WhatcomTalk’s sister site, ThurstonTalk, recently hit the road to check out a few spectacular selfie spots. Some were familiar, but others more unusual, offering a wide range of experiences not encountered until you get a bit off the beaten path. If you find yourself down south, you might enjoy stopping at some (or all) of them.
Thurston County is a unique part of the Pacific Northwest. Centered around the state capital, Olympia, Thurston County is much more than Washington’s political hub. Its culture, history and gorgeous scenery draw visitors from far and wide, for business and pleasure.
Downtown Olympia is filled with public art installations. The water beneath the city springs from an artesian well, open to all. And, the Capitol Building’s majesty is a “don’t miss” for all visitors. The Deschutes River creates a spectacular sight at Tumwater Falls and the history of the Olympia Brewing Company is an iconic emblem of our community.
For those visiting the county, wouldn’t it be awesome to have an interactive list of all the iconic places to visit? And, if you could share their adventures and impressions, all the better.
Thanks to Experience Olympia and Beyond, the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau, this is a reality.
Experience Olympia and Beyond’s creative social media campaign, Selfie Spots, shares iconic locations around Thurston County. Director of Marketing and Communications, Moira Davin, shares how the concept was created through careful research looking at visitor foot traffic throughout the area. There were several locations consistently tagged on social media and photographed by visitors.
Tourist hot spots like the Olympia Farmers Market and Tumwater Falls were among the top five. “These spots had so many great selfies on social media,” says Davin. Thus, the idea was born.
Selfie Spots are pretty much what they sound like. Davin and her team identified twenty-one locations throughout Thurston County and created a “social media scavenger hunt” throughout the area. Locations were picked for historical significance or iconic and defining qualities. These “spots” are marked with, literally, a large “spot” on the ground. Simply stand on the spot and snap your selfie.
Each site also lists a unique hashtag to include on your Instagram feed, as well as a hashtag defining the entire campaign, #decidedlydifferent.
Selfie Spot #1 – Tumwater Falls. Rushing water, gorgeous views and spectacular images no matter the season. In winter, the falls are notorious for spilling over their banks in a torrent of rain and snowmelt filled fury. In the fall, the adjacent salmon ladder showcases spawning native fish. In the summer, the leafy walks offer gorgeous vistas. The Selfie Spot here gives the best view of the falls, but the entire park is worth exploring with historic markers throughout.
Selfie Spot #2 – Mark Twain Statue. As I pass through Tumwater, I detour to a perfect Selfie Spot for any lover of literature – the Mark Twain Statue. Mr. Twain is relaxing on a bronze bench and invites you to sit awhile and snap a pic with him, so I do.
Selfie Spot #3 – Gate City Schoolhouse. I’m a sucker for historical one-room school houses. They remind me of my love of Little House on the Prairie growing up. And the Gate City Schoolhouse in Rochester doesn’t disappoint. The historic one-room schoolhouse was built in 1910 and has been preserved by the Gate Community Club since 1944. The old school bell still rings.
Selfie Spot #4 – Olympia Farmers Market. No visit to Olympia is complete without a stop at the year-round market. As the largest, permanent market in the state, the Olympia Famer’s Market offers oodles of selfie opportunities from pics with vendors to selfies with your lunch from one of the many food stalls. Find the “spot” as you navigate the booths and pick up some local produce or hand-crafted souvenirs to remember your visit. Check hours before visiting as they change seasonally.
Selfie Spot #5 – Saint Martin’s Stairs. Heading into Lacey, the gorgeous campus of Saint Martin’s University begs to be explored (as I walk off my market lunch). The iconic staircase offers both a spot for exercise and contemplation as well as the perfect selfie spot. Stroll the remainder of the grounds and don’t miss the historic Abbey.
In addition to the creative Selfie Spots, the VCB has organized a giveaway to kick things off. Appropriately named, the “Treat Yo Selfie” giveaway will award one lucky winner an overnight stay at Swantown Inn & Spa, dinner at La Petite Maison, a gift card to Blackbird Mercantile and tokens to spend at the Olympia Farmers Market. To win this fabulous vacation package, simply visit the Selfie Spots around Thurston County and use the designated hashtags for each location. Instagram profiles must be public to enter. More information about the giveaway can be found on the Experience Olympia and Beyond website.
As you visit the southern-most end of Puget Sound, whether for business or pleasure, venture out into the county and explore the gems waiting to be discovered. The Selfie Spots campaign offers a guide to experiencing Thurston County in a new way. There are no rules when it comes to taking part in the adventure. Take a photo with the Kissing Statue on an evening stroll or make a game of it and see how many spots you can visit in one day. Engage your teens in a constructive way to use those ever present phones. Just don’t forget to use those hashtags and showcase how #decidedlydifferent Thurston County really is.
The map below is an interactive way for you to access the full list of Selfie Spots and plan your route.
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