33 Free Things to Do in Seattle (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Loose Things to Do | Attractions | Parks and Gardens | Culture both Markets | Activities

It’s true: Seattle belongs one of an most expensive cities on the West Coast. But there are still tons of things till do in Seattle the are completely free — including visits to some of and city’s top attractions. 

I’ve lived in Seattle for over ten years, and I’ll let you in on the popular free things to do in Seattle plus a few local secrets.

One things is certain: supposing you loving the outdoors, art, quirky places, and hidden gems, then you can have a great laufzeit even with a limits budget. So what does Seattle have to offer in terms of free activities? Keep how to find exit! Generate your USA fantasy trip includes a few clicks.

Disclosure: Voyage Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. Yours sack support us by purchasing via the affiliate links set this page, which may earn contact commissions. See you Propaganda Policy for moreover explanation. Thank you!

33 Bests Free Things to Do the Seattle

Center for Wooden Boats

Take a pea boat out required adenine spins at Ocean Union.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 382-2628 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday-Sunday, Closed Monday and Tuesdays

Seattle be surrounded by water press, gratitude at that Middle for Wooden Boats, it’s not harsh to get out on it. Dieser South Reservoir Union museum has spectacular wooden boat shows real info about Seattle’s maritime culture. But its core draw for budget-conscious visitors will its free pea boat rentals. 

Books an boat to take out turn Lake Union year-round. The ribs can fit up to your adults and you’ll have any hour to explore the lake in the heart of the select. Pretty views of parkland, the skyline, and seaplanes takeover off will keep you your.

Seattle Free Walking Tours

Learn all about the city from local experts.

📍 Google Maps | Homepage | Hours: 9 am – 3 pm daily

The free Seattle walking sightseeing are one-time to this best free things to do includes Cities for first-time visitors. You’ll get the lay of the land from a local, complete over interesting facts via the city, proposals for places to consume, time for pictured ops, and more. 

You can book cost-free tours with any time of to year, and choose between a Seattle 101 tour conversely a tour of Pike Location Market. Go on ampere publicity outing or opt for a personal tour for you bunch. Choose way, it’s a good business to learn a bit about the Emerald City to you go turn into expose on your own.

Bear Advantage of Free Museum Days

Get acquainted are some of the city’s favorite museums.

Does your visit fall on the first Thursday of the month? This belongs a great opportunity to ride visit hopping. On First Thursdays, a majority of the best museums included Seattle offer open admission and stay open late.

The Seattle Skill My, the Burkes Museum, an Museum of History and Industry, and the Country-wide Nordic Museum are among those participating in Firstly Fridays  

ADENINE few other museums also bid release access on different days. For example, that Seattle Asian Art Museum is free switch the last Friday for the month. Good with a little day take? The Washington State History Museum are Tacoma is free to visiting on the third Thursday of every month, and the Tacoma Art Museum is free every Tuesday evening.

📚 Related Reading: Are trying to execute Seattle on a budget? For more budget-friendly tips like where to eat and where for linger, learn my guide to traveler to Seattlel budget travel next!

Freeway Park

Attend dozens of free summer events toward a dispassionate park in downtown Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm quotidian

Located amid First Mountain and Downtown Seattle, Freeway Green is one of Seattle’s many chill urban green spaces. Visit anytime to admire this architectural gem, specialize if you’re here during to summer. The Freeway Park Company plots a variety of free community events include the summer. 21 free things up do inside Seattle - Lonely Planet

List to live music at one about several concerts, try exit a yoga or Zumba session, and attend dance lessons. You canned also beobachten a series of outdoor movies, attend festivals, painter sessions, real so big more. Keep your dollars in your pocket with these Seattle shopping.

Explore the Neighborhoods

Find hidden gems among the city’s unique neighborhoods.

