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Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Washington State. Olympic National Monument was established in 1909 and upgraded to the status of national park in 1938. It was further designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976, and evolved into a World Heritage Park in 1981. Nearly 96% the Olympic National Park is incorporated into the Olympic Wilderness.

History
Prior to the influx of European settlers, Olympic's human population consisted of Native Americans, whose use of the peninsula was thought to have consisted mainly of fishing and hunting. However, reviews of the record, coupled with systematic archaeological surveys of the mountains (Olympic and other Northwest ranges) are pointing to much more extensive tribal use of especially the subalpine meadows than seemed to have been the case. Most if not all Pacific Northwest indigenous cultures were adversely affected by European diseases (often decimated) and other factors, well before ethnographers, business operations and settlers arrived in the region, so what they saw and recorded was a much-reduced native culture-base. Large numbers of cultural sites are now identified in the Olympic mountains, and important artifacts have been found.

When settlers began to appear, extractive industry in the Pacific Northwest was on the rise, particularly in regards to the harvesting of timber, which began heavily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Public dissent against logging began to take hold in the 1920s, when people got their first glimpses of the clear-cut hillsides. This period saw an explosion of people's interest in the outdoors; with the growing use of the automobile, people took to touring previously remote places like the Olympic Peninsula.

The formal record of a proposal for a new national park on the Olympic Peninsula begins with the expeditions of well-known figures Lieutenant Joseph O'Neil and Judge James Wickersham, during the 1890s. These notables met in the Olympic wilderness while exploring, and subsequently combined their political efforts to have the area placed within some protected status. Following unsuccessful efforts in the Washington State Legislature in the early 1900s, President Theodore Roosevelt created Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909, primarily to protect the subalpine calving grounds and summer range of the Roosevelt elk herds native to the Olympics.

Public desire for preservation of some of the area grew until President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared ONP a national park in 1938.

Mountains
The Olympic Mountains are host to montane forests giving way to subalpine meadows, rocky alpine slopes and glacier-capped summits. Most of the area's endemic plants and animals are found in these high elevation ecosystems.

From the 7,980 ft summit of Mount Olympus, the Pacific Ocean shimmers in the distance, less than 33 mi west. Between the highest peak in the Olympic Mountain range and sea is a jumble of rugged peaks, whose shoulders are decorated with meadows and lakes. Below treeline, scattered subalpine forests give way to steep forested slopes ending in broad, U-shaped valleys. In all directions mountains and valleys radiate from Mount Olympus like spokes on a wheel.

Rivers & lakes
Linking ocean and land ecosystems, rivers and streams provide a highway for fish and other wildlife to move both up and downstream. As fish swim upstream to spawn and later die, they bring with them vital nutrients from the sea, replenishing the forest in ways that science has only recently defined.

Water defines Olympic National Park. In cloud form it delivers abundant rain and snow. As frozen glaciers it sculpts the peaks. In snow-melt rivulets it waters mountain meadows then feeds powerful rivers rushing to the sea. Alpine tarns perch on peaks and several huge lakes lie in the lowlands. These streams, rivers and lakes are a circulatory system—life-blood of the park's diversity.

Mount Olympus, the park's highest peak, is in the middle of the range. Rivers radiate out from the central mountains like spokes on a wheel. On the park's west side, valleys are broad and U-shaped and rivers meander over wide floodplains. On other sides, the rivers are often constricted into narrow, steep-walled valleys.

With protected headwaters, these are healthy, dynamic watersheds where natural processes like flooding, log jams, and nutrient cycling prevail.

Forests
Olympic National Park was established in 1938 in part to preserve some of Washington's quickly disappearing primeval forests. Now the park protects one of the largest remaining blocks of old growth forest and temperate rain forest in the lower 48 states.

 * "to preserve... the finest sample of primeval forests of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas fir, and western red-cedar in the entire United States...."

These are the forests of Olympic National Park described in the 1938 act establishing the park. Now the diverse forest communities of the park and neighboring wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest are even more significant as rare islands of habitat surrounded by altered landscapes. They form a dynamic green canvas from tree line to coast. Heavy snow, avalanches, fire, wind storms, landslides and flooding all interact to rearrange the colors or reset the clock. But the resulting forests are a vibrant, ever-changing palette of greens, textures, species and ages. Some areas nurture trees that sprouted when the Mayan culture was thriving in the jungles of Central America. While youthful willows and red alders sprout and die regularly on shifting gravel bars in the park's rivers.

Coast
Olympic National Park's 73 mi-long wilderness coast is a rare treasure in a country where much of the coastline is prime real estate. The rocky headlands, beaches, tidepools nurturing a living rainbow of colors and textures, off shore sea stacks topped by nesting seabirds and wind-sheared trees-all are a remnant of a wilder America. In fact, in 1988, Congress added much of the narrow coastal strip of the park (and much of the rest of the park) to a national system of designated wilderness.

The intertidal areas, where the Pacific Ocean tides shape life, are also within the boundary of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The offshore islands with their colonies of nesting seabirds and rocky haulouts for seals and sea lions, lie within the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Peer into a tidepool and your view may take in hundreds of animals crowded into an area the size of a dinner plate. Cold, nutrient-rich waters upwelling from the Pacific Ocean floor feed a food chain extending from tiny invertebrates to many-ton whales. In the intertidal, that abundance is stacked in layers determined by the tides, competition and the reach of predatory neighbors. Each species tends to thrive in only a certain narrow band of habitat, rarely straying above or below.

Flora and fauna
Enormous Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, hundreds of feet high, in the Hoh and Queets rain forest valleys on the west side of the park. Thick, furry epiphyte moss and dense, vibrant vegetation give a beautiful, almost "Tolkien-esqe" environment in these unique temperate rain forests, which receive 15 ft of rain per year on average from the nearby Pacific Ocean.

The isolated Olympic Peninsula harbors a unique community of wildlife, noteworthy not only for endemic animals (found only here), but also for species missing from the Olympics, yet found elsewhere in western mountains. Pika, ptarmigan, ground squirrels, lynx, wolverine, grizzly bears, bighorn and historically, mountain goats did not occur on the Olympic Peninsula. While unique species like the Olympic marmot, Olympic snow mole and Olympic torrent salamander are found here and nowhere else in the world! Unfortunately, like most places in the world, non-native species introduced by humans have also spread to the park. Wildlife listed below have been observed in Olympic National Park:

Nearshore

 * Sea otter, Enhydra lutris
 * River otter, Lutra canadensis

Rocky intertidal

 * Harbor seal, Phoca vitulina
 * Northern Fur Seal, Callorhinus ursinus

Occasional

 * Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus
 * California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
 * Northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
 * Gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus

Spring and fall

 * Minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Summer and fall

 * Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae

Fall

 * Harbor porpoise, Phocoena phocoena

Summer

 * Orca or Killer whale, Orcinus orca

Summer and fall

 * Dall’s porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli
 * Pacific white sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens

Climate
Overall, the Olympic Peninsula has a moderate marine climate with pleasant summers and mild, wet winters. The Olympic Mountains, part of North America's western coast range, rise suddenly from near sea level to ~8000 ft, intercepting Pacific moisture which is dumped as large amounts of rain. The climate grows wetter from east to west on the Olympic Peninsula. Sunny days are likeliest in July and August. Nearby Sequim is actually in the rain-shadow of the Olympics and is known for sunny days and minimal rain.

