International Fountain was created for the Seattle World's Fair. Made of concrete and stainless steel. Sitting at what was the center of the fair. Among "The Boulevards of the World." Once the fair was over, popularity of this site overall dwindled. However, like all good things, this had a refresh. They did a rebuild in 95 where they made the fountain more user friendly and interactive. It was meant to be that way from the get go, but how it was initially designed did not really look like that. They took out the protruding nozzles and the rocks to make it look like the moon so that people could touch and play with it. Fitting, as this did replace a playground. I happened upon the place early morning and found it already had a multitude of people around it. Enjoying the weather. I took my pictures, which really did not do this justice. The fountain really wasn't magical at that point of the day. read more

International Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is an awesome fountain at the Seattle Center Park near the Space Needle. I was amazed at the water pressure and rhythm with musical accompaniment! Kids and adults were playing in it like it was a summer day. What's not to love about watching people have fun frolicking for free?!? read more

International Fountain - Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The fountain is part of the Seattle center and in a large area of green. The fountain itself was kinda quiet and not much to see but many people were sitting around it and relaxing. read more

International Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I went here on Saturday about 1.5 weeks ago around 2:30pm and I easily spent 3.5 hours around this fountain. This fountain is located at Seattle Center, which is a place that sometimes has events. It was my last full day in Seattle so it was a nice way to relax. There was a music festival next to this fountain that day and I loved how many people were sitting around the fountain, since that was the most crowded I've seen Seattle so far! I really enjoyed the loud music from the festival and how crowded it was since Seattle felt very dead and empty to me the days before that. People are also allowed to run into the fountain to play with the water it shoots out! The fountain is like a water show. I'd recommend this place! The day I visited this fountain, it was VERY LIVELY since it was during the weekend AND located in Seattle Center! Be careful with the fountain though! Sometimes the international fountain would randomly shoot the water VERY HIGH and the wind would blow it to the people sitting around the fountain! I had a lot of fun here even though some of the water got on me since it was a warm, but cloudy day! read more

International Fountain - International fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The International Fountain is a place to take kids in the summer and let them run around screaming and playing with the water as it takes different forms and cycles through how much water comes out. Giant circle around it with a low concrete wall to sit and watch the kids or passers-by. Don't come here just for this, but maybe something fun to check out if in Seattle Center for another event or festival. read more

Something about a whimsical place where it pulls you in to interact and/or observe. Absolutely loved visiting the International Fountain. The music was fun and the glee pouring out of people as they interacted with the fountain was absolutely amazing. read more

International Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We came across this big fountain after walking around the center and coming from the Space Needle. This thing was probably 20 feet tall and it sprouted water so that the kids can enjoy playing. It was definitely picture worthy. You can hear life music and see the nice trees and grass. Lovely place for families and kids. read more

International Fountain - International Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Always a great time at the fountain! An awesome water spectacle, often set to music and the perfect place to be when the sun is out and the heat striking. The area has a great layout with a spiraling walkway making its way down to the fountain, as well as steep declines down to the fountain. Make your way down or around and enjoy the greatness of of the freezing cold chlorinated water! read more

Really cool fountain! The water is also programmed to music, and the fountain was created by the same company that created The Fountains of Bellagio. read more

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Fountain wasn't much to look at. Maybe it's the time of year and there's not much going on. Very hard to stop myself from going down towards the water while sitting in the ledge. Fun to stare at for a minute. Not worth walking around to unless you're on the way or looking forward to an event there read more

International Fountain - March 2022, maybe come during events or livelier time of the year? - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This weekend, with time on my hands, I visited the fountain four times. While in town for few weeks in summer, I sometimes just need to hang out in a community venue and people watch. This is the place for that. What a lovely place to see families gather in hope of catching a breeze and some mist from the high flying water. I especially like watching parents and youngsters approach the basin with apparent plans to just get their feet wet. Moments later they are soaked, laughing or squealing with joy. Yesterday I met a young mom and her son when I was asked to watch their bikes while they nudged closer and closer to the silvery dome. Why not 5 stars? Seattle, keep your fountain in better repair. read more

It's located a walking distance from the Space Needle, EMP Museum, and Pacific Science Center, right by the Key Arena. We walked here after visiting the Pacific Science Center and strolled around a bit talking pictures and taking in the view before heading up to the Space Needle. It's a really cool fountain to play in if you want to get wet, especially for kids. If we weren't in a rush, it would have been a really nice place to sit around the perimeter of the fountain and have lunch while listening to the relaxing music. read more

