Where to Stay in Olympia (Best Places & Areas)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Olympia

Olympia is a relatively small city. Most of its neighborhoods are within 15 minutes of one another, so you can easily visit multiple in a day. However, there are enough differences between them that you’ll want to be intentional about where you choose to stay.

I’ll walk you through various options in Olympia proper, along with its neighboring cities, Lacey and Tumwater. The border between Olympia and these two cities can be blurry, but neither is far away, and they both have highly-rated accommodation options as well.

Downtown Olympia

👉 Best Area For Entertainment | ✨ Best Downtown Olympia Hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Olympia • TownPlace Suites by Marriott

Go to Downtown Olympia to experience the city’s best entertainment, nightlife, and culture. Downtown is small and walkable. Colorful murals and eye-catching sculptures add character to the area, and you’re never far from locally-owned shops, restaurants, and performance venues. 

Explore the Historic District’s boutiques, record stores, and bookshops. Listen to live music at Cryptatropa Bar or catch a show at Harlequin Productions. Buy artisan-made goods at the year-round Olympia Farmers Market. 

The Harbor Days Festival brings thousands to downtown Olympia in early September. You can check out historic ships, watch tugboat races, and soak up all the festivities during this time.

There aren’t many hotels concentrated in the city center, but the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is a budget-friendly option that’s also great for families. It’s within walking distance of some of the city’s best attractions like Percival Landing Park, the 222 Market, and the Hand’s on Children’s Museum.

Choose TownPlace Suites if you’re visiting for a longer period of time. The rooms here have well-equipped kitchens, work areas, and living spaces to make an extended visit comfortable.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Olympia:

• Walkable & served by public transit
• Lively area with lots of bars, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment
• Central & easy to get anywhere

Cons of Staying in Downtown Olympia:

• Certain parts can feel unsafe
• Few hotels in the area

Westside

👉 Best Area For Local Vibes | ✨ Best Westside Hotels: The Marie Bed and Breakfast

The Westside may be more your speed if you want to hang out with the locals. The neighborhoods in this area have plenty of character, which makes them an attractive option for people moving to Olympia. Evergreen State College is also nearby.

The Westside has a mix of local businesses and familiar, national chains. Capital Mall is the area’s shopping destination and has over 100 stores to peruse. Locally owned restaurants and neighborhood gems like The Westside Tavern and Tugboat Annie’s are a short drive away from the mall.

The Westside’s parks are year-round gathering places. Enjoy summertime markets and live music at West Central Park. Take a waterside stroll at West Bay Park or go bird spotting at Grass Lake Nature Reserve.

The downside of this area is that there’s really only one non-rental option: the Marie Bed and Breakfast. This luxe, historic, and wonderfully located bed & breakfast that will work for most travelers. But it’s not kid-friendly, so people with children will have to rely on a good vacation rental.

Pros of Staying in Westside:

• More communal, local feeling
• Very safe area
• Easy access to shopping and restaurants

Cons of Staying in Westside:

• Not as walkable, you’ll need a car to get around
• Very few hotel options

Eastside & Lacey

👉 Best Area For Couples & The Best Hotels | ✨ Best Eastside Hotels: Swantown Inn • Hampton Inn & Suites Olympia Lacey • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lacey – Olympia • Best Western Plus Lacey Inn & Suites

Olympia’s Eastside is made up of several small and historic neighborhoods and is right next to the neighboring city, Lacey. Both the Eastside and Lacey are excellent places to stay with the bulk of the best hotels.

Stay on the Eastside to be close to downtown without being in the middle of the action. This part of the city is largely residential. It has close-knit neighborhoods, friendly locals, and pretty, manicured streets. Local bakeries like Left Bank Pastry, old-school diners, and multiple grocery co-ops add to the area’s small-town vibe.

I recommend couples stay in the Eastside, particularly at Swantown Inn. This gorgeous bed and breakfast in a historic home is perfect for romance. You won’t be far from the city’s best restaurants, bars, and entertainment either because it’s also only about a mile from downtown.

Choose Lacey for more traditional hotel options.This Olympia suburb is sprawling, but the hotels are condensed into the area bordering Olympia. It’s not the most scenic place, but it’s only a 10-minute drive to downtown Olympia. The hotels are also near restaurants and shopping centers.

The Hampton Inn and Suites Olympia Lacey is the best overall hotel if you choose to stay in Lacey. It has all the amenities that families, solo travelers, and business travelers might want, including a pool, free breakfast, and workstations.

