24 Free Things to Do in Seattle, WA

Seattle, Washington is recognized as one of the nation's most livable cities and is buzzing with a multitude of free attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Green all year round, The Emerald City will delight you as you explore this list of 24 budget friendly destinations highlighted below.

1. Catch a free public tour of the notable works of art at the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park. Gaze at the massive steel structures and learn about the history and historic design of the beautiful green space right in the heart of downtown Seattle.
2. Immerse yourself in culture by stopping by the "Out To Lunch" free summer lunchtime concerts at Seattle City Hall. Thursday afternoons throughout the summer bring free and diverse music to downtown employees, residents and visitors to Seattle. Take part in this tradition that has been entertaining Seattle for many years.
3. Head over to the Frye Art Museum and enjoy a free public tour of Frye exhibitions led by trained gallery guides. Tours are available Tuesdays through Sundays at 1:00 pm and Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11:30 am. Admire the rotating selection of the museum's large collection of 19th and 20th century American, German, and French sculptures, paintings and more.
4. Take a couple of hours and immerse yourself in the world of art and design while taking advantage of the Free First Fridays program at the Bellevue Art Museum. The museum is well curated and offers a plethora of rotating exhibits that are sure to engage modern art enthusiasts.
5. Dive into Seattle's culture when you take a guided tour or self guided stroll through Pike Place Market. The Seattle marketplace is filled with local artisans and farmer's market items that are available for purchase. You will also find an entertaining assortment of street performers and the city's one of a kind 500 pound piggy bank which benefits social services.
6. Walk the docks, admire the boats and browse the exhibits free of charge at the Center for Wooden Boats. Some of the activities offered have a small fee or a suggested donation for boat rentals. Take a visit on Sunday and be rewarded with a free short boat ride.
7. Explore the zen feel at the Pacific Rim Bonsai Museum. Tap in to your inner arborist and view a vast collection of over 100 well maintained Bonsai trees and stroll by the beautiful lake. Guests will love connecting with nature via the living art of bonsai trees.
8. Hike through years of history at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Explore the park and some of the sites of the historic Gold Rush along with enjoying beautiful trails and the intense terrain of the Chilkoot Trail, once travelled and endured by gold rushers.
9. Cool off in the International Fountain located in the heart of Seattle Center! No matter what age you are, splash, admire and play in this magnificent fountain set to music. Reach right up and touch the enormous water spraying dome and frolic in this monumental spray park.
10. Stop in Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder and peer into the public viewing window. Cheer on the schools of salmon as they climb up the 21 step fish ladder! Watch in enjoyment as the boats come in and out through the locks that link Puget Sound with Lake Washington and Lake Union. Learn about the many purposes they like maintaining Lake Washington and preventing the mixing of salt water and fresh water.
11. Explore the unique and detailed history of Asian Pacific Americans with a visit to the Wing Luke Asian Museum. Take the free guided tour to gain access to the controlled areas of the museum and enjoy a free tour of old China town, which includes a visit to a market and hotel used in the early 1900s
12. Take a peek inside a Concorde, the first 747 ever built, the original Air Force One, a real space shuttle, warplanes and more at one of the world's prominent flight museums, Seattle's Museum of Flight. This top notch museum offers free admission of the first Thursday of every month so you can see all of the rotating exhibits on display and take your time to explore the museum in its entirety.
13. Join other Kung Fu enthusiasts and head over to Lakeview Cemetery to visit the burial site and pay respects to Kung Fu master Bruce Lee and his son Brandon. Several other famous Seattleites are also laid to rest in this peaceful and beautiful cemetery. Take a walk through the well manicured and hilly grounds and enjoy the peaceful setting surrounded by stone pathways and fragrant blooms.

14. Take advantage of free admission one the first Thursday of every month with a visit to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Enjoy hands on and informative fun for the whole family as you explore the massive dinosaur fossils, learn everything you'd ever want to know about plants and their surprising uses throughout history, and find out the story of 17 diverse cultures and how they lived.

15. Make a short visit to the Seattle Children's Museum and enjoy an hour of hands on play and educational fun. When you visit one hour before closing time, the museum simply asks for a 'pay what you can' donation. Chip away at the exploration of this 22,000 square foot playful wonderland one hour at a time.
16. Take on the the interactive KidsQuest Children's Museum for only $1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month! Enjoy the new multi-sensory interactive exhibits, Climb the giant indoor tree house and enjoy a tea party, learn how to tie a square knot on the knot board, try out the tools at the museum's hands on garage.
17. Take a guided tour or sign up for a family night hike at the University of Washington Botanical Gardens. Explore the Arboretum and view hundreds of living plants from all around the world, enjoy the walking paths or take a break for a picnic in this serene 230 acres of green space in urban Seattle.
18. Hike the steep climbs and walk on uneven beach surfaces of the Bluff Trail at Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Take a scenic walk along the Pacific Northwest Trail for wilderness views, wildlife sightings and high mountain peaks. Take a break and go birdwatching at at Crockett Lake where birds of all varieties flock during their migrations.
19. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a free guided tour of Boehm’s Chocolate Factory! A tour guide will take you through the factory, where they will explain where chocolate comes from and how it’s made. Guests get a first hand view the unique art and culture in the Julius' family chalet. At the conclusion of the tour, you'll be rewarded with a free sample of the incredible chocolate masterpieces that you viewed being made. You can also take a self-guided window tour of the property and view the process from the outside.
20. Enjoy a secluded retreat from the dynamic big city with a visit to the Waterfall Garden Park in Pioneer Square. The serene oasis features a majestic 22 foot waterfall which feeds into into a tranquil Japanese pool below. The availability of picnic tables make this a great little hideaway for a respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
21. Take a free self-guided cell phone or guided tour of the one of a kind and enormous 10 story, Seattle Central Library. Head up to the top level for an amazing panoramic view of the city and enjoy the museum-esque exhibits on display throughout the building. Trace your genealogy. enjoy the modern architecture, and more.
22. Cool off and enjoy the day at Green Lake Park Wading Pool and Spraypark! Frolic in the largest wading pool in Seattle in a fun safe and family friendly setting. The park is equipped with paths so, bring a bike and go for a ride or a long walk in the wilderness. Be sure to pack a picnic and enjoy one of the many areas to lots of areas perfect for a picnic.
23. Plan a beach day at the long beach strip at Alki Beach Park. Whether you are looking to relax in the sun or engage in a variety of activities by the magnificent shoreline, the long stretches of beach and the 2.5 Mile long widened pathway provide room for both. Volleyball, basketball, jogging, sunbathing, swimming, biking, walking and rollerblading are all premier activities available throughout the park.
24. Venture out to the strange and mysterious Fremont Neighborhood and discover The Fremont Troll who lurks underneath the Aurora Bridge/ George Washington Memorial Bridge. Snap a photo with the massive concrete sculpture and enjoy the Scandinavian folklore that goes along with this magical adventure.