Another Water Fountain Destination

Your indoor water fountain is an awesome addition to your home just as the centerpiece public water fountains are to their communities.

The last post focused on Chicago's Buckingham Fountain. This post will move to the Nothwest corner of the US, Seattle Wa.

When you're in Seattle, along with ventures into the historical Pioneer Square area - take the popular Underground Tour for an interesting look at the fascinating and sometimes bawdy history associated with the city's early history & growth during the time of the Alaska gold rush - and, of course, to the unique and colorful Pike Place Market. You'll also be heading to the Seattle Center.

This is the complex where you'll find the famous Space Needle, the Science Museum, Paul Allen's (Jimi Hendrix) Experience Museum, many shops and restaurants and the International Fountain which, like the rest of the Center, is very family friendly.

Originally commissioned for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, it instantly became a popular site in the Fair's main plaza. It's manually operated changing spary patterns sent water 40 feet into the air, creating flower and star shapes for all to enjoy.

A redesign, completed in 1995, replaced the tiled centerpiece with one of stainless steel and installed a computer controlled changing spray (and lights after dark) patterns brought together in a one show with music that concludes with an explosion of water shooting 150 feet into the air. The redesigned base of the fountain is below the sidewalk level and is reached via a gently sloping spiral ramp which brings you right to the waters edge.

This is the point at which Seattle's International Fountain differentiates itself from most other public water fountains. Visitors can walk right into the water where children (or venturesome young-at-hearts) are able to play in the sprays, a most enjoyable and dramatic upgrade from the back yard sprinkler.

So, parents/young-at-hearts, equip yourselves accordingly and enjoy a day at the center's attractions followed by a meal at one of the many dining choices from food court to Midway to fine dining atop the Needle and then settle back to enjoy the spectacular evening water, music and light show.


The fountain puts on a 10-minute shows every hour from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and every half-hour (for the brown-bag crowd) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When you return home, your indoor water fountain will serve as a reminder of your visit to it's more glitzy cousin.

The next water fountain destination - Kansas City