International Fountain - Awesome fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The International Fountain is located at the Seattle Center and is moves according to the music playing from it (reminds me of the same style as the dancing water at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas). The music runs in a loop of 5 different songs. This fountain is rather interesting in which it was made for the 1962 World Fair. The fountain was rebuilt in 1995 and now is a lasting center piece of history that families can come and let their kids play in the fountain bowl. So you can walk right up to the silver dome and touch it and get soaked by it's water. This attraction is free and worth a visit if you are in the Seattle Center. Also makes makes for a great photo. And since you are here, might as well stay for a song or two (and if it's hot out, why not let that recycled water cool yourself down?). Something about water moving in a rhythmic dance is calming. At night, the fountain is light up. So stop by if you are around. read more

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Ok so in my original review I wasn't feeling this fountain, but I have to admit it has grown on me. I think it has to due not so much with the fountain itself but moreso how it brings people together and gives families a common place to just chill for free. This is great since hardly anything in the Space Needle area is free. I'll give it one more star since it's fun to watch all the families running around the fountain playing in the water. Others sit in the grass reading books, practicing guitar, gossiping, picnicking, or just sunbathing. I recently was there after attending Vegfest and there were some street performers out just feeling the vibe on the African drums and dancing. It was a great performance. There was some much going on around the fountain that I think it gives the fountain more life. Then after you wait for a while a huge cannon of water shoots out of the center of the fountain probably 50-100 feet in the air and you can hear everyone gasp and hoot and holler. I also found the continuous spray of water quite relaxing the longer I sat there. I didn't even notice two hours go by. So I guess in a few years I'll give this fives stars but for now four should suffice. read more

International Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Built back in 1963 for an Expo and redone in 1966 to make it more interactive and inviting. This musical fountain is located at the Seattle Center near the Key Arena. Every time I'm in the area, I enjoy just sitting around the fountain and watching it. It's also entertaining to see people attempt to dodge the water during cold days. Emphasis on attempt as sometimes they aren't so successful. There's parking garages every where around the center. Take your pick. However, they can be quite pricey. read more

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Fun open area for the kids to run around. Pictures taken are beautiful with either the Space Needle or a gorgeous ever-changing mural of art works. read more

The fountain has an excellent display set to music. We sat and watched for almost an hour. Loved it! Not much else to do but just be. Near the Space Needle and Key Arena. You can walk down into the fountain and play in the water. Located at the Seattle Center, the International Fountain is perhaps one of the best known fountains in Seattle and attracts thousands of tourists and Seattleites each year. During the summer months, you will find kids with swimsuits donned, chasing the huge spurts of water and laughing gleefully at the huge explosion of water that feels as though it will reach beyond the clouds. *The International Fountain is a mainstay from the World's Fair, but was completely replaced and expanded in a $6.5 million project in 1995. As the centerpiece of the broad open space and lawn, it has been transformed from its early days of hard iron nozzles and surrounding sharp-edged, white rock. Now children can play in the fountain bowl and venture right up to the smooth silver dome. By day the fountain is a favorite lounging area and delight for young and old. On top of its attraction to the community, the Fountain also takes care of nature. All of the water is recycled and it's probably the cleanest in the city, with three types of treatment before it ever reaches the public. Built: Originally in 1961 for 1962 World's Fair Replaced & rebuilt: 1995 Landscape Architect: Kenichi Nakano & Associates Mechanical Designer: WET Design Diameter of bowl: 220' Height & width of dome: 10' tall & 27' wide Water Capacity: 9,000 gallons Water Shooters: 137 total mist nozzles 77 fleur-de-lis' 56 microshooters 4 Super Shooters Height reached by Super Shooters: 120' Water in one Super Shooter: 66 gallons Air pressure in one Super Shooter shot: 120 psi Number of water programs synchronized to music: 5 read more

International Fountain - Rainbow Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Oh how we Seattleites love this fountain! Growing up here, I remember The International Fountain being the highlight of many a school field trip to the Pacific Science Center! Even when going to the Center House to see the awesome Christmas trains- can we go by the fountain too? Pretty Please!?!?! The International Fountain is as grand as it is beautiful! As a kid I loved the water spraying out seemingly unpredictably as we danced and played inside the artistic bubbly amphitheater! As an adult we usually find a spot on the top rim to sit and eat lunch, watch the birds, listen to the water of the fountain and just be. It's lovely and beautiful! A definite must on any visit to the Seattle Center! A special place in the hearts of the locals and a wonder piece of interactive art that can be enjoyed by the tourists! The International Fountain is a classic! It never gets old! Of special note- this giant fountain in the middle of a stone amphitheater is wheel chair accessible! There are wide built in ramps on the Queen Anne Hill side of the fountain that gently wind around to the bottom of the bowl. I think this is especially wonderful as it makes the fountain so much more welcoming to everyone, young and old, of all abilities! Everyone is welcome and everyone can join in the fun! read more

