Bloedel Reserve Garden on Bainbridge Island

May 9, 2015monpetitseattle Leave a comment

Two weeks ago, we went for the first time to the Bloedel Reserve Garden on Bainbridge Island. This is a short ferry ride from Seattle followed by a 15-minute drive.

We did not know what to expect, all we heard was that it was a nice garden. At first, we were surprised by its size. This is a 140-acre garden where you can spend plenty of time. The paths and trails are well designed and it is easy to walk around.
You never get bored, as the landscape is really diverse, with different areas such as a meadow, ponds, a Japanese garden, and a reflection pool. There is also a forest wetland where we saw five deer from only 30 feet away. A residence sits in a beautiful park with a phenomenal full view on the Puget Sound and Mount Baker in the back.
The entire family can enjoy it.

— A few things to know before you go:
– The admission is $15 per person (which is rather pricy) so be sure to get there somewhat early so you have enough time to enjoy the different areas.
– Open from 10am to 4pm
– There is no coffee shop, restaurant, or picnic area and no food is allowed in the garden.

— Bloedel Reserve 7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Japanese Garden of the Seattle Arboretum

April 30, 2015monpetitseattle Leave a comment

The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle on Lake Washington Boulevard East, close to the Arboretum.

Built in 1959, it was the earliest postwar public construction of a Japanese-style garden on the West Coast.

A lot of Japanese cultural events take place here, check the website.

— Japanese Garden, 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E

Kubota Japanese Garden

April 4, 2015monpetitseattle Leave a comment

Kubota Garden is a peaceful Japanese garden in south Seattle, a little bit in the middle of nowhere. Mr. Kubota, a Japanese immigrant, created this garden in 1927.

It is a free public garden and some areas are not well maintained but some parts such as the waterfalls and the bridge are really aesthetic and worth the visit.