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Waterfall Garden
Category: Active Life Parks Parks [Edit]
219 2nd Ave S(between S 2nd Avenue Extended & Main St)
Seattle, WA 98104
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
(206) 624-6096
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 5:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
67 reviews for Waterfall Garden
67 reviews in English
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Review from Daren D.
11/9/2011 1 photo
It is underappreciated. Fuck driving to the hills or mountains... you can come by this place... and on your lunch break!
*waterfall SFX*
Oh, and the vertical structure members kind of lend it a subtle undertone of strength.
...I wish I could put this in Sim City... -
Review from Wendy B.
Charming hideaway enclosure with a lovely waterfall and tables to bring your coffee, bagged lunch and a good book. There is something about splashing water and lovely shade trees that forces you to let out a big sigh. A welcome stop after being on your feet too long.
All I ask is....don't be loud and don't bring rowdy kids. Respect is what it is all about. -
Review from Jeff H.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is just great. A total gem tucked into an urban landscape. Truly one of the great spots in Seattle to have a serene lunch or just to sit and reflect. If you're in the Pioneer Square area, escape the rat race with it's over crowded tables, get your sandwich to go, grab a spot here, and watch your troubles (Water)fall away!
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Review from Eileen K.
6/20/2011 5 photos
So beautiful and relaxing!
I walked from Pike's place over to the Pioneer area and knew I wanted to stop by. What's great is that the city sounds outside gets completely drowned out by the sound of water falling on the rocks. If you look above the waterfall high enough, you see buildings all around, which is quite a strange sight, and very unexpected in the middle of the city. Theres small tables and chairs, and you can sit on the edge of the brick walls and relax, take pictures. There was someone reading a book. The tall trees shade most of the garden, and its quiet, peaceful, serene. (at least when I went there)
Nice break from walking around sight-seeing, and a peaceful place to enjoy coffee or bring something to eat.Listed in: Sleepless in Seattle
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Review from Grace C.
6/15/2011
It's worth a stop if you're in the area, but I wouldn't recommend making a special trip/detour just to see the Waterfall Garden. It is a cute little haven tucked away on a street corner, with a loud waterfall & plenty of tables and chairs. You can bring a snack or a meal to enjoy here.
My experience here was less than ideal, though, because there were people smoking there & it was a dreary overcast day. -
Review from Lori B.
Irvine, CA
7/14/2011
This was the perfect spot to hunker down with a cup of Zeitgeist coffee and some delicious sandwiches from Salumi. Our little foodie trip started the morning with some good grub and drink, and we needed a place to rest from the walk, eat, and kill some time.
Though it was an overcast day, the park was perfect! We spent a good hour or so enjoying the waterfall and this peaceful little park, while the neighborhood picked up around us. There was ample space for our group and the others in the area not to be right on top of each other, the park was not busy when we were there, and it was nice and clean. -
Review from Coleena S.
Seattle, WA
9/13/2011
Four stars because it's a rare gem in the city and it's gorgeous. Minus one because quite honestly it smells like urine around there. I realize it's blocked off and closed before dusk and sure there is a watchman 24/7 to prevent that sort of thing, but the fact is...it smells like urine. That is to say; it smells like pee. And by pee, I mean piss. That. Is. Gross. How do people eat their lunch in this place with the smell of piss seemingly evaporating around them?
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Review from Mimi C.
6/27/2011
great little place to get away from the busy streets of seattle.
big waterfall and little scattered tables surrounding that waterfall.
there's a small garden that surrounds the waterfall .. which i think is actually a memorial for the postal servicemen / women.
really close by to salumi's artisan cafe too... and open around the same time as salumi's ... take your eats there and enjoy a relaxing meal
... note.. i wouldn't make a special trip just to see this place... it's small and intimate and so probably not as awe -inspiring as you might.... friends brought me here cuz we happened to be close by.Listed in: If I had a few days in Seattle
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Review from Michael L.
Bellevue, WA
I've always wanted to come to this garden but was never in the area. To my surprise as I was walking around aimlessly, I heard the roar of loud water.
My first thought was wtf is this noise and I immediately set out to find it. As I walked into the garden The first thing I smelled was the aroma of flowers followed by the overwhelming smell of chlorine, it was a weird combo.
The garden itself was a lot smaller then I thought it would be but after standing up close to the water I was mesmerized.
All in all this was a pretty unexpected occurrence but was great none the less. I'd come back if I was in the area for sure. -
Review from Greg S.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yes, just follow your ears to the Waterfall Garden! You might not be able to see where it is, but just listen.
It's tucked away in a nondescript building enclosure, and it's fun sight to behold. Too bad the weather wasn't nicer, or else I could totally see myself sitting at one of the little tables, resting to the watery sounds.
