Olympia Washington things to do.

[Dan in Chicago]

Hey everybody.
I live in Chicago but am taking a break from all that and living in quiet Olympia Washington for the next month or two, and I was wondering if anyone knew really anything about the town or the area. I've never been on the West Coast at all and I'm starting to realize that I was I little unprepared for the trip. Really anything helps.
Thanks,
Dan (from Chicago and now Olympia)

[Trembling Eagle]

go to the ocean
go to Seattle

[Dan in Chicago]

I haven't made it to Seattle yet, but I don't know Seattle at all either. What's good to go to there on a day trip?

[Trembling Eagle]

I haven't made it to Seattle yet, but I don't know Seattle at all either. What's good to go to there on a day trip?

Pike Street market
walk the waterfront, take the ferry to Bremerton and back, have some coffee,
museum, have some Pho, try to chat up a chippy, bookstore.

I don't know thats what I would do but I don't get out much.

[KickTheBobo]

form a band that tries too hard at sounding like they don't try too hard.

also, Norma's Burgers: http://www.normasburger.com/

[Dan in Chicago]

Haha, I'm already doing that in Chicago. The shows here have been pretty great so far. Some of the most interesting punk shows I've seen, which isn't saying much.

[not that clay]

There's terrific outdoorsy stuff in Western Washington.  Just watch out for juggalos at state parks.

[Dan in Chicago]

My neighbors are juggalos, but the seem really nice. and I never hear them listening to ICP I just hear like Joy Division, which is really weird to me. And whenever we are playing music they tell us we sound like the Butthole Surfers. Washington has the weirdest Juggalos I have ever met.

[not that clay]

My neighbors are juggalos, but the seem really nice. and I never hear them listening to ICP I just hear like Joy Division, which is really weird to me. And whenever we are playing music they tell us we sound like the Butthole Surfers. Washington has the weirdest Juggalos I have ever met.

Oh sure, they seem nice until they shoot you in the face.

Anyway, favorite Seattle stuff (randomly):

Pike Place Market:
it's actually really cool even being a tourist trap
The Crumpet Shop

Belltown:
beer and pinball at Shorty's

First Hill:
Frye Museum (free! free parking even)
Drinks at the Sorrento Hotel

Capitol Hill:
Remedy Tea
Volunteer Park Conservatory (free)
Hot Mama's pizza for a decent slice
The Arboretum if you like trees

Ballard:
Breakfast/Lunch at Senor Moose
Ballard Avenue in general
Chittenden Locks

Stay away from the U District. It's a pit.

I think Portland might be more fun.

[Dan in Chicago]

I really want to go to Portland but I have no car, and Seattle seems much easier to get to by public transit. I end up holed up most of the week cause of the rain, and now I kinda wish I came out here in the summer instead of now, but Olympia beats the hell out of Chicago for weather about this time of year so I really shouldn't complain.

[bakersfieldchimp]

If you do go to the Pike Place Market, make sure you go to Piroshky Piroshky, because it is DELICIOUS.

[Dan in Chicago]

If you do go to the Pike Place Market, make sure you go to Piroshky Piroshky, because it is DELICIOUS.

This is probably the best argument to get out of the house so far, cause I have never heard of these and they look super tasty.

[Regular Joe]

If you do go to the Pike Place Market, make sure you go to Piroshky Piroshky, because it is DELICIOUS.

Also be sure to say hi to my mom, because she works at the Market. Can't tell you where in case of danger. Just say hi to most of the people there.

I'm terrible at giving Seattle tourist advice but I just thought you should go to West Seattle/Alki and eat Spuds fish and chips, if you eat fish or chips. Scrumptious.

[not that clay]

If you do go to the Pike Place Market, make sure you go to Piroshky Piroshky, because it is DELICIOUS.

I AGREE! (And not the other piroshky place in the dark interior part -- the one on the main drag)

[Dan in Chicago]

Thanks alot for all of these tasty suggestions. Any good advice for Portland while we are at it?