Summers tend to be fair and warm, with high temperatures between 65 °F and 75 °F. July, August and September are the driest months, with heavier precipitation during the rest of the year.

While winters are mild at lower elevation, with temperatures ranging from 36 °F at night to 48 °F during the day. Snow is rare at low elevations and melts quickly, however snowfall can be heavy in the mountains, with accumulations of up to 10 ft common.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in

Unlike many national parks, there are no roads through Olympic National Park. In fact, the central part of the park is one of the last great roadless patches in the lower 48 states making it a hikers paradise.

By car
There are a number of roads running from US 101 into the park: Hurricane Ridge, Elwha, Sol Doc, Hoh, and Quinault. The park also includes much of the Pacific coast along the peninsula which is accessible from US 101 at Klalaloch, La Push, Cape Alava and Neah Bay. The park is huge so plan travel times carefully. You don't want to spend all your time on the road.

I-5, the main road from Seattle to Tacoma can be crowded during rush hour (6-9AM and 4-7PM). You can check traffic conditions, and for other travel problems, at the state Department of Transportation web site. There are a number of ways of getting to Olympic National Park by car:

 * From Seattle or Seatac: head south on I-5 to Tacoma take the exit for highway 16 and cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the Kitsap Peninsula then continue west.
 * From Olympia or points south along the I-5 corridor (including Portland): take US 101 north along the Hood Canal
 * From points south on the coast, following the coast: take US 101 north through Aberdeen and near Ocean Shores

By ferry
Most of the ferries are run by the Washington State Department of Transportation, but the Coho ferry and the Victoria Express are run privately.

The ferries can be backed up for two or three hours, particularly in the summer when people are heading off or returning from their vacations on the Olympic Peninsula. If you can, avoid heading west on Friday afternoons and east on Sunday evenings. The ferries usually run roughly every 50 minutes and can offer a relaxing way to cross Puget Sound.
 * From Seattle: take the Bainbridge Island or Bremerton ferry.
 * From West Seattle: ferry service is available from the Fauntleroy ferry terminal to Southworth on the Kitsap Peninsula.
 * From north of Seattle: take the Edmonds ferry to Kingston and continue west.
 * From Anacortes or Whidbey Island: take the Keystone ferry from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend and continue west
 * from Vancouver or Victoria, BC: take the Coho ferry from Victoria

By plane
There are scheduled flights to Port Angeles, so you can approach by air. The views of the Olympics are often fantastic, and you can arrange to rent a car at the airport.
 * From Boeing Field in Seattle - take a scheduled Kenmore Air flight to Fairchild Airport

Another approach is to fly to Victoria, BC, then take the Coho ferry or the Victoria Express to Port Angeles and rent a car there.
 * From Victoria, BC: fly to Victoria, rent a car there, or take the ferry across the Strait of San Juan de Fuca and rent a car in the U.S.

Fees and permits
Entrances fees are valid for seven days, allowing unlimited re-entry for the week. Fees as of 2020 are:
 * $15 per person and bicyclist
 * $25 motorcycle
 * $30 vehicle (non-commercial)
 * $55 Olympic National Park Annual Pass

Park entrance fees may be waived for school group visits when class curriculum relates to park resources.

Get around
By car is really the only way in or out. US-101 makes a loop of the Olympic Peninsula, but only some spur roads actually lead into the park. The interior is roadless and is only accessible to backpackers. Most people visit either the park's beach section, which is accessible only on US-101 between Forks and Aberdeen, or Hurricane Ridge, which is accessed from a road out of Port Angeles.

Access points from the more remote east side are Staircase (turn west off 101 in Hoodsport) or Quilcene (closer to the Hood Canal Bridge).

The best way to see the park is to drive from Aberdeen on northbound US-101 and "do the loop", ending in Olympia, taking three or four days to visit the coastal section (Kalaloch Campground or Lodge are great places to stay), the rainforest (Hoh), Ozette (an easy 3 mi hike in, or do the easy 9 mi loop, tides permitting), Lake Cresent, Hurricane Ridge, and Staircase.

Campground reservations are recommended in the summer.

All vehicles travelling to Hurricane Ridge during the winter season (November - April) are required to carry tire chains.

Scenic areas

Do
There are numerous beaches that can be visited, most are simply numbered, i.e. Beach trail 3. Ruby beach is one exception, which also happens to be very hard to get to. This makes Ruby beach one of many ideal locations to visit if you are seeking solitude while you enjoy nature. Despite the small populations in this part of the state, some of the beaches can be quite crowded during a small period in the summer months (usually 3 weeks or so in late June and early July), with fishermen, clamers, and children.

Hiking and Backpacking The Olympic National Park has a very extensive trail system, both through the interior and along the coast. Much of the interior and the coast is wilderness and can only be seen from the trails.

The Hoh river is a kayaking hotspot.

Eat
Your best option for meals in the park would be from nearby towns surrounding the National Park, or at the lodges within the park.

Lodging
There are four lodging options located within the park borders. Outside of the park the following communities have lodging options:

 * North Olympic Peninsula: Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, Forks, Sekiu and Clallam Bay.
 * Hood Canal Area: Hoodsport, Lake Cushman, Belfair and Shelton.
 * Lake Quinault: Lake Quinault and Amanda Park.

Lodging in the park includes:

Camping
Olympic has 16 NPS-operated campgrounds. Concession-operated RV parks are in the park at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent. Campgrounds can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 21 ft in length, unless otherwise noted. Most campground toilets are wheelchair accessible, unless otherwise noted in the chart below. All campsites are first-come, first-served, except for Kalaloch, Hoh, Mora, and Sol Duc. All park campsites provide a picnic table and fire pit. Park campgrounds do not have hook-ups or showers. Group campgrounds are provided at Sol Duc and Kalaloch.

Backcountry
Wilderness travel can be challenging and risky. To maximize your safety, take the time to learn about some of the risks and hazards that exist throughout the Olympic Wilderness. Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight stays in Olympic National Park wilderness (backcountry). Be sure to check to see if reservations are needed. Permits are limited in some areas.

Wilderness Camping Permits may be obtained at:

Call the WIC at +1 360 565-3100 to check on station hours and seasons or for more information about getting your permit. If you are not passing by a park wilderness office on your way to the trailhead or you plan to arrive early or late, call the WIC to arrange your permit ahead of time.

Wilderness Camping Permits are used to track the numbers of visitors in different areas in order to prevent overcrowding and damage. Wilderness permits are also used to locate overdue or lost parties; as well as in case of a family emergency. If you have not filled out a permit, searchers may not know where to start looking for you.

Roads
The most dangerous thing around this area is drunk drivers. The roads are small, perpetually wet, winding, and not banked, so driving too fast can also be incredibly dangerous.

Wildlife
The wildlife can also be somewhat hazardous, although with a bit of common sense, most danger can be avoided. This is bear country, so make noise if you are traveling in an area with limited visibility (most of this area has very poor visibility, due to the extreme amounts of vegetation.) Also, cougars do live in Olympic National Park, and are much more aggressive and dangerous than bears. That being said, the number of incidents involving mountain lions is very small, so there isn't too much to worry about. Another animal that needs to be watched out for are the elk. Although elk are herd animals, and not aggressive like their moose cousins, they can be extremely dangerous if they feel threatened. Most people do not see bears or cougars, but you need to be prepared. Though many of the animals in the park area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other wild animals! Check trail head postings of recent animal activity.