I don't think you need to go out of your way to see the Waterfall Garden, but if you're in the area, take a quick couple minutes and stop by. It's unexpected! -
Review from Michele L.
Austin, TX
9/23/2011
So very beautiful in the middle of the city. Nice place to meditate.
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Review from Poppa t.
San Diego, CA
8/8/2011
Fake waterfall, stinks of pee, surrounded by street people. If thats your thing, then all is good. But definitely not for me.
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Review from Jintana L.
Washington, DC
1/17/2011
This place is totally like The Secret Garden.
Except it's not really a secret. And it's not really a garden.
Regardless, it still reminds me of The Secret Garden!!
Waterfall Garden is a nice, peaceful and green gem in the midst of the gray, hard, hustle and bustle city blocks surrounding it.
It's pretty concealed, with fenced walls surrounding it. There are little tables, chairs, benches, trees, and of course, a waterfall and little pond inside! Always kept clean.
During the cold seasons, it's not really worth checking out... since the park is kind of damp and depressing inside. But when it's a nice day out and the sun is streaming through, it's beautiful in here!
On a nice day, come here with a date and some take out food from Chinatown or Pioneer Square! :) It'll -almost- be totally cute and romantic, but there are a lot of bums that hang around here. And the waterfall is kind of loud.
Closes everyday at 3pm, which is too bad since I like to study here on nice days!Listed in: International…
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Review from Eva Y.
Oakland, CA
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best place for lunch and lunch dates if you work close by. Grab your lunch to-go and sit at one of these small patio table and chair sets. It's man-made waterfall but the garden itself is beautiful. This place is a gem!
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Review from Eva H.
9/9/2010
A literal oasis in Pioneer Square....hear the rushing water from about a block away but you won't believe how majestic this waterfall is until you see it.
It's a really really tiny walled off non-descript area, be careful you might just miss it! It's a great place to rest, take a lunch break or read the paper. There are also a few Zen-inspired fountains around the garden. -
Review from Doug C.
6/1/2010 1 photo
There's probably two types of rewards from visiting Waterfall Garden.
One is the initial self-congratulation that you were able to find it. The garden is actually fairly stealthy for an urban green spot. With the outer brownish wall, you almost don't even notice it even walking by. It's only if you happen to look inside through the doorway....
Two is the relaxation from a calming stream merely steps away from the sidewalk. Delivered by UPS to commemorate their first site, the Garden is a small enclosed street corner complete with a waterfall and several tables and chairs. On a late spring day, it's noticeably cooler inside and the park is partially exempt from the sunlight. With the slight roar from the waterfall and the enclosed space, it's difficult to hear the street traffic; it really is a place which can transport you away from the bustle of the city. Even if only for a few moments.
Admission is free and the Garden closes in the mid-afternoon.Listed in: Parks and Trails
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Review from Steve P.
Seattle, WA
Stressed? Tired? Just need to sit down for a moment? Lacking that moment of Zen to put it all together? The Waterfall Garden Park is this cool, secret little nook tucked away in the corner of Pioneer Square. It might help! How often do you find a waterfall in the middle of a major city landscape? I mean outside of Seattle.
My friend and I discovered this quite by accident on our way to one of the many shops in Pioneer Square. Shady, quiet and cool, a great place to lean over and feel a refreshing spray on the face, or just plop down in a chair and crack a book.
I highly recommended this place for workers on lunch breaks, the stressed, the tired, and those who would rather gouge out their own eyes than wait while their friends or significant others peruse through another shop. Don't gouge out your eyes- feed them. -
Review from Amanda Y.
3/24/2010 ROTD 7/20/2010
Ahhh. feel the relaxation. It's like a little zen spa. An urban oasis. Me likey. And if I worked downtown, I'd eat lunch here LikeAlmostEveryDayAndStuff.
Peaceful. -
Review from Stephanie E.
Seattle, WA
7/27/2011
What a beautiful, peaceful oasis in the heart of a neighborhood I probably wouldn't be in otherwise. One would never expect it to exist on a street corner in the middle of a city. It's a great place to stop in and have lunch and just sit quietly enjoying the sound of rushing water. The place itself is pretty small, but there are tons of little two-seater tables and lots of lush greenery. Birds like to perch up on the ledge, and there was one seagull that was standing right in front of the waterfall, taking a shower. It put me in such a state of relaxation I could only wish that it had some grass to take a nap in.
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Review from Me H.
Seattle, WA
7/13/2007
On my trek back to work from Salumi I walked past the Waterfall Garden. It brought back memories.
I used to come down here all the time when ever I needed to clear my head while at work or just wanted to get away for a while. It was a nice, relaxing, some what cleansing place in the middle of Pioneer Square. If I had time I would have loved to eaten my Salumi sandwich here but there was no time to relax and eat I had to get back to work.