International Fountain - Banh mi from the Phocycle booth - perfect NW Folklife Festival lunch at the Seattle Center International Foutain! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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It likes to shoot water at random. It has a walkway down to the water. It looks like a boob. We took pictures. It was tons of fun. read more

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It's always been a central symbol of the city, and always uniquely beautiful in all kinds of weather. It's gotten much better through the years--the ramps there today make it far easier to reach the bowl, and taking the old firehose nozzles off has to be one of the more aesthetically pleasing safety measures the city's enacted since I've lived here. What's not to say about a fountain? Virtually everyone will love a setting like this; a beautiful public space with dancing waters can please just about anyone. It will present each of us with a mental image worth savoring, because we all benefit from contemplating something beautiful. But for me, the fountain also represents a moment of collective healing. After Kurt Cobain's suicide, the city generously permitted a public memorial take place on Seattle Center grounds. The family's memorial took place not far away. Thousands of fans poured in to pay their respects, light candles, and talk to each other. It was a chilly spring day. I was running security for the event, which involved virtually no work other than offering sympathetic expressions to those who noticed us. We were wearing the same uniforms we wore when we secured concerts, and most of us working that day had secured several of Nirvana's larger, more recent shows. Some of us--like me--had been seeing Nirvana live since before they were big enough to need professional security crews. Later that night, Courtney Love wandered through the grounds, waking in by herself and sitting with fans around one of the makeshift candelabras there on the pavement around the fountain. People eventually realized she was there--thankfully, not before we did, so we could help her escape the crowds. We switched channels on our two-way radios and realized that the crew securing the private memorial was freaking out, because nobody knew where she had gone. It was that kind of surreal moment in the city. But earlier in the day, the fountain itself was the epicenter of the public grieving. Kids climbed up on the hump in the middle, randomly getting force-blasted with fountain jets, until there were so many kids on it that you only saw occasional clouds of mist refracted through them. They'd scream like kids always do in a fountain, but the screams were harsh and agonized. There was a moment of panic at the switch, and the water was turned off, eliciting wails of protest from the crowd. We talked about whether it was safe to turn it back on, since the crowd was clearly not happy without the jets. Thankfully, the powers that be at the Center listened to those of us who said the kids would be safe either way, as long as we weren't turning the water off and on again--pick one and leave it. The water came back on. In my generation, Seattle has had no son so favored as Cobain, and it always stings to think of his going so early. But walking by the fountain always makes me think of the kids standing on the hump in the middle, soaked to the skin, heads thrown back and hollering. Someone was on the PA and he read from Kurt's note. Kurt closed it with a quote from Neil Young: "it's better to burn out than fade away." read more

Really lovely place to just catch up with a friend! I love that they play soothing music and there's just something about water works that amaze me :) read more

International Fountain - enjoying a tea by the fountain while listening to music - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I've never seen anything like it. From a distance, it looks like your average fountain, but when you walk up to it, you realize how neat it really is. The fountain is located in the center of a bowl-shaped concrete area. It sprays out water in numerous places and the best thing about it is that it squirts out water according to the rhythm of the music that's playing. It doesn't seem like much, but seeing the kids (and adults too) having fun just running through the water is the real beauty of it. It brings a multitude of people together, and there's plenty of seating around the fountain whether it's on the concrete or the wooden benches a little farther back. Grab lunch and sit around the fountain or bring a swimsuit and have fun running through the water - either way, it's a nice place to hangout at! read more

International Fountain - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This fountain has always been my favorite part of Seattle Center. I always bring out-of-town visitors here, and without exception, everyone loves this attraction, regardless how young or old or world-weary they are. It's universally appreciated as a working fountain, as an interactive art display, to run in and cool off in or simply to admire and listen to the music and watch the water jets dance in various patterns. I love hearing the squeals of laughter from the kids and parents alike, as they run down the ramps and try to touch the central "ball" before the jets start suddenly spraying. I love watching the prisms form when the water jets catch the sunlight. I love that this fountain is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day. And it's free to boot!!! Bring a towel. Don't forget sunblock. And a camera to capture the smiles! read more

