Lacey is one of the South Puget Sound’s easiest places to stay active. Tucked between Olympia and the Nisqually River Delta, the city is laced with paved trails, wooded lakeside parks, and friendly local spots, and the waters of Puget Sound are only a short drive away. For active adults, it offers a comfortable pace with plenty to explore.
Revel Lacey puts all of that within easy reach. From the community, it is a short drive to Woodland Creek Community Park, the Virgil Clarkson Senior Center, and the paved trails that connect downtown Lacey to Olympia, with wildlife refuges, golf, and the Olympia waterfront not much farther. That mix of nearby routines and bigger outings is what makes staying active here feel natural.
This guide rounds up 16 of the best things to do in Lacey, Washington for active seniors, organized from the easiest, closest outings to the fuller-day adventures and seasonal favorites. Each stop includes a quick note on effort and accessibility so you can match the activity to your energy on any given day. Use the table of contents below to jump straight to what interests you.
Table of Contents
Right in the Heart of Lacey
- Join the Fun at the Virgil Clarkson Senior Center
- Wander Woodland Creek Community Park
- Walk the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail
- Picnic at the Historic Lacey Depot
- Relax by the Water at Lake Lois Park
- Find Some Shade at Wonderwood Park
- Take in Hicks Lake at Wanschers Community Park
Makers, Taprooms, and Shopping
- Try Something New at Lacey MakerSpace
- Raise a Glass at Top Rung Brewing
- Shop The Landing at Hawks Prairie
Trails, Wildlife, and Puget Sound
- Ride or Walk the Chehalis Western Trail
- Walk the Boardwalk at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
- Explore the Shoreline at Tolmie State Park
Golf and Seasonal Favorites
Right in the Heart of Lacey
1. Join the Fun at the Virgil Clarkson Senior Center
The Virgil Clarkson Senior Center sits inside Woodland Creek Community Park, with a cozy lobby and a large veranda overlooking the park’s pond. Its calendar includes social activities, fitness programs, classes, support groups, and noon meals, so it is an easy place to build a weekly routine.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Indoor programs and meals designed for older adults.
- Getting there: Inside Woodland Creek Community Park, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
2. Wander Woodland Creek Community Park
At 72.77 acres, Woodland Creek Community Park is Lacey’s go-to park for an easy outdoor outing. Paved walkways wind past Woodland Creek and Longs Pond, and the park also has picnic shelters, restrooms, a putting green, and a 14-hole disc golf course.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate. Paved walkways, restrooms, and parking, plus natural trails for more of a walk.
- Getting there: 6729 Pacific Avenue SE, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
3. Walk the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail
The Karen Fraser Woodland Trail is a paved, 2.2-mile walking and biking trail that follows a former rail line through downtown Lacey. It connects Woodland Creek Community Park on the east with the Chehalis Western and Olympia Woodland Trails on the west, and it is open from 7 a.m. to dark.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Fully paved and mostly level.
- Getting there: Parallels Pacific Avenue through downtown Lacey, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: City of Lacey Parks: Karen Fraser Woodland Trail
4. Picnic at the Historic Lacey Depot
Along the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail, Depot Park and the Lacey Depot building make a charming picnic stop, with indoor picnic tables open to the public from April through October and a train-themed playground for visiting grandkids.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Short, level walking from the trail or parking.
- Getting there: Pacific Avenue SE in downtown Lacey, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: City of Lacey Parks
5. Relax by the Water at Lake Lois Park
Lake Lois Park is a quiet, 7-acre neighborhood park with a short natural trail along the shoreline, bank fishing, and picnic tables. Paved parking and an accessible picnic table make it an easy spot to sit by the water with a book or a friend. It is open from 7 a.m. to dark.
- Effort and accessibility: Very low. Paved parking with an accessible picnic table and bench.
- Getting there: 6020 7th Avenue SE, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: City of Lacey Parks: Lake Lois Park
6. Find Some Shade at Wonderwood Park
Wonderwood Park, in the center of Lacey, combines recreation facilities with a natural woodland setting. The grounds include picnic shelters and tables, athletic fields, and courts for pickleball, basketball, and more. Its paved pathways and natural trails also make it a pleasant place for a short, shaded walk.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Paved pathways plus natural trails.
- Getting there: 5304 32nd Avenue SE, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: City of Lacey Parks
7. Take in Hicks Lake at Wanschers Community Park
Wanschers Community Park is a heavily wooded park on the shores of Hicks Lake, with grassy picnic areas, bank fishing, paved walking trails, and natural-surface trails. It is a peaceful spot for an easy lakeside walk.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate. Paved walking trails with natural trails nearby.
- Getting there: 2606 Hicks Lake Road SE, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Tip for Lacey outings: Lacey has mild temperatures most of the year, with frequent rain from fall through spring and drier, sunnier summers. Keep a rain jacket and waterproof shoes in the car, and watch for slick boardwalks and leaves on trails after a shower. Summer mornings are perfect for longer walks and wildlife viewing.
Learn more: City of Lacey Parks
Makers, Taprooms, and Shopping
8. Try Something New at Lacey MakerSpace
Lacey MakerSpace is an 8,000-square-foot community workshop on the campus of Saint Martin’s University, with tools for woodworking, welding, textiles, 3D printing, and digital design. It is open to the public through memberships and classes, and a free public tour is a great way to see if it is a fit. Reserve your tour spot ahead of time.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate. Indoor, hands-on activity at your own pace.
- Getting there: Saint Martin’s University campus, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: Lacey MakerSpace
9. Raise a Glass at Top Rung Brewing
Top Rung Brewing is a friendly local taproom with a year-round covered beer garden and a menu of pizzas and snacks. It is open every day starting in the afternoon, which makes it an easy spot to meet friends after a walk.
