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

👉 Jump to: Best Free Things to Do | Attractions | Parks & Gardens | Culture & Markets | Activities

Yes, Seattle is one of the most expensive cities on the West Coast — but there are still plenty of activities that won’t cost a thing. I’ve lived here for over a decade and have created this round-up of 100% free things to do in Seattle for my fellow budget travelers.

This list includes some popular attractions, but I also dive into seasonal activities and little-known local favorites. One thing is certain: If you love the outdoors, art, quirky places, and hidden gems, you’ll have a great time here, even with a smaller budget.

34 Best Free Things to Do in Seattle

Coffee Tasting in Vita at KEXP

Try several single-origin and organic coffees and let experts walk you through the tasting process.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 520-5800 | Website | Vita/KEXP Hours: 7 am – 6 pm Monday-Friday, 8 am – 6 pm Saturday & Sunday (coffee tastings @ 10 am on the first Friday of the month)

Coffee lovers, try to plan a trip that falls on the first Friday of the month! This is when Caffe Vita at KEXP hosts its free coffee tastings and they’re so worth it. 

You’ll get to sample several coffees, ranging from light roast single-origin beans to dark roast organic blends. They all taste excellent, especially since Caffe Vita is one of the most highly-rated Seattle coffee shops. 

Two of Vita’s coffee experts will walk you through the experience, explaining what you’ll be sampling and answering questions. Then, they’ll have you begin the process, which starts with smelling the freshly ground beans. You’re in luck if the Cherry Cherry is one of the coffee selections — that was my favorite sample on my recent visit. 

The tastings last about an hour, but I recommend sticking around for a bit after. KEXP has plenty of cushiony seating, and there’s a tiny record store here if you want to browse some vinyl.

Free Museum Days

Get acquainted with some of the city’s best museums.

📍 Multiple Locations

Does your visit fall on the first Thursday of the month? Get ready to go museum-hopping! On the first Thursday of the month, several great Seattle museums stay open late and offer free admission for the day. The following museums participate in First Thursdays:

• 🖼️ The Seattle Art Museum
• 🦖 The Burke Museum
• 📜 The Museum of History and Industry
• 🇩🇰 The National Nordic Museum
• 📷 The Henry Art Gallery
• ✈️ The Museum of Flight
• 🎨 Seattle Asian Art Museum

Okay with taking a little day trip to Tacoma? The Washington State History Museum is free to visit on the third Thursday of every month, and the Tacoma Art Museum is free every Thursday evening.

📚 Related Reading: Psst, wondering where to find cheap eats and affordable accommodations in Seattle? Bookmark my guide on how to visit Seattle on a budget to save some money on your trip.

Pike Place Market

Wander through Seattle’s famous maze of a market.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 682-7453 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily, until 5 pm Sundays

Pike Place Market isn’t just one of Seattle’s top attractions — it’s one of the best things to do in Washington state.

Come experience this farmers market, artisan marketplace, and foodie paradise. It’s a maze of things to look at and it costs nothing to enter. Browse the fresh produce stalls (some offer free fruit samples) and check out MarketSpice (free tea samples). 

Watch the flying fish throw, find the bronze pig market mascots, and take the obligatory photos in front of the gum wall. You don’t have to spend a cent at Pike Place Market to enjoy your time there!

Seattle Free Walking Tours

Learn all about the city from local experts.

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

The free Seattle walking tours are great for first-time visitors. You’ll get the lay of the land from a local, complete with interesting facts about the city, suggestions for places to eat, time for photo ops, and more. 

You can book free tours at any time of the year. The Seattle 101 tour is always free, though there’s also a tour of Pike Place Market (there’s a $5 fee for that one). Whichever you choose, these tours are a good opportunity to learn a bit about the Emerald City before you go off to explore on your own.

Explore the Neighborhoods

Find hidden gems among the city’s unique neighborhoods.

📍 Google Maps

Each Seattle neighborhood is so different from the next, and exploring them is a necessity. This is especially true if you want to get a well-rounded feel for the city.

Wander through the youthful University District, loud and lively Capitol Hill, family-friendly Phinney Ridge, and beyond. You’re sure to find hidden gems, unique spots, and cool murals in all of them. 

