Volunteer Park Conservatory

Seattle's Volunteer Park Conservatory is an historic landmark on Capitol Hill. Established in 1912, this Victorian glasshouse has been called a jewel in the crown of Seattle parks. With five distinct houses (Palm, Seasonal, Cactus, Fern, and Bromeliad), the Conservatory displays a beautiful variety of tropical and subtropical plant life. It has 3,426 panes of glass, which are covered by a chalky paint in early summer. The paint is washed off in the fall, when solar heat is less intense.

I was impressed by the photo opportunities provided by the beauty of the flowers and foliage in the diffuse natural light from the windows. My favorites were the carnivorous plants which included Venus Fly Traps, Sundews, and Pitcher Plants. What can be more interesting than a vegetable that eats meat.

The Conservatory costs adults $4, kids $2, under 12 FREE.

It is set in Volunteer Park, which dates back to 1876 and features 48 acres of beautiful trees and gardens. The Seattle Asian Art Museum and an observation deck atop a water tower are other impressive structures in this park near downtown Seattle. An amphitheater, wading pool and play areas make this a park for all ages and most interests.

Bruce Lee and his son, Brandon are buried in the adjacent Lake View Cemetery but I did not visit. It seemed to long a walk on a day when my Fitbit logged more than 8 miles of walking up and down hills. It was fenced in and the entry was about a mile in the wrong direction, uphill. It will make my to do list for another visit.

Click here for photos of my visit to the Conservatory.