If you're ever in Pioneer Square looking for a place to sit down and relax for a bit check this place out.
**Update**
Took my nephews here while they were in town and they thought it was pretty cool to have a waterfall in such a dirty part of downtown. -
Review from Ron M.
This is one of my favorite places to eat my lunch in Downtown Seattle on a nice sunny day. It's a relaxing one hour getaway from the world of work.
This park is a memorial to the birthplace of United Parcel Service (UPS).Listed in: Best of the Best
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Review from Alison V.
7/14/2009 1 photo
I spent a few hours studying here the other day. It's a pretty nice place to step out of the hustle and bustle of the city and feel like you're in a whole new place...that is until a siren wails by.
The waterfall is nice and only smells slightly of chlorine. The park was pretty clean and well maintained. Some of the table tops were dirty, but nothing a wipe with a napkin couldn't clean off.
It's a great spot to tourist watch and enjoy the happy families come and take pictures in front of the waterfall. -
Review from Inna B.
Seattle, WA
10/14/2009 1 photo
I was recently shown this little oasis, and I love it already!
If I worked within walking distance, I'd be having coffee and/or lunch here every day the weather weather was good enough (and there were seats left)!
What can I say? I like parks and waterfalls. In-city ones hold a little special place in my heart because I frequently feel the need to get out of the "concrete jungle" (or whatever you want to call it) and they let me do a little bit of that.Listed in: Outdoorsy Goodness
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Review from Kunney T.
Costa Mesa, CA
8/7/2008
What can Brown do you for you?
How about a mother-effing waterfall?
How about some deliciously green trees?
(Thanks, Ian K.)
To commemorate the original site of UPS, UPS ... destroyed the building and made it into a scenic waterfall. Well, good riddance.
What you see here is nothing short of amazing. A few steps away from all the hustle and bustle is a freaking waterfall in the middle of nowhere, with greens and gurgles and everything you'd normally hike a couple miles to see... and when you get tired, you can get up, get out, turn to the right and there's a parking lot.
Unreal.
Tip: If you want to impress a guest or a girl, go grab a sandwich and a orange pelegrino from Salumi and walk a few steps to this place. Then thank me and appreciate how lucky y'all have it in Seattle.
Seacrest, out. -
Review from S alicia S.
Seattle, WA
4/16/2009
From a distance, I see complexity caressing space. My curiosity invited me to explore. And I found a gated public park. It marks distinction for UPS being found on the premises in 1907.
The Japanese landscape is gorgeous. Serenity from flowing water, greenery all around, and flowers in bloom. The cold square raised on a pedestal to show beauty at every sharp angle. And in such a small space.
Stunning. -
Review from cathy g.
Seattle, WA
5/5/2009
I love this this secret place.
I forget it and then there it is on a little sojourn to Pioneer Square.
I am eased by this silent beauty in Pioneer Square contradicting in juxtposoition the scary heart-rending feeling I have when I see so many homeless folks in the same area. This oasis in a way is a stark reminder that there is peace, beauty and solace fo rall. -
Review from Chris C.
Irvine, CA
10/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Looking for a quiet, peaceful oasis to mow down the sandwich from Salumi that you just bought? Come here to the Waterfall Garden, settle down, and relax. It's semi-covered with lots of plants and trees . . . and, of course, the waterfall. It has a fair number of tables and chairs, on two different levels, so you can lounge about and eat comfortably.
Yes, there are homeless folks here but they were totally harmless and stuck to themselves. There was also a security guard watching over things so no need for you tourists to feel unsafe. -
Review from Melissa C.
Davis, CA
3/12/2007
Whoever thought up of putting a waterfall in the middle of a city was brilliant.
This place is hidden behind a tall wall, so it def. has a secret garden feel to it. I think it is pretty hard to find or not really a much visited spot, because my family that lives in Seattle did not even know it existed.
Walking inside of the wall is almost breathtaking. Yes...it is a fake water fall...but the city did a really great job of creating something so natural and relaxing in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.
It is quiet, green, and a nice place to just sit and relax for a moment.Listed in: Seattle
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Review from Tim C.
Tacoma, WA
6/12/2007
Ah, a place of peace and tranquility in the heart of Pioneer Square. A hidden jewel of joy that drowns out the city...for a little while. Spring afternoons and any time in the summer it's the place to relax, clear your head, refresh your senses while eating, writing, whatever you feel the urge. Tables and chairs are provided.
So funny that the waterfall is oddly enough the birthplace of the worldwide brown giant of shipping...UPS. 3 cheers for UPS! So nice to have waterfall sound & action. Takes me to a happy place! -
Review from Killorn O.
