Explore Olympia Washington

Olympia Washington has been the Capitol of the Territory and State of Washington since 1853. The Capitol Campus is situated on 12 acres of grounds designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers and with a sweeping view of the city and Puget Sound and it remains one the loveliest capitol settings in the United States. The grand centerpiece of the campus is the soaring Legislative Building (1928), a monumental landmark of columns and hand-carved friezes. Six cast-bronze doors weighing five tons apiece, each one bearing a different scene from Washington's past, open into a sumptuous world of polished marble and plaster ceilings. 


Majestically looming over Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia is the Romanesque style "Old Capitol" building. Built in 1892, as the county courthouse, it was originally topped by eight turrets and a central clock tower; unfortunately natural disasters destroyed these architectural features. It remains an impressive landmark for the city and visitors can step inside during public business hours. This building is part of the 12-square block area of downtown which was designated as a National Register Historic District in 2004. 


Take a virtual tour of the State of Washington Capitol Building

Visit the Olympia Visitor & Convention Bureau

Olympia Washington Hands On Chilidrens Museum

Landmark Destination

Ideally located on Olympia’s East Bay waterfront, a new 27,000 sq/ft Olympia Washington Hands On Childrens Museum facility more than doubles the Museum’s present space to accommodate over 200,000 visitors annually. Click here for printable information about the the New Hands On Children's Museum on East Bay!

A Public/Private Partnership

An $18M project funded by individual contributions, corporate, foundation and public grants, business sponsorships, Public Facilities District (PFD) funds, City of Olympia Tourism funds.

Outdoor Learning Center

Half-acre outdoor exhibit and children’s garden with water features, wetland, mud pie pit, driftwood fort construction, fire circle and climbing rocks, lookout towers and tugboat.

Engaging Experiences

Six major galleries, with hundreds of hands-on exhibits and new additions such as boat building, water exploration tables and a Tide Pool Touch Tank, inspiring art spaces and an Inventors’ Studio; an Heroes Exhibit gallery with a fire truck, police car, medic one van, and ER, where kids can be a hero every day; an Our Woods gallery with a tree house, multi-level slide and eagle’s nest.

A Model of Sustainable Development

Certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Facility and co-generation project to use LOTT’s waste methane to heat/cool the Museum.

Unlike anything you have visited! Step into a 3/4 acre filled with wonder, exploration, learning, discovery and fun. The Outdoor Learning Center and Children's Garden is the first of its kind connected with a Children's Museum in Washington state.

Unlike anything you have visited! Step into a 3/4 acre filled with wonder, exploration, learning, discovery and fun. The Outdoor Learning Center and Children's Garden is the first of its kind connected with a Hands On Children's Museum in Washington state.

The New Olympia Washington Hands On Children's Museum on East Bay will be the centerpiece in a cluster of new projects that will incorporate sustainable building practices and innovative environmental partnerships. The entire East Bay development is located on a historic contamination site, and its public partners are working to convert the former industrial area into a safe, attractive, community amenity. 

A Model of Sustainable Development

• Certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Facility
• Co-generation project to use LOTT’s waste methane to heat and cool the Museum.
• Water features using reclaimed water
• Redevelopment of a historically contaminated, brownfield site
• Use of low emitting building materials (paints, adhesives, flooring materials and composite wood)
• Landscaping designed for water efficiency

The Olympia WashingtonHands On Children’s Museum believes in the interconnectedness of all things. Our success is linked to our ability to create a sustainable organization that balances both economic and environmental goals, while inspiring young children to appreciate the natural world and understand its importance to their future health and well-being. As educational and community leaders, we will model sustainability in our business practices, our exhibits and our education programs.

Visit the Olympia Washington Hands on Childrens Museum on Facebook

Visit the Olympia Washington Hands On Childrens Museum website