A LOVE LETTER TO OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON
This City Guide is all about my honest thoughts and personal recommendations on how to truly experience Olympia, WA – a hidden wonder in Washington State, tucked away in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
This post means so much to me because this trip turned into one of those rare, precious seasons in life that stay with you forever. I want to honour Olympia and give this magical place the attention and love it deserves. First of all, I truly fell in love with this little corner of the world – and secondly, this is where my sister found a piece of herself that made her feel like she belonged. Olympia became the stage for one of our purest core memories.
I’ll never forget our late-night drives, windows down, playing California Dreamin’, sipping our Starbucks drinks from our local Tumwater store, and just feeling full – full of life, full of love, full of that feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
Writing this honestly brings tears to my eyes, but I don’t want to gatekeep this beautiful place. I hope that by sharing my honest Olympia story with you, you might consider adding it to your travel list – and maybe, just maybe, you’ll make your own core memories here too.
THE CHARM
We lived in Olympia for three weeks last fall, so we got to see a lot – and let me tell you, the autumn season here feels like you’re living inside a movie. I still remember waking up and my sister telling me that when she looked outside the window, she felt like she was about to see a werewolf walk by – literally giving Twilight the scene where Edward jumped from one tree to another one.
One of our favourite places was the Capitol. This building is simply magical. When you stand there, you get the most breathtaking view over the entire city and the water beyond. And yes – it’s the cutest photo spot for my blogger lovers out there.
If you visit, trust me: rent a car. It’s a must in the US anyway, but especially in a hidden gem like Olympia, a car gives you the freedom to explore. For my sister and me, our car was our safe place – and yes, we definitely lived our American dream, driving through every drive-thru we could find.
With Twilight songs, There She Goes, or American Pie on repeat, we would cruise through cozy neighbourhoods, discovering new spots and just talking for hours. The mall looked straight out of Stranger Things, and we found a lake that made my sister’s slasher-movie-loving heart so happy.
TRADER JOES FINDS
Lovers, I had no idea what I was missing out on my whole life. Stormy and I spent hours in Trader Joe’s just exploring every shelf like kids in a candy store. The turkey apple cheddar sandwich unlocked a new obsession for me. When we got back home, I made myself an apple turkey sandwich at least once a week for three months straight. And don’t even get me started on the salads and dips – divine!
AUTUMN DAYDREAM
We were so lucky to get first-hand insider tips from one of the kindest, warmest women I’ve ever met – Christy, thank you. She made this trip even more magical, and I can’t give her enough credit. One of her gems: Hunter’s Family Farm.
It’s the sweetest place to spend a perfect fall day. Think pumpkins, cozy animals, hot drinks, kettle corn, and so much love. This pumpkin patch day was one of the moments that made the whole trip feel so wholesome and timeless.
OYSTERS & SHRIMP TACOS
If you think America is just burgers and pancakes – think again! One night, Stormy and I found this little restaurant in the heart of Olympia called Olympia Oyster house. We just wanted a quick dinner and ended up having a culinary masterpiece.
It was the first time I tried oysters and I fell in love! But the real star? The shrimp tacos. Perfectly marinated, fresh, crispy, and served with homemade taco shells. To this day, they are the best shrimp tacos I’ve ever had.
MY GUILTY PLEASURE
One thing you should know about Stormy and me: Starbucks. It’s more than an obsession – it’s our daily ritual. For three weeks straight, we didn’t skip a single day. By the end, our local baristas knew our names and our orders by heart. We basically crafted our own daily menu – twinning cake pops included, of course.
KIM’S MENU
STORMY’S MENU
DINNER WITH A VIEW
Last but not least – one of my favourite memories. There’s a beautiful restaurant right on the water where you can enjoy an affordable three-course menu with the prettiest view. The service was so lovely (like everyone we met in Olympia, honestly), and we even spotted seals while dining. It was one of those moments you tuck away in your heart forever.
Olympia, Washington for me. I truly, with all my heart, recommend visiting this hidden gem – and I hope it becomes as special for you as it is for us.
All my love,
K.J.K.
