A Tiny Town Big on History & Natural Beauty

In its historic heyday, Tenino was home to a booming sandstone quarry that put the town on the map.

With its own wooden currency and an economy based on the business of sandstone back in the late 1800s, the current day town hearkens back to its roots with a focus on history and natural beauty. Recently recommended as a Northwest getaway in the Seattle Times, this “Stone Town rocks with a relaxed vibe sure to appeal to Seattleites tired of the summer tourist crowds.”

Whether you’re planning a next summer’s getaway or something for the autumn agenda, here are five ideas for how to spend a day in Tenino:

  1. Don’t miss a visit to the Tenino Stone Carvers where experts dress in period clothing and offer sandstone sculpting classes and demonstrations on the weekends in partnership with the Arbutus Folk School in Olympia.
  2. Stop in at the Farmers Market in Tenino, open May through September on Saturdays, for picnic fare and then cycle the Chehalis-Western Trail or the Bountiful Byway on a complimentary bicycle rental courtesy of the Tenino Yellow Bicycle Project.
  3. Wander the charming main street in the middle of town. Explore antiques and quirky garden accessories at The Iron Works Boutique, or stop by the Tenino Depot Museum for a history lesson about Tenino sandstone or wooden money.
  4. Just outside of town, don’t miss a tasting at Sandstone Distillery. Sample and bring home creative sips like apple vodka made with locally sourced fruit or bacon whiskey infused with bacon sourced from a neighboring farm. Of course, no visit to Tenino is complete without a tasting at Whitewood Cider Co.
  5. If you have time, visit the Monarch Sculpture Park, a scenic, outdoor destination adjacent to the Chehalis Western Trail, accessible by foot or bike. Conceptualized and originally opened to the public in 1998 by Master Stone Carver Myrna Orsini, the garden is intended as a gift to the public and a place for artists to hone and display their craft. There are more than 100 works on display by regional and international artists, including several by Orsini including the grand bicycle arch upon entry from the Chehalis Western Trail. Interactive exhibits like a sound garden, butterfly maze, and magnet board entertain kids and adults alike.


Spend the weekend and find dining, lodging, events, festivals and entertainment ideas at www.experienceolympia.com. Make sure to share your best shots with us by tagging social posts #ExperienceOlympia and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (@Experience_Oly) and Instagram (@ExperienceOly).

Related Stories