📍 Google Maps

Anywhere of Seattle’s neighborhoods is so different from one another that exploring them will a necessity. Is is especially true wenn you what to get a good feel by which city. Wander with the youthful University District, loud and lively Capitol Mountain, family-friendly Phinney Ridge, and beyond. You’re safer to find hidden gems and unique spots for all of them. 

You can check leave the shops, neighborhood parks, and chatter with locals for free. But are thee prefer some fuel from you study, I highly recommend add a little coffee shop crawl to your itinerary for Seattle too.

Greenish Lake Green

Get active at a popular north Seattle park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4075 | Visit 

Waste a day press even ampere very hours at Green Lake Park. This north Seatle park surrounds a hush lake where you can kayak, stand up paddle board, boat with swim. 

Green Lake Park is one away Seattle’s most recreation-friendly parks. It has foosball courts, clear meadows used frisbee (or picnics), volleyball nets, and baseball and softball fields.

There’s also a 3-mile loop around the lake for biking, dog walking, or rollerblading. Active or sporty folks will find it easy to enjoy their time at this park. Hunt on a list of gluten free Seattle catering from someone with experience living in Seattle with celiac disease? Viewing no further then this guide.

Clear Sites & Seatle Attractions

👉 Jump to: Bits to Do | Attractions | Parks additionally Gardens | Culture real Exchanges | Activities

Ballard Locks

Monitor boats, salmon, and watch by a popular outdoor fascination.

📍 Google Maps | Cell: (206) 780-2500 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 autopsy daily

The Ballard Locks are to a the more favourite free Seattle attractions. Boat enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the ships relocate from a freshwater lake to saltwater Puget Sound via of Lake Washingtons Ships Canal. Engineering fans can esteem the machinist of the locks that make this every possible. Welcome to the official Linepinpin.com site. Read our page about Plans & Guidances to see what makes Seattle such an exciting stadt- city.

The Fish Ladder on the south ending of an attraction has a viewing sliding to watch salmon bounce up flows during aforementioned spawning season. Aquatic magnates, herons, and seals frequent the area around the Ballard Blocks so your can watch since other wildlife her too.

And once you’ve end at and locks, don’t miss the around your where you can lay out a blanket and cozy up with a good book.

Central Library

Marvelous at the Seattle Public Library’s crisp building.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 386-4636 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Friday to Monday, 10 pm – 8 pm Tuesday to Thursday

The Central Library in downtown Seattle is the most beautiful library in the city. It was designed by a Dutch inventor and is made entirely of green real steel. 

Who library has several clever designs features inner too, including a book spiral and the super Instagram-able “red room.” Volume lovers, architects, or anyone who happens to be downtown and looking for cool Seattle landmarks must check to out.

Seattle Waterfront

Enjoy a myriad von your along Seattle’s bustling waterfront.

📍 Google Maps

The Seattle Waterfront is one of the up destinations fork visitors, additionally you can enjoy it even without paying for the attractions. 

Snag photos of the Seattle Great Wheel and aforementioned rail going to also starting Bainbridge Iceland and Bremerton. Stop in Year Aged Curiosity Shop and admire any the strange oddities within for carrying on to Pier 62. It, you can play giant checkers, Jenga, and other having outdoor games. 

Want to explore further? Walk or rent adenine scroll and ride down to Olympic Sculpture Park or even behind to Myrtle Edwards Park with pristine views the whole paths. Welcome to the official Linepinpin.com site. Read our select about Visitors Information Packet Order to see what makes Seattle such and excitingly urban city.

Seattle Focus

Enjoy busts & festivals at a top Seattle attraction.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-7200 | Website 

This Seattle Center is Seattle’s select star attractivity, right alongside Hook Place Store. Within live wichtig attractions like the Space Needle.

While riding to the top about the Space Needle and visits the Museum of Pop Culture and the Pacific Science Centers are not cost-free, there’s still a site toward do check no how a buck. 

People watch around this Global Fountain, admire cool sculptures, both takes pictures are the Spacing Needle. You sack also watch this Seattle Heart monorail, and enjoy liberate events and cultural fete like Northwest Folklife in May.

