The Evergreen State College Dorm Life: The Around-Campus Guide
You unpacked the boxes — now here is where students at The Evergreen State College (Olympia, WA) actually eat, shop, bank, and hang out. Bookmark this for your first month.
🍕 Where students actually eat
Vic's Pizzeria pizza
Beloved westside spot on Harrison — easy bus ride
The Iron Rabbit American
Westside favorite for burgers and comfort food
Tugboat Annie's waterfront
Casual spot overlooking the Budd Inlet marina
Evergreen Gyro Cafe Mediterranean
Cheap, filling gyros near Capital Mall
Old School Pizzeria pizza
Downtown institution with huge slices and comic decor
Dancing Goats coffee
Olympia-roasted coffee — classic downtown study spot
🛒 Big-box runs and groceries
Safeway (Harrison) grocery / pharmacy
About 3 miles — closest full grocery and pharmacy
Grocery Outlet discount grocery
Near Capital Mall, about 3 miles — big student savings
Target big-box
Cooper Point Rd near Capital Mall, about 4 miles
Walmart Supercenter big-box
Tumwater/Lacey, roughly 8–9 miles
🏦 Banking near campus
WSECU
Olympia-based credit union with student-friendly accounts
O Bee CU
Local credit union with low fees
Heritage Bank
Olympia-founded community bank downtown
🩺 Health, mail and services
Intercity Transit bus
All local buses are ZERO-FARE — campus, westside, downtown
Student Wellness Services student health
On-campus medical and counseling
Capital Medical Center hospital / ER
Closest hospital with 24/7 ER on the westside
Indigo Urgent Care urgent care
Westside walk-in for minor illness
🎉 Beyond the books
Percival Landing
Downtown waterfront boardwalk with harbor views
Farmers Market
Produce, crafts, and food stalls near the waterfront
State Capitol
Free tours of the landmark Legislative Building
Evergreen Beach Trail
Campus trail down to Puget Sound's Eld Inlet
Seattle & Portland
Seattle about an hour north; Portland under two south
Hand-checked August 2026. Hours and locations change — give places a quick look before you head out. Some links on this site earn us a commission at no cost to you.