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    Volunteer Park Water Tower

    4.4 (87 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Volunteer Park Water Tower Photos

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    Emily T.

    A nice view from the spot and some really interesting history and facts inside about the Water Tower. I came on a rainy day with my partner and we made a date of it checking out the conservatory and nearby museum, at first we weren't sure if it was open but we walked up and saw some people going down the stairs. It's a little steep of a climb up but once you get to the top there are some benches to rest and lots of air circulating about the tower. We enjoyed the views and it was a nice quick stop in checking out the area.

    Les R.

    The views are amazing and what a beautiful design and building from the outside. We went to check out the Volunteer Park Water Tower with some local friends. It is quite impressive and that climb up had my heart racing. There were platform landings you could take a break and catch your breath if needed (I did). It is worth the clime to get the views and the walk down doesn't take as long and is much easier. Not sure the Volunteer Park Water Tower is on everyone's list but the park and surrounding areas is definitely worth checking out.

    Just a little StairMaster workout :)
    Gillian A.

    A 75-ft water tower built in 1906 on the highest part of Capitol Hill. No fee to enter the observation deck but there's a mild workout cost of climbing a little over 100 steps (as someone who isn't one of the fittest I felt slightly winded when I reached the top but nothing too bad). A bit difficult to peer out of the windows here with the grating and bars on them (need a camera with good zoom to take nice overlooking photos) but the breeze felt very relaxing especially after the quick leg exercise. I stayed here for about 10 min before heading back down. Overall a nice spot to check out if you have some extra time during your Volunteer Park visit.

    Melinda M.

    Can't complain too much - it's a free view of the city! It's a nice big park with some good viewpoints of the city, including from this tower. We enjoyed the challenge of the 100+ steps to climb. However, it's a bit of the letdown at the top because the city is so far away.... the view at Kerry Park is much better! But if you're looking for a nice chance to stretch your legs and get a little exercise, this is it.

    Daniel H.

    The Volunteer Park Water Tower was inside Volunteer Park and you can't miss it. We were here on 1/3/20 and there were two stairs to walk to the top. The stairs were a tiny bit steep so it might be difficult to climb for some; however, it was fine for my friends and me. The view from the top let you see downtown Seattle and even have a photo op if you shot in between the linked fence. There were a few benches at the top if you wanted to sit, but it was more of a quick few minutes up there before going down since there was not much to see. It was worth checking out if you're already walking around Volunteer Park!

    Arie M.

    In an expensive city where everything has a toll, this is a nice free treat and a hidden gem. I had been to Volunteer Park several times but never knew you could climb up there until I saw a youtuber talk about it. It's a fun little walk up the spiral stairs and you get a unique view of the city. 10/10 would climb again.

    Outside.
    Ting A.

    A neat tower which you can climb up to see a view of downtown! It's open to the public and is a nice addition to the park. There are two entrances opposite of each other that lead into a spiral staircase of a little over a hundred steps. I didn't see any other modes of accessibility though. At the top there are a couple of benches if you want to sit and rest. The view is unfortunately barred heavily with two layers, but a clear view of the Space Needle and the city can be seen between the slots.

    Jennifer L.

    This was one of my first stops upon arriving Seattle on a Thursday night. The view wasn't as beautiful as I expected, because the city was blocked off by many trees and let me be real... It looked like a city for ants. Taking pictures of the city was also a challenge, because the windows were barred off both horizontally and vertically. Nonetheless, it was free. And, hey! Walking up all those stairs was a great workout for my legs! To be brief, as a tourist I wouldn't come out here unless I was conveniently nearby. However, I think if I lived in Seattle, it would be a cool spot just to get some air and alone time.

    Jon L.

    The Volunteer Park Water Tower is perhaps the oddest attraction at Volunteer Park. It is a fort like structure straight out of a Disney fairy tale cartoon or some damsel in distress drama. As you walk up the winding stairs of one of the two entrances and reach the top you will encounter a cage like structure and barred windows. I wonder how many people take role play pics here like they are Quasimodo or Rapunzel locked up in this tower. Despite the tower dungeon feel at the top, this is a good spot to take pictures of the city. Since the bars are in the way, you do need to use your camera zoom feature to crop it out however. There is a nice view of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle. To the east, there is a partially obstructed view of Lake Washington. Large trees get in the way of a clear view. It is not an obvious spot to go to for a viewpoint of the city, but the Volunteer Park Water Tower is actually a pretty decent spot for this purpose and is one of the most interesting structures that I have come across in Seattle.