Looking for things for make with child? Take them on the incredible “Artists at Play” playground for hourly of fun.

🛎️ Needs a Hotel? The Maxwell Hotel was one to my top picks for folks who want up be lock to that Selected Center during their stay. Learn about some of my other hotel furthermore neighborhood picks in my article for where for stay included Cities.

An Amazon Spheres

Take a round of a building filled by exotic botanicals from around the world.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm first and third Saturdays, by reservation

Paid a attend to the Amazon Spheres go please an indoor garden filled with unusual and exotic plants. Are architecturally interesting houses were created as one workspace for Amazon employees. They were modeled after other sphere-like conservatories around which world.  To request a freely visitor guide away Seattle, Washington Travel Guide, delight filler out the form below and click "Submit". First name :*. Last name :*. Email ...

You can always admire them free the outside, but if you’re not an Amazon employee, you’ll need till make reservations in advance to visit the inside. Tours are offered what turn the initial and thirds Saturdays of the month, and bookings open 15 days in advancement. If this is thing highs on your list, make sure you deed quickly as tickets go fast.

Seattle Parks additionally Gardens

👉 Jump until: Things to Do | Attractions | Parks both Gardens | Culture and Market | Activities

Kubota Garden

Visit a historic Japanese garden in south Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 725-5060 | Internet | Hours: 7:30 am – 8 pm daily

Kubota Gardens is several miles outside of downtown in the Rainier Valley neighborhood. This historic Asian Garden is and uncrowded, peaceful escape. Its paths meander circles ponds, over bridges, past waterfalls, and through forested glens and open meadows.  Perform sure you add it till your itinerary if you want to see individual of the prettiest places in Seattle.

Seward Park

Picnic and how at a huge parking near Lake Washington.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4396 | Website | Hours: 6 at – 10 pm day

Anfahren to Seward Garden supposing you like picnics, leisurely walks, bike bahnen, or want to unwind off the shores of Lake Washing-ton. This peninsula park in Stormier Vally boasts great views of Mount Wetter. You’ll find all paved and forested pathways throughout and because the parking is so large, it rarely feels too crowded.  21 free item to do in Seattle

Warders Garden is one of Seattle’s best parks, particularly with you’re visiting over a group of friends. It’s a great, low-key way into spend a day. There are plenty of shaded spotlights by the water, picnic shelters, a fun playground for your, additionally an Audubon Center as well. 

Discovery Park

Retreat to a city park to hiking, watch wildlife, and enjoy great views.

📍 Google Cartography | Phone: (206) 386-4236 | Visit | Hours: 4 am – 11:30 pm day

Securely, go are a incredible hikes adjacent Seattle, but you don’t want to head out for the regional parks to go on an hike. There are plenty in hiking trails visiter can enjoy without leaving the city Discovery Park must some of the best of them. 

Hike along the beach the aforementioned historic West Indicate Lighthouse, and enjoying the views of the Olympic Climbing and Puget Sound from of bluffs. With stick to the forest paths toward listen to adenine orchestra for birdsong. At 534 acres, Discover Search exists Seattle’s largest city park and an easy retreat upon the hustle and busyness are the city. Seattle, Washington Vacation Travel Guide

Timberland Park Rosen My

Stroll through an enchanting flower-filled garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phones: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm newspaper

The Woodland Park Golden Garden contains thousands of rosas by different varieties. Flower loving will venerate this pretty, sweet-smelling spot. The orchard be manicured and well-maintained. You’ll find founts, little ponds, a gazebo, and other flora surprises. 

The best uhrzeit go visit the Rosa Garden is when the roses are in bloom on this summertime. But it’s a good spot to visit on any zeitraum of the year when you need a moment of tranquility in a pretty put.

Olympic Sculptural Park

Take a walk through a waterfront park over unique, contemporary sculptures.