You can browse the local shops, stroll through neighborhood parks, and chat with locals for free. But if you prefer some fuel for your exploration, add a little coffee shop crawl to your Seattle itinerary, too.

Freeway Park Association Events

Attend dozens of free events at a cool park in downtown Seattle.

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

Freeway Park is one of the city’s coolest urban green spaces. It’s located between First Hill and downtown Seattle, and you can visit anytime to admire this architectural gem. However, you’ll have the best time if you can catch one of the events put on by the Freeway Park Association. 

The Freeway Park Association is a non-profit that helps maintain the park and hosts fun and free community events year-round. Summer is a good time to get a full scope of the events offered. Listen to live music at weekly concerts, try outdoor yoga and Zumba classes, attend outdoor movies, garden parties, and more. 

There are also activities outside of peak season, like the weekly Cozy Corner and Book Carts & Buskers events. Both of these happen throughout the winter.

Green Lake Park

Get active at a popular north Seattle park.

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

Into sports, swimming, or casual strolls? Head to Green Lake Park in north Seattle. 

Green Lake Park is one of Seattle’s most recreation-friendly parks. It has basketball courts, open meadows for 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. It costs nothing to enjoy any of these activities, so grab your gear and head for the park.

Center for Wooden Boats

Take a pea boat out for a spin on Lake Union.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 382-2628 | Website | Hours (hours change seasonally): 11 am – 7 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am – 6 pm Saturday-Sunday (summer hours)

Seattle is surrounded by water and, thanks to the Center for Wooden Boats, it’s not hard to get out on it. This free South Lake Union museum has spectacular wooden boat exhibits and info about Seattle’s maritime culture. But its main draw for budget-conscious visitors is the free pea boat rentals. 

Book a boat to take out on Lake Union from Wednesday to Sunday year-round. The boats can fit up to five adults and you’ll have an hour to explore the lake in the heart of the city. Pretty views of parks, the skyline, and seaplanes taking off will keep you company.

Prefer someone else to control the boat for you? CWB offers a free public sail on the last Sunday of the month from April to October. You’ll get to ride a steamboat, schooner, yacht, or another kind of boat, depending on what’s available. Just know that these sails are very popular, so you’ll want to show up early to ensure you get to ride.

Free Sites & Attractions

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Central Library

Marvel at the Seattle Public Library’s coolest 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 city’s most beautiful library. It was designed by architects Rem Koolhaus and Joshua Prince-Ramus, and is made entirely of glass and steel. 

The library has several clever design features inside. Check out the cool book spiral, the red hall (great for photo ops), and the neon green escalators. Book lovers, architects, or anyone looking for cool Seattle landmarks should check this place out.

Seattle Center

Enjoy sculptures and free festivals at a top Seattle attraction.

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

The Seattle Center is Seattle’s other star attraction, right alongside Pike Place Market. Within it, you’ll find notable attractions like the Space Needle and the Museum of Pop Culture (which aren’t free but are worth snapping photos of!).

Come here to people-watch around the International Fountain, admire cool sculptures, and take pictures of the Space Needle. You can also enjoy free events and festivals like Northwest Folklife in May and various cultural fests year-round.

Looking for things to do with kids? Take them to the incredible “Artists at Play” playground for hours of fun.

Seattle Waterfront

Wander and people-watch along Seattle’s bustling waterfront.

📍 Google Maps

The Seattle Waterfront is one of the most touristy destinations, which usually equates to a lot of money being spent. However, you can enjoy it without paying for any of the attractions. 

Snap photos of the Seattle Great Wheel from below, and watch the ferries going to and from Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. Stop in Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and admire all the strange oddities within before carrying on to Pier 62. Here, you can play giant checkers, Jenga, and other fun outdoor games. 

Want to explore further? Walk down to Olympic Sculpture Park or beyond to Myrtle Edwards Park, two of the city’s best parks. You’ll have pristine views of the Sound the whole way, and these double as great places to watch a sunset.

Ballard Locks

Watch boats, salmon, and wildlife at a popular outdoor attraction.

