Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls

Owned by the Olympia Tumwater Foundation, Tumwater Falls Park is open to the public and free of charge.

It houses a one-half mile scenic loop trail along the Deschutes River and three cascading waterfalls, with interpretive signs featuring pictures that illustrate the history of the area. Glimpse the old Olympic Brewery from the lower falls. Built in 1906, it housed the works that made "...what [was] unqualifiably the best beer made on the West Coast," according to a local newspaper. What made it so great? Olympia owner Leopold Schmidt discovered some artesian wells and used that water to make his beer. People said it was of unparalleled quality, hence its motto "It's the water!" learn about Olympia's first foray into hydroelectric power.

In spring, the rhododendrons, one of many native plants in the park, add beauty to the area when they bloom, generally around early May. Visitors will enjoy the Washington Salish Native Plant Garden all year round. It is planted with a large variety of native flora, each of which is labeled, for the public's edification.

A playground will occupy kids, and in September and October, watch the fish ladder, where silvery salmon make their way upstream into the ponds of the fishery.