Coast
On the coast you need to be in good shape, in many places the coast is extremely rugged and you need to have good reflexes as you go across the headlands for when you slip. You will need to pack everything with you when you go in, and pack almost everything as you go out. Basic backpacking rules must be followed by the park's rules. Bring tidal information with you, many beaches are unpassable during high tides and hikers have been known to be caught off guard.

Do not camp within the range of the high tide, besides getting wet, ocean debris might wash up on beaches and could crush tents during the night.

Hiking and camping
There's no reason to fear the mountains, as long as you approach them with proper respect and preparation. As with anywhere else, recklessness and a lack of forethought can get you into trouble, especially in Olympic National Parks vast back country.
 * Altitude sickness: Can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, even blackouts and pulmonary edema. Give your body a few days to adjust to the high altitudes before going full throttle with your hiking or skiing.
 * Dehydration: When you engage in strenuous outdoor activities, be sure to replenish your fluids as you go. You may be losing moisture through your mouth and nose and through sweating, but be completely unaware due to the arid mountain air. May result in dizziness, intense thirst and elevated heart and breath rates.
 * Giardia: Drinking untreated water from regional streams is not a good idea owing to Giardia parasites, but tap water is not a problem.
 * Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in confusion, a slowed heart rate, lethargy, even death. Dress warmly in non cotton clothing to allow any sweat to wick away from your body and evaporate. Otherwise, it may thoroughly chill you later in the day when temperatures drop.
 * Frostbite: During periods of severe cold, your circulatory system pulls all your warming blood into the core of your body to protect your vital organs. This makes your extremities such as your ears, fingers and nose especially vulnerable. Wear a face mask, insulated gloves and other heavy gear on the worst winter days. It gets cold sitting still on those ski lifts!
 * Sunburn: Lather up with sunscreen, even if there's cloud cover. The Olympics high mountain elevations means you have less protection to the sun's powerful ultra violet rays. The rays are reflected off the snow and hits the underside of your jaw. Don't forget to wear UV-rated goggles or sunglasses, as well.
 * Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, because cell phones won't always work in many rural areas, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation.
 * Navigation
 * Hydration & nutrition
 * Pocket knife
 * Sun protection
 * Insulation
 * Fire!
 * Lighting
 * First aid
 * Shelter
 * Whistle

Crime
With so many people visiting the area each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving your vehicle at trail-heads or anywhere you might be away from your vehicle for any length of time.

Go next

 * Forks On the west side of Olympic National Park, providing the nearest services to the Hoh Rain Forest and the Pacific Ocean beaches.
 * Port Angeles
 * Sequim
 * Seattle
 * Victoria With a ferry connecting it from Port Angeles, this city famous for its British charm can easily be done as a day-trip from Olympic National Park.

title: Olympic National Park


text:
Olympic Peninsula

The Olympic Peninsula is a region of the state of Washington in the United States of America. Centered around Olympic National Park this sparsely populated area includes 100 km of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States.

Regions
The Olympic Peninsula is centered around the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Park. To the east it is bordered by the Hood Canal which is one of the largest fiords in the United States. To the north it is separated from Canada by the Admiralty Inlet and to the west it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean.

Clallam County

 * -logging town, also known today as a key setting in the Twilight series.
 * - close to Cape Flattery which is the northwestern most point of the contiguous United States.
 * -Clallam county seat and the largest city in the county. The ferry to Victoria, BC starts here.
 * in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains enjoys more days of sunshine than the rest of the region.

Grays Harbor County

 * and Hoquiam are called the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula," because of their proximity to the southern end of the peninsula and to Olympic National Park. Together they make the largest metropolitan area in the county at the east end of Grays Harbor Bay where the Chehalis River empties out into the Bay.
 * -historic oceanside resort town.
 * -Grays Harbor county seat.
 * -large beach community popular with tourists.
 * -historic oceanside resort town.
 * a fishing town located on a peninsula (south of Grays Harbor) and known for its beaches, jetty fishing and lighthouse.
 * -historic oceanside resort town.
 * a fishing town located on a peninsula (south of Grays Harbor) and known for its beaches, jetty fishing and lighthouse.

Jefferson County

 * - (Port Hadlock-Irondale)
 * - this hugely popular Victorian town has a ferry terminal connecting it to Whidbey Island and is also Jefferson county's seat.

Mason County

 * - located on the Hood Canal.
 * -Mason county seat and principal city.
 * -Mason county seat and principal city.

Other destinations

 * - Here you will find Pacific Ocean beaches, rainforest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and a stunning variety of plants and animals
 * - is located the northern part of Grays Harbor county.
 * - has a great museum and is easy access to the Olympic National Park.
 * - is an old military fort right next to Port Townsend.
 * - is an old military fort right next to Port Townsend.

Understand
For the purposes of this article, the Olympic Peninsula region consists of Clallam, Jefferson, western Mason, and Grays Harbor counties. The eastern part of Mason County, including Allyn and Union, is covered by the Kitsap Peninsula article.

By car and ferry
The ferries crossing the San Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound are capable of transporting vehicles.
 * From I-5.svg Interstate 5 on can go through:
 * Westbound US 12.svg, north of Centralia from Exit #88
 * US 101.svg in Olympia at Exit #104
 * WA-16.svg through Tacoma at Exit #133. Hwy 16 goes across the Narrows Bridge up to Bremerton where it merges into Hwy 3. ($6 toll to cross the Narrows Bridge from Gig Harbor to Tacoma. No toll going the other way.)
 * WA-104.svg in Mountlake Terrace (follow signs to 'Edmonds Ferry') at Exit #177 (going north) or #178 (going south)
 * WA-20.svg in Burlington at Exit #230. Follow Hwy 20 through Anacortes, Deception Pass and down through Whidbey Island to the Coupeville Ferry Terminal
 * WA-104.svg in Mountlake Terrace (follow signs to 'Edmonds Ferry') at Exit #177 (going north) or #178 (going south)
 * WA-20.svg in Burlington at Exit #230. Follow Hwy 20 through Anacortes, Deception Pass and down through Whidbey Island to the Coupeville Ferry Terminal

Get around
If you are not with a tour coach, it is strongly recommended that you hire a roomy, good quality sedan, SUV, or minivan upon arriving in Seattle. Driving around the peninsula is very enjoyable but can involve long distances.

By car
US Hwy 101 is the primary highway around the peninsula starting from Olympia (Exit #103 from I-5) and goes west of Olympia and north to Shelton, Hoodsport, Sequim and Port Angeles. The highways turns southwards towards Forks and Aberdeen. The shortcut to Aberdeen from Olympia along Hwy 101 without going all the way around would be to continue west along the highway, past the US Hwy 101 turn off towards Shelton. That same highway becomes WA-Hwy 8 going west towards Aberdeen where it intersects US-Hwy 101 at S 'H' Street & W Wishkah Rd west of downtown Aberdeen. Turn left at 'H' and over the bridge to go south on Hwy 101 or follow Wishkah Rd to S Alder to go Hwy 101 north. There are NO roads across the Olympic Mountains like from Hoodsport/Hood Canal or Shelton to Forks.

