When I have too much free time I get antsy. While I’m much better at just “being” than I was a year ago, sometimes an adventure is all that will do. For the times I want to get away, but don’t want to fully submerge myself in the woods, I find local (or semi local) places to explore.
Last week an adventure took me to Olympia, the capitol of Washington and a city I spent a lot of time in a handful of years ago. It’s about an hour away from me, and I quite enjoy this city thanks to its low key vibes and its lake. I love the lake, I’ve run many miles around the lake.
While this most recent trip did take me on a loop around the lake, up close and personal with the capitol building, and gave me a hug in a mug from a local coffee shop, the highlight was wandering around Tumwater Falls Park, a not so hidden park just a hop skip and a jump away from the lake.
The falls you see upon entering the park aren’t filled with Hawaii like blue waters, the water looks like it was urinated in by a flock of seagulls, but the sounds of the rush are soothing. The park takes you on a .5 mile loop which I walked twice. It takes about 20-30 minutes depending on where and how long you stop.
No rush here, it’s all about soaking in the beauty.
The trail takes you right alongside the rushing rapids, if you close your eyes and sink deep into your imagination it’s almost like being on the Grizzly River Run at California Adventure. You know, minus actually being in the water.
My favorite part of this trail was a spot at the lower falls, where the loop brings you towards the other side of the trail. This spot brings you to a view of the old Olympia brewery, which apparently made the best beer in 1906. They claim “it’s the water” but I’m hoping they don’t mean the water in the falls.
Brewery peaking over the trees.
This lower fall area brought me up close and personal with a spot that gave me nostalgia from my Niagara Falls trip last summer. Not nearly as miraculous, but baby feels were still there.
I also found a tree forest that spoke to my inner 12 year old.
While this spot is popular on the weekends I’m sure, I was able to go on a weekday and only encountered a handful of other people. It’s right next to the road so you wont be submerged by any means, but it’s still a nice escape for a walk. My favorite spots were the mini waterfalls along the way.
If you’re anything like me and get hungry every 87582735 seconds there is a restaurant overlooking the main falls area. Or, there is a picnic area to eat your own food. Options people, options.
Restaurant upper left.
Just the nature boost my soul needed.
Q: What’s your go to when you’re feeling bored? I try to read more, but my tried and true is getting outside.
Blissfulbritt
59 thoughts on “Tumwater Falls Park, Olympia WA”
helbergfarmstories
Oh sure – with such outstanding pics, I now have to find a way for me and mine to take a vacation there – LMAO – OUTSTANDING!! Thank you for sharing and telling about it – – gonna have to make it a vacation destination within the next couple years now!! First I have to get back to WI and upper MI to see family (they get testy when we do not visit enough – LOL)
Brittany
You would love this state. It’s just the best!
Angela
Wow great pics! I like to be outside too, I try reading but it makes me more antsy because I can’t concentrate and end up reading the same page over and over before throwing the book away!
Brittany
HA! I do that too, I have to refocus multiple times.
rootchopper
I love quiet when I am hiking. Loud chatty people kill the vibe. I have to consciously re-set my mind to calm after encountering them. Bike tours with miles and miles and miles of nothing but my thoughts and the sun and – eek! logging trucks – are the cure for what ails me. 😛
Brittany
Miles and miles of nothing sounds glorious!
sbhopper8
Great photos and captions. I admire how much you get out. I’ve been in the PNW for about 7 months now – I’m definitely not doing a good enough job getting out and exploring beyond Seattle. I’ve driven through Olympia a couple of times – your photos have reminded me that I need to make Olympia a destination one of these days.
Brittany
Thank you! It’s a fun little city, with a fun quirky feel. They have a wonderful farmers market, but Seattle does too!
Amy
I absolutely LOVE your Grizzly River Run reference!! I haven’t been in, oh gosh, 5 years now? That’s unacceptable for CA girl — especially one who used to go every year while growing up!
Brittany
GIRRRLL get your fanny to CA Adventure! HAHA.
Amy
It’s going to be easier in the upcoming months… BIG news to be revealed on my blog soon! 😉
Brittany
Ahhhh!!!! The anticipation! 😱
Amy
You’re too cute!! I’m SO excited to share the news once the details are finalized!! 😁
Darryl
I visited the brewery as a kid, it was actually a family oriented tour if you can believe that….a 10-15 year olds in tow seeing the magic of beer brewing. The last time we were there my sister “accidentally” slammed my fingers in the car door.
