Volunteer Park

I visited this place a while ago, but I’m leaving a review now. I absolutely loved it! There are so many types of cacti and green plants, and it’s incredibly beautiful. I really enjoyed it. The entrance fee is very affordable, even cheap, and it was such a great experience because I had never been to a place like this before. It was something new for me, and I highly recommend everyone to visit! 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥

I’ve always loved Volunteer Park. I used to eat here after school or at the cemetery next door at Bruce & Brandon Lee’s plots. There’s always a lot to do. A lot of gatherings & starts or stops of parades. Plenty of space to walk your dog, sunbathe, or toss a frisbee. It’s safe and the bathrooms are kept really clean. The conservatory is full of beautiful flowers and plants, always changing. Definitely worth the visit inside. I’m just adding a few pictures as to not spoil the beauty.

Beautiful park oasis in the middle of the city. Inspired by the Olmstead brothers... Great spot to come and relax, enjoy some art, have a picnic, walk your dog.

Nice little park. We attended their summer music series. The park in general needs maintenance. The two ponds near the Asian museum are bad. Just I general they need to up their grounds game. One restroom in service. The sound system was on point. It's all about the sound engineer ;-) We will attend this series next year.

Lovely stroll through the Botanical gardens, over to the Asian Art Musueum then we went over to the cemetery to visit Bruce Lee. Great stop on our Seattle visit.

A wonderful park. Walk the reservoir. Visit the museum. Go up in the tower or visit the great greenhouse. A best stop in my home town.

This is a great location to take a walk or to catch a beautiful sunset. They have great tennis courts too. It’s a good spot for a picnic or to play lawn games. I also recommend a walk to the top of the water tower. I love that it is so accessible and located so centrally in the city. Highly recommend a stroll through the park or a run. The trails are well worn and it is well lit at night too.

Went here on a delightful crisp autumn morning during the week. While I had lived in Seattle for a couple of years I had only gotten around to visiting this park, one of the oldest in the city. Designed by the Olmsted brothers in the early 20th century it is a compact 48 acre park in Capitol Hill. It features the Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Asian Art Museum as central points of interest. The grounds are landscaped to encourage walks along the winding paths through fields framed by mature trees. A children’s playground is at the northeast corner and has a fairly large selection of climbers, swings and so on plus a decent field for running around in. The conservatory has a large collection of plants housed in a lovely building of a classic 19th century greenhouse. We did not go in as there was a flower show on at the time and we didn’t feel motivated to pay the entrance fee for the show. The centerpiece of the park is the large and beautiful art deco Asian Art museum. We happened to be there on the Free Friday that occurs at the end of each month. The museum houses a diverse collection of Asian art both contemporary and historical. The contemporary exhibit was towards the back of the building in an addition that is a delight in and of itself with its floor to ceiling windows that open to a view of the wooded park while bathing the interior in natural light. Even if you have little knowledge or exposure to Asian art this museum will have something for everyone. In front of the museum the landscaping opens up to a great view of the city and the reservoir just below the top. Off to the side is an amphitheater that holds presentations in the warmer months. Several formal ponds are near the open area in front of the museum that offer seating and a view of the lily pads. Benches are scattered throughout the park. At the south end of the park is the water tower that has a viewing platform that offers grand views of the city. We did not go up to the platform so I cannot vouch for the boast but am confident the views are excellent. Overall a great little park with a lot to do and adjacent to the numerous restaurants and shops of Capitol Hill.

Growing up in Seattle, Volunteer Park was a place we visited often when I was a kid. Fast forward to adulthood (and living far away in the more affordable 'burbs), and it had been quite awhile since I visited this magnificent, iconic park. I returned on a crisp fall day, and although I had missed nature's autumn glory by about a week, the trees were still doing their best to impress with hues of gold and red. It was a great spot to take a nice stroll and get some fresh air. The park is clean, felt safe, and there were lots of people and families strolling about enjoying their day. I highly recommend a visit to this park if you need a little serenity in the middle of the busy city.

Definitely worth a visit. Volunteer Park is a beautiful historic park located in the heart of Seattle, designed by the Olmsted Brothers and a it's a must see as one of Seattle's well known landmarks. We skipped the inside of conservatory and Asian Art Museum but enjoyed strolling the grounds and admiring the views and taking in the fresh are. The sculpture, Black Sun by Isamu Noguchi, is here too and perfectly frames the Space Needle when you look through it. The highlight was climbing the water tower. The hike up was tiring, we were so out of breath and had to take some breaks, but the views were stunning. Definitely worth it and the walk down was so much easier! The park is peaceful and well-maintained, with plenty of spots to relax. Parking is free but fills up fast. A must-visit for locals and tourists alike! Check out the website for more info at https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/volunteer-park

This is a massive, sprawling, big-treed city park. The type of parks you only find in the gorgeous PacNW. You can more or less walk from downtown up into Capital Hill, using almost exclusively footpaths fanning up into this park...with very little need to ever even cross a road. I didn't know that was even possible in Seattle, but it apparently is. It's massive and its expertly maintained. A great place to read a book or take a nap or run some laps or maybe all three...depending on what you're into.

Volunteer Park in Seattle is a hidden gem that beautifully blends nature, art, and history. Nestled in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, this park offers a serene escape from the bustling city. The lush, well-maintained greenery makes it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing picnic. The iconic water tower at the park's center offers panoramic views of the city, a must-visit for both locals and tourists. One of the highlights of Volunteer Park is the Seattle Asian Art Museum, which houses an impressive collection of Asian art and provides a cultural touch to the park experience. For history enthusiasts, the park's Volunteer Park Conservatory and the nearby Lake View Cemetery offer intriguing insights into Seattle's past. Whether you're seeking a peaceful escape or a dose of culture, Volunteer Park has something for everyone. It's a testament to Seattle's commitment to preserving its natural beauty and heritage.

My partner and I lived within a mile of Volunteer Park the first 2 years we lived in Seattle. One of our outdoor enjoyment activities is meandering thru various parks; the fresh air, sunshine, and wild animals...certainly increases the endorphins. We've walked Volunteer Park numerous times and it's one of our favorites in the area. With its vast, nature filled ambiance, it's definitely a treat. We've never had trouble with parking and because we always arrived in the morning (between 8a-10a), there was never a large crowd. Although we've since moved further away, we still make sure we periodically stop here.

Went mid-September to see the dahlia garden and they were in full bloom. Stunning and definitely worth a visit. It's free and just in the middle of the park.

Cute walk in the park and a lot of shade for a picnic. Plenty of parking on the sidewalk near the amphitheater.

The conservatory was a nice escape into pure bliss. After the hustle and bustle of downtown, paying $6 to walk through a diverse range of tempered climates and foliage was a treat. Tons of color, endless variety, and a peace in the air. A cute little gift shop that is every plant lovers dream. Lots of little plants for purchase. The park itself is beautiful to stroll through. There are some great lawns to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic. Lots of space for families and dogs. Tennis courts. It was a beautiful spot. Pro tip: 1ST Thursday and Saturday of every month is FREE admission to the conservatory.

Great place to chill! Shady and beautiful. Plenty of spots to lay out a blanket and just enjoy the day. From downtown, it's an easy #10 bus ride.

One of my favorite parks in the city!! There's so much to do here, and it's all spread out pretty well. You never feel like the park is too crowded or loud. I always love visiting the Conservatory, or the Asian Art Museum. Today we saw the dahlia garden which was gorgeous and blooming (8/20/22) definitely worth checking out if you're there around the same time of year!!

Nice park on the north end (Capitol Hill). Plenty of room to run a dog or a few kids. Asian Art Museum is a nice find along with the amazing plants and flowers in the conservatory! Lots of free parking and walking trails. Park appears to be pretty safe with no "campers" on the grounds! Bathrooms are good size and clean! The view from the top of the water tower is amazing!

Family friendly park, great for walking, jogging. Have nice view, pools and grass field, and an art museum! Love this place.

An absolute must see! Beautiful gardens and the greenhouse is filled with spectacular plants. Rivals Brooklyn Botantical. Gorgeous Noguchi sculpture that overlooks the park.

Walkable from downtown, or an easy bus ride! I walked and it was so serene. Fall leaves all around and just a few other walkers/joggers in the morning. There's lots to do here, and everything is spread out nicely.

I liked this park a lot. It was lively with people and pets. There was lots of neat things to see. It was a little smaller than expected but totally enough green space to lay out and picnic. There was also a water feature for kids and pets to play. I was even tempted. There was an Asian art museum there as well, but I did not make it there. The Conservator was closed (due to COVID-19) when I visited The biggest draw for me was visiting Bruce Lee's grave. What an icon.

An amazing and beautiful park nestled in the middle of the city, though you would never know once inside. Expanses of glorious, grassy fields surrounded by huge and wonderful trees, a paved path around much of it, a wading pool and large playground. Within the park, one can also visit the Conservatory and Water Tower. But make more than one trip, as the park itself can easily be enjoyed for the full day!

so beautiful i love this park. make sure to stop by the dahlia garden which was amazing and in bloom

I absolutely love coming out to this park! It's so clean, and it has lots of large open spaces - perfect for playing frisbee!

Great dog and kid friendly park! Lots of nice sculptures and Duck ponds. Relatively flat and mostly paved with some stairs.

Great place for walking and attending to different events. There is always something happening. And if not, you can always sit down at the lawn area near the auditorium just to sunbathe. Hope soon we can have the pet events (Summer and Halloween :)) or art expos which include also the tower in the middle of park. It is open at night so you can take a look to the rest of the installations. The part I don't like that much is that there is no parking space. It can get super crowdy. Driving around and around can tired you. Please be mindful of people crossing.

My friends and I came here on 1/3/20 and there were a few dogs walking around with their owners. It was pretty relaxing and there were not too many people. There were a few photo ops and good to walk around. The water tower was something to check out as well. A few people parked their cars but it was mainly empty. There was a greenhouse that we didn't go to but was in the area if somebody was interested. I would recommend checking this park out if you're in the area.

Great place to explore while you're in Seattle. You can walk inside the tower (if it's open) and go up these stairs that take you to the top with a view!

Wow....beautiful view from anywhere in the park. Parking was on the streets close by. There were crows flying, butterflies gliding, ducks wading, and dogs walking by their masters. Such a peaceful, mind cleansing, and soul grounding park. You could view the space needle and the city from afar. There was a Water Tower that you can enter that was free of charge and get to the top by stairs(only) and check out the view of Seattle. There was also an Asian Art Museum that was closed due to construction. And of course the famous Dahlia Garden. But, because of my poor time management, I had to leave and miss this part of my tour:( Now, I will make it a point to cover all of this on my next trip. Check out this park next time your in the area.

I've been wanting to come to this park for a while now, and I can see why it's so highly rated! A good size park with attractions in addition to the usual tennis courts, playground, and trails. There isn't a dedicated dog park, but there is a grassy field by the restrooms wide enough that people were unleashing their dogs. As for the attractions, check out the Black Sun sculpture in front of the Volunteer Park Reservoir. If you stand at the right angle, you will be able to see the Space Needle through the hole. Behind the sculpture is the Asian Art Museum that is currently closed, but is scheduled to reopen next February. Then there are two Lily Ponds positioned on both sides that are full of mallard ducks. A bit further south is the Water Tower Observation Deck where you can climb up to get a glimpse of downtown. On the opposite side up north is the Volunteer Park Conservatory full of different plants. The building is paid entry of $4 for an adult ticket, but is a neat place to visit. My favorite part of the park has got to be the gorgeous Dahlia Garden next to the conservatory though! The flowers are still in full bloom and lots of people were taking pictures of them or with them.

Volunteer park in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Seattle! I came few times....always feel so peaceful place. Lots of greens, huge trees, water playground, kids playground, the Asian art museum ( closed during renovation till 2019 ), Conservatory and Lake View Cemetery is next. Just walk to Bruce and Brandon Lee's gravesite. Also extra exercise to go walk up to Water Tower. Conservatory is educational plants place. You'll see many people walking with cute dogs and very friendly. Good to go with family or friends or great date place. Even Capital Hill area is rich neighborhood. You can see nice architecture houses and garden. Volunteer park maintenance well, good environment, safety and good to go~!

Love love love this park! Super dog friendly! It's so big that there's always something new to explore. My dog and I love it here. Will most def come back

Favorite neighborhood park! From the stunning sunset views over the open water reservoir, playground and open water fountain for kids during the summer, several fields for sports, open amphitheater, beautiful Conservatory and trails throughout the park, Volunteer Park is perfect for a stroll, jog or picnic. Ample free parking throughout the park, including convenient locations by the Asian Art Museum, as well as by the water fountain along the road. Spacious park grounds with a little something for everyone.

Beautifully maintained park! Not much foot traffic so it was perfect for a nice quiet walk. Didn't get to check out the observatory but we didn't get to go up the water tower and check out the view. Definitely recommended for a low key afternoon.

This place has everything anyone needs to connect with nature and feel at peace right in the middle of a big city like Seattle. It's safe and in the most part clean. It's up to us to keep it that way

Extraordinarily beautiful. I've been going to Volunteer Park my whole life and whether it's the dahlia garden, the atrium, the watchtower, the rolling green hills--finally accessible with a ramp--or the now-legendary "black hole sun" sculpture, it's all ethereal. You're in the middle of the city but a million miles away. And, of course, the great Seattle Asian Art Museum is right there. Bring your dog, read a book in the shade, explore the less tread paths...it's a gorgeous place to spend the day.

This is a wonderful park north of Capitol Hill. It is great for walking around and dogs love it. It is very clean and safe with lots of places for people to rest. It is also home of the Asian Art Museum. It feels great to walk around this park--one of the highlights of Seattle. It has a variety of trees and flowers--including a dahlia garden. One great facet is that as you walk through it, you do not even feel like you are in a big city. Definitely worth a visit!

Very beautiful and relaxing park! Makes for a great place to go and have a nice walk (nothing too strenuous) & enjoy the sun. Lots of people set up picnics all around & the place is dog friendly too. Great place to check out!

I LOVE this park! It has so much to offer, including a beautiful dahlia garden, a conservatory, walking paths, and so many varieties of plants, flowers, and trees. It seems more like an arboretum! Volunteer Park is very clean and well maintained. Parking is free and plentiful. Acres of land with green grass and huge trees provide the perfect place for people and their pets to lounge or play. It's really fun to watch dogs run through the park with that happy "throw the ball" face. :-) There are benches and seating spaces throughout the park that are perfect to sit on with a good book. While walking the grounds, I noticed a large variety of trees. There was an especially beautiful redwood that was nearly as wide as a car. The view from under this tree was quite a photographic treat. In fact, the whole park is a photographer's dream. If you like flowers, spend some time in the dahlia garden. So many lovely blooms the size of your head. And do not miss out on the conservatory for a small $4 fee (totally worth it). In addition to orchids, cactus plants, palm trees, etc., you get to experience the unmistakeable scent of freshly watered ferns. I wish someone would figure out how to bottle that fresh smell.

What an amazing park - I could spent days here exploring and I fully intend to! There are so many different areas to explore with a variety of options for everyone. The park is so clean and well cared for - bravo volunteers. A small warning in the bathroom for the ladies - there was a lot of fast web building spiders...one was swinging at me. Be mindful when you pee - nature is a cruel mistress.

Revisited Volunteer Park after hanging out in the Pike/Pine corridor of Capitol Hill to enjoy some late summer sunshine. Lots of park goers, picnicking, large wedding party from a stretch limo having photos taken, families, an active game of frisbee, flower enthusiasts, people soaking up some Vitamin D despite that the Conservatory and art museum were closed already. Reminded me of pleasant urban times spent here in the past. I learned though this afternoon that there's a sizable dahlia garden. Woodland Park Zoo and UW Drumheller Fountain has amazing roses, but I enjoyed gazing at these dahlias at Volunteer Park. Nice, easy going visit during the Labor Day weekend.

A beautiful park with lots of space and plant life everywhere. Climbing the water tower is a must, and seeing the Isamu Noguchi sculpture is a must. There's an amazing playground towards the middle of the park and also amazing array of tree stumps that kids play with. This park is great for all.

A great playground with a generous wading pool. It's in the shade for the most part so a good place to go on s sunny day. Lots of huge trees in the park, which makes me feel so relaxed! You can have a peak of space needle from the park as well.

Beautiful park in a residential area. Contains Asian Art Museum, which is currently under renovation. Although the museum is closed, this park has some incredible landmarks outside and hosts concerts on the banks of the reservoir. We were here specifically to see the "Black Sun" sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. This gigantic circle of granite is intriguing on its own but also offers a cool view of the Space Needle. It is rumored to be the inspiration for Soundgarden's hit "Black Hole Sun."

Havent been here in a long time, came back last night to enjoy the "summer picnic at the park" hosted by the Volunteer Park Trust. They had a bluegrass band play some music on the main stage, had about 6 food trucks show up, free Cupcake Royale ice cream, free infused water by Aegis, and a information booth on how to get involved. What a great night at the park! Volunteer Park is nice looking park with the water tower to climb to the top for a great city view. Also, the Seattle Asian Art Museum to check out nice pieces of Asian Art, I do like the pop art they are currently showing. Conservatory for nice looking plants, flowers etc, but they were closed for the day when we got there. The park has nice open spaces to play frisbee, picnic, enjoy the sun or keep cool in the shade, dog friendly, good amount of benches around, nice sculptures (especially the "black sun"), and peaceful & relaxing atmosphere. I plan on coming to this park more often as it has made it on my personal list of favorite Seattle parks. A park you must visit, whether you live in Seattle or not!

Beautiful park and wonderful summer activities. This is an amazing park that is well maintained! When the weather is nice this is a great place to chill and picnic. The crowd is a mixture of young and older folk making it friendly for families,couples, and even furry friends :) You also get a great view of the space needle from the circle sculpture !

Volunteer Park is a beautiful green space within the rolling landscape of Cap Hill. There are multiple different lawns and elements including the Asian Art Museum and the conservatory. If you also want a different view of the city, there is a look out right across from the museum with some art and a beautiful backdrop. If you are physically able, you can see beautiful sweeping 360 views to downtown and lake washington by climbing the stairs to the top of the water tower. The space is versatile and beautiful for everything from a quick walk, picnicking, or a full lazy day on the grass.

Expansive park, dog friendly and trails to make it a short or long run. Everything is so green here and it is a nice respite from being among touristy sites like Pike Place Market. The park is nestled in a quiet neighborhood and one can walk to about a couple of local coffee shops.

Not much tourist traffic so easy parking and pretty quiet. Dog on leash friendly. Closes at 10pm.

This is one of my favorite parks in Seattle. It's humongous with so much space to offer. You'll find lots of trails to run or walk your dog, grassy fields to play soccer and space to sit for a picnic. It's a great park to get outside and enjoy the Seattle sunshine while you can. It's famous for the tower you can climb for a stellar view of Seattle. You have to hit that up if you visit the park. There's also a museum in the park if you're into that.. some sort of art museum.

Seattle really has some great parks. Hands down. Bellevue park is my favorite, but if you're stuck in Seattle, this park is definitely up there. Tons of more space here than other parks. Great place to hang out and visit. Great for bringing others. Nice open space. Nothing more to really ask for

Great park for a walk around the city. It's in the city but it doesn't feel crazy crowded or loud like the city. We wanted to visit the green house, but sadly they close on Mondays, DO NOT GO MONDAYS if you want to just visit the green house. Other than that it's a great park with plenty of parking.

this is a fantastic park! it has fake grass so that's cool if you're into that. it seems like you can find everyone and their mother out there playing a game or having a little picnic on a sunny day. the water feature is great (I'm a sucker for a nice water feature)

I always seem to make it to Volunteer Park whenever i am in Seattle. It is located up on Capitol Hill and has amazing views. What is not to like? The main view point is located above, and viewing, The resevour is in accross the parking lot from the art museum. There are lots of things to see and do. Besides the views of downtown there are statues, a water tower for higher views all around. There are lots of trees, lawns for games, picknics and catching some sun. There is a stage, the Asian Art Museum and finally my favorite, the conservatory. Many of these have their own listings. Like most parks it is best on a warm sunny day. On days like that the park packs out. Its not a huge park but big enough to usually find your own corner. Its nice and you can find either sun or shade depending on your taste. On any day climbing the water tower and seeing the views is nice. So is the conservatory. If fact it maybe best on rainy days when the contrast to the warm inside. Inside there are 5 rooms with different kinds of plants and different temperatures and humidity levels. As to the museum, its asian art but its been a while since I went inside.

Looks like review #300, a height of Seattle. I love big old trees and this place has scads of them--in some ways more breathtaking than the arboretum. The water tower a fun & informative spot to visit, wish the sky'd been clearer but this is seattle. Wide open lawns, reservoir. Didn't visit the conservatory but so much going on in this place, including the big playground. And plant sale today.