Younger adorables can play in the sailing ship-inspired playground and search for “buried treasure” on the saltwater shoreline of this 314-acre, forested park.

7. Budd Bay Café www.buddbaycafe.com Sit a spell at “Olympia’s favorite waterfront restaurant” – located on the boardwalk in downtown Olympia.

8. Tumwater Falls Park www.olytumwaterfoundation.org Check out the spawning salmon ladder, walking trails along the banks of the Deschutes River and the scenic waterfall.

9. Wolf Haven International www.wolfhaven.org Kids can see wolves up close in natural habitats and learn about them on guided public tours in this sanctuary for captive-born wolves dedicated to educating the public about wolves.

10. Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve www.dnr.wa.gov Discover this 625-acre prairie of mysterious, evenly-spaced mounds – up to 6 feet high and 30 feet in diameter! They may have originated from ancient Ice Age glaciers or were created by giant, burrowing animals.

11. McMenamins Spar Café www.mcmenamins.com Family-friendly menu includes burgers, fresh salads & seasonal specialties. If you care for handcrafted ales, look no further – McMenamin’s is famous for their brews.

Beauty and fun all wrapped up in one special place!

Special thanks to Julie and Heather at the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau for their ideas and use of their photos.

Have a great day y’all!

You might like...

Category: Family Trippin'
Tags: Mini-vacation Wednesday, Olympia |

2 Comments »

Whitney Trujillo
on February 24, 2010 11:05 am
Looks so fun! My son would love the Olympic Flight Museum.
Sandy (Your Life, Organized)
on February 26, 2010 10:04 am
We love WA! Looks like lots of fun stuff!!