US Hwy 12 continues westward from I-5 at Exit #88, which is a shortcut towards Grays Harbor if coming from Centralia or anywhere south along I-5. The highway intersects WA-Hwy 8 at Elma.

& WA Hwy 3/104 turn-off 3mi south of Discovery Bay (WA Hwy 20 turn-off towards Port Townsend) along Hwy 101 connects to the Kitsap Peninsula via floating Hood Canal Bridge.

By bus
There are public buses available for travel around the peninsula without a private automobile. There are five counties in the Olympic Peninsula which operate their own transit buses in town and along rural routes between towns in their respective counties and to adjacent counties (or the county line) to the meet the onward bus into the next county. The buses are usually timed for one to arrive several minutes before the next one leaves. They are not fastest way to get around but are the cheapest for the budget traveler. Check schedules. They are:
 * Bus Route 14 goes around the peninsula from Port Angeles to Forks. Transfer to the Olympic Connector to continue south towards Amanda Mercantile.
 * Bus Route 16 Forks - Neah Bay
 * Bus Route 30 "101 Commuter" between Port Angeles and Sequim. Transfer to Jefferson Transit #8 from Sequim to Port Townsend.
 * Strait Shot 123 Port Angeles and Bainbridge Island Ferry via Sequim, Jamestown, Discovery Bay, Suquamish Way & SR305, and North Viking P&R in Poulsbo. Transfer to Jefferson Transit #8 from Discovery Bay to Port Townsend.
 * Strait Shot 123 Port Angeles and Bainbridge Island Ferry via Sequim, Jamestown, Discovery Bay, Suquamish Way & SR305, and North Viking P&R in Poulsbo. Transfer to Jefferson Transit #8 from Discovery Bay to Port Townsend.

 * Bus route 40 Olympia, Montessano, Elma, Aberdeen, Hoquiam. Transfer to Intercity buses to Olympia, Tumwater, & Lacey. Rt #620 to Lakewood.
 * Bus route 50 Amanda Mercantile,Quinault, Hoquiamm, Aberdeen
 * Bus route 50 Amanda Mercantile,Quinault, Hoquiamm, Aberdeen

 * Olympic Connector Amanda Mercantile -Forks through Jefferson County. Transfer to Cllalam Transit #14 to Port Angeles and Grays Habor Transit #50 to Aberdeen.
 * Bus route 1 Port Townsend to Brinnon (Trifon Cove State Park). Transfer to Mason Transit #8 to Belfair.
 * Bus route 7 Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, Poulsbo. Passengers connect to Kitsap Transit #390 from Poulsbo to Bainbridge Island Ferry
 * Bus route 8 Port Townsend, Discovery Bay, Sequim
 * Bus route 14 Port Townsend, Kingston Ferry Terminal. Passengers continue on Kitsap Transit's Fast Ferry into downtown Seattle.
 * Bus route 14 Port Townsend, Kingston Ferry Terminal. Passengers continue on Kitsap Transit's Fast Ferry into downtown Seattle.

 * Bus route 301 Bremerton, Silverdale, Poulsbo (Rt #202 between Silverdale & Bremerton is suspended)
 * Bus route 307 Poulsbo - Kingston Ferry Terminal
 * Bus route 390 Poulsbo - Bainbridge Island Ferry
 * Purdy Connector Port Orchard to Purdy P&R, north of Gig Harbor. Transfer to Pierce Transit #100 or 595 to continue to Tacoma and the Kitsap Ferry from Port Orchard to Bremerton.
 * Kitsap Fast Ferries connect downtown Seattle from Kingston, Bremerton and Southworth on three separate routes.
 * Kitsap Fast Ferries connect downtown Seattle from Kingston, Bremerton and Southworth on three separate routes.

 * bus route 1 Shelton-Belfair (NE Clifton Ln @ Bill Hunter Pk)
 * bus route 3 Belfair (NE Clifton Ln @ Bill Hunter Pk) -Bremerton Ferry Terminal
 * bus route 6 Shelton-Downtown Olympia Transit Center. Transfer to Intercity buses to Olympia, Tumwater, & Lacey. Rt #620 to Lakewood.
 * bus route 8 Belfair-Brinnon (US 101 @ Trifton Cove State Park). Transfer to Jefferson Transit #1 to Port Townsend
 * bus route 8 Belfair-Brinnon (US 101 @ Trifton Cove State Park). Transfer to Jefferson Transit #1 to Port Townsend

Unlike city buses in town the rural routes run infrequently so plan accordingly. There are no bus services into the Hoh Rain Forest (nearest stop is at the turn off at Hwy 101 which is another 17mi/27.2km to the visitors center) and up into the Hurricane Ridge and Elwha from Port Angeles or anywhere in the Olympic National Park from along Hwy 101. They can drop passengers off along the highway and from there it is up to you to hike your way into the park.

Do
The Olympic Peninsula is an outdoorsy place that offers a wide variety of places to experience nature.

 * Beach combing is hugely popular along the Pacific Coast, however due to its size and vast expanses between towns it is easy to find your own isolated patch to explore. Be warned that sea shells and driftwood are considered part of the natural environment and should not be removed. Be gentle with sea creatures and keep a wide distance away from nesting birds, seals and other shore animals and always put back anything removed from the shoreline.
 * Boating The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular places for recreational boating in America. Breath taking views of the snow-capped mountain ranges mingle with thick forests and clear bays and streams to create a humbling cacophony of natural sights for area boaters.
 * Cycling in the Olympic Peninsula is a fantastic way to explore. Whether you're looking to hit the trails on a MTB, take on the Olympic Discovery Trail along the north edge or looking to enjoy bike touring the multi day Olympic Peninsula Loop, there are plenty of options. If you're looking for a bike tour of the area, consider the likes of Bike the US for MS which have a week long tour of the area, all whilst pedalling for a good cause.
 * Hiking and Backpacking are very popular throughout this region, especially in along the coast and in Olympic National Park but other opportunities for hiking/backpacking can be found nearly everywhere including the areas many state parks.
 * Sea kayaking as a sport developed in the Pacific Northwest and the area offers hundreds of miles of convoluted shoreline to explore.
 * Scuba diving the cold waters of Pacific Northwest takes a bit more gear and training than other warm water locations, but the rewards are incredible. The area contains some of the best diving in the world and many dive sites are completely covered with colorful sea creatures that defy description.
 * Whale watching is good along the coast in spring and fall during the Grey Whale migration and Orca Whales can also frequently be seen. Many professional tours are available or check online for recent updates from various whale watching groups.
 * Whitewater sports Guides are available to take travelers down the rapids of the Elwa River and others. Not only thrilling but a wonderful way to see and experience the region.

Eat
Be mindful of the time of day particularly in early summer. Restaurants in remote areas may have limited hours of operation, and reservations are recommended where available.

If traveling by car, consider packing a picnic basket as a contingency measure.

Coffee
Coffee is hugely popular all across the Pacific Northwest including the Olympic Peninsula. Look for small road side espresso stands even in small towns.

Beer
Like the rest of Washington State, microbreweries and beer in general is hugely popular, and the area has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. Some brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't even bottle their product). Ask your servers for local beer recommendations and search out regional microbrews in stores.

Wine
Although the Olympic Peninsula is not known as wine country, many Washington State wines are still and plentiful in restaurants and stores.