    Irene G.

    We've lived here for eight years now and had no idea we could even climb up the water tower here! It was such a fun quick side visit to when at Volunteer Park! Visited with our four boys, including our 3-uear-old, and they were all able to make the climb easily!

    Kimberly B.

    So I expected a bit more with this. It's Free so that's a plus. There's no wait and it literally is a walk up about 100ish steps. The struggle for me was the attempt to see out of the bars on the water tower to get clear pics. I'm not super tall and feel like the trees are heavily overgrown so the view isn't as spectacular as I'd hoped. There is also a museum located in the same vicinity but it happened to be closed when I visited. So I literally wasn't' at this location for more than 15 min. As another viewer mentioned I wouldn't make a special trip to see this. There are better skyline views in Seattle even on the drive to this park there are amazing views. Tip: Be careful of the cars cutting through the parking lot. Almost got hit by a lady in a Prius that ran a stop sign when I was walking from the Water Tower. Apparently, those stop signs in that area are just a suggestion. I saw another car go through it as well.

    Mark B.

    We drove up to Volunteer Park for its views of downtown. They are some of my favorites anywhere. When we got there my friend asked what the stone tower was and we decided to climb. This is a cool old stone clad water tower. There is a steel tank in the middle with stairs winding up inside, along the way up there are windows here and there. Its a long climb to the top there is a big room with benches and lots of windows. The middle of the room is the roof of the tank and is fenced off. The views are great. The tower sits on top of the hill so you see out in all directions (not there are smallish windows covered with steel mesh which does obstruct the views some. Still there are views in all directions, We saw Bellevue across Lake Union. U of W's campus tothe north. To the west there is downtown, the Space Needle, Puget Sound, ferries... Finally to the south there are views of homes in the neighborhood... It is worth the climb, but it is a steep and long one.

    Lolia S.

    Imagine watching the sunrise or set from the Water Tower and maybe bringing a piroshky from Piroshky Piroshky with you. There's something romantic about this old red brick water tower built in 1906 at the top of Capitol Hill. When you climb up the narrow old staircase and make it to top floor, you'll find panoramic views of Seattle. You can see the Cascades, Lake Union, the Space Needle, etc. The Olmstead Exhibit also explains the history of the park system in Seattle. Free.

    North side view

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    Quite literally as good as easy traversing can be. Irregular brick with a mixture of slippery and grippy holds, what more could you ask for?

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Volunteer Park Water Tower

    Review Highlights - Volunteer Park Water Tower

    On a clear day, you can see 360 degrees, with fantastic views of the sunset over downtown and the space needle.

    Mentioned in 24 reviews

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    Fremont Troll

    Fremont Troll

    4.3(837 reviews)
    2.2 miFremont

    A fun experience, a bit off the beaten path in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle…read more We ventured from downtown to check out the troll. Very easy access via a city bus route. After a short stroll down a well-designed dirt path, we found the giant troll. The troll is great for photos and has a sign that describes the history of the troll. My kids enjoyed climbing around the area, too. Facing the opposite direction from the troll is a very cool bridge that creates some awesome cathedral-like architecture. There is lots to do in Fremont, and even though the troll is kind of a one-and-done deal, it's worth checking out simply to explore the rest of the neighborhood and awesome surrounding businesses. Enjoy your troll hunt!

    A visit to the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge is a fun and quirky Seattle stop. Sculpted in…read more1990 by four artists after a competition launched by the Fremont Arts Council to help combat the garbage and clutter that had been collecting under bridges, the troll has become one of the city's most iconic public art pieces. It's a great destination to bring out-of-town visitors--like me--to check out another troll! As a fan of the whimsical trolls created by Thomas Dambo, this was a must-see. Street parking is available nearby, making it an easy stop while exploring the neighborhood. I'd personally recommend not climbing on the troll due to safety concerns, although many people were doing so when we visited. Either way, it's a unique photo opportunity and a classic Seattle experience.

    Photos
    Fremont Troll - Underneath... by a turnaround...

    Underneath... by a turnaround...

