Plan to make the most of your visit.

Please follow the onsite guidelines put in place by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Guidelines are posted at the front entrance, and you may ask a Greeter for more details.

FOC provides this information via our website as a courtesy and strives to keep all information up-to-date. FOC will answer your questions or direct your email inquiries to the proper entity if you need clarification to plan your visit or want to share your feedback.

Additional information and SPR contact information may be found on the SPR Rules & Regulations page.

Admissions & Hours | The conservatory is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am - 4 pm; closed to the public every Monday. Free admission for all on the first Thursday of the month, and the first Saturday is free for 12 yrs old and younger.

Accessibility | We strive to make the Conservatory and our programs accessible to all.

  • Disability parking is located in front of the building.

  • The Conservatory is accessible with paved paths for wheelchairs and walkers.

  • Accessible restrooms are at the public bathrooms adjacent to the Conservatory building.

Palm House Gift Shop | Visit our gift shop, selecting from locally-made products and unique gifts. Friends of the Conservatory operates the gift shop with the support of volunteers. Purchases made in the gift shop benefit FOC and our mission. Hours of operation may vary.

Parking | Free parking is available throughout Volunteer Park on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Pets | Only service animals on leads are permitted.

Photography | Visitors are welcome and encouraged to take photographs that are designated for personal use only. Tripods are prohibited in the Conservatory. Professional and commercial photography require additional permitting. Contact Seattle Parks and Recreation Events or the City of Seattle for assistance. FOC is only able to provide this contact information (see below) as SPR and the City of Seattle fully handle after-hours permitting and scheduling of ceremonies and photoshoots for the venue.

Strollers | Strollers are allowed throughout the Conservatory.

Prohibited Items | The following items are not permitted inside the Conservatory:

  • weapons, knives, firearms.

  • tripods and commercial camera equipment.

  • folding chairs or stools.

  • bikes, scooters, and rollerblades.

Pictured above: visitors enjoy the Cactus House. Photo credit: Kathy Buchanan

Permits - Weddings, Photography, and Film

If you are interested in booking Volunteer Park Conservatory as a private venue for wedding ceremonies or related photoshoots, or as a location for commercial film and photography purposes, you will need to contact the relevant department of Seattle Parks and Recreation or the City of Seattle. Friends of the Conservatory is able to share the contact information below, but SPR and City of Seattle must provide the support for these types of permit-required activities as the owner and operator of the facility. Members of the press are welcome to visit during regular, public hours without a permit.

Rentals for Ceremonies and Photography Sessions

Please contact Seattle Parks and Recreation Events if you would like information, have questions, or want to book a reservation/apply for a permit for after-hours venue rentals for ceremonies (weddings) or related professional photography sessions.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Events
https://www.seattle.gov/parks/rentals-and-permits/outdoor-ceremony-reservations
SPRevents@seattle.gov
206-684-4080 x2

Commercial Film and Photography

If you are planning to use film or photos for any commercial purpose including but not limited to: brochures, portfolios, TV commercials, magazines, newspapers, websites, social media business pages, etc. you will need to contact the City of Seattle Office of Film and Music to acquire a Seattle Parks and Recreation permit.

City of Seattle Office of Film and Music
seattle.gov/filmandmusic
Filmoffice@seattle.gov
(206) 233-3948

Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • First-come, first-serve, FREE parking is available throughout Volunteer Park.

  • Pets are not permitted anywhere in the Conservatory. Service animals on leads are welcome. Pets are allowed in Volunteer Park, itself.

  • Accessible parking spots are available directly in front of the building. The Conservatory is paved throughout the building and ADA compliant.

  • There is a Conservatory map in the Visit section of this website and onsite at the front entrance visitor information board.

  • We no longer have a phone line. However, we endeavor to respond to emails to foc@volunteerparkconservatory.org as quickly as we can.

Admissions

  • Weekends and holidays. Quieter days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

  • The conservatory is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 am - 4 pm; closed to the public every Monday. Free admission for all on the first Thursday of the month, and the first Saturday of the month is Family Saturday.

  • FOC prefers that your purchase or renew your membership online but will happily provide assistance in the Palm House Gift Shop when needed. Questions? Contact: membership@volunteerparkconservatory.org

Groups

  • No, group visits no longer require advance notice or scheduling. Groups are encouraged to visit from Tuesday through Thursday in the mornings, which are off-peak times. Plan to pay via card or single dollar bills when you arrive.

  • Friends of the Conservatory is pleased to offer once-monthly, ticketed tours that are made available to FOC Members prior to the general public. FOC Members can purchase tickets at a discounted rate.

Programs

  • Yes, we offer a variety of programs and activities. View our calendar for details.

  • Friends of the Conservatory would be happy to consider opportunities for enhancing public education at the Conservatory. Please reach out to us: foc@volunteerparkconservatory.org.

If your question was not answered here, please email foc@volunteerparkconservatory.org and we will answer your question or direct it to the right place.