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Located at the southern tip of Puget Sound, Olympia, the State Capital, also is the seat of Thurston County. It lies at a junction of Highway 101 and Interstate 5, between Tacoma and Chehalis.

Settlers first arrived in the late 1840s. Their community, Smithfield, became the site of the first U.S. customs house and was renamed Olympia for the mountains to the west. The town flourished, became the state capital with statehood in 1889, and an important economic center.

Today Olympia, population 42,514, is a manufacturing, shipping and commercial hub. The Olympia Brewery in nearby Tumwater, Fort Lewis Military Reservation, tourism and fishing also infuse the city's economy. Attractions include the State Capitol Museum, housing natural history, Native American and fine art collections; Sylvester House, the home of an 1856 settler; and The Evergreen State College. Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park are nearby.

West Olympia Beauty College | State Capitol Conservatory | Columbia Capital Medical Center | Providence St Peter Hospital |
History Bigelow House Museum and Neighborhood | Lord Mansion | State Capital Museum |
Public Libraries Timberland Regional Library |
Motels, Hotels, and Resorts Tyee Hotel |
City Parks Departments Washington State Parks | Washington State Tourism Division |
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Dan Sweeney, RE/MAX Realtor, Agent | Doug Burger & Associates Real Estate | Firs Retirement Apartments | Norm Randall REALTOR | Smyth Landing |
Science Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve | Olympic National Forest |
Sports and Sporting Events Bicycle Adventures | Outback Stables | Thurston-Grays Harbor ORV Sports Park | State Capitol Visitor Information Center |
Wildlife Viewing Lacey Animal Clinic | Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge |
Washington State Parks Millersylvania Memorial State Park | Tolmie State Park |

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03/19 Coming to The area
Water Music Festival Seaview WA April1 The Water Music Festival is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality chamber music to the Lower Columbia River Region.
Astoria-Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival Warrenton OR April26 Crab and seafood as well as entertainment. Listen to the Astoria HS Jazz Band on Sunday.
Seattle Japanese Cultural Festival Seattle WA April26-28 The festival features Japanese exhibits, performances, and demonstrations. Held at the Seattle Center in the Fisher Pavilion. The annual festival began in 1976 with a gift of 1,000 cherry trees to the city of Seattle from the Japanese government to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial.
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival Hoquiam WA April26-28 Witness the migrating shorebirds at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and other birding hotspots in Grays Harbor County.
Columbia Gorge Wine and Pear Fest Hood River OR May18-19 Start off the weekend with friends and fun featuring Columbia Gorge wineries and eateries. Highlights include entertainment, live music, wine tasting, great food, fruit exhibits with samples, and local artisans.
Northwest Folklife Festival Seattle WA May24-27 Music and dance performances, visual arts, folklore exhibits, hands-on children's activities, workshops, crafts, food, demonstrations, and more!