Brittany
Oh my goodness! That’s so cool that you were able to tour it. What a funny memory too, thanks for sharing!
castl23
Great photos not only in this post but elsewhere. Writing just as noteworthy and great sense of humor; especially noting the metaphor used for the water in the falls 🙂
Brittany
HA! Thank you, what a nice comment. 🙂
castl23
🙂
P
This place looks so stunning! And only an hour away from where you live?? The water color may not be the prettiest, but at least there is water…much more than what is in the LA “River” right now haha!
Brittany
Truth! I’ll take what I can get haha!
Kayse
Somewhere in my dad’s basement, he has stored away an Olympia Beer sign from the seventies-ish era from the bar his parents owned! Anyways, more importantly, this looks like an awesome trail to wander! So much water!!!
Brittany
That.Is.AWESOME!!! Ha!
Josie @ Literature Mistress
What a nice trail! Enjoying your pictures as always.
And I’m giggling – it sure must be nice to only get hungry once every 2.7 years. =D
Those seconds really add up! I suspected that 87582735 seconds would be much longer than you thought when you typed this, but I was still surprised after I’d cracked out the calculator – never underestimate seconds! =D
Brittany
Omg that’s soooooo funny!!!! I’m dying. Smart move, hahahaha! They add up for sure.
danaelizabethx
what a LOVELY trail!!! Waterfalls are the BEST! 🙂
Brittany
It’s such a cute little spot!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
YOU know what my go-to is when I feel bored. It’s TEXTING YOU – duh! LOL!
Brittany
Hahaha well duhhhh! All day erryday!
Becca
seagull urine. lol. 🙂 I’m guilty of getting lost in a random chain of Youtube vids when I’m bored.
Brittany
Ohhhh SAMEEEE especially lately. It’s sooo fun though. 😂
evolvewithmary
Sounds like you have a serious case of Wanderlust, I can always tell a fellow wanderluster, I have a hard time sitting still also. OMG Tumwater Falls Park looks like something out of a movie. None of the water in Northern California is blue. The first time I saw blue water I was soooo confused. That Old Olympia Brewery looks pretty cool, I wonder if it really is “the water” lol these pictures lifted my spirits. Now I just have 6 more hours to go on my computer and I’m done for the day. lol
Brittany
Oh man, you hit the nail on the head there! I feel wanderlusty every day!
An Unrefined Vegan
Too bad Kel and I didn’t make it to Olympia last year – – it looks quite nice! Amazing waterfalls!
Brittany
Just means you’ll have to come back. 😘😘
An Unrefined Vegan
Brilliant :-)!!
katalysthealth
So gorgeous. I’m with you, when I’m bored I need to just GET OUT and breath some gosh darn fresh air. There’s nothing like being in the sunshine and feeling the ground beneath your feet that kind of refreshes you – well, at least for me 😉
Brittany
Yup, me too! Except lately not much sunshine has been here, but I work with what I’ve got. Ha.
Julia @ Drops of Jules
Hey Brittany! This is my first time on your blog so I just have to say- your cat is sooooooo cute. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog now 🙂
Brittany
Thanks girl! I love him ooooddles! Thanks for the comment. ❤
Charisse Colbert
Washington is a beautiful state. I know people complain about the rain but that it is why it is so green. I love it there.
Brittany
Right!? Same! I admit,this winter was a bit brutal, BUT it’s all apart of the charm.
Charisse Colbert
It makes you appreciate the days with sun that much more. I use to live there so I know.
Brittany
So true!
Josh dV
Lovely little adventure you had there. I grew up in MN so I’m used to the water but after all this time in NM I am just amazed by the amount of water you have there. Such a beautiful natural wonder.
My go to is of course the desert and the foothills of the mountains.
Brittany
Excellent go to!
Kinga K.
Wow,such a wonderful photos ❤❤❤
Brittany
Thank you!
stateeats
Looks so lovely. Love it when you get the whole dang place to yourself! -Kat
Brittany
Me too!! It’s an extra bonus!
Melanie
Oh wow, that hike sounds heavenly! What a cool place to explore. I always looooove your pictures. Absolutely breathtaking.
Brittany
Thank you! I love sharing them. 🙂
Allie Zottola
Washington is so stinkin’ gorgeous. I can’t even deal!
I love that there was a restaurant in the park! That’s legit 🙂
Brittany
It looks so cool. Ha!
dave379
I love water and a good lake or falls too 🙂 The first seagull falls made me think of the Great Falls of Paterson, which are a little more urban but also still impressive.
Brittany
I love me a good waterfall!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
I’m pretty sure seagulls do urinate in that water along with a host of other mammals.
In any event, this looks beautiful and like the perfect respite for you.
Brittany
How did I miss this comment!? HA, the seagulls most definitely do more than urinate. Those dirty little bastards.
Rach
What a pretty area!
Brittany
It’s such a fun little gem!