Olympia is the capital city of Washington State, and a beautiful, if somewhat smaller city that serves as a major cultural center of the Puget Sound region. Olympia is known for its progressive, eclectic vibe, great arts and music scene, and friendly, free-spirited people. It's a city that offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the area's beautiful natural scenery, but also a city that is full of many other things to enjoy too. Even better, it has a thriving, active LGBTQ community where all can feel welcome and celebrated for who they are. Truly, Olympia would make a wonderful place to call home!
A Look at Olympia's History
The modern-day history of the Olympia area began when Peter Puget and a crew of the British Vancouver Expedition first visited the site in 1792. About half a century later, the first American settlers, Levi Lathrop Smith and Edmund Sylvester, arrived in the area. They officially founded the town and named it Olympia after the beautiful Olympic Mountains, which can be seen to the north of the area on a clear day. Since its founding, Olympia has grown steadily, and although still one of the smaller cities in Washington, it offers plenty to see and do many job opportunities, and several friendly, welcoming neighborhoods to choose from. Even better, it has a thriving and growing LGBTQ community where all can feel at home.
A Few Fun Facts About Olympia
Read more fun facts about Olympia here.
Olympia’s LGBTQ Community
Olympia is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Olympia is Olympia’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The mission of the Rainbow Health Center calls itself a “Building With a Mission” and its goal to provide a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community in Olympia, as well as healthcare resources, advocacy, and opportunities for connection to the LGBTQ community living in the greater Olympia area.
What's the Weather Like in Olympia?
Olympia has what’s known as a marine coast climate – meaning that it has a great deal of cloud, rain, and fog year-round, because of its location on the southern end of the Puget Sound. Summers tend to be the driest and least humid season of the year, with temperatures reaching an average of around 78ºF in August. Winter can be overcast, wet, and rather cold, with temperatures rarely reaching above 51ºF. Spring and fall are typically mild and temperatures are comfortable to enjoy all of the outdoor beauty that Olympia has to offer.
Can’t-Miss Events in Olympia
The Capital City Pride Festival is Olympia’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event that you won’t want to miss. This annual celebration includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
The Best Neighborhoods in Olympia
Unlike some larger cities that tend to have one specific “gayborhood,” the LGBTQ community in Olympia is sprinkled throughout the city, and truly, anywhere in the city would make a wonderful place to call home.
While this is true, there is an area that is particularly popular with the LGBTQ community. This neighborhood, West Olympia, is located on the hill between Division Street and West Bay. This neighborhood, characterized by beautiful historic mid-century modern homes, is close to downtown and to the waterfront, making its location ideal for many. The current median list price of homes for sale in West Olympia is around $445,000.
Eastside is also a very popular LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood in Olympia. Also known as Swantown, this neighborhood is characterized by an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from craftsman classics to bungalows. The median list price of homes currently for sale in Eastside is approximately $495,000.
Arts and Entertainment
Capitol Theater and Olympia Film Society
The Capitol Theater is an Olympia landmark. Built in 1924, this beautiful building has hosted a wide variety of performances of all kinds. Today, it is operated by the Olympia Film Society, which each year presents, among other entertainment, a film festival that is well-known for its excellent, inspiring, and entertaining selection of films.
Washington Center for the Performing Arts
The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is one of the largest performing arts venues in the area, and it’s a great place to enjoy concerts, off-Broadway shows, stand-up comedy, and many other events as well.
Parks and Recreation
The Capitol State Forest is located just outside of Olympia, and it is the perfect place to enjoy so much of the unique natural beauty that the area has to offer. With many trails for hiking and biking, and opportunities for horseback riding, boating, picnicking, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a stunningly beautiful, nearly untouched wildlife preserve of nearly 5,000 acres. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the natural beauty of the area, observe local wildlife, and simply relax and enjoy a gorgeous Olympia afternoon.
Olympia Nightlife
The Clipper is a lively yet laid-back karaoke bar in Olympia known for its great music, strong drinks, and friendly people. It’s a great place to kick back, have fun, and sing some favorite songs with friends on a night out in Olympia.
The Brotherhood Lounge is a popular LGBTQ lounge known for its mellow vibe, colorful lighting, live music, dance parties, weekly movie nights, and friendly, welcoming crowds. If you’re out for an evening of fun in Olympia, it’s one place you’ll definitely want to put on your list.
Contact an Olympia Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Olympia, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Olympia, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact an Olympia gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
