The State Capitol dominates Olympia's skyline, but it certainly isn't the only striking thing about Olympia. The Capitol of Washington, Olympia is a diverse and creative city that has adapted to a changing economy and changing cultures.

In a meeting of the new Northwest and the old Northwest, Olympians are equally at home at a steakhouse or eating vegetarian burritos. Loggers live next to environmentalists and recreational boaters drift through beautiful Budd Inlet under the shadow of the port of Olympia's mammoth cranes.

An electric city with a vibrant retired population, Olympia is also the spawning grounds for the best in alternative music. The city itself has embarked on a massive plan to develop more of its waterfront moving its colorful farmers market there and adding shops and apartments in the future.

Olympia's history remains strong - the old Capitol building is a jewel of the downtown area, where community's are as diverse as its population. In the center of the city is the Bigelow Neighborhood, highlighted by a series of beautifully kept historical homes, many well over 100 years old.

Elsewhere, new community's - some serving commuters working further north, others virtually surrounded by forest - have been established.

Mt. Rainier For those who want to enjoy the best of Washington, Olympia is uniquely situated in the middle. It's a short drive to the Olympic National Park. Seattle is barely an hour away, and the Pacific hardly 90 minutes. As always, Mt. Rainier towers over the city, often glowing pink in the sunset, and reminding everyone that out there, nature has the last word.

Annual averages from the National Weather Service station at the Olympia Airport:

• Rainfall: 50.96 inches
• Snowfall: 3 inches
• Rainy days: 147
• Cloudy days: 230
• Foggy days: 75
• Wettest month: December, 8.7 average inches of rain
• Driest month: July, .76 average inches of rain

Information Sources

Access Washington. 210 11th Avenue SW, Olympia WA 98504-1000. Phone: 360-586-3460.

City of Olympia. 900 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-753-8447.

Olympia/Thurston County Visitor and Convention Bureau.  P. O. Box 7338, Olympia, WA 98507.  Phone: 360-704-7544, or, 360-877-704-7500; Fax: 360-357-3376.  E-mail

Education

Olympia School District - 1113 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501 · Phone: (360) 596-6100

Evergreen State College. 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505. Phone: 360-867-6530.

Northwest Indian College. 4824 She Nah Num Drive SE, Olympia, WA 98513. Phone: 360-491-9175.

Washington State University. 925 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-956-2165.

Libraries

State Library. 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone: 360-704-5200.

Washington State Archives. 1129 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-586-1492.

Media - Newspaper

Allied Daily Newspapers. 1110 Capitol Way South, # 300, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-943-9960.

Business Examiner. 203 4th Avenue East # 219, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-956-3133.

The Olympian. 111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Phone: 360-754-5400.

USA Today. 1268 4th Avenue East, Olympia, WA 98506. Phone: 360-754-5411.

Media - Radio

KAOS. 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505. Phone: 360-867-6893.

KBRD. 125 Turner Street NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Phone: 360-491-6800.

KRXY. 2124 Pacific Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98506. Phone: 360-236-1010.

KXXO. 119 Washington Street NE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-943-9696.

Travel Agencies

AAA Travel Service. 2415 Capitol Mall Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502. Phone: 360-357-5561.

All Travel & Cruise. 719 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-534-9025.

Washington Travel Service. 7702 Terminal Street SW, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-352-7655.

Transportation - Auto Rentals

Avis Rent A Car. 1100 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-753-7260.

Budget Rent A Car. 1100 Plum Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-357-3597.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car. 415 South Bay Road NE, Olympia, WA 98506. Phone: 360-753-1004.

Hertz Rent A Car. 7529 Capitol Boulevard S, Olympia, WA 98501. Phone: 360-352-0171.

Transportation - Bus Lines

Greyhound Bus Lines. 107 7th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98504. Phone: 360-357-5541.

Intercity Transit. Olympia Transit Center. Phone: 360-786-1881.

Pierce Transit. Phone: 253-581-8000.

Sound Transit. Puget Sound, Sounder rail and express bus service. Toll-free: 1-888-889-6368.

Transportation - Train

Centennial Amtrak Station. 6600 Yelm Highway SE, Lacey, WA 98513. Phone: 360-923-4602; Toll-free: 1-800-872-7245.