Thurston County is unique. No one will argue that point. The location is diverse with easy accessibility to the coast as well as the mountains. Olympia has the quirks of a small town with the shopping and variety of a larger one. But what’s popular and fun for adults and parents differs from what teens enjoy. So, what are the teen favs in Thurston County? Here’s the scoop.
Where do teens fuel up?
What’s in? Anything cheap and delicious. King Solomon’s Reef on Fourth Avenue in downtown Olympia is a teen magnet. The iconic Olympia diner is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. daily. That’s right, you can get their famous tot-chos (tater tot nachos) or milkshakes 19 (nineteen!) hours a day. Every day. “The Reef has a lot of good food and is inexpensive. It’s comfortable and welcoming. A cute little establishment,” says Steffany Sweet, a Capital High School senior who frequents the diner.
Another popular joint is MOD pizza on Yelm Highway. “At MOD the atmosphere is really chill and the food is super good. It’s a good place to hangout,” says Lauren Wilson, a junior at Olympia High School. She recommends anything with barbeque sauce.
The Spar on Fourth Avenue has great ambiance as well. They are a desirable hangout for teens because of their pool tables and great food.
For coffee and tea lovers alike, Dutch Bros and Olympia Coffee Roasters are go to caffeination stations. Adrianna Eleton is a junior at Shelton High School and is crazy about Dutch Bros. “The employees are really friendly. It’s reasonably priced and the chai tea and hot chocolate are really good,” she shares.
What do teens like to do?
Most modern teenagers enjoy food, hanging out with friends, clothes, sports, and of course, Netflix. Popular shows to watch include New Girl, Friends, Grey’s Anatomy, Parenthood, American Horror Story, and watching college and professional sports games.
It’s also popular to go to football and baseball games. “The Seahawks game I went to was really loud and the whole stadium was full. Plus, my boy Doug Baldwin scored a TD. BOOYAH!” shares the very enthusiastic Jaeya Reed, a senior at Tumwater High School.
After school, on the weekend or during any free time, you can catch Olympia area teens at Westbay Park on West Bay drive. “I like being at Westbay cause it’s a great place to clear your mind and to just be one with yourself,” shares Teresa Strasburg, a regular at the park. “It’s also very beautiful to sit on the water and chill.
Active teens frequent multiple gyms throughout the city such as 24 Hour Fitness near Capital Mall, The Valley Athletic Club off of Capitol Boulevard, and The South Sound YMCA on Yelm Highway and in downtown Olympia. What makes the Valley and The Y stand out are the multiple pools, gyms, and sport courts available in both facilities. Adjacent to The Valley is the Tumwater Valley Golf Club, a public course with a great location.
On a clear day, many teens venture out from the safety and darkness of their homes, abandoning their Netflix and video game enthralled lives for an hour or two of vitamin D. Capitol Lake is a great place where teens soak up the sun with a great view of the Capitol building. You also always meet cute dogs, a plus for most teens.
Where do teens like to shop?
It’s easy to lose track of time and have hours fly by when you are wandering around downtown Olympia. There are so many stores downtown and, if you are determined enough, you can find anything. Literally anything.
Some popular spots for teens are Compass Rose, Archibald Sisters, The Painted Plate, and Radiance. Also, the Olympia Farmers Market has a lively atmosphere and is an overlooked destination in the winter. There are still many vendors including bakeries, restaurants, and gifts to browse on a winter Saturday and several farms offer their winter season vegetables as well.
How do teens relax?
Music is an outlet that many teenagers use daily. Well liked bands and performers among teens are The Weeknd, Drake, J. Cole, G-Eazy, Jack Johnson, and Frank Ocean among many others. “I like music because it blocks everything else out,” says Maddy Pilon, a junior from Tumwater High School.
However probably the most popular way to relax among all teens is napping. Sleeping in general ranks among the top activities teens wish they had more time for. “It refreshes my mind and gives me the ability to focus better in school,” says CHS student Sarah Pratt. With all of the stress that is a daily occurrence in teenager’s lives, sleep is a popular, and necessary, outlet. Many teens go from school, to sports, to work, and have only a one hour break between activities, if they’re lucky. “I like to think I’m a professional napper,” Pratt jokes.
Want to connect with your teen? Or maybe just understand them a little bit more? This list offers some insights into the 2016 Thurston County teen’s life and what is important, and fun, to them right now. Like, maybe a plate of tot-chos and a nap.