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

The Ballard Locks are one of Seattle’s most popular free attractions. Boat enthusiasts will enjoy watching the ships move from a freshwater lake to saltwater Puget Sound via the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Engineering fans can admire the mechanics of the locks that make this all possible.

The Fish Ladder on the south end of the attraction has a viewing window to watch salmon jumping upriver during the spawning season. Sea lions, herons, and seals frequent the area around the Ballard Locks, so you can watch for other wildlife here, too.

Once you’ve finished at the locks, head to the adjacent garden, where you can lay out a blanket and cozy up with a good book.

The Amazon Spheres

Take a tour of a building filled with exotic botanicals from around the world.

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

Visit the Amazon Spheres to see an indoor garden filled with unusual and exotic plants. These buildings were created as a workspace for Amazon employees. They were modeled after other sphere-like conservatories around the world.

You can always admire them from the outside. But if you’re not an Amazon employee, you’ll need to make reservations in advance to see the inside. Tours are offered on the first and third Saturdays of the month, and reservations open 15 days in advance. Make sure you act quickly because tickets go fast.

Parks and Gardens

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Discovery Park

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

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

Sure, there are some incredible hikes near Seattle, but you don’t need to leave the city to go on a hike. Discovery Park has some of the city’s best hiking trails. 

Hike along the beach to the historic West Point Lighthouse. Enjoy views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound from the bluffs. Or stick to the forest paths to listen to a symphony of birdsong. At 534 acres, Discover Park is Seattle’s largest city park and an easy retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Olympic Sculpture Park

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

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 654-3100 | Website | Hours: Opens 30 minutes prior to sunrise – Closes 30 minutes after sunset

You’ll get your fill of abstract public art and sculptures at Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s an (always free) part of the Seattle Art Museum and consists of a winding, gravel trail that twists past notable sculptures like The Eagle and the Eye Benches.

While wandering the Olympic Sculpture Park, you’ll also have views of other Seattle favorites: the Space Needle, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the waterfront. 

📚 Related Reading: Be sure to bookmark my full list of the best things to do in Seattle for even more ideas to add to your itinerary!

Seward Park

Picnic and play at a huge park near Lake Washington.

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

Go to Seward Park if you like picnics, leisurely walks, and bike rides or want to relax on the shores of Lake Washington. This peninsula park in Rainier Valley boasts great views of Mount Rainier. You’ll find both paved and forested trails throughout. The park is huge, so it doesn’t often feel crowded.

Seward Park is one of Seattle’s best parks, particularly if you’re visiting with a group of friends. It’s a fun, low-key way to spend a day. There are plenty of shady spots by the water, picnic shelters, a fun playground for kids, and an Audubon Center. 

Washington Park Arboretum

Admire trees, flowers, and a Japanese garden at a huge preserve. 

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

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

Wander among delightfully pink cherry blossoms in the spring and sunset-colored foliage in the fall. Admire rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, hundreds of native trees, and others from as far as New Zealand. There are dozens of trails to explore, plus benches and clearings for quiet reflection throughout. 

Visit the Arboretum on the first Thursday of the month so you can also have free admission to the Seattle Japanese Garden in the southern part of the preserve.

Alki Beach Park

Spend a day beach bumming in West Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 4 am – 10:30 pm daily

Alki Beach Park and the surrounding area are about as close as Seattle gets to a California-esque beach town. You don’t need to do much to have a fun day beach bumming around Alki, but you have lots of options regardless. 

Play volleyball, bike, rollerblade, or take a scooter ride along the paved path. Admire views of the Seattle skyline, enjoy a picnic on the sand, and watch the sunset behind the Olympic Mountains. 

Gas Works Park

Check out a hilly park with stunning skyline views and steampunk-looking buildings.

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

Go to Gas Works Park if you’re hunting for those coveted Seattle skyline views. From Gas Works, you’ll have clear views of downtown Seattle, Lake Union, the Space Needle, and Mount Rainier. 

