The State Capitol Campus is the area's largest attraction bringing in over 500,000 visitors annually to visit the Legislature,tour the stately buildings,grounds, gardens, and monumental art. The State Capitol Museum , in the Lord Mansion, a few blocks south of the Capitol Campus. Northwest Indian exhibits include antique cedar-bark baskets and contemporary carvings. Inside an Indian winter house, where dried fish dangle from the smokehole overhead, you can handle traditional tools and rock a cradle that swings from the ceiling. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts hosts the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and dozens of other community theater, music, and dance groups.
Many national acts stop here, too.
Music in the Park is Olympia's summer outdoor concert series, held Fridays at noon in Sylvester Park from mid-July through August. Twilight concerts known as Music in the Dark, take place in the park on Wednesday evenings during those same weeks. Art Walk is Olympia's bi-annual arts celebration showcasing the quality and diversity of South Puget Sound's artistic and cultural resources. Organized and sponsored by individuals, organizations, and businesses throughout the community. This event is held on a Friday evening in April and again inOctober.