12 Great (Free or Inexpensive) Things To Do In Seattle, Washington

There are so many cool, interesting, and unique things to do in Seattle! If you want to save money and experience some of the best of the USA, Seattle is an ideal location. From an abundance of natural beauty, to tech, innovation, an interesting food scene, and fun activities. Whether you’re in the city for a business trip, a holiday, or family fun, there is so much to do in this beautiful Pacific Northwest City on Puget Sound. When I was a child, my aunt from Seattle gave me a sweatshirt that said, “Seattle Rain Festival: January 1st to December 31st”. I thought it was hysterical, and also a ploy to keep people from discovering just how incredible this city is!

While Seattle is rainy, it is also a capital of cool. It is an interesting mix of hippy openness, Pacific Northwest relaxed friendliness, and progressive tech culture.  You’ll find people wearing Birkenstocks year-round, along with an assortment of tie-dyed t-shirts, and dreadlocks at vegan restaurants. The tech scene is world-class. There is also a large Japanese-America and Asian American community. Basically, Seattle is smaller and cooler than San Francisco. Set on Puget Sound, a large calm body of ocean water, Seattle is also a nature lover’s paradise. You can see whales, dolphins, seals, otters, and a variety of sea birds. Being completely calm, Puget Sound is also ideal for kayaking, paddle boarding, and (for those who like the cold) swimming. As if that wasn’t all enough, Seattle is home to Microsoft and Amazon. And of course, Seattle gave the world Starbuck’s Coffee. With so much diversity, there is so much to do in Seattle! As Pike Place Market and Bainbridge Island were covered in the last Seattle post, today we’ll discover some hidden treasures and cool experiences (many of them free) around Seattle.

1. Pacific Science Center

This is also sometimes simple called the Seattle Science Center. The Pacific Science Center is an interactive museum features an interesting array of rotating and permanent exhibits. There is a planetarium, a laser dome, an IMAX theater, and many other activities. There are special evening events that include activities, demonstrations, and presentations for adults only throughout the year. And, if you will be in Seattle during the summer, there are incredible science camps for kids.

2. The Space Needle

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, this landmark of Seattle offers beautiful views of the whole city. Take the elevator to the top and experience the historic viewing deck. There is a restaurant at the top if you want to splurge on a meal. There is also a monorail connecting the Seattle Center, which you can ride from downtown to the Space Needle.

3. Seattle Art Museum

Featuring innovative modern art and connected to the University of Washington, Seattle Art Museum offers a unique collection of classic and modern art. There are three facilities of the Seattle Art Museum. The main museum is in downtown Seattle; the Seattle Asian Art Museum with incredible ancient pieces is in Capitol Hill; and the Olympic Sculpture Park is on the waterfront. All three are worth a visit.

4. REI climbing wall

The flagship REI store is located in Seattle, and includes a huge climbing wall and all kinds of interesting classes, workshops, and even sometimes samples. Go in and see what is available, as there are always new opportunities.

5. Gasworks Park

Gasworks Park is set on 19 acres in the location of the old Seattle Gas Light Company. The design is urban and retro, with pipes still showing amidst the large grassy areas to run and play.  The highlight is the spectacular views over Puget Sound. This is fun location to get out of the city (while still in the city) and into nature, and is also interesting for its local historical significance.

6. Alki Beach Park

Alki Beach Park is a West Seattle landmark. And you’ve probably seen it (at least on TV) as Alki Beach was featured in Sleepless in Seattle. Walk along the beautiful beach and skip rocks, discover crabs, clams, and connect to nature. There is a paved path for biking, rollerblading, or walking.

7. Discovery Park

Discovery Park is set on a peninsula jutting out into Puget Sound. The 534-acre park contains nearly 12 miles of walking training, plus beaches, and spectacular views. Visit the cultural center to understand the local indigenous tribes of the Seattle area. And get out and enjoy those trails!

8. Greenlake Trail and Lake

Greenlake has a 3 mile paved trail around it. This is perfect for rollerblading, biking, skating, running or walking. There are also options for paddle-boarding, paddle-boating, and swimming in the lake.

9. Woodland Park Zoo

Considered one of the best zoos in the country, both for animals husbandry and the diversity of species, if you like animals or are with kids, the Woodland Park Zoo is a great way to spend part of the day. They have regular coupon codes, Groupons, and group discounts, so you can get in inexpensively if you plan ahead.

10. Blodel Reserve

Heading over to Bainbridge Island, the Blodel Reserve is a large private estate turned into a park. There are walking paths and many different styles of gardens, including a Japanese Zen garden. There is also educational material and information booths on the local flora and fauna you will see in the Blodel Reserve.

11. Mariner’s Baseball Game

While not everyone is a baseball fan, if the weather is nice, then the atmosphere in SEACO Field is worth a visit. You can usually get inexpensive last minute tickets, if you just want the stadium experience. There is exuberant excitement, families, and just a general festivity in the air. SEACO Field even offers vegan hotdogs and a variety of vegetarian options!

12. Farmers’ Markets

Although Pike Place Market is the most iconic and large public market, there are many smaller farmers’ markets with local produce. Fremont Farmers’ Market, Bellevue Farmers’ Market, Ballard Farmers’ Market, Juanita Beach Farmers’ Market, and University District Farmers’ Market, are a few good options. For more information on Seattle Farmers’ Markets, visit here.

Wrapping up

Seattle is rich with activities in nature, and cultural events. On beautiful days you can get out and explore the beaches and parks, and during rainy weather you can visit the space needle, REI, the Science center and monorail, and the zoo. There are so many more activities to explore in the Seattle area. Lookout for posts on Port Angeles, Sequim, Bainbridge Island, the San Juan Islands and more! If you want a downloadable map with all the destinations mentioned in this article, you can download it here. I will receive a small commission for your purchase, at no additional cost to you (a subscription is the best deal!) 

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