But the park is more than just a viewing point. Gas Works has grassy knolls for picnics, perfect hills for kite-flying, and interesting architectural structures. It was once the site of an oil plant, and the old buildings are still there, looming over the park like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Kubota Garden

Visit a historic Japanese garden in south Seattle.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 725-5060 | Website | Hours: sunrise to sunset year-round (parking lot hours, 7:30 am – 8 pm daily)

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

Woodland Park Rose Garden

Stroll through an enchanting flower-filled garden.

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

The Woodland Park Rose Garden contains thousands of roses of different varieties. Flower lovers will adore this pretty, sweet-smelling spot. The garden is manicured and well-maintained. You’ll find fountains, little ponds, a gazebo, and, of course, hundreds of rose varieties. 

The best time to visit the Rose Garden is when the roses are in bloom in the summertime (typically June-August). But it’s a good spot to visit at any time of the year when you need a moment of tranquility in a pretty place.

Art, Culture, and Markets

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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 Wed-Sun

Art lovers will enjoy the Frye Art Museum in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood. Here, you’ll find a permanent 19th-century art collection donated by art collectors Charles and Emma Frye. There are also rotating exhibits of contemporary art by various artists. 

Frye Art Museum is on the smaller side, but there are a lot of quality pieces inside. I’m always impressed with the exhibits. The museum also offers tours, lectures, virtual events, meditations, figure drawing classes, and more. Check the website to see what’s coming up before you go!

Klondike Historical Museum

Learn about Seattle’s role in the gold rush at a Pioneer Square history museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 220-4240 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon and Tues

Learn all about Seattle’s fascinating gold rush history at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. It’s located in Pioneer Square and features tons of historical information about how Seattle was an integral stop on many gold rushers’ journeys to Alaska. 

Come here and take a self-guided tour to learn all about it. Or ask one of the enthusiastic park rangers to dive deep with you into some of the city’s important early days.

Seattle Glassblowing

Watch a live demonstration of the incredible art of glassblowing.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 448-2181 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6:30 pm daily (Glassblowing demo: 2nd Fridays, 6 pm-9 pm)

You’ve probably gathered that Seattle has a thing for glass art if you’ve seen the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum or the wares at Seattle markets.

The Seattle Glassblowing Studio in Belltown is a great place to take a glassblowing class (one of my top Seattle date ideas). It also offers free live glassblowing demonstrations during the Belltown Art Walk on the 2nd Friday of the month. It’s the perfect chance to watch a master glassblower craft something beautiful.

Art Walk

Admire local art and mingle with other art-loving locals.

🌐 Website

Art Walk is a city-wide event in different neighborhoods. Businesses and art galleries host open houses where the community can see, appreciate, and buy art made by locals. 

Each neighborhood has its art walk on a different day, but they all happen once a month. The most popular is the Pioneer Square Art Walk. It happens every first Thursday and takes advantage of all the vibrant galleries in Seattle’s first neighborhood. 

Other notable art walks to attend include the Capitol Hill and West Seattle Art Walk on second Thursdays. There’s also the Georgetown Art Attack on second Saturdays.

Farmers Markets

Explore the city’s vibrant farmers markets.

🌐 Website

Washington has many great farmers markets and some of the best are in Seattle. They’re the perfect places to spend early weekend mornings or unwind after work midweek. 

The Ballard farmers market on Sunday mornings happens year-round. It’s one of the city’s largest and is a good one to attend if you’re looking for a little bit of everything — flowers, produce, artisan goods, and food trucks. Columbia City’s farmers market is smaller, more communal, and happens on Wednesday evenings from spring to early fall.

There are dozens of markets around Seattle, so look up if there’s one in a neighborhood you’re staying in. Even if you don’t buy anything, people-watching (and dog-spotting) is a fun activity at any market.

Fremont Public Sculptures

Seek out eclectic art around the Fremont neighborhood.

📍 Google Maps

Fremont is a popular neighborhood that features a Seattle landmark that fans of the movie 10 Things I Hate About You will recognize: the Troll beneath the bridge. 

While the troll is a popular destination for photo ops, Fremont has no shortage of other public sculptures to seek out. Take a walking tour to spot Lenin, J.P. Patches, the Fremont Rocket, Rapunzel, the dinosaurs, and other quirky statues in this artsy neighborhood.