It's so bright and shiny and loud! haha I'm glad I came by the International Fountain, it was a bit too cold to get in the water but there's always next time! the music/water show is fun to sit and watch! read more

In the summer time in Seattle, this is the one of the more original places for kids and adults to cool off. How can you beat a spaceship sculpture that vibrates and whose fountains shoot water, synchronized to a symphony soundtrack? Pitch perfect tourist attraction that is little known by tourists (but not soon forgotten after a trip to Seattle in the summertime) and beloved by locals. The Fountain resides in the shadow of the Seattle Center, Space Needle, EMP, Chihuly Gardens and Glass, and the Armory. The International Fountain is one of the cooler pieces of public art in Seattle, exactly because you get to see people physically nteracting with art . The only thing better than watching the crowds undulating closer and then further away as the water shoots up and then starts to descend, is to roll up your pant legs and join in the fun! read more

If you make it to the Space Needle, you must walk over to see/hear the International Fountain. Cop a squat, enjoy the water show set to great music and people watch. It wasn't the warmest day that we saw it, but there were people with shoes off getting wet. We watched a guy walk his happy huskie through the spray. Super fun! read more

I'm a big fan of big open park spaces, especially when there is a charming fountain. This one was huge with room for kids to run around the water. It warms the heart to watch that. For us adult children, it also seems like a great spot to just sit, maybe read a book or do some writing, eat lunch, etc. Definitely a relaxing place and great for people watching. The Space Needle nearby just makes it even better. read more

This place did NOT disappoint!!!! It was SPECTACULAR!!!!! I would have to say it was so unexpected the magnitude and showmanship of this fountain that I'm a Vegas Girl and I don't know what I love better--the Bellagio Fountains or International Fountain!!! I think it's because I read the latest review at the time, one posted on 06/18/13, and they didn't give it too great of a rating. But that didn't stop me from checking it out for myself. And this place DEFINITELY deserves the 5 stars!! Maybe the previous Yelper didn't hang out long enough but this water show is delightful! My pseudo-hubster and I stayed to watch 2 shows and both were entertaining. And both shows were probably 3-5 mins gapped. There is surround sound and the water dances to the music, which is why I am comparing it to the Bellagio Fountains. Children were down by the water laughing and splashing around. I can only imagine the view they were getting as the show played out. My only regret is not donning a bathing suit (or cover up as this obviously is not a pool) and joining in on the fun! However the way down to the fountain looks quite trepidatious. Either that or I'm clearly showing my age. #grannytime Definite must stop if you're a first time Seattle tourist. It's impossible not to stop here especially if you're going to the Space Needle. read more

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Clean, positive, family friendly, out door water activity, relaxing jazz and band music, bench seating, lawn seating. Had a park bench picnic watching children run and play in the water feature, dancing to the music while the Space Needle looked on. Visited in July and passing through one evening a local high school marching band passed through, so delightful and unexpected. read more

West of the Seattle Children's Museum, you'll find it... tucked in the centre of the park, nearest to Mercer. Originally built as a modernist water feature for the World's Fair in 1962, the Fountain was renovated in the mid-90s. Today, the water pulses in time to pre-recorded music from around the world with songs that change from month to month. The Fountain operates year round and during summer months, children (and some adventurous adults) squeal as they run through the spray. If you aren't that adventurous, you can sit around the fountain's edge away from the spray and watch the action. If you DO indulge in the fountain, take care to wear non-slip soles. I have seen several people skid as they ran. I also learned that all of the water is recycled and treated three separate times before it ever reaches the public! I was curious about the specifications so here's the facts from an online source: Diameter of bowl: 220' Height & width of dome: 10' tall & 27' wide Water Capacity: 9,000 gallons Water Shooters: 137 total mist nozzles 77 Fleur-de-lis 56 Micro Shooters 4 Super Shooters Height reached by Super Shooters: 120' Water in one Super Shooter: 66 gallons Air pressure in one Super Shooter shot: 120 psi Number of water programs synchronized to music: 5 (Welcome to Seattle Center Show, Aaron Copeland's 'Billy the Kid,' Duke Ellington, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and a mix from Northwest Rock 'n Roll legends.) Time of shows: up to 12 minutes read more

