Each with their own ambiance and lineup of libations to delight, you’re guaranteed to have a great evening at any one of these spots. Here are our picks for the most romantic, exciting, and worth-the-trip cocktail bars in the Lacey and greater Olympia metro area. 

Ricardo’s Kitchen + Bar

This Lacey, Washington favorite for upscale dining also has an extensive drink list. At Ricardo’s Kitchen + Bar you can start the evening off with a savory fig cheesecake, crab cake tower, parmesan crusted rack of lamb, or signature dry-aged steak, before sitting back with a cocktail carefully crafted to satisfy your tastes. 

Ricardo’s extensive drink menu features a lineup of martinis, both classic and reinvented. Manhattans and Spanish-style gin and tonics also reign supreme, with brightly-colored and unique twists on long-time favorites. 

Cheeky Martini Lounge

Cheeky Martini Lounge is one of the latest (and hottest!) additions to the Olympia and Lacey area. This vegan cocktail bar is woman-owned and operated by the same talent behind Rumors Wine Bar. 

You’ll find chocolate vegan martinis on the menu, which are made with plant-based milk and served with a cocoa-dipped rim. This cocktail bar also features a line-up of sweet drinks, including the Blue Hawaiian Martini, which uses Midori melon liqueur, triple sec, and pineapple juice. Sweet, balanced, and beautifully vegan–that’s what we like to call a recipe for a good night out. 

Swing Wine Bar

“Wine” might be in the name, but at Swing Wine Bar you can find everything from beet-infused vodka cocktails to local lager on the menu. This Olympia, Washington destination serves up small and shared plates alongside signature cocktails that are as impressive as they are tasty. 

Sit back and enjoy a brandy-pear hot toddy with spiced orange syrup, or a cold brew espresso cocktail made sweet with honey liquor. Is something super fruity more your speed? You can find vodka infused with blueberries and lemons, and then made fancy with pomegranate juice, triple sec, and a sugared rim.  

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar 

Seafood might reign supreme at Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar in Olympia, WA, but that shouldn’t stop you from setting up shop in their swanky lounge area to order one of their many specialty drinks. 

Enjoy fresh, local oysters while sipping on their Harry Potter-themed lineup of trendy cocktails, including a Hufflepuff-themed one featuring gin, coconut, mango, lemon, vanilla, and mint. Or take a taste of the stars with their monthly-rotating zodiak cocktail series. 

Regardless of your taste in food and drink, Olympia is filled with great restaurants, bars and lounges. From cozy little places for a quiet dinner to hip, modern cocktail bars, Lacey and the greater Olympia metro has it all.

Thirsty for more? Check out our list of the best seafood restaurants in the Olympia area, then contact our team at Gayteway Hawks Prairie to find your perfect home, right in the heart of it all.

The post Where to Find Lacey and Olympia’s Trendiest Cocktails Right Now appeared first on Gayteway at Hawks Prairie Blog.

You’re about to discover Capitol Lake, Percival Landing, Millersylvania State Park, Twin Barns Trail, and more. And once you’ve heard about these top local spots for outdoor recreation, you’ll be itching to explore. 

Capitol Lake 

The city of Olympia, Washington boasts more than 900 acres of parks and trails, including urban greenways and forests. These parks provide a variety of recreational opportunities, from neighborhood nature trails to sprawling, immersive forests. 

But in terms of recreation and relaxation opportunities in the city of Olympia, Capitol Lake tops the list.

The full Capitol Lake trail is a 1.7-mile adventure that loops the downtown area and provides views of the state capitol building. The trail connects with nearby Heritage Park and Marathon Park, giving you access to these other spots to explore. 

Percival Landing

You can find plenty of outdoor activities at Percival Landing Park in Olympia, Washington. Its location in Olympia makes it a great option for a picnic. The park features a waterfront with a number of hiking and biking trails. Percival Landing also offers fishing and boating.

Percival Landing is one of three waterfront parks in Olympia, Washington. It is located on the eastern edge of Budd Bay, on the southern tip of Puget Sound. The 0.9-mile boardwalk, picnic areas, and giant carved Orca are among the recreational attractions found at Percival Landing that make it a go-to destination for locals looking to take a casual walk and enjoy the water not far from their home. 

Millersylvania State Park 

Millersylvania State Park is an eight-mile drive south of the city of Olympia on Deep Lake. It features 903 acres of land with old-growth trees and over three hundred feet of freshwater shoreline. Millersylvania is open to the public for recreational and scenic use. 

You can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, and other water activities while you're there, with over 8.1 total miles of hiking trails. Several of these trails intertwine to form looping courses up to five miles long. The park welcomes dogs leashed on the trails, making it a pet-friendly option for your furry friends who need a little time in the sun. 