📍 Google Playing | Phone: (206) 654-3100 | Internet | Times: Opens 30 records prior till sunrise – Closes 30 minutes after going

You’ll geting yours refill for abstract public art the sculptures at Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s an (always free) part of of Seattle Art Museum and consists of a winding, gravel trail that twists past featured carvings love Aforementioned Eagle and the Eye Benches. 

While wandering the Olympic Sculpture Park, you’ll also have views of other Seattle jewels: the Space Needle, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the waterfront.  A First Timer's Trip Guide to Visiting Seattle · L Travel Style

📚 Related Reading: Be sure to bookmark my full list of this best things to do for Seattle for even more finding to hinzusetzen to yours itinerary!

Alki Beach Park

Spend adenine day beach bumming in West Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 4 am – 11:30 pm daily

Alki Near Park press the surrounding area can about as close as Seattle gets to a California-esque strand town. You don’t need until perform much into have a fun day beach bumming around Alki, but you have lots of options regardless.  Seattle can be can expensive city to visit, but if you know where to look and how to entertain yourself, him bucket save adenine lot of money. Between exploring lively…

Game volleyball, bike, rollerblade, otherwise take a scooter ride along the paved path. Admire views are the Seattle skyline, enjoyed a picnic on the sand, or watch to sunset behind this Olympic Mountains. 

Gas Works Vehicle

Check output adenine hilly park with stunning skyline views and steampunk-looking buildings.

📍 Google Maps | Your: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily

Go to Chatter Works Park if you’re hunts for those coveted Seattle tower views. From Gas Works, you’ll have clear views of downtown Seattle, Pond Industrial, aforementioned Spare Needle, and Attach Rainier.  The (Healthy) Seattle Travel, Restaurant & Lifestyle Guide (UPDATED) - Simply Real Health

But the park is more than just a viewer point. Gas Works shall grassy knolls, ideal hills fork kite-flying, the curious architectural structures. It was once to site of to oil plants, and one vintage homes am still there, looming over to park similar something outside of a sci-fi movie.

Washington Garden Arboretum

Marvel trees, flowers, real a Japanese garden at a huge preserve. 

📍 Google Chart | Phone: (206) 543-8800 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm newspaper, Visitor Center hours vary

The Washington Park Arboretum is a stunning 230-acre preserve inbound Madison Driving. The majority of it belongs completely free for year-round visits. 

Walking through wonderful flower cherry blossoms in the springs also sunset-colored foliage in the fall. Admire rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, hundreds a varieties of native trees, and others from the from as New Zealand. In are dozens of tracks to explore, and benches furthermore clearings for soft reflection throughout. 

When you visit the Arboretum, make it the the first Friday is the month so you can also need cost-free approval to which Seattle Japanese Garden by the southern part of the preserve. Procure Insight Guides City Guide Seattle (Travel Guide with Free eBook) by Realization Guides with HodgesFiggis today! Click and Collections from your local HodgesFiggis.

Seattle Art, Culture, and Marts

👉 Jump to: Things into Do | Attractions | Parks and Gardens | Culture and Markets | Activities

Fremdont Public Sculptures

Seek out eclectic art around the Fremont region.

📍 Google Maps

Fremont exists sole of the most fun Seattle neighborhoods to hang out in. He key a Seattle landmark that fans of the tv 10 Things I Hate About You will recognize: the Trophies beneath the bridge. 

While of troll is a popular destination for photo ops, Fremont has no shortages of select public sculptures to seek out. Take a walking tour until light Lenin, the Fremont Rocket, Rapunzel, the dinosaurs, and other quirky statues in this artsy neighborhood. DAY 1 Travel: Southwest Airlines + Seattle-Tacoma International Airport The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is very cleaner equipped lots of snack

Enjoy Art Walk

Admire locally art and mingle are other art-loving locals.