    Fremont Troll
    Fremont Troll

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    Sky View Observatory - Elevator entrance

    Sky View Observatory

    4.5(560 reviews)
    1.9 miDowntown

    My visit to the Columbia Tower Observatory on the 73rd floor was nothing short of amazing. The…read moreviews are absolutely breathtaking--truly one of those experiences where you find yourself stopping just to take it all in. Seeing Seattle from that height gives you a completely new appreciation for the city and its surroundings. What made the visit even more enjoyable was the staff. Every employee I encountered was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and genuinely pleasant. Their warmth made the experience feel even more special, and it was clear they take pride in creating a positive atmosphere for visitors. One observation I did have relates to the elevator experience. It has been two years since my last visit, and unfortunately, the elevator's video system is still not functioning. I remember when the observatory first opened, and the video played during the ride up--it added an engaging and memorable element to the experience. Without it, the ride feels noticeably less enjoyable. Interestingly, others seemed to feel the same way. I mentioned how long the video system has been out of service while riding up, and a couple riding up with us--visiting from Australia--commented that it would have been nice to have something to watch during the ascent. As an alternative, it might be a wonderful opportunity for the elevator operator to share a few interesting facts during the ride up. A brief, engaging introduction--highlighting that this is the tallest building in Seattle, along with a bit of history about its construction and facts about its tenants--could really enhance the experience and help pass the time in a meaningful way. Additionally, with all three video screens currently not working and visibly cracked, addressing this issue would make a noticeable difference. Either repairing or replacing the screens--or even temporarily covering them--would create a much more polished and welcoming feel for visitors and help elevate the overall experience. You can't beat the view though!

    If you're deciding between the Sky View Observatory and the Space Needle, I'd strongly consider Sky…read moreView. The experience felt much more laid back, with fewer crowds and plenty of space to take in the views. It is also technically taller than the Space Needle. The observatory floor goes all the way around and has lots of helpful information and displays explaining what you're looking at, which made the experience more engaging than simply taking photos from an observation deck. There's also a café w/ bar upstairs, making it easy to relax and spend some time enjoying the scenery. One of the biggest advantages is that you get incredible panoramic views of Seattle including the Space Needle itself, which makes for some great photo opportunities. We got lucky and it was a beautiful afternoon and were able to watch the sunset from there. Between the views, the atmosphere, and the overall value, this ended up being one of my favorite stops in Seattle.

    Photos
    Sky View Observatory - Ticket area, but can also purchase online

    Ticket area, but can also purchase online

    Sky View Observatory - Vita-Tini

    Vita-Tini

    Sky View Observatory - A Roy rogers

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    A Roy rogers

    Space Needle - Inside the observation deck

    Space Needle

    4.0(3.6k reviews)
    1.7 miLower Queen Anne

    I had a great time at the Space Needle, but for me, that was an event that I had to see once. It is…read moreindeed iconic, but the tickets are incredibly costly for what they're worth. After we arrived, we were put in line to go up to the top for more than an hour. The entire place has very tight quarters and was absolutely jam-packed with people. Actually, it was quite difficult to enjoy the view when there were lots of unsupervised children running around both overlook decks. If you do, I highly recommend booking one of the earlier or later times of the day to avoid the hordes. That said, the top view is quite lovely and it's cool to have two viewing platforms. Overall, I'm happy that I did, but I will never again return.

    The Space Needle has been the defining symbol of Seattle since it was built for the 1962 World's…read moreFair, and at 605 feet it still commands the skyline in a way that newer construction in the city has not displaced. I rode the glass sided elevator up, and it moved quickly, giving me a preview of the view before I reached the observation deck, which is worth being prepared for if heights give you pause. The observation deck itself has been substantially renovated, and the result is one of the more engaging viewing platforms of any major landmark in the country. I stood on the glass floor section, included with standard admission, and that element gets the most attention for good reason. Standing on clear glass with the city visible directly beneath my feet produced a vertigo that is different from simply looking over a railing. The rotating floor moves slowly and continuously, giving me a full 360 degree view of Seattle over the course of my visit without requiring me to move around the deck. On a clear day the view extends to Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and Elliott Bay, and the surrounding landscape puts the city in a geographic context that is genuinely striking. Sunset is the most popular time to visit, and the views in that window justify the demand. Buying tickets online in advance and reserving a time slot is effectively necessary during busy periods, and the time slot covers your place in line rather than your exact arrival at the top, so building in some flexibility is sensible. Lines can be long, particularly on weekends, but the operation moved efficiently once I was through the entry process. For an iconic Seattle experience that delivers on its reputation, the Space Needle is worth the trip.

    Photos
    Space Needle - Waiting to board the elevator ride up the Space Needle

    Waiting to board the elevator ride up the Space Needle

    Space Needle - Inside the observation deck

    Inside the observation deck

    Space Needle - The digital pics prior to going up top

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    The digital pics prior to going up top

    Volunteer Park Water Tower - landmarks - Updated June 2026

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