Twin Barns Trail 

Not far from Olympia you’ll find the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for animals and a scenic trail spot for Washingtonians looking for a little time out in nature. Twin Barns Trail and Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk are two of Olympia's most popular hiking trails, both located within the refuge. 

The trails you'll find here are out and back trails with hardly any elevation change, making them an easy option for all skill levels. Hikers love to take these trails for a nature trip or bird-watching. Pro tip for any birders out there: a half-mile hike from the Twin Barns Boardwalk takes you to Twin Barns Observation Platform, where you can easily view the hundreds of species of birds, amphibians, and mammals that call this refuge home. 

From standout hiking trails to historic landmarks and museums: there are plenty of reasons to love the greater Olympia, Washington area. Have you hit up these trails and are wondering what to do next? Check out our guide to living in Lacey, WA, Olympia’s nextdoor neighbor and a beautiful destination for wining, dining, and living in a scenic part of the Pacific Northwest.

The post Soak in Some Nature While Staying Close to Home: A Guide to the Olympia Outdoors appeared first on Gayteway at Hawks Prairie Blog.

You are sure to find something delicious, and they are all just a quick drive away from your Gayteway at Hawks Prairie apartment!

Samish Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market

Samish Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market is a great place to dine for some great seafood in Olympia, Washington. The menu here is full of seafood-inspired dishes such as chowders and stews that rotate seasonally, perfect for accompanying a tray of freshly-shucked oysters with a cold local beer. 

The laid-back atmosphere makes it an excellent place to dine with friends or family, with a patio dining option that lets you make the most of the scenic waterfront location and Pacific Northwest weather.

Olympia Oyster House 

If you're looking for a more formal seafood restaurant experience in the city, Olympia Oyster House is your place. Set in a historic location with a cozy atmosphere, you can start out your meal with some fresh steamer clams and then splurge on Seafood Louies or house specialty seafood dishes to satisfy the whole table.  

Anthony's HomePort Olympia

Anthony’s chain of homestyle, down-to-Earth restaurants has a reputation in the Pacific Northwest for dishing up fresh seafood in waterfront atmospheres that help you make the most of the local waterways. 

Anthony’s HomePort Olympia is an Olympia, WA seafood staple, overlooking Port Plaza. The menu features a lineup of fresh seafood dishes and a 3-course Sunset Menu that lets you taste your way through the ocean with oysters on the half shell, a salmon and shrimp duet, or a London Broil served Pacific Northwest style. The friendly staff is knowledgeable about the freshest local catch, so you're sure to enjoy every bite.

Whether you're visiting the city for a romantic dinner or a special occasion, or you’re a local looking for a new spot for fresh seafood, there's a seafood restaurant in Olympia, WA for you. Follow us on social media and let us know your favorite seafood restaurants or your favorite dish! You can find us on Facebook or Instagram.

The post The Best Seafood Restaurants in Olympia, WA appeared first on Gayteway at Hawks Prairie Blog.

Though Olympia is compact, it features grand government buildings, including the Washington State Capitol Building and the Washington State Capitol Campus. The city is home to an active waterfront district, historic downtown, and plenty of outdoor activities, offering a destination for everyone to enjoy. 

But when your interests lean toward the historical, here is our list of the top historical landmarks and destinations in Olympia, WA. 

The Capitol Campus and the Legislative Building 

Following Olympia’s official designation as the Washington State capital, the city’s founder gifted the legislator a beautiful 12-acre parcel of land to build government buildings. 

Fast forward a century and change to find the Legislative Building standing tall with an elegant dome and a symbolic 42 steps (representing Washington’s status as the 42nd state added to the Union). 

Leave the Legislative Building and walk around the rest of the Capitol Campus to discover 18 major art installations spread across the grounds with a view of Capitol Lake on the horizon. 

The Old Capitol Building 

Before the state legislature called the Capitol Campus home, it was housed in the grand Old Capitol Building, which featured a 150-foot-high octagonal clock tower with a different clock on each side. 

You can still appreciate the grand architecture of this building (sometimes affectionately called “the Castle”), which was updated in 1983 to remain an attraction for years to come. 

Bigelow House Museum 

Before the Pacific Northwest was a bustling hotspot that drew crowds and residents eager to appreciate the beauty of tall, evergreen trees and high-standing mountains, it was home to pioneers like Daniel R. Bigelow. 

Bigelow and his wife Ann built their house in the 1850s, making it one of the earliest to be constructed in the Pacific Northwest region. Nowadays, the Bigelow House Museum offers a look into the past. The family lived there until 2005, though the structure now stands as one of the oldest homes in Oregon and a celebration of regional history. 