Stay safe
Being on the Pacific Rim means that earthquakes and even tsunamis are a possibility, so no matter how remote the chances are, it’s best to be aware and prepared. Areas along the coast have tsunami evacuation routes well marked.

Go next
The Olympic Peninsula is bordered to the east by Puget Sound and the Kitsap Peninsula. To the south is Southwest Washington and to the north via a ferry is Vancouver Island.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Olympic Peninsula


text:
Olympos

There's more than one place called Olympos:

Greece

 * Olympos (Karpathos), a town on the island of Karpathos
 * Olympos (Larissa), a municipality in the Larissa Prefecture
 * Olympos National Park

Turkey

 * Olympos (Turkey)

title: Olympos


text:
Olympos (Turkey)

Olympos (Olimpos) is a string of pansiyons and tourist activities strung along a narrow road on the bottom of a valley just inland from coastal Roman ruins in Lycia, Mediterranean Turkey. It might be generously labelled a "village".

Understand
Ancient Lycian ruins, an isolated Mediterranean beach, accommodation in treehouses and flames that mysteriously burn from the side of a mountain are some of the attractions of Olympos (Olimpos) in Turkey's south.

The modern "village" is named after the Lycian/Roman city that now lies in ruins on the beach, which in turn is named after nearby Mt. Tahtalı, the highest mountain of the vicinity and, along with some other 20-odd noticeably high mountains in northeastern Mediterranean basin, known as Olympos in antiquity.

A hippie haven before the completion of a surfaced road from the main highway in 2009 means that there are many more people (including families with fussy children, and rowdy and drunk teenagers) heading there compared with years past. In summer weekends when hordes of day- (and night-)trippers pour in, Olympos is sadly not much different from any ordinary resort town now. However, former habitués report that autumns when everyone else quits the scene, Olympos is just as beautiful as it used to be.

Get in
Olympos is about 50-60 km south of Antalya. Nearest major towns are Kumluca to the south and Kemer to the north of Olympos. There are minibuses from Antalya's otogar (main station for intercity buses) as well as buses from Antalya to Kaş (and all those others on the way west like Kumluca), which stop at the junction on upland section of the main coastal highway of the region, which is about 10 km away from Olympos. There is a station at the junction with an open air cafe, which also offers some snacks. From there a dolmuş, which depart fairly frequent nowadays, can be caught.

A dolmuş from the otogar at Antalya to the Olympos junction costs 15 TL. From the junction to Olympos a dolmuş costs 5 TL.

Dolmuş lines departs Olympos hourly between 07:00-20:00 during summers. Timetable got rarer during winters as 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00 and possibly later depending on the demand.

Taxi services are also available for to environed places like Adrasan, Kumluca, and even Antalya.

See

The "town" area is a collection of backpacker guesthouses and hostels, particularly popular are the treehouse style bungalows. Follow the dusty road down past the end of the guesthouses and it leads to an ancient winding path, past the remains of ancient Greek ruins and down to the sparkling water. It's a pebble beach with absolutely no shade, so it's blisteringly hot to sit on and not very comfortable without thick padding, but the scenery is spectacular.

The ruins are quite impressive, not as much so as Ephesus but still worth seeing. The relative lack of tourist traffic compared to Ephesus means the site is largely overgrown, which gives the place a "mystical" feel, so you have to do some hiking to get to some of the remains. It's normally very hot, so be prepared with lots of sunscreen and water.

Entering the ruins cost 5 TL/person, and going to the beach requires entering the ruins and the staff at the gate make no distinction between someone visiting the ruins and a beachgoer, so you'll have to pay this fee each time you're going to beach, except, of course, late at night and very early in the morning, when the office is unmanned. There is also the option of buying a weekly pass which costs 7.5 TL and for 10 entrances to the ruins, and thus the beach.

 * See Kemer for the cable car to ascend Mount Tahtalı, accessed by a lane from Tekirova.
 * See Kemer for the cable car to ascend Mount Tahtalı, accessed by a lane from Tekirova.
 * See Kemer for the cable car to ascend Mount Tahtalı, accessed by a lane from Tekirova.
 * See Kemer for the cable car to ascend Mount Tahtalı, accessed by a lane from Tekirova.

Do
Bayrams has a lively social scene, with several resident Aussies tending bar. When it's fully dark you can take a bus up to Mount Olympos, with a 45-minute hike up to the Eternal Flames of the Chimera. These flames issue from natural gas jets in the side of the hill, which will self ignite if put out. These are the flames that inspired the Greek myth of Bellarophon and the Chimera. Ranging in size from small flickers to decent size campfires, they're quite interesting when you consider they've been burning for thousands of years.

Gulets cruising down the coast from Antalya stop at the beach to allow their passengers to wade ashore and visit the ruins or eat at one of the many beachside restaurants.

Buy
Since the area is under protection, concrete based construction is hardly allowed (save for treehouses) and as such there is no formal bank nor ATM in Olympos. Olympos is a small village and has no banks or facilities to obtain cash, so make sure you have enough before you come.

Eat

 * There is an open-air restaurant named Muzo's on the path to beach, just after the ticket office, where you can have a cheese or spinach Turkish pancake (gözleme) for 3-4 TL while sitting on traditional Turkish lounges.
 * Aso market, named after the initials of widowed owner woman's three grown-up children whose works rarely. Even if the owner has lack of any foreign language experience inspite of her each children's fluent English knowledge, the gözleme maker is fluent in Russian hence her Azerbaijani origins while the shopkeeper can able to speak in English.

Drink
A supermarket open year round around 1 km down the road from Kadir's sells alcohol for around 4 TL for a litre bottle of beer and 20 TL for a bottle of dodgy vodka.

Sleep

Go next
Minibuses leave to the station on the main road every couple of hours. From there, dolmuşes go towards Antalya and Kaş (15 TL) every 30 minutes. It may be worth asking about buses direct to Fethiye if that is your destination.

There are also gullets that leave from Olympos going to Fethiye generally taking 4 days to get there.

 * Adrasan, about 4 km away, has been spared (at least for now) from development because the surfaced road does not yet reach there. It is the destination of choice for the former frequenters of Olympos who flee the crowds now arriving in Olympos. However, development has begun there, too, along with an increasing number of tourists—even a tour bus or two can now be seen in the high season. It's also neither a particularly cheap place to stay in (you might find dorms going for 25 TL pp lalf-board at Jungle Bells, though), nor is the scenery as beautiful as Olympos. But still, it's quieter than Olympos; make no mistake, though—it's nowhere as relaxing as Kabak around the other side of the peninsula!
 * Boats leave from Adrasan beach for a trip to ("water island"), a barren, dramatic outcrop in the sea with incredibly clear and marvellously blue water.

title: Olympos (Turkey)


text:
Olympos National Park

Olympos National Park, in the Macedonian-Thessalian border in northern Greece, is home to Mount Olympus, the country's highest mountain (2,918 m).

Understand
The major entrance to the park is the village of.

The village of is the started point of a forested road ending at Koromilia Dion Refuge.

is a traditional village in the lower Olympus, in fact a completely separate and different mountain, though very close to Mount Olympus. The village sits at an altitude of 700 m, with a magnificent view over the coast.

Get in
KTEL Intercity Buses operate (10 daily - €9.30) from Thessaloniki to Litochoro with an intermediate stop at Katerini. The bus schedule can be found at the website of the Thessaloniki station.