Shakespeare in the Park

Attend a fun, outdoor performance of a Shakespeare play.

🌐 Website

During the summer, Seattleites get treated to a series of free Shakespeare performances at parks in and just outside of the city. The Wooden O and Greenstage are two popular performing arts companies that put these on. You can check which performance they’ll be doing, where, and when on their websites.

The Shakespeare in the Park series is casual and fun. Make sure to bring some blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks to enjoy the show, and arrive early to make sure you get a good spot.

Off the Beaten Path Activities

👉 Jump to: Free Things to Do | Attractions | Parks & Gardens | Culture & Markets | Activities

Skylark Cafe and Club

Watch open mics, listen to live music, and participate in trivia nights at a fun lounge.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 935-2111 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 12 am Mon-Sat, Closed Sun

Skylark Cafe and Club is a mainstay in the West Seattle neighborhood. This community hang-out hosts fun events nearly every night of the week. Come for the open mic, drag queen bingo, and trivia, which are all completely free. 

It also hosts a few low-cost events on other nights of the week (like a popular Halloween Party and tons of live music shows), and has a good food and drink menu. Looking for a fun evening with no need to splurge? Skylark is a good way to experience Seattle’s nightlife without the typical nightlife prices. 

Burke Gilman Trail

Ride or run along Seattle’s most popular bike trail.

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

Cycling is one of the best ways to get around Seattle, thanks to the city’s many bike lanes. You’ll be able to use the Burke Gilman Trail if you come to the city ready to bike.

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

Biking is the most popular way to use the trail but you can also walk, jog, or skate through it. It’s a great trail to use whether you’re looking for some exercise or want a pretty way to get from one neighborhood to the next.

Seattle Chinese Garden

Visit a hidden gem with traditional Chinese garden elements.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 934-5219 | Website | Hours: Dawn to dusk daily (Garden Grounds); 10 am-4 pm Tues-Fri, 10 am-5 pm Sat & Sun (Courtyard)

The Seattle Chinese Garden is a hidden gem that changes dramatically through the seasons. The Sichuan-style garden has ponds, bonsai, sculptures, a gorgeous peony garden, and a walled courtyard.

In addition to the beauty of the garden, you’ll also have views of the Cascade Mountains, the downtown Seattle skyline, and Elliott Bay while you’re here. 

Waterfall Garden Park

Take a break in a hidden park in the middle of the city.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 624-6096 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5:45 pm daily

Waterfall Garden Park feels a bit like a secret, even among locals. This quaint park is tucked away in the Pioneer Square neighborhood amid restaurants, cafes, and pubs. It’s the perfect spot to take a break.

Sit and enjoy lunch, read a book, or watch the man-made waterfall cascading over rocks. Visit Waterfall Garden Park if you need a moment of rest from all your adventures. You’ll feel restored by the time you move on.

Beach Naturalist Program with the Seattle Aquarium

Explore tide pools with knowledgeable beach volunteers.

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

⚠️ Note: The Beach Naturalist Program is temporarily paused as of winter 2025.

Love exploring the beach during low tide? The Seattle Aquarium offers a free program where you can go on low-tide walks with volunteer beach naturalists. These experts can answer all your questions about the fascinating sea creatures of the PNW. 

These low tide walks occur at several beaches around Seattle, including Carkeek, Golden Gardens, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, and several in West Seattle.  The program lasts from spring through summer and is worth visiting for marine enthusiasts.

Theodor Jacobsen Observatory

Go stargazing at a historic observatory.

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

Get a good look at the stars without driving hours from the city at the Theodor Jacobsen Observatory at the University of Washington. 

Tickets are free. On your visit, you’ll listen to an interesting lecture by astronomy students before checking out the dome. Enjoy looking through the historic 19th-century telescope to spot things the naked eye can’t see.

The space is small and tickets are limited. Email about tickets early to ensure you get a spot.

***

You can absolutely enjoy Seattle without spending a ton of money. I hope this has given you some ideas on how to do so!

Up next, keep planning your trip with my guide on where to stay in Seattle (and don’t worry, I included budget-friendly options, too).