International Fountain

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

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!

This place is wonderful. We’re here for a whole week because of a gaming event. Every time a game finishes, the fountain does some special effects! That is really cool.
Some kids play under the fountain. You can’t find that in California anymore, our kids are stuck with their iPads.
It’s a nice place to hang out for the afternoon and just go around and play.

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!

It’s a pleasant fountain to look at and also a great place to view the Space Needle and hang out. Lots of green space to have a picnic, chillout or run around. Great for kids too.

We love coming here in the summer time! You can’t beat free water entertainment for the kids! With enough grass and shade for the family you can make a whole day out of it! I recommend boat shoes for the kiddos as the floor can be very slippery and be careful with stuff on the floor that can hurt a kiddo. Parking can be a pain so I recommend parking about 2 blocks away and pay for cheaper street parking. Worth it! Enjoy!

FUN FOR HOT TEMPS
Wow, this place is listed! Came July 2006, yes weather was hot temperature wise! Obviusly first day/​night here, was supposed land 2:45 p.m., there delay, so landed sometime after 4:00 p. m! At hotel ask if they have handicap room, «If you willing to wait, we can set one up,» no problem! Just look at my child travel book of Seattle, look at brochures near check in desk! Now I know how other guest went through as I willing trade rooms (TWO MONTH) earlier at Sacramento hotel! By time got to Seattle Center, was sometime after 6:00 p.m., saw people playing in this fountain!
All rest of the days, I wear one piece swim suit so whenever I pass at Seattle Center, I can play and get wet! The hill somewhat steep, so had be careful, but this fun place for children and adults play and get wet! One afternoon, some people rehearsing for a church play! One person had the big replica of the cross, I guess he would be playing Jesus? Said to him (I HAD BEEN BAPTIZED THREE WEEK EARLIER), «This would be an excellent place for a Baptism! I can see both the preacher and both the baptism candidate getting fully wet, getting soaked!»
During BITE OF SEATTLE this got very popular! One father, I said, «I never seen it so crowded before,» he thought I was a local! He say, «Yes, but then I did not know the Bite was happening this weekend!» I say, «Wow! Maybe you and I should watch the news more!» He even telling his two children, «We need leave soon! Even this lady said she never seen it so crowded before!» I highly to recommend playing in International Fountains, fun, just lile Ray Ackerman Dancing Waters in OKC! This one you get way more wet, but they both fun! Ha ha ha!

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!

Beautiful fountain surrounded by lovely park areas with green grass and mature trees. Love the view of the Space Needle from the fountain. Great place for the kids to play and adults to chill.

Great place to just laze on the grass and enjoy a sunny day! Bring a book, some friends, and some food. Make a picnic out of it, and enjoy the little show the fountain puts on by synchronising itself to the music (okay, fine, I know someone controls it, but it’s more fun to believe that the fountain has a mind of its own!). Definitely worth it to come here independently of the Space Needle.

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.

What a treat! Do yourself a favor and sit here and take in what the fountain has to offer. It’s so awesome and made my wknd trip that much more memorable. Seriously! So awesome to see kids and even some brave adults running through the fountain. So rad!

Cool fountain that dances around. Unique structure to hold it and it is such a lively environment full of people and kids. Beware there are homeless people around too, but they don’t bother you. Best of all it is free!
This place is also next to the space needle, glass museum, and food places. It is a great place to just relax or take a break while walking around. It is great for kids, they will want to run around in the fountain so be sure to bring some extra clothes and a towel. Cheers!

Bring bathing costume so you can frolick in the water fountain with clear blue skies above

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.

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!

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.

Originally set up during the World’s Fair and then renovated the International fountain has 137 water nozzles. Needless to say I wasn’t impressed. It would probably be perfect on a hot day. And it’s free, so a cheap way for your and your kids to cool down.
Honestly though, we went over while waiting for the Ride the Ducks tour and followed the signs to find it and my friend was like «This can’t be it! It’s so small!» I admit I thought it was going to be huge but it really is underwhelming. Now when all the nozzles are shooting in full force I bet it’s probably spectacular but I just wasn’t feeling it.

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!

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.