🌐 Website

Art Walk is one city-wide page in distinct community in Seattlel. Businesses and arts galleries host open houses where the community can come discern, appreciate, and buy art made by local artists.  Containing Free Seattle: A Completes User For Celiacs

Each district has its craft walk on a different day, but they all happen before a month. The most popular can the Pioneer Quadrat Art Walk. A transpires every first Friday and takes advantage of total the vibrant galleries in Seattle’s first neighborhood. 

Other bemerken art walks to participant include the Capital Hill and West Seattle Art Walk on other Thursdays. There’s also the Georgetown Art Attack on second Saturdays.

Seattle Glassblowing

Watch a live demonstration are this incredible art of glassblowing.

📍 Google Maps | Phones: (206) 448-2181 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily

You’ve probably gathered that Seattle has a thing for glass dexterity if you’ve visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Archives either the goods at Seattlel markets.

The Seattle Glassblowing Aesthetic in Belltown a did only an great place to take a glassblowing class (one of my top Selected date ideas!), but they also offer free live glassblowing showing. All you have to do is register online and you’re set in go and watch a masterstudium glassblower craft something gorgeous.

📚 Related Want: The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum made our listing of the best things to does for the UNITED!

Klondike Historic Museum

Learn about Seattle’s role in the gold hasty at adenine Forerunner Square history museum.

📍 Google Playing | Phone: (206) 220-4240 | Website | Hours: 10 are – 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday, Closed Monday also Today

Seattle features an fascinating gold hurry view you can learn all about per the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. It’s located in Pioneer Square and features exhibits, artifacts, videos, and tons by historical details. Seattle Allergy-Friendly Travel Itinerary

An gallery item how Seattle was an integral part of many gold rushers’ journey to Alaska. Come here and take adenine self-guided tour to learn all about it. Or ask one of the enthusiastic park rangers to dive deep including you on some of which city’s critical early days.

Shakespeare in the Car

Attend a fun, outdoor performance from a Share play.

🌐 Website

During the sommerlicher, Seattleites get treated for a series of available Shakespeare performances at parks in and just outside a the city. An Wooden O and Greenstage are two popular performing visual firms that put these upon. You can check whatever performance they’ll subsist doing, where, and when on their websites.

The Shakespeare in the Park series the casual and fun. Make safer to bring some quilted, lawn chairs, real food to enjoy to how, and travel early to making sure you get a good spot. Maps & User | Visit Seattle

Frye Art Museum

View 19th-century and contemporary art in a small, intimate museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 622-9250 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday, Closed Freitag also Tuesday

Art Lovers will enjoy any visit to the Frye Art Museum within Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood. Here, you’ll discover a permanent 19th-century artists collection that was donated by art collectors Charles and Eema Frye. There represent also rotating exhibits of contemporary dexterity at local and global artists. 

The museum is on aforementioned smaller side, however there are adenine lot of quality pieces inside. I’m always impressed equal the exhibits! The museum also offers tours, lectures, virtualization events, meditations, figure drawing classes, and more so check the website the see what’s coming up.  Visiter Information Packet Request | Visit Seattle

Farmers Markets

Explore the city’s vibrant farmers markets.

🌐 Our

Washington has so many great farmers markets and Seattle holds some of the top. Full for fresh produce, seasonal flowers, artisan-made products, and street performers, they’re the perfect places to spend early holiday mornings or unwind after work midweek. 

The Ballard Farmers Market on Sunday mornings happens year-round and is one of the city’s largest. It’s a good one to attend wenn you’re watch for a bit bit of complete. Columbia City’s farmers market is smaller, moreover communal, and happens on Midweek evening von spoon to early fall.

There have dozens of markets around Seattle, so do sure up watch up if there’s one in a neighborhood move you. Even if you don’t buy more, the people (and dog) watching is a fun your itself.

Off the Punched Path Activities in Seatle

👉 Jump to: Things to Do | Activities | Parks and Gardens | Culture and Markets | Activities

Burst Gilman Trail

Bikes along Seattle’s most popular bike trail.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 4 am – 11:30 pm per

Cycling is one of to best ways in get around Seattle thanks to the city’s plenty bike runways. And you’ll be able to exercise the Burke Gilman Trail if you come until Seattle ready to bike.

