Olympia Museums

(Olympia, Washington - WA, USA)

Amongst the city's numerous attractions are a number of very appealing museums, which together combine aspects of Olympia history, interactive play and fun exhibitions designed to stimulate the mind.

Standing close to the Bigelow Springs Park and the East Bay Drive Northeast, the Bigelow House Museum is situated within the capital's most historic surviving home, which was built in the middle of the 19th century when Washington served as a territory.

If you are visiting Olympia as a family with youngsters in tow, then the Hands On Children's Museum is one attraction guaranteed to inspire, educate and provide fun for all ages. Located close to the East Bay Public Plaza and Waterfront Park, and just off Marine Drive Northeast, this museum started its life back in the 1980s, although moved to its present purpose-built setting in 2012, to cope with growing visitor numbers which now average more than 200,000 per annum.

Bigelow House Museum

Address: 918 Glass Avenue Northeast, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98506, USA
Tel: +1 360 753 1215
With a Carpenter Gothic-style facade, Bigelow House was built by local pioneer Daniel Bigelow (1824 to 1905), who was both an esteemed politician and lawyer, and is remembered for his part in promoting public education, supporting women's rights and for being a founding member of Washington's earliest legislature. Step inside to see period furnishings and antiquities, paintings, photographs and documents, many of which date back more than 150 years. On a sunny day, you may also like to take a stroll around the gardens, which cover just over an acre.
Open hours: guided tours, Friday - 14:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: free, suggested donations for guided tours

Hands On Children's Museum

Address: 414 Jefferson Street Northeast, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 956 0818
The exhibits at the Hands On Children's Museum are grouped into themed zones, named the Arts and Parts Studio, Build It, Good for You, Move It, Our Fabulous Forest, Our Puget Sound and the Snug Harbor. There are also regular classrooms sessions, along with seasonal summer day camps and field trips. Those feeling a little peckish can make use of the resident cafe, which serves up everything from salads, sandwiches and soups, although if you prefer to bring your own food, then a picnicking area is provided within the entrance plaza.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children under one year old are free

WET (Water Education and Technology) Science Center

Address: 500 Adams Street Northeast, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 528 5742
The WET Science Center on Adams Street is another popular family attraction and stands just across from the Hands On Children's Museum on Jefferson Street Northeast. Based within the LOTT (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston) Clean Water Alliance building, this science-themed attraction opened as recently as 2010, in order to provide locals and tourists with an enjoyable and educational water-based attraction. Visitors will be able to learn all about the precious resource of water and how it is conserved, reclaimed, purified and used in so many aspects of day to day life. Many of the activities are hands-on or computer based, and some suggest the best ways that the Puget Sound can be protected and maintained in its present state.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Washington State Capital Museum, Coach House and Outreach Center

Address: 211 21st Avenue Southwest, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 753 2580
Lying on the southern side of downtown Olympia and within the historic Spanish-inspired Lord Manson, the Washington State Capital Museum is to be found exactly seven blocks to the south of the city's Capitol complex and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The villa itself is especially grand and boasts no less than 32 different rooms, many of which are used to display a host of important documents and archives, as well as art works, photographs and artifacts dating from the days of Olympia's pioneers and the Native Americans, such as the Northwest Coast Indians. There are also displays relating to the state's National History Day and Heritage Resource Center, and plenty of temporary exhibits which are often changed around. Outside, the landscaped grounds are particularly impressive and include an area named the Pioneer Herb Garden, while an onsite store is on hand selling some quality gifts.
Open hours: Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00 and by appointment
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children, children five years old and under are free

Olympic Flight Museum

Address: 7637A Old Highway 99 Southeast, Olympia, Washington (WA), 98501, USA
Tel: +1 360 705 3925
The Olympic Flight Museum resides at the Olympia Regional Airport, where it was founded in 1988 and is called home by over 20 different vintage aircraft, the majority of which are fully operational and include both planes and Huey helicopters. Within the collection is an A6M2 'Tora' Zero, BAC-167 Strikemaster, FG1D Corsair, P-51 Mustang, P-51D Mustang and a T-6 Texan. Various events take place here each year, the biggest of which by far is the summer Olympic Air Show.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge