National/Local - Parks/Gardens, Seattle

4 more images

Located on near Lake Washington, the Arboretum is a world-class collection of trees and plants, some native and some not. There are paths for walking through collections of azaleas and rhododendrons. Plants are identified for the most part. A Japanese Tea Garden is located nearby if you wish to see a formal garden. Most Sunday visitors make a loop trip on the broad Azalea Way and return through the shaded trail in the ridge above the Way.

2 more images

Located only 8 miles from Seattle’s downtown waterfront on Blake Island State Park, Tillicum Village recreates the ancient dwellings of the Northwest Coast Native Americans. The tour starts off with a 30-minute cruise on the Puget Sound to Blake Island where you may have the chance to see some orcas and dolphins on the way. Upon arrival at the longhouse, a sumptous buffet lunch awaits, featuring traditional Indian style baked salmon, clams in nectar broth and whole grain bread. This is followed by `Dance on the Wind', a spellbinding stage presentation highlighting some of the traditional dances, myths and legends of the Northwest Coast in a magical and unforgettable setting in the longhouse. With some free time to spare before returning to Pier 55, you can wander around in the State Park where you may have the chance to encounter some deer and eagles.

4 more images

Seattle has two very excellent Japanese Gardens: the Kubota Garden which is free of charge and located on the southern edge of the city, and the place that is called "Japanese Garden" in the Washington Park Arboretum.

In my own opinion, the Kubota Garden is the better of the two. It is slightly larger. However, it is also slightly more wild in nature. The Washington Park Japanese Garden is smaller, and costs $5 to enter. It is also flatter and has pathways adapted to handling large groups of people, and is highly cultivated.

However, as said above, both are absolutely wonderful, especially when the maple trees are in their autumn colors.

You will find that the Japanese Garden at Washington Park has a number of gravel trails leading around water features of all types. The ponds and bridges over them dominate the landscape of the garden.

Don't miss the slightly elevated spots in the park that allow a grand view of a large portion of the garden.

When the leaves are out, the traffic noise from the nearby busy Lake Washington Blvd. is a bit more muffled, but it is still a very busy road. Don't try to cross it except at traffic lights or at the pedestrian bridges that are part of connecting Washington Park to the rest of the area.

4 more images

With many plant species from around the world, and one of the few places that are registered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the purpose of taking in plants confiscated from smugglers, there is quite a variety here - only some of which are on public display.

The plants with the cages around them are the carnivorous plants.

You will definitely want to visit this place in the spring, when many of the plants are in bloom. The facility is much less spectacular during the rest of the year.

The building was modeled after London's Crystal Palace, and constructed in 1912. Only one small part of the original building remains, however, after extensive restoration and rebuilding projects.

One of the trellaces has been decorated with a chiming artwork called "Over 'lyre", of which I have a short video in operation.

I don't suggest making a trip out of your way to come see the conservatory, unless you are particularly interested in exotic plants. However, if you come to Volunteer Park (and on a clear day you should because the view from here, especially from the water tower deck, is wonderful) or visit the Asian American Art Museum, then it would certainly be worthwhile to also come over here and see what is in bloom, since there is no admission charge.

Entrance to the conservatory is free of charge, and it is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.

4 more images

On the east side of the parking lot for the Woodland Park Zoo, you will find the entrance to the Woodland Park Rose Garden. There is only one entrance into and out of the garden, and the garden is well protected by fences.

There are two fountains in the rose garden, and everything is very well manicured. It isn't a huge rambling garden, but it is fairly good sized.

While the roses are the primary purpose of the garden, there are a number of other blooms you will find here, and they keep the color of the garden going to some extent even when the roses are out of season.

The garden is a fairly popular place for weddings, so you may find the place reserved from time to time.

2 more images

OK, so in my tip about the Space Needle I mentioned a better place for shutterbugs? Kerry Park is THE PLACE to skip waiting lines, ticket prices and tacky gift shops. Located in the lovely Queen Anne district, northwest of downtown, this little park has one of the most breathtaking panoramas of the skyline, Elliot Bay, Bainbridge Island and Mt. Rainier possible. My main page picture was taken here and its been captured in thousands of other shots by photographers both amateur and professional.

The best time to go is on a clear day, in the afternoon or around the sunset hour. If choosing the later hours, go early as parking is limited to the street and this prime piece of real estate is no secret - people start lining up tripods along the back wall of the park well before sunset to catch the best of golden, late-day light. The small lawn is a nice spot for a picnic so bring your panini for a little R&R before marking your place for some serious lens action.

See the websites (here and below) for map-it locator and directions.

http://www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/Seattle/viewpoints/kerry.htm

4 more images

If you make the trek to Kerry Park (see previous tip), take an extra hour or two just to walk the neighborhood. The Queen Anne district is picturesque and peaceful with beautiful homes and another terrific overlook at Kinnear Park, about 5-6 blocks southwest of Kerry. Parsons Gardens is right in that corner too: a hidden, pocket-sized oasis of flowers and trees that's a popular location for weddings and a pretty spot for snapping photos.

See this website for more about Kinnear Park...
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=314

...and this one for Parsons Gardens:
http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/park_detail.asp?ID=324

We climbed up here from our rental in Belltown one morning and it's a pretty good workout - reminded me of hoofing around San Francisco.

1 more image

Wish I had more shots of this but the light wouldn't cooperate...
This is a great, free activity for the early morning when you need a little peace and quiet before hitting Pike's or other busy venues. Olympic Sculpture Park covers 9 acres right on the Elliott Bay waterfront and has a couple dozen or so pieces ranging from very large to not-so. It probably doesn't rank among the top art gardens I've visited but you can't beat the view! There's a pavilion with a giftshop and cafe (open only spring/summer) and chairs here and there for having a sit-down and drinking in that gorgeous vista across the water.

The park is open 365 days a year from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Don't touch the works and don't mistake certain benches for a place to park your derriere - it's "art" too and the security people will have a cow.

Extra tip: Need a cup of wake-up for your walk? Uptown Espresso and Bakery (Pier 70 at Alaskan Way and Broad, near the fountain) on the southeast corner of the park has great coffee, Italian sodas and baked goodies.