Jewel
- S. N. Linn
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
We have been to Jewel many times before. It used to be one of my favorite places until it became increasingly crowded with visitors. When Jewel first opened in 2019, it felt almost magical to me. The massive Rain Vortex, surrounded by lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, reminded me of Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings. The first time I saw it, I was genuinely awestruck. There was something incredibly peaceful about standing there and taking it all in.
Nowadays, many people visit the place, and it’s almost impossible to walk around this beautiful attraction without being mindful of passing in front of people taking photos. And I know I’m a hypocrite because I was also one of them that day—waving my camera around to film.
Fortunately, Jewel is large enough that it's still possible to find quieter corners. There are plenty of seating areas tucked among the greenery, and the higher levels tend to be much less crowded. We spent some time climbing upward, partly to escape the crowds and partly to enjoy a better view of the Rain Vortex from above.
Alex had an especially fun day. Before heading to Jewel, we let him ride the giant slide at Terminal 3—which is free, by the way—and take the Skytrain from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. While he enjoyed seeing the Rain Vortex, his favorite activity was much simpler. He loved climbing up to one of the smaller waterfalls and placing his hand in the flowing water.
After all that walking and climbing, we were starving. We eventually made our way down to Basement 2, where we rewarded ourselves with ice cream and cream puffs before heading home.
Discover more of our local adventures here: Humble Journeys Index.
