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Olympia Attractions
The Capitol Campus
416 14th Ave. S.W.
Olympia, WA 98501 USA Phone: (360) 586-3460
The Capitol Campus is on a hill south of downtown. The campus includes buildings housing the legislative, judicial and administrative offices in a landscaped setting. The legislative building, the capitol, dominates the campus. Completed in 1928, the 287-foot masonry dome is one of the largest in the world. Louis Comfort Tiffany designed the chandelier that hangs in the rotunda. Guided tours are available. Information about a self-guiding tour of the grounds and the Temple of Justice is available at the visitor center.
The State Capital Visitor Information Center is on 14th Avenue and Capitol Way. The Capitol Conservatory, which was built in 1938 by the W.P.A., contains bedding plants for the capitol campus as well as assorted semitropical foliage.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Buildings, public/capitol/city hall
Hours: Guided tours of the capitol depart on the hour daily 10-3. Visitor center open Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Sat.-Sun. 10-4, Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day; Mon.-Fri. 8-5, rest of year. Capitol Conservatory open Mon.-Fri. 8-4. Visitor center and Capitol Conservatory closed Jan. 1, Thanksgiving and Dec. 25
Hands On Children's Museum
106 11th Ave. S.W.
Olympia, WA 98507 USA Phone: (360) 956-0818
Hands On Children's Museum is at 106 11th Ave. S.W. The museum features activities and interactive displays that encourage learning through hands-on play. The Good For You Gallery promotes healthy eating habits and exercise. Backyard Wilderness teaches children about the environment, and in Build It they can build houses and ships. An Early Development Center for toddlers and a child-oriented art studio also are available.
Allow 1 hour minimum.
Admission: Admission $7.95, senior citizens $6.95, ages 13-23 months $4.95
Attraction Type: Children's attractions; Museums
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10-5 (also first Fri. of the month 6-9 p.m.), Sun. noon-5; closed holidays
Credit Cards: MC, VI
Old State Capitol
600 Washington St.
Olympia, WA 98504 USA Phone: (360) 902-8880
Old State Capitol is downtown at 600 Washington St. Originally built as the Thurston County courthouse, this 1892 Romanesque Revival building served as the state capitol 1903-27 while the present building was under construction. Damaged by fire in 1928 and earthquake in 1949, the building has been renovated and currently houses the offices of the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction. Brochures outlining a self-guiding tour are available.
Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Free
Attraction Type: Buildings, public/capitol/city hall; Historic buildings/houses
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5; closed holidays
Olympic Flight Museum
7637-A Old Hwy. 99 S.E.
Olympia, WA 98501 USA Phone: (360) 705-3925
Olympic Flight Museum is at the Olympia Regional Airport, 7637-A Old Hwy. 99 S.E. Visitors to this museum dedicated to aviation history can see supersonic jets, Vietnam-era helicopters and vintage biplanes. There are also aviation-themed artworks, piston and jet engine displays and more than 300 scale models. Changing displays from the museum's collection of meticulously restored aircraft include a P-51D Mustang, a A6M2 Zero replica, a F-104A Starfighter and an AH-1 Cobra helicopter.
Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Admission $5; ages 7-12, $3
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-Aviation; Museums
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11-5; closed major holidays
Credit Cards: MC, VI
State Capital Museum
211 W. 21st Ave.
Olympia, WA 98501 USA Phone: (360) 753-2580
State Capital Museum is at 211 W. 21st Ave. A California mission-style mansion that was originally the home of Olympia banker Clarence Lord, the 32-room house has photographs and historic documents pertaining to Washington territorial and state governments, pioneer settlement and Northwest Coast Indians. A gallery displays changing exhibits of art and history. Outdoor highlights include the Pioneer Herb Garden and the Delbert McBride Ethnobotanical Garden.
Allow 30 minutes minimum.
Admission: Admission $2; over 60, $1.75; ages 6-18, $1; family rate $5
Attraction Type: Exhibits & Collections-Historical; Exhibits & Collections-Indian; Gardens; Museums
Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10-4, Sat. noon-4; closed major holidays
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