Plan a staycation in Olympia

Travel in the Olympia region all winter long

By Claire Nunn on January 11, 2021

Curb cabin fever this winter by planning a staycation in the Olympia region. With plenty of food and drink establishments, shopping, art galleries and lodging it's the perfect vacation right in your own backyard. 

When it comes to shopping, the Olympia area has it all. For those looking to grab a book for the long winter days ahead, we recommend stopping by A Novel Bookstore in Yelm. With a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction, there is a book for everyone here. For fun and unique gifts or personal goodies for yourself, Archibald Sisters is a must when shopping in downtown Olympia. There are also plenty of boutique and vintage clothing shops to spend the day browsing through. Hot Toddy and Ember Goods are just a couple of the good options. And, of course, there will be no better time than on your Olympia staycation to stock up on chocolates and goodies. Both Aunt Kate's Chocolates and Bittersweet Chocolates have a wide selection of sweet treats to indulge in both now and on later visits. To plan your full day shopping itinerary check out Experience Olympia's full list of local shops here: https://www.experienceolympia.com/explore/things-to-do/shopping/local-shops/

If you're looking to take a break from shopping, or shopping just isn't your thing, the Olympia region also has an abundance of art galleries to browse through. Start with Childhood's End Gallery showcasing contemporary Pacific Northwest fine art and fine American craft with both regional and national artists' work on display. Or if you're looking to keep your staycation outdoors the Monarch Sculpture Park offers a quiet natural setting for visitors to interact with sculptures created by artists from around the world. To plan your staycation art gallery itinerary check out Experience Olympia's full list of galleries here: https://www.experienceolympia.com/explore/things-to-do/culture/galleries/

No staycation is complete without an abundance of good food and drink to indulge in and the Olympia area has no shortage. While COVID-19 restrictions remain in place prohibiting indoor dining, there are still many Olympia favorites serving up-to-go boxes or even offering outdoor dining when possible. From grabbing a latte to go at Burial Grounds Coffee Collective to indulging in oysters from Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar the options are endless. For visitors 21+ there are plenty of local beer and wine options too. Stop by Three Magnets Brewing Company to try a microbrew, or head to Stottle Winery in Lacey which is currently open for outdoor tasting and bottle sales. For a full list of places to eat and drink in the Olympia region check out Experience Olympia's full list of eateries and breweries here: https://www.experienceolympia.com/eat-and-drink/outdoor-dining/?skip=0&sort=qualityScore

For those comfortable with a hotel stay during these times and are looking to take their staycation to the next level, Olympia has plenty of lodging options. All hospitality accommodations are taking additional safety protocols allowing visitors the opportunity to get away safely without having to travel far. For a full list of places to stay check out Experience Olympia's full list here: https://www.experienceolympia.com/hotels/hotels/ 

Whether you spend a day or several in the Olympia region this winter, we guarantee it will be just the staycation needed. 


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