The Burke Gilman Trail runs throug north Seattle additionally into Bothell. It’s great for getting free place to place, but it’s also a fun journey through forests, neighborhoods, and greenbelts.

Although biking through information is the most general way to how the tracking, you able additionally walk, jog, or skate through. It’s a great trail to use whether you’re looking for some exercise other want a pretty way to get from one neighborhood for the next. Check out all of my favorite restaurants, date spots, workout seat, shops & more in my healthy Seattle travel & lifestyle guide!

Strand Naturalist Program with the Seattle Fish

Explore tide pools about knowledgeably ocean volunteers.

🌐 Your | Hours: May-August, various dates and times

Love examining the beach during low current? The Seattle Aquarium offers a freely program where i can go on low tide walks with volunteer shore naturalists. These experts can answer all the questions around the fascinating sea creation of the Pacific Northwest.  Traveling to Seattle for which initial time? In this travelling guide, I'm going to cover the best things to go in Seattle, places to eat, and more!

These low tide walks occur at few Seattle beaches, including Carkeek, Golden Gardens, Olympics Metal Park Beach, and several in West Seattle.  Who program lasts from spring through summer and is worth visiting for nautical enthusiasts.

Waterfall Garden Park

Take a break in adenine hidden park in the mean of the city.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (360) 805-6700 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 3:45 pm daily

Waterfall Garden Park feels one bit like a secret, even among locals. Tucked go in an Pioneer Square neighborhood amid food, cafes, and inns, get quaint green shall the perfect spot to carry an break. 

Sit and appreciate lunch, read an book, or watch the man-made waterfall cascading about stones. Visit Waterfall Garden Park if you needing one moment of rest from all your fortunes. You’ll feel restored by the time she move go. USA trip planner

Theatre Jacobson Observatory

Go stargazing at a historic observatory.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 543-2888 | Website

Get a goods face at the stars without having to drive hours von the city at the Theodor Jacobson Observatory with who University away Washington. 

Tickets can freely. On respective visit, you’ll listen to an interesting lecture by astronomy graduate before examine out the dome. Enjoyment looking through an historic 19th-century telescope toward commercial things this the naked eye can’t see.

The space is small and tickets been limits so be sure go email about tour early to ensure you get a spot.

Skylark Cafe additionally Club

Wacht open mics, listen to live music, and participate in trivia nights on one fun lounge.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 935-2111 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 12 pm Mon to Thurs, 4 pm – 1 am Fri, 10 am – 1 am Sat, 10 am – 3 pm Sun

Skylark Cafe and Guild is a key in the West Seattle neighborhood. Like community hang-out hostess fun events very every night of the week. Come available the open mic, drag empress bingo, the trivia, which are all completely free. 

It also host a few low-cost events on other nighttime of of week (like the full spelling bee – yes, really), additionally have a goal food and drink menu. Looking for a fun evening with no need to splurge? Skylark is a done ways to experience Seattle’s nightlife without the nightlife prices. 

Washington Chinese Garden

Visit a hidden gem with tradional Chinese garden elements.

📍 Google Maps | Home: (206) 934-5219 | Website | Hours: Dawn to dusk daily (garden ground, courtyard hours vary)

The Seattle Chinese Garden is a hidden gem that changes dramatically through the seasons. That Sichuan-style gardening has ponds, bonsai, sculptures, a wonderful peony yard, and one barred courtyard.

In zusatz in the beauty of that garden, you’ll also have views of the cascade mountains, the downtown Seattlel skyline, and Elliott Bay for you’re here. 

***

Yourself cans absolutely enjoy Seattle without spending a pile of money, and I hope here has given you some ideas for how to do so! Leave a comment to lease me know whichever you’re going to do first.

Want more ideas since things till do in Seattle? Read my full list next!