Picking up where I left off last week, my day trip to Seattle on the Bremerton Ferry continued as I crossed Pike Street again to the #10 bus stop, leaving the Starbucks Reserve Roastery’s uncommon experience behind. The same friendly city bus driver who had dropped me off earlier arrived to pick me up, perfect timing, continuing on my way to Volunteer Park and to one of my favorite things, a conservatory.
Overheard as I asked the driver for a heads-up at the right stop, a woman sitting near me said it wasn’t far, she’d be getting off there . . . follow her. We chatted on the sidewalk and I asked about the best bus to get me back to the ferry. Just down the hill here, she said, the #12 would get me closer than the #10. Another friendly, helpful Seattle person.
The Palm House
Across 15th Street and into the park, a brief leafy walk and I was there. Being a day short of November, the colorful outdoor annual plantings of the online photos were missing but in the Victorian-style conservatory, high palm house in the center, just what I love.
Orchids
The park that shares its name with the conservatory was originally named City Park. The forty five acres were purchased by the city in 1878, renamed in 1901 in honor of those who volunteered for the Spanish-American War and developed beginning in 1904 from plans by the famous family of landscape architects, the Olmsteds, whose long list of projects includes New York City’s Central Park. The Volunteer Park Conservatory was completed in 1912.
Cacti & Succulent House
I lingered for some time before leaving the conservatory and the park. Running about every 2 1/2 hours, I didn’t want to miss the 5:30 ferry so walked downhill, passing impressive homes on East Galer Street, to 19th Avenue and the stop for the #12 bus. Going through downtown, at the route’s closest point to the ferry terminal, the driver let me out on 2nd Avenue to save me crossing the street, yet another expression of the kindness I was finding in the city. Walking southwest for 3 blocks on Madison Street brought me to the waterfront, then just 2 blocks more to Pier 50 and the Bremerton Ferry, named the Chimacum. With time to spare I people-watched, eavesdropped on conversations around me and enjoyed the satisfaction of a day well spent in a city to which I hope to return before long.
Ferns & Bromeliads
Discover Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle’s historic
greenhouse anchoring Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill since 1912.
And more stories are here.
One of my favorite places to eat in a Seattle has been the Volunteer Park Cafe! It is nestled in the neighborhood right near the park. It used to be a corner store in the neighborhood. Thanks for this article! Next time we head to the cafe, we will have to actually check out the park and the Conservatory.