The main line of the Greek railway system that connects Athens with Thessaloniki passes through Katerini. Even the fast Intercity trains make a stop at Katerini railway station. You can catch a bus to Litochoro from the nearby bus station. Keep in mind that bus service does not operate on Sunday or holidays.

Olympus' massif is found about in the middle of Continental Greece and is easy to approach from the national railway network on the Athens-Thessaloniki line and the secondary roads that connect towns and villages around the mountain, with the principal base for excursions being the town of Litochoro, where there is are many hotels and taverns. In addition, on Pieria's coastal zone there are many camp sites and lodgings. The nearest international airport is that of Thessaloniki, and railway stations are those of Litochoro, Katerini and Leptokarya. There is frequent service by KTEL buses and a taxi stand is in Litochoro's central square.
 * By air: Makedonia Airport in Thessaloniki, 80 km away from Katerini and 150 km from Elassona.
 * By train: Athens-Leptokarya (regular line), Athens-Katerini (Intercity) and Thessaloniki-Litochoro (Suburban and regular line).
 * By bus: Athens-Katerini (437 km), Thessaloniki-Katerini (68 km), Katerini-Litochoro (25 km), Athens-Larissa (354 km), Larissa-Elassona, Elassona-Kokkinopilos (22 km), Elassona-Karya (36 km).
 * By car:
 * To Litochoro via Highway No. 1 (E75) (412 km away from Athens, 93 km from Thessaloniki).
 * To Elassona via National Roads Athens-Larissa (354 km) and Larissa-Elassona (38 km).
 * To Karya via road Larissa-Rodia-Sykaminea-Karya (48 km).
 * To Karya via road Leptokarya-Karya (24 km), or Neos Panteleimonas-Kallipefki-Karya (37 km).
 * To Kokkinopilos from Elassona via road Katerini-Foteina-Elassona (46 km) or via forest road Foteina-Petra-Kokkinopilos.

Get around
By foot or by donkey.

See
Olympus' highest peak is at 2918 meters (9570 feet).

Itineraries

 * The most common itinerary is the international hiking path E4: Litochoro, Prionia (1,100 m), Spileos Agapitos (2,100 m), Skala, Mytikas (2,918 m).
 * The path "Barba - Kolokythia - Petrostrounga (1,940 m) Skourta (2,485 m) - Refuge Giosos Apostolidis - Mytikas" is less frequented but equally scenic.
 * The Greek hiking path O2, ascending from Karya to the summits.
 * The most easy hiking path starts from the Christakis refuge and leads within 90 minutes to the Skolio summit (2,912 m) and from there further to the highest summits, the Mytikas (2918 m) and the Stefani (2902 m).

Sleep
There are 9 refuges where you can stay overnight for €15 per person per night. You can also camp.

title: Olympos National Park


text:
Omaezaki

Omaezaki (御前崎) is a coastal city in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Understand
It is located in southwestern Shizuoka Prefecture. Omaezaki City was created on April 1, 2004, when the Omaezaki Town and the Hamaoka Town merged and implemented the trial system. Major industries include nuclear power, fisheries, and tourism. Tea, strawberry, and melon are grown in the agricultural sector. There is no railroad passing through here, and the road passes through National Route 150. Omaezaki Port is the main port. Attractions include Omaezaki, Hachiman Tai Castle Site, Omaezaki Lighthouse, and Kaisen-Nabura Market.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in

 * Route 150 joins Omaezaki with Hamamatsu to the west and Shizuoka to the north.
 * Route 473 (Aino Bypass) connects Omaezaki to from the Toumei Expressway at the Aino Interchange.

Go next

 * Hamamatsu
 * Iwata
 * Kakegawa
 * Kikugawa
 * Shizuoka

title: Omaezaki


text:
Omagh

Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It's a market town with a population of 20,000 in 2021, standing at the confluence of two small rivers that creates the Strule River. The nearby Ulster American Folk Park explores the journey made by the Irish (specifically those from Ulster) to America during the 1800s, and hosts festivals and events.

Understand
In 1998 there was optimism in Omagh, as elsewhere in the UK and Ireland, that the Troubles were behind them. The Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10 April 1998, bound all sides to non-violence and a series of reforms on civil rights, policing, military de-escalation and recognition of sovereignty. Sinn Féin the republican political faction supported the agreement, but a splinter group called the Real IRA saw it as betraying the struggle for a united Ireland. They began a campaign of bombings against symbolic targets and the security forces, and their car bomb in Omagh was the worst single act of violence in the entire Troubles.

On 13 Aug a maroon Vauxhall Cavalier was stolen in the Republic, fitted with fake Northern Ireland plates, and loaded with 500 lb (230 kg) of explosives; the man who stole the car was a double agent. On 15 Aug it was driven to Omagh, with a scout car ahead to warn of checkpoints. Security forces were listening to these mobile phone conversations, and there had been other intelligence. The target in Omagh was the courthouse on High Street but they couldn't find a nearby parking spot, so they parked further east on Market Street near its junction with Dublin Rd. They set the timer for 40 minutes, walked clear and drove off in the scout car. A family of Spanish tourists happened to pose for a photo next to the car.

The Real IRA phoned three warnings, but they caused police to believe the site was the courthouse, so people were evacuated along Market Street towards the bomb. It exploded at 3:10PM, turning the car into a fireball and hail of shrapnel. 27 people were killed outright or died of their injuries, including two of the Spanish tourists, and a woman who was pregnant with twins.

The aftermath was universal condemnation; the Real IRA became pariahs and said they would abandon their bombing campaign. There were years of police, legal, political and media enquiry, and several suspects were arrested but no convictions could be secured. However the families of children killed by the bomb launched civil litigation against the main suspects, and four were found liable for the deaths.

Get in
Ulsterbus 273 runs from Belfast Europa bus station, hourly M-Sa and every two hours Sunday, via Lurgan, Dungannon and Ballygawley to Omagh (1 hr 40 min), and continues to Newtonstewart, Sion Mills, Strabane and Derry. From Cookstown change at Dungannon.

Goldline Bus X3 runs once or twice a day from Dublin Busáras and Airport via Monaghan and Ballygawley to Omagh (3 hours), continuing to Strabane and Derry. You could also take the X4 from Dublin via Armagh and change at Dungannon; this bus continues to Derry via Cookstown.

Buses also run to Omagh from Enniskillen via Dromore (Bus 94, five M-F, two Sa), and from Castlederg (Bus 96, four M-F).

is north bank of the river, corner of Bridge St and Mountjoy Rd.

By car from Belfast follow M1 onto A4 then at Ballygawley take A5.

Omagh lost its railway in 1965. There are calls for it to be re-connected to the main line at Portadown, but the track bed has been built over so that would be an expensive project.

Get around
For the Ulster American Folk Park, take Bus 273 / 97 towards Strabane. For the Abingdon motor collection, take the same bus as far as Mountjoy post office.

The local taxi firm is Urgent Taxis on Bridge St (+44 28 8224 8999). Uber doesn't operate in Omagh.

National Cycleway 95 runs mostly on-road from Armagh to Dungannon, Cookstown and Strabane, while Route 92 runs from Enniskillen to Omagh, Strabane and Derry.