Pros of Staying in Eastside & Lacey:

• Easy to get downtown
• Small town atmosphere
• Lots of highly-rated hotels and a great bed and breakfast

Cons of Staying in Eastside & Lacey:

• The Lacey area is not as scenic

South Olympia & Tumwater

👉 Best Area For Quiet Stays and Nature Lovers | ✨ Best South Olympia Hotels: Courtyard by Marriott Olympia • Hilton Garden Inn Olympia WA • Holiday Inn & Suites Tumwater-Olympia • La Quinta by Wyndham Tumwater Olympia

South Olympia and Tumwater are just south of Capitol Campus. There are a lot of single-family homes in these areas, and neither is particularly walkable. However, South Olympia and Tumwater are both quiet, safe, and close to great outdoor spaces. They’re a good choice for visitors prioritizing a relaxing stay

You can easily explore the Capitol Campus if you stay in South Olympia and the nearby Watershed Park has excellent hiking trails. Tumwater Falls Park is one of the best places to watch the salmon run in the late summer and early fall. 

Drive further south to Millersylvania Park for camping, fishing, or boating. Wander through Mima Mounds Natural Area to see one of the state’s strange geological phenomena.

The Courtyard by Marriott Olympia is a great hotel option if you stay in this area. This hotel is relatively new and it shows in all of the modern touches, clean guest rooms, and friendly staff. Hilton Garden Inn Olympia is across the street from Courtyard but has more affordable prices.

But the most affordable options are in Tumwater.

Pros of Staying in South Olympia:

• Close to great parks, outdoor excursions 
• Quiet and safe
• Close to Capitol Campus

Cons of Staying in South Olympia:

• May feel a little bland for some
• Most restaurants & bars in the area aren’t close to each other

Tips for Staying in Olympia, WA

Consider Staying in a Bed and Breakfast

Bed and breakfasts are some of the best lodging options in Olympia. The Marie Bed and Breakfast and Swantown Inn are your best choices, and both are in gorgeous historic homes. Stay at either if you’re interested in a luxe and romantic stay complete with delicious home-cooked breakfasts in the morning.

Look at Accommodations Further Afield

You can find even more hotel deals if you look in other cities and areas in Thurston County. Tumwater and Lacey border Olympia to the south and the east, and hotels in both cities have great prices and amenities. The family-friendly Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound is another standout option that’s only 20 minutes away from Olympia.

Decide on Your Itinerary Before Renting a Car

I recommend renting a car to explore Olympia, but you can get by without a car depending on what you want to do.

It’s possible to walk or use public transit if you plan on spending all of your time in downtown Olympia and the Capitol Campus area. This will probably work for most people since these areas have many of the best things to do in Olympia.

Rent a car if you want to explore further afield to see national parks, waterfalls, farms, or other attractions. Most hotels in the Olympia area offer free parking to accommodate rentals.

🚗 Save Big: If you plan to rent a car in Olympia, book with Discover Cars for the best rate!

Get Out on the Water

Olympia’s location on south Puget Sound makes it an excellent spot to get on the water. Take advantage of the bays and lakes in the area. Rent kayaks and paddleboards at Boston Harbor, go fishing at Black Lake, or explore the beach during low tide at Tolmie State Park.

Grab Some Tasty Craft Beer

You’re in luck if you’re a beer lover in Olympia. There are several great breweries, bottle shops, and taprooms in town. Try Well 80 Brewhouse, Oly Taproom, and Matchless Brewing for some of the best brews.

Why is the beer here so good? A good amount of the beer brewed here (especially at Well 80!) is brewed with water from Olympia’s own artesian well, creating a unique flavor that beer lovers are sure to notice.

FAQs About Staying in Olympia

What are the best areas to stay in Olympia for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Olympia for first-timers are downtown Olympia and the Eastside. Both of these areas are walkable and close to some of the best attractions. Plus, you can get away with not having a rental if you stay in them.

What is the safest area of Olympia?

The Westside and South Olympia are two of the safest areas in Olympia. As a whole, though, Olympia is a very safe city.

What are the best parts of Olympia to stay in on a budget?

The best part of Olympia to stay on a budget is downtown Olympia. Downtown has my budget hotel pick, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Olympia, plus it’s walkable and the intercity buses are fare-free. You can also save money on food by visiting some of the more inexpensive diners and food trucks, or grabbing snacks from the year-round farmers market.

Is Olympia a walkable city?

Olympia is a fairly walkable city. Downtown Olympia is the most walkable part. You can walk to downtown Olympia from the Eastside. Certain areas of the Westside are also walkable.

What is Olympia, WA known for?

Olympia, WA is known for being the capital of Washington State. Olympia is a family-friendly destination with ample outdoor opportunities and kind, art-loving locals.

***

I hope this has helped you find a place to stay in Olympia! The state capital is an absolute gem — you’ll find out why it’s one of the best places in Washington state pretty quickly.

Have fun exploring!