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    The Olympia Artesian Well

    4.6 (12 reviews)

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    Jeannie J.

    I remember the first time I saw the Artesian Well behind Olympic outfitters. I was probably in 6th or 7th grade. I was with a few friends. We had been looking at stuff we couldn't afford in the shops. When we walked through the parking lot, one of my friends knew what it was. I did not, and I was skeptical. I mean really, an artesian well? All I saw was a unmarked pipe with water flowing from it in a random parking lot downtown. I wasn't drinking any! Of course no one carried water bottles with them everywhere like we do now, so my friends just drank from it like it was a fountain. I asked my parents about it later, and they confirmed. Great water, drink up! It felt like some cool secret discovery. I've been visiting this well ever since. From the website: The Artesian Well, located between 4th Avenue E, and Jefferson Street (former Diamond Parking Lot), is at 415 4th Avenue E. It is reported the well was constructed between 1895 and 1915 on the former railroad station site, now Olympic Outfitters. Links with information http://markgrowden.org/olympia-artesian-well http://olyblog.net/other-95-artesian-wells-downtown-olympia The link on the main page will give information about the water quality, and recent improvements to the well. The water still flows freely, but the site has been marked. People come down and fill gallon jugs for use at home. I usually stop by when I'm in town to refill my bottle before my drive back to Portland, or when I'm walking around downtown. There are still many locals that don't know about the well. Since it's near and dear to my heart, I wanted to share this quirky little secret. If you're looking for something unique to downtown Olympia, stop by for a free drink. It's the water!

    Tasting the well water.

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    Review Highlights - The Olympia Artesian Well

    It was cold, refreshing, and slightly metallic tasting.

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    Washington State Capitol - Roses and rose hips

    Washington State Capitol

    4.5(74 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    The Capitol building has that rustic charm you've likely come to expect when visiting state…read morecapitols. It's big, with a big dome, and big columns, and a big atrium. There is certainly lots of granite and marble. There is a quaint little propaganda gift shop just inside the East entrance with all things WA State, if you're into that kind of stuff. WA has seasonal Legislature, so half the year, it's pretty quiet around here. There is a nice fountain near Capitol Blvd. Enjoy!

    I visited over the weekend in December, and unsurprisingly not many people were enjoying the…read moregrounds during the drizzly, blustery weather. I came here for the guided tour, which I thought was well done. The tour starts right at the entrance, with the mention of the heavy exterior doors and Tiffany lamps. Inside, the docent goes over the origin of the materials used in constructing the building. Since the rotunda lobby was decorated for the Christmas holiday, there were three evergreen trees adorned with stuffed animals and snowflakes. The guide said that the holiday tree used to be one very tall tree, but the change was made during Covid to swap out one tree for three smaller ones for the ease of decorating. The tour takes you into the gallery overlooking the House of Representatives chamber. This area is normally accessible when they're in session, but otherwise if you're hoping to get in when they're not, this tour is the only way to visit. The House chamber walls are lined with French marble and the perimeter of the ceiling is decorated with the names of Washington State's forty-nine counties (each section has paired names, and Walla Walla gets its own section). Be warned though, this area is kind of dusty so if you have allergies you might want to sit this part out. Overall, this was a great tour. I liked how they didn't have visitors walk through metal detectors unlike in other Capitol buildings in other states.

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    Lobbying for housing issues

    Washington State Capitol - Rose hips

    Rose hips

    Washington State Capitol

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    The Olympia Artesian Well - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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