See

 * is on two sites: a glass obelisk marks the blast on Market St.
 * is north across the bridge, since space is limited on Market St. It's a set of mirrors each bearing the name of a victim.
 * : all that remains is the octagonal tower of the Governor's House, built in 1804. (The town's monastery and Franciscan Friary also stood here, but were obliterated by later building.) It's privately owned and you can't go inside. Most of the inmates were debtors, but one notorious criminal hanged here in 1873 had killed the cashier while robbing the bank at Newtonstewart. The crime was diligently investigated by District Inspector Montgomery, but in a twist worthy of The Real Inspector Hound, the murderer turned out to be himself.
 * is a village ten miles north of Omagh on the road to Strabane, with two ruined castles. Stewart Castle on main street is the gable-end shell of a 17th-century manor house. Harry Avery's Castle, half a mile south of the village, is two bulky D-shaped towers — a rare example of a Gaelic castle built in stone, and named for a 14th-century member of the O'Neill dynasty.
 * : see Cookstown for this group of stone circles and other prehistoric monuments in the lanes east of Omagh.
 * is a village ten miles north of Omagh on the road to Strabane, with two ruined castles. Stewart Castle on main street is the gable-end shell of a 17th-century manor house. Harry Avery's Castle, half a mile south of the village, is two bulky D-shaped towers — a rare example of a Gaelic castle built in stone, and named for a 14th-century member of the O'Neill dynasty.
 * : see Cookstown for this group of stone circles and other prehistoric monuments in the lanes east of Omagh.

Do

 * Omagh Leisure Complex on Old Mountfield Rd has gym, fitness classes and a pool.
 * Cinemas are the Omniplex on Kevlin Rd, south side, and IMC Cinema on Gillygooley Rd northwest of the centre.
 * Watch Gaelic games: the County GAA plays Gaelic football and hurling at Healy Park (capacity 18,500), along Gortin Rd half a mile north of town centre.
 * Watch Gaelic games: the County GAA plays Gaelic football and hurling at Healy Park (capacity 18,500), along Gortin Rd half a mile north of town centre.

Buy

 * The town centre retail strip is Main Street, the pedestrianised mall off High Street.
 * The edge-of-town retail park is a mile southwest, junction of A5 and A32. Asda petrol here is the cheapest place to refuel.

Eat

 * There's a slew of cheap and cheerful places along High Street.

Drink

 * Along High Street are Top of the Town, Bogan's, and Rue the bar within Main Street Omagh restaurant.
 * Pokertree Brewing Company produce a range of ales in Carrickmore village east of Omagh. No tours.
 * Pokertree Brewing Company produce a range of ales in Carrickmore village east of Omagh. No tours.

Sleep

 * is a plush Georgian mansion along B84 northwest of Omagh. It's the home of the Duke of Abercorn and doesn't offer tours, but there's upscale self-catering accommodation on the estate.
 * is a plush Georgian mansion along B84 northwest of Omagh. It's the home of the Duke of Abercorn and doesn't offer tours, but there's upscale self-catering accommodation on the estate.
 * is a plush Georgian mansion along B84 northwest of Omagh. It's the home of the Duke of Abercorn and doesn't offer tours, but there's upscale self-catering accommodation on the estate.
 * is a plush Georgian mansion along B84 northwest of Omagh. It's the home of the Duke of Abercorn and doesn't offer tours, but there's upscale self-catering accommodation on the estate.

Connect
As of Aug 2021, Omagh has 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Cookstown has a famously long wide main street, but the real attractions are the ancient sites (including the inauguration site of the Kings of Tyrone), and the "beetling mill" that put the final shine on Ulster linen.
 * County Fermanagh starts 15 miles southwest. Irvinestown, the first place you reach, has a couple of castles, though they're really mansion houses.
 * Derry is a fascinating historic city and its walls still stand.

title: Omagh


text:
Omaha

Omaha is the largest city in the US state of Nebraska, with about 486,000 residents in 2020. Tourist attractions in Omaha include history, sports, outdoors and cultural experiences. Its principal tourist attractions are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Men's College World Series. The Old Market in Downtown Omaha is another major attraction and is important to the city's retail economy.

Understand

It is on the Missouri River border with Iowa, along Interstates 29 and 80.

Omaha has some unusual traits, as it has the most millionaires per capita in the nation, and is also home to billionaire Warren Buffett, one of the world's richest and most famous investors. Conversely, it also has one of the highest rates of African Americans living under the poverty line. It is still quite racially divided, with the affluent west side and Midtown being predominantly white, the south side Latino, and the northeast side African American.

Residents are friendly and polite, and Omaha has a well-deserved reputation for hospitality.

By plane

Secondary airports serving the area are  in West Omaha,  (KPMV) in South Omaha, ,   and   in Iowa, across the Missouri River east.

By train
Amtrak serves Omaha with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago. It has several stops along the way, with connections throughout America. However, the trains arrive at inconvenient times in the middle of the night. Omaha once had a two historic grand stations, but one is now a television studio, and the other has been converted to a museum. The current is on 1003 South 9th Street.

By bus
The for Burlington Trailways and Jefferson Lines south of downtown at 1601 S Jackson St while Express Arrow serves the airport. Check schedules & websites. (Some of these companies also have (additional) stops in other parts of the city.) From here buses typically come from Denver to the west on I-80/76; and from Chicago to the east along I-80/88. There are other bus services going north & south between Sioux City, IA and Kansas City, MO as well:

There are additional companies offering intrastate transportation out of the airport (see 'By shuttle' in below).

Districts
Neighbourhoods of Omaha are generally ill-defined and rarely used. When describing a location, Omahans are more likely to give an intersection. For example "39th & Davenport" for Joslyn Castle or "156th & Center" for Zorinsky lake. Roughly speaking: Downtown is between I-480 and the Missouri River, Midtown is between I-480 and I-680, and West Omaha is west of I-680.

By car
By far the easiest and most convenient way of getting around. The city is a grid and easily navigable, numbered streets run north-south and increase in number as you go west. Parking is plentiful and often free outside of downtown, and traffic jams are rare. All major rental car companies operate in Omaha.

By bus
The Omaha Metro has regular bus services serving around Omaha. Fares are $1.25-1.50 for adults, $1 for students, and $.60 for seniors.

By taxi
Taxi service is available, but there is much less than in major cities. Taxis are always available at the airport and train and bus stations, but you won't be able to hail a cab downtown; you must call and arrange for a taxi to pick you up. Rates are fixed by city ordinance and do not vary among companies. Ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft are also present.

Zoo

 * The Zoo also runs a drive-through near the city of Ashland that has elk, wolves, eagles, buffalo, and other native animals.
 * The Zoo also runs a drive-through near the city of Ashland that has elk, wolves, eagles, buffalo, and other native animals.

Museums

Omaha has quite a few museums and art galleries:

 * Various other Old Market and Benson galleries. Omaha has a "First Friday" gallery crawl through both neighborhoods every first Friday of each month.
 * Various other Old Market and Benson galleries. Omaha has a "First Friday" gallery crawl through both neighborhoods every first Friday of each month.
 * Various other Old Market and Benson galleries. Omaha has a "First Friday" gallery crawl through both neighborhoods every first Friday of each month.

Landmarks
Omaha has many unique landmarks.

Parks
Many parks and recreational areas are scattered throughout Omaha.

