The Olmsted Brothers laid the park out in 1904 as part of Seattle's boulevard system. The conservatory — five glasshouses of palms, ferns, cacti and orchids — went up in 1912 from a kit bought out of a catalogue.
Climb the 107 steps inside the water tower for a free 360-degree view over the city; almost nobody who isn't a local knows it is open.
What our drivers would tell you
- Capitol Hill is the best neighbourhood in the city for lunch, and it is right here.
- Isamu Noguchi's Black Sun sculpture frames the Space Needle. That is the photograph.
Laid out1904, Olmsted Brothers
Conservatory1912
Time we allow40 min
Water towerFree
Where it is
On these tours
- ✓The Rainy Day — 5h, from $675
Nearby, and often on the same day
What else fits around Volunteer Park.
1h 15mPike Place Market
Nine acres of fishmongers, farm stalls and the first Starbucks.
0h 15mKerry Park
The view on every Seattle postcard — a 15-minute stop, and worth it.
1h 15mSpace Needle
Built for a World's Fair in 400 days, and never taken down.
1h 15mChihuly Garden and Glass
Dale Chihuly's glass, indoors and out, at the foot of the Needle.
Build a day with Volunteer Park and see the price.
Tap the places you want on the home page. We work out the driving, tell you honestly if it will not fit, and show the whole vehicle price before you give us a name.