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A delightful form of beauty and entertainment located in a lovely, relaxing grassy area in Seattle Center. Most of the time there are many children (and adults!) running through the fountain trying to outsmart the jets as they dance to the music. The fountain is choreographed to a variety of songs, covering a range of music styles from grunge to world music. On a hot summer day, this is one of the most fun things to do in Seattle. Tip: to avoid slipping, enter the fountain by way of the ramp located on the north side of the fountain. read more

This was my least favorite fountain in Seattle. No fun at all. If it was just called "fountain" it would be more accurate. Lots of kids running around in the water. No parents at all. What happened to their parents?! Very boring. SAD!!! read more

The International Fountain and the surrounding area was an unplanned stop when I visited Seattle, but Im sure glad that I stumbled upon it. Located in the Seattle Center area near the Space Needle and the beautifully unique Frank Gerhy designed EMP Museum, the International Fountain is a relaxing spot to sit and enjoy the views, sights and sounds of Seattle. I should also mention it's a great spot for a few photo opportunitues. I was particularly lucky that autumn day because their was a food truck festival which added to the ambiance. Of course, the smells were fantastic. I even sampled some Earl Grey tea ice cream from the Parfait truck. read more

International Fountain - International Fountain and Space Needle at the Seattle Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This big Ole Fountain is pretty cool to check out when downtown Seattle. in the summertime it's cool when it's hot you can go down there and run around it if you would like. Music be playing to the water that comes out of it. nice spacious area. I recommend this for all. read more

A wonderful public fountain in the space needle area. Lots of folks and kids frolicking in the water. In our safety-first culture, there are no warning signs, no hand rails, just parents watching their kids having fun in the water. Just awesome. Water jets squirting to music. Thrilled that cities still invest in beauty. read more

International Fountain is the perfect centerpiece to a warm summer day. Around these parts, I even frequent the Fountain in lower temperatures (although typically not lower than 50 degrees). The iconic tourist shot is one with the Fountain and topped with the Space Needle. I've spent a lot of time at Seattle Center over the years. The Fountain provides the perfect summer splash, beautiful lights for special events, and a rotating list of tunes. I love being there because you see people from all walks of life enjoying what it has to offer. It's fun to see how high the water will shoot and exactly how many people will be soaked! Even if you don't want to venture in the Fountain, it's the perfect place to people watch. Where will you meet someone at Seattle Center? Well...at the Fountain of course! The Fountain is host to many special events including memorials, shows of respect, and even cultural dances. TIP: Don't climb on top the Fountain. It's a no-no and it will be shut down and ruin the fun for everyone. read more

It's just a cozy moment to be at for hours. Very intellectual and worth reading a book. read more

International Fountain - Great moment at Seattle Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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There are a few free family friendly spots at Seattle Center where you can sit for hours and not get bored. The International Fountain remains one of them. It's one of my all time favorite iconic and free venues. I so envy the person that pre-programs the music. The water is dispensed via nozzles and is synchronized to the music. I only wish is that they would have a juke box style system where we could pay to play our favorite tunes. There are several nozzles that blast the water skyward. Beware of the lower nozzles as you will get soaked. Don't be afraid of the water. It's probably some of the cleanest water in the city as it is recycled through a tertiary treatment process. Gobs of little ones (and their parents) will "dare" the fountain to not soak them. I would observe that the probability of staying dry is .0001%. Bring a picnic, rubber zoris (if the soles of your feet are as wimpy as mine), towel and an extra set of clothes. You won't be disappointed. read more

This is one of the best features of Seattle Center. It's free, which is always a good starting point. It's a fountain - and who doesn't love a fountain? You can see rainbows and little (and big!) kids running in and out of the spray and enjoying themselves. The dome is space age-y and fits in with the Space Needle, Science Center, and EMP vibes. There's plenty of seating around the rim where you can marvel at the high jets without any fear of getting wet. I've been here during the day. I've been here at night. I've been here on bright sunny days. I've been here in the rain. And every time, I marvel at the beauty and power of the fountain and the sense of peace that washes over me - yes, even when there are shrieking kids running about. There is just something magical about this place. Seattle Center often gets mentioned as one of Seattle's top tourist attractions, but if you ask me, that honor really belongs to the International Fountain. read more

One of my favorite spots in seattle..when i was about 7, i remember getting soaked in the summertime there at the fountain.... I remember how there would be music played while the fountain sprayed in all directions...sometimes i would lie on the cement and watch the water..and look at the space needle...cool shit for a kid....relaxing now for me Still get a laugh when people get hosed down, not expecting the fountain to blow its load... read more