Sports

 * If you can't make it to the MCWS but still want to see quality baseball, take a short drive to the southern suburb of Papillion to catch an Omaha Storm Chasers game at . The Storm Chasers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, one step down from Major League Baseball.
 * Each September, the River City Roundup takes place. The event includes a festival of events, a professional rodeo, stage shows, expositions, parades, kiddie rides and more.
 * During hockey season, the Omaha Lancers take the ice in the in the southern suburb of Ralston.
 * The Omaha Beef is Omaha's indoor football team, which also plays at the Ralston Arena.
 * Union Omaha is Omaha's professional men's soccer team, playing in the third-level USL League One and sharing Werner Park with the Storm Chasers.
 * The Creighton Bluejays, the sports teams of Creighton University, are also a big part of Omaha life. Jays men's basketball especially, played at the CHI Health Center (formerly Qwest Center and CenturyLink Center), is a big draw for students and residents alike. Creighton also has a great soccer team that plays in one of the best soccer stadiums in the country, Morrison Stadium, located right on campus.
 * The Omaha Mavericks, representing the University of Nebraska Omaha, have a Division I hockey team that is usually a top 20 team. The Mavericks hockey team plays in the on-campus Baxter Arena, also home to Mavericks men's and women's basketball.
 * For a taste of subculture sports, check out the Omaha Roller Girls, Omaha's one-and-only flat track roller derby team.
 * Omaha has been home to four editions (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021) of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at the venue now known as CHI Health Center, though the 2024 trials will be in Indianapolis. When held in Omaha, heats and finals usually begin the last week of the Men's College World Series and tickets are open to the public.
 * Omaha has been home to four editions (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021) of the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at the venue now known as CHI Health Center, though the 2024 trials will be in Indianapolis. When held in Omaha, heats and finals usually begin the last week of the Men's College World Series and tickets are open to the public.

Events and festivals
Omaha hosts many festivals throughout the year.
 * Every Thursday night throughout the summer, you can take part in Jazz on the Green where local and regional musicians present programs ranging from reggae to swing at this annual concert series sponsored by the Joslyn Art Museum. Bring a blanket, picnic dinner, beverages and your dancing shoes!
 * Another summer event is Shakespeare on the Green is an offering of Shakespearean works, a drama and a comedy running in repertory and draws more than 35,000 playgoers during its annual three-week run.
 * Every summer, the Omaha Farmers Market takes place in the downtown Old Market area and is open Saturday mornings.
 * The Taste of Omaha festival is usually held between the Lewis & Clark Landing & Heartland of America Park downtown. Held in early June, this is a great way to sample food from various local vendors. There is also live music and other fun events.
 * In the winter months, the Holiday Lights Festival takes place in Downtown Omaha. Lights are put up on many buildings and trees, and different activities take place throughout the festival, including ice skating, singing performances, and fireworks.
 * The West-Omaha Neighbourhood of Millard hosts Millard Days, usually the last week in August. Great for families, events include a parade, carnival, and horseshoes tournament.

Music

 * Omaha is home to the Saddle Creek record label, which carries bands such as Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Cursive. These bands are part of the "Omaha Sound" and frequently play in Omaha. Check out venues such as, , and the to see if they, or any other bands of your liking, are playing.
 * You can also check out what bands are playing at the which hosts national acts.

Activities

 * A trip to Omaha is not complete without a trip to the Old Market. The area still retains its brick streets and covered sidewalks, and rides on horse-drawn carriages are available. It is a good area to take a stroll and do some window shopping at the eccentric shops and upscale boutiques found throughout the area. Common sights include street performers, musicians, artists, and other vendors. In the summer, it is home to the Omaha Farmers Market.

Learn
There are three major universites present in Omaha: University of Nebraska Omaha, Creighton University, and University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Work
Omaha has a thriving employment market in finance, healthcare, and IT.

Despite its relatively small population, Omaha is home to the headquarters of four Fortune 500 companies:, , Kiewit Corporation, and Mutual of Omaha Insurance.

Other major employers in the area include Charles Schwab, First National Bank of Omaha,, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Grocery store
Supermarkets are ubiquitous and multiple brands are available. Big-box stores Walmart and Target are also present.

Eat
It's said that Omaha has more restaurants per capita than almost anywhere else in the world. Omaha and much of Nebraska are known for high quality corn-fed beef. Smoking is illegal inside all restaurants in Nebraska. Smoking on outdoor patios is legal, but rare. Below are a selection of locations to eat in Omaha.

Drink
All restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Omaha are smoke-free indoors. Smoking on outdoor patios is legal, though rather uncommon. All bars in Omaha must close by 2AM. Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased in grocery stores. Hard liquor cannot be served or sold before noon on Sunday.

Bars

Other fun bars include the, the , , and , all within a few blocks of each other in the Old Market District.

Stay safe
Omaha is generally a safe city, but still use common sense. Simply using caution and avoiding any situation in which you are uncomfortable will basically keep you out of trouble. The vast majority of violent crime occurs in North Omaha, roughly defined as the area North of Cuming St, between 24th and 72nd St. Exercise a bit of additional caution when in this area, especially after dark.

Omaha is in Tornado Alley, so severe weather can erupt between the months of April and August with the main threats being hail, high winds and street flooding, but tornadoes can sometimes be a threat. Tornado alert sirens are located throughout the city. At 11AM on the first Wednesday of the month, the sirens are tested. If in doubt, ask a resident. Local stations KETV Channel 7 (ABC), WOWT Channel 6(NBC) and KMTV Channel 3 (CBS) break into programming if a severe weather event is in progress. Radio services 1110 AM and 590 AM also provide severe weather coverage. Omaha is in Douglas County in the state of Nebraska, as meteorologists often point out warnings this way.

During winter months, Omaha often sees cold temperatures as well as snow or ice events. There are steep hills in the city, and precaution should be taken during slick driving conditions. Blizzards are often possible, the entire city normally shuts down during one of these.

Cope

 * The Omaha World-Herald; the city's largest newspaper.
 * Nebraska Examiner; local non-profit online newspaper, mainly focused on investigative journalism.
 * The Omaha Star; Newspaper published in North Omaha, primarily covering the black community.
 * Silicon Prairie News; covers the midwestern tech industry

Consulates

 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Go next

 * Council Bluffs, Iowa is just across the Missouri River. Gambling is illegal in Nebraska, so Omaha residents visit Council Bluffs for its casinos. There are also some interesting historic sites here.
 * The nearby cities of Bellevue, La Vista, Papillion and Ralston have various shopping areas. See Eastern Nebraska for details.
 * Visit Lincoln ( west on I-80) to explore various museums and shopping there. Or catch a University of Nebraska football game, where every home game has been sold out for over 50 years.
 * Nebraska City - Has orchards and vineyards (Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard or Arbor Day Farm) about an hour drive from Omaha.

title: Omaha


text:
Omak

Omak is a city in the North Cascades region of Washington State.

See
In early to mid-August, the city hosts the Omak Stampede, a large and festive annual rodeo that includes the Suicide Race, where horses and riders go down a 62% slope that runs for 225 feet (70m) into the Okanogan River. This downhill racing aspect of the rodeo experience isn't for everyone, but is a tradition of the area.

Go next

 * Colville Indian Reservation
 * St Mary's Mission, on the Colville Indian Reservation
 * Conconully State Park, 22 miles north of Omak
 * Loup Loup - ski resort located midway between Twisp and Omak on Hwy 20

title: Omak