Olympia Art Scene: Your Guide to the Top 5 Cultural Hotspots

Olympia, Washington, isn’t just the state capital; too it’s almost a surprisingly lively hub for all sorts of creative expression. It might be smaller than, say, Seattle or Portland, yet it makes up for it with its distinctive character and close-knit community. Thinking about experiencing some culture? This guide shows the top five spots you absolutely shouldn’t miss. We’re talking museums that really bring history to life, playhouses buzzing with excitement, and galleries where you can discover your next favorite artist, basically. It doesn’t matter if you are just visiting or have lived here for a while, these places promise something new for everybody, honestly.

1. Washington State History Museum

First on the list has to be the Washington State History Museum. It is in fact far more than just a collection of artifacts; really, it is kind of a gateway into Washington’s fascinating past. Very, its exhibits tell all about the stories that shaped this corner of the Pacific Northwest, right. Think along the lines of interactive displays and amazing visuals, not just stuffy old displays, I mean. Whether you’re into the stories of Native Americans, the Gold Rush excitement, or stories from pioneer days, there is so much to learn. Very, visiting is much like stepping back in time, basically feeling the history surrounding you.

For families, too it’s an awesome outing, almost, because kids and grown-ups, too, can easily spend hours investigating everything. It is often more or less easy to spend much longer here than you anticipate, and that, in a way, is just because there’s just so much to absorb, really. So, for the locals, the museum provides an opportunity to kind of reconnect with their roots, maybe see their place in the bigger story, just like they imagine it to be. If you are just passing, prepare to see how this state was shaped, basically understanding all the cool things about Washington’s heritage.

Read our full review: Washington State History Museum Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Plan Your Visit)

2. The Olympia Film Society’s Capitol Theater

Alright, up next we are coming to The Olympia Film Society’s Capitol Theater. It’s often way beyond just a place to catch a movie, that is. It’s kind of a historic landmark. Just go there. I suggest it! Built way back in 1924, the theater seems like this beautiful, old-fashioned space showing that movie experiences really could be much more memorable. Rather than another big box cinema, expect independent films, classics, plus very, very special events.

Really, the Olympia Film Society does play a part in making the theater special. It basically puts together programs celebrating movie culture. Thinking along the lines of film festivals, showing local artists’ creations, plus hosting talkbacks with directors, it’s really about supporting arts plus getting the community involved, really. The theater feels alive when those events are taking place. For anybody appreciating cinema’s beauty, The Capitol Theater shouldn’t be missed. Whether it’s a classic showing, a premiere from a local director, you’re certainly set to experience a bit of Olympia’s cinematic soul.

Read our full review: Olympia Film Society’s Capitol Theater Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (See Showtimes)

3. Olympia Arts Walk

Speaking of local love, the Olympia Arts Walk does happen twice a year, often making this amazing event bringing art right out onto the streets, honestly. Really, downtown Olympia transforms into this big open-air gallery, often offering literally something around everyone’s interests. Very, various artists come from seemingly all corners of the region, literally displaying paintings and sculptures to performance art plus all kinds of interactive projects.

Families in particular think that the Arts Walk feels fantastic because of how interactive plus immersive everything feels. It means experiencing creativity while connecting with local talent, rather than merely strolling past exhibits. Eating food and listening to the music makes for all the festive mood. During the Arts Walk weekend, make your path downtown in order to simply get a firsthand taste of Olympia’s lively art community. It might actually encourage that artistic flame inside you!

Read our full review: Olympia Arts Walk Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Plan Your Visit)

4. State Capital Museum

The State Capital Museum comes next; often featuring historical events inside of this very old building, alright. Once inside, get more of what has previously been told, as the spot actually was the state’s capital city. If you prefer local arts plus culture mixed inside of historical venues, make time in visiting what actually displays those parts together. Whether interested within those displays, maybe seeing the historical building up close seems awesome alone.

Arguably, with having time constraints, it seemingly tends more to history buffs as everything there revolves round it. Although those around are able to appreciate design, the older elements found throughout. Those involved find all details awesome from construction plus maintenance that occurred years ago, or if they simply fancy art or culture.

Read our full review: State Capital Museum Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Plan Your Visit)

5. Harlequin Productions

Closing things down has to be Harlequin Productions; actually regarded so highly regarding live performances, right. Every visit sees high acting plus clever direction giving what happens as a theatrical treat every time, honestly. Expect something that varies between dramas right down to comedies during productions, all guaranteeing the night feels worthwhile, mostly. People seeing shows nearby find all as entertaining which they definitely remember.

Going further into reasons people see all things great has to come straight back at supporting small business. People buying passes assist with boosting local theatre or the economy during spending that amount within city limits instead; seeming a much kinder decision over opting from somewhere distant just.

Read our full review: Harlequin Productions Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (See Schedule)

To just sort of wrap all that up, Olympia has many sites really championing just how much value they place when talking about all fields relating inside those things previously gone through right here! This provides every type who lives here ( or those intending) ample choices fitting needs!

• The Washington State History Museum features tons on previous history
• The Olympia Film Society’s Capitol Theater often displays arthouse titles together near more commercially driven film projects
• Olympia Arts Walk shows work around city parts two annual turns (make definite it can be noticed quickly)!
• The State Capital Museum combines political context together including arts at similar measure making these appealing during the two facets’ love!
• Shows at Harlequin Productions give performances made live directly during nearby surroundings; all around pretty entertaining overall honestly speaking!

Find even bigger places plus better options: Find More To Do In Olympia!