Honorable Mention: The Old Brewery

Okay, this one might not be in Olympia proper, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting this classic example of Mission Revival architecture in action.

The site was originally home to Olympia Beer, and designed by prominent architect Joseph Woleb. A new brewing site was eventually built up the road, and the redbrick building stopped being a major part of the beer company’s operations in 2003. However, you can still drive by this spot on Interstate 5 and watch a video tour that offers an overview of the history of the Old Brewhouse at this link. 

After visiting these historic landmarks in Olympia, what’s next on your list to explore? If you need some inspiration, head down the road and check out our guide to living in Lacey, WA (our visiting!). And contact our team at Gayteway Apartments at Hawks Prairie if you’re looking for a new apartment near Olympia to call home! 

The post Virtual History Tour: A Guide to Olympia’s History and Our Favorite Historical Landmarks appeared first on Gayteway at Hawks Prairie Blog.

American Home Furniture & Mattress 

The best spot in town to find beautiful furniture pieces to fill your home is also local and family-owned. The knowledgeable team at American Home Furniture & Mattress has over 100 years of collective experience helping customers like you find home pieces that fit their style–and their budget.  

From gorgeous dining tables to all-you-can-need bedroom sets, you’ll be able to outfit your whole home with exactly what fits your needs and wants. 

World Market 

Just down the street from Lacey you’ll find Olympia, WA, which is home to some standout spots for finding some new decor you’ll love. That includes World Market, a much-loved standby that features everything from outdoor and indoor furniture to accent mirrors and dishes. 

Don’t let the store’s no frills atmosphere fool you. Among the shelves, you’ll find quality gifts, personal items, and furniture pieces that will last a long time–and make you feel right at home. 

Woodshed Furniture

Another locally-owned spot in Lacey, Washington, Woodshed Furniture is the place to go for name-brand pieces that add a touch of flair to your home. From bookcases to benches, media cabinets to headboards, you’ll discover traditional finds as well as modern and design-savvy standouts that peak your interest and fit your unique style.  

Tuesday Morning

This Lacey, Washington mainstay is known across the country for its unbeatable deals on high-quality and beautifully-designed goods. From mugs to super-soft sheets, at Tuesday Morning you can find name brands sold at prices to delight. 

Redecorating your apartment in Lacey might sound like a splurge, but at every destination on this list you can find furniture and home goods that will refresh your space at prices you’ll love. 

New to Lacey and excited to learn more about the city you call home? Check out our guide to living in Lacey, Washington.

The post Upgrade Your Home Decor with These Lacey, WA Home Goods Shops appeared first on Gayteway at Hawks Prairie Blog.

Whether you’re visiting Lacey, Washington, are considering a move into town, or have just always wanted to know more about this beautiful city in the Puget Sound, here’s your guide to living in Lacey. 

A Rich History  

Lacey, WA is an urban oasis that is surrounded by outdoor paradise. 

The city is close to the state capital, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and South Puget Sound Community College, giving it an ideal location that attracts a vibrant young workforce. 

Lacey was originally known as Woodland, named for the family that settled here in 1853. Although it is now primarily an urban area, it was once a thriving logging town, and was a pioneer in the field of beer. In fact, its founding family started the first brewery in the state, serving gourmet cream lager. 

Those roots are still visible in the city today, with plenty of opportunities to sit back, unwind, and enjoy the sun and a pint. 

The Ideal Location In The Middle of It All 

The mid-sized city of Lacey, Washington is only half an hour from Seattle and about 30 minutes from Tacoma. It has all the amenities of a major metropolitan area, while still retaining a small town feel. Lacey is surrounded by many natural attractions, including several national parks. In addition to great schools, Lacey is close to several recreational areas, including several golf courses.

Located in the Beautiful Puget Sound Region

The Puget Sound region is a coastal area of the Pacific Northwest, consisting of the lower Puget Lowlands and the surrounding area. It is located to the west of the Cascade Range and to the east of the Olympic Mountains. 

There’s a reason the Puget Sound attracts so many visitors–it features calm waters and beautiful vistas of mountain peaks and deciduous trees throughout. The city of Lacey is ideally located within this stunning area and within driving distance of some of Washington’s best views, putting it right at the heart of Pacific Northwest beauty. 

Whether you’re a history buff or a nature lover, Lacey has something that will intrigue you and make you want to come back for more. That’s why the city draws in so many people–and convinces them to stay! 

If you’re looking for a place to call your home base as you explore all that Lacey, WA has to offer, contact our team at Gayteway Apartment Homes at Hawks Prairie to find your new home.

The post Your Guide to Living in Lacey, WA appeared first on Gayteway at Hawks Prairie Blog.