- Effort and accessibility: Very low. Seated indoor and covered outdoor spaces.
- Getting there: 8343 Hogum Bay Lane NE in the Hawks Prairie area, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: Top Rung Brewing: Taproom Info
10. Shop The Landing at Hawks Prairie
Completed in 2013, The Landing at Hawks Prairie is a shopping center with 10 buildings on more than 15 acres, including restaurants, retailers, and a large fitness club. It is a convenient one-stop spot for errands and a casual meal.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Paved parking lots and walkways.
- Getting there: 1110 to 1390 Galaxy Drive NE, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: The Landing at Hawks Prairie
Trails, Wildlife, and Puget Sound
11. Ride or Walk the Chehalis Western Trail
The Chehalis Western Trail follows a former railroad corridor for 22 miles through Thurston County, with mileage markers every half mile so you can plan an out-and-back of any length. It is paved, family friendly, and described as a relaxing stroll any time of year.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Paved and mostly level, with distance markers every half mile.
- Getting there: Access points in and around Lacey, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
12. Walk the Boardwalk at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1974, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge protects the delta where the Nisqually River meets Puget Sound, and it has recorded at least 250 bird species. A mile-long boardwalk extends over the estuary, and the shorter, flat Twin Barns Loop is a great option for an easier walk. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and bikes and pets are not allowed on the trails.
- Effort and accessibility: Low to moderate. Flat boardwalks and trails, with accessible parking and restrooms.
- Getting there: Just east of Lacey off I-5, a short drive from Revel Lacey.
13. Explore the Shoreline at Tolmie State Park
Tolmie State Park is a day-use park on a cove of Puget Sound, with beach walking, birdwatching, and picnic shelters. The beach is rocky and some trails are unpaved, but accessible restrooms and parking make a shoreline picnic easy. From October 1 through March 31, the park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to dusk. A Washington State Parks parking pass may be required, so check before you go.
- Effort and accessibility: Moderate. Rocky beach and unpaved trails, with accessible restrooms and parking.
- Getting there: 7730 61st Avenue NE, Olympia, about a 15-minute drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: Washington State Parks: Tolmie State Park
Golf and Seasonal Favorites
14. Play a Round at The Golf Club at Hawks Prairie
The Golf Club at Hawks Prairie offers 2 courses, The Links and The Woodlands, a few miles north of Olympia. While The Woodlands offers a classic northwest experience alongside lush forests, ponds and wetlands, The Links boasts rolling hills and scenic views of the Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier. Walking and cart-included options make it easy to play at your own pace.
- Effort and accessibility: Moderate. Cart options available.
- Getting there: Hawks Prairie area, about a 15-minute drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: The Golf Club at Hawks Prairie
15. Tee Off Year-Round at Eagle's Pride Golf Course
Eagle’s Pride Golf Course is a championship course that is open to the general public, with 27 holes in the summer layout and 18 holes in winter, plus a golf simulator for rainy days. It is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., except for a few winter holidays.
- Effort and accessibility: Moderate. Cart and simulator options available.
- Getting there: Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, about a 20 to 30 minute drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: JBLM MWR: Eagle’s Pride Golf Course
16. Shop Local at the Olympia Farmers Market
Dating to 1975, the Olympia Farmers Market brings together more than 120 vendors who grow, make, or produce their goods in the region. It is open year-round, with hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday from April through October and seasonal hours the rest of the year, so check the current schedule before you go.
- Effort and accessibility: Low. Covered market stalls with flat walking.
- Getting there: 700 Capitol Way North in Olympia, about a 20-minute drive from Revel Lacey.
Learn more: Olympia Farmers Market: About
Making the Most of an Active Life in Lacey
The beauty of Lacey is that staying active fits easily into everyday life. A lunch at the Senior Center, a walk on the Woodland Trail, an afternoon at Lake Lois, or a morning on the Nisqually boardwalk all count, and most are a short drive from home.
The best activity is the one that leaves you feeling confident, connected, and ready for the next outing. Mix and match from the list above based on your energy, the weather, and who you want to bring along, and you will never run short of things to do in Lacey.
See Life at Revel Lacey
Discover Your Next Chapter at Revel Lacey
Every activity on this list is even better when it starts close to home. Revel Lacey is a vibrant 55+ community in Lacey, a short drive from Woodland Creek Community Park, the Woodland Trail, and the parks, trails, and waterfront of the South Puget Sound.
Here, staying engaged is effortless. Residents enjoy a full calendar of social events and amenities including a fitness studio, creative studio, theater, pub, event space, game rooms, outdoor dining, gardens, a fire pit, and a salon, all designed so you can spend more time on what you love.
Ready to see how close the good life really is?
- View Revel Lacey and experience the community firsthand.
- Explore Floor Plans to picture your next chapter.
- View our Amenities to see life at Revel
- Contact the Revel Team with any questions about life in the community.
Come see why so many active seniors are choosing to call Revel Lacey home.
“If you’re considering independent living, Revel Lacey offers a unique approach that maximizes the benefits of this lifestyle. With resort-style amenities, restaurant-style dining, social events, and wellness programs, Revel allows seniors to live in comfort while enjoying the lifestyle of their choice.
Residents are free to form new friendships, pursue new interests, and create new memories in a vibrant, luxurious environment. “
What Our Members
Are Saying
Experience the Energy at Revel
At Revel, staying active feels natural, not scheduled. From movement and creativity to food, culture, and connection, the lifestyle supports active senior living in ways that feel personal and energizing. Whether you prefer quiet independence or lively group experiences, there is always something to look forward to.