Seattle, WA
1/27/2008
Secret mecca in the city, truly the finest place to have brown bag or takeout lunch in Seattle. I also try to have meetings here on occasion, anything to get out of an office setting is AOK with me. I love that such a tiny, perfect square of beauty exists amongst the harshness of the surrounding area.
To that end: yes, Waterfall Garden is in a terrible part of town. The entirety of Pioneer Square is the terrible part of town. Probably not the place for you if you can't handle hopscotching over a couple of unconscious people/rivers of bum pee to get there.
Oh, and wireless is always totally stealable here. Shhhh... -
Review from Ferdinand T.
Irvine, CA
6/15/2011
I have to give it 5 stars. This is the founding of my company UPS..started one hundred and 4 years ago .. see the plaque. Otherwise the bums of pioneer permeate (and i use that in several ways) the area.
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Review from Jeff G.
1/23/2008
I used to work near here and I'd always go to get my Zen on when things got nuts at the office. The second I walk in I can always feel my blood pressure drop. It's a nice place to sip some coffee and get my head set back to normal.
I give you fair warning though that if you fall asleep you will be rudely awakend and yelled at by one of the security guards to wake up. I guess this is a no-sleeping zone. -
Review from Amara D.
8/9/2010
Fantastic place to get away from work or the expected. Waterfalls in the middle of the city, who doesn't love that.
When I visited there were some tourists who (I am glad to report) had adventured out that way. They asked me me and walking buddy (shout out Priscilla) to take a picture. It was nice. A really good place for a photo and a good place to see yet another, different side of Seattle.
Someday we all should eat Yelp lunch there... it would be such a treat. -
Review from wesh w.
Seattle, WA
4/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
A beautiful, breathing oasis in the middle of the hot, hobo-infested wasteland south of Pioneer Square. If you've got a portable lunch carry it down here to eat some time. Gets crowded mid-days though, so a little before or after noon is probably best.
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Review from Sara C.
Sherman Oaks, CA
7/7/2010
You know that a place is really unique and wonderful when you think of it fondly almost a year later.
When I made my first voyage to the Pacific Northwest in September 2009, I had no plans for "must see" spots. Ever the curious traveler, with my hubby and friends working, I borrowed a bus pass and trod through the city to see what I could. I love architecture and historical spots to I headed to the Pioneer Square area of town. After "ooh"ing and "ahh"ing, snapping pictures of the oldest spots in town and walking my legs 'til they were sore, I needed a place to relax.
I spotted a plaque for the Waterfall Garden after hearing the sounds of a large fountain. I was in love from the moment I walked under the arbor. There were several tables with chairs around the garden, as well as benches, with walkways that take you as close to the waterfall as you dare. On a warm late summer afternoon, the sounds and cool humidity of the Waterfall Garden just hit the spot. If I hadn't had to catch up with friends soon after I would have stayed much longer.
Next time I'm in Seattle I will bring a picnic and a book. :) -
Review from ryan u.
Seattle, WA
6/26/2007
This is a great place to bring a girl to eat a little lunch. It is so hidden
away that you will seem like a hero for knowing where it is. A nice, cool spot on a hot day.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Amanda O.
Seattle, WA
9/11/2010
This is a great place to go when work is driving you totally nuts and you just need to take a deep breath. It's so relaxing and refreshing here. Sitting close to the waterfall is nice since the sound of the water can drown out all the city sounds around you.
Only downside is it can sometimes be crowded here. -
Review from Ann L.
7/9/2009
Walking around in Seattle we happen to stop at the Waterfall Garden. It's FREE and pretty nice inside.
There's a nice, cascading waterfall and many chairs so you can sit back and relax.
It was created & maintained for the people of Seattle in honor of the men & women of the UPS (United Parcel Service) 1977.
We saw some nannies bring many toddlers here to stare at the waterfall.
Recommended if in the area.Listed in: Things to do in Washington…
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Review from Sarah B.
Seattle, WA
4/25/2006
Absolutely incredible. I had to be shown here by someone else, otherwise it would have taken awhile to find it. But it's breathtaking.
A tiny waterfall surrounded by a dense little garden. With plenty of chairs and tables to relax in. And tons of nice places to grab a bit to eat and enjoy your meal in a beautiful surrounding.
I hear it does get a little crowded at lunch but on the weekends it's empty. What a unique thing to find in the middle of a city.Listed in: Mommy, can we go outside?
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Review from Matt W.
Seattle, WA
5/12/2009
I found this park because of a Geocache hidden somewhere inside here. I never found the cache. For some reason, my coworkers understood my Geocaching obsession more than they understood the need for long lunches, so I told them I was looking for the cache about three times a week for the better part of a year.
I'd stopped looking for the cache after the first visit, and just started enjoying the calm and the waterfall. Great place.
That one gray star, way off to the right? Yeah, that's for the homeless guy who kept muttering at me until I left.
