The Emerald City can be expensive. If you’re looking for some free fun, you’ve come to the right place. Between Seattle’s museums, outdoor concerts, parks, attractions, and events, you can have a darn good time for less than the cost of a tall latte. Explore the following 25 free things to do when living in Seattle.

1. The Frye Art Museum

The Frye Art Museum is always free to the public. Explore paintings and sculpture from the 19th century to the present.
Neighborhood: First Hill
Address: 704 Terry Ave.
Opening hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2. Downtown Summer Sounds

Downtown Summer Sounds is a free summer-long music festival. This downtown tradition delivers outdoor summer concerts to workers, residents, and visitors, with music ranging from rock and hip-hop to R&B and alt-country.
Neighborhoods: Westlake Park, Occidental Square, Harbor Steps, and more
Address: Varying locations around downtown Seattle
Opening hours: Varying hours starting at noon from July 5 through Sept. 9

3. Olympic Sculpture Park

The Olympic Sculpture Park is home to over 20 major works by world-renowned artists. The park is free and open to the public every day from dawn until dusk, and there are free one-hour tours of the park, too. Descend the 2,500-foot, Z-shaped pedestrian path leading from the park to the beach for sweeping views of the Puget Sound.

Neighborhood: Belltown
Address: 2901 Western Ave.
Opening hours: May 1 through Sept. 30 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Oct. 1 through April 30 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

4. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, aka Ballard Locks, is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions. Snaking along the western edge of Ballard, the landmark locks allow boats to pass back and forth between Lake Union and Puget Sound. From mid-June through October, you can watch salmon migrate up the fish ladder from the viewing window. The Ballard Locks are also home to one of the most beautiful park settings in Seattle, Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. The locks, the surrounding gardens, and the fish ladder are open year-round from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., free of charge.

Neighborhood: Ballard
Address: 3015 NW 54th St.
Opening hours: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

5. Belltown Art Walk

The Belltown Art Walk features work from local galleries that residents can view as they walk through the neighborhood. The event’s website features a map pointing out each stop, including art galleries, local businesses, and restaurants.

Neighborhood: Belltown
Address: Varying locations across Belltown
Opening hours: Every second Friday of the month from 6-9 p.m.

6. The Seattle Center

The Seattle Center is the city’s cultural center, home to the Space Needle, Seattle Opera, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Pacific Science Center, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), and more. Entrance to the 74-acre park is free, but admission to the on-premise attractions might not be. Luckily, the Seattle Center hosts free events nearly every weekend, including cultural festivals. Collectively known as Festál, the free ethnic celebrations feature food and dance, ranging from the Irish Festival in March to CroatiaFest in October.

Neighborhood: Uptown
Address: 305 Harrison St.
Opening hours: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

7. Washington Park Arboretum

Washington Park Arboretum‘s collection of 10,000 native plants is considered one of the most beautiful and diverse collections in the western United States. Located on the shores of Lake Washington, the 230-acre arboretum is open daily from dawn until dusk, free of charge.

Neighborhood: Madison Park
Address: 2300 Arboretum Drive E.
Opening hours: Open daily from dawn to 8 p.m.

8. Capitol Hill Art Walk

The Capitol Hill Art Walk is free to all visitors and features different artists and local businesses each month.

Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Address: Various locations across Capitol Hill
Opening hours: Second Thursday of each month from 5-8 p.m.

9. Golden Gardens Park

The picturesque Golden Gardens Park is one of the few sandy beaches in Seattle. The park features two wetlands, beaches, forest trails, fishing off a pier, a boat launch, and picnic and playground areas featuring extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. There’s also an off-leash area for dogs (though not on the beach), a beach volleyball court, and fire pits. Open from 4 a.m. until 11:30 p.m., this public park is the perfect place to watch the summer sunset or gaze up at the stars in the winter.

Neighborhood: Ballard
Address: 8498 Seaview Place NW
Opening hours: Open daily from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (except for May 27 through Sept. 4, 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

10. Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park features a play area, a barn, and picturesque views of the old gas works factory.

Neighborhood: Northlake
Address: 2101 N. Northlake Way
Opening hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

11. Kerry Park

Kerry Park is a small public park, but it’s a huge reason people who move to Seattle love it there. The small grassy strip overlooking Downtown Seattle is along West Highland Drive between Second Avenue West and Third Avenue West. It offers views of the Seattle Center, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier. Kerry Park is free and open to the public.

Neighborhood: Upper Queen Anne
Address: 211 W. Highland Drive
Opening hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

12. Fremont Public Sculptures

The Fremont Public Sculptures are free to visit, with the collection featuring seasonal decorations for special occasions. Approximately 10 pieces of art represent a look at Fremont’s golden era of counterculturalism.

Neighborhood: Fremont
Address: Between N. 34th Street, N. 36th Street, Aurora Avenue N., and Evanston Avenue N.
Opening hours: Always open

13. The Coast Guard Museum Northwest

The Coast Guard Museum Northwest offers free admission. Discover thousands of Coast Guard-related items, including ship wheels, lighthouse and buoy lenses, and pieces of historic U.S. ships. 

Neighborhood: Elliott Bay Waterfront South
Address: Pier 36, Base Seattle, 1519 Alaskan Way South
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

14. Seattle Free Walking Tours

Seattle Free Walking Tours offers countless tours of various locations in Seattle, with a tour to please any guest.

Neighborhood: Pike Place
Address: 2001 Western Avenue Victor Steinbrueck Park
Opening hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

15. The Alki Point Lighthouse

The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the Alki Point Lighthouse and offers free tours. Visitors can spot landmarks such as Mount Rainier and Discovery Park on clear days.

Neighborhood: West Seattle
Address: 3201 Alki Ave. SW
Opening hours: Sundays from late May through Labor Day weekend from 1-4 p.m.

16. Discovery Park

Discovery Park is the city’s largest green space. The sprawling, 534-acre park occupies most of the former Army property, Fort Lawton. The largest city park in Seattle boasts forested trails, a rocky beach, and the West Point Lighthouse, as well as a variety of terrains, including open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, and active sand dunes, thickets, and streams. Hike or jog the 3-mile loop trail, explore the lighthouse, or stroll the 2 miles of protected tidal beaches. Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, this secluded urban retreat provides spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges.

Neighborhood: Magnolia
Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd.
Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

17. Queen Anne Days

There are several paid attractions at Queen Anne Days, but admission to the family-oriented community celebration costs nothing. Every year, the festival features a wine, beer, and cider garden, a fun run, an art walk, live music, a car show, a doggie parade, food trucks, carnival games, crafts, and more.

Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Address: Queen Anne Avenue and Howe Street
Opening hours: Varying hours

18. Northwest Folklife Festival

One of the largest folk festivals in the country, the Northwest Folklife Festival takes over Seattle Center every Memorial Day weekend. The free, family-friendly event features over 5,000 performers on more than 20 stages, arts, crafts, music, and food for purchase.

Neighborhood: Uptown
Address: 305 Harrison St.
Opening hours: 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

19. Waterfall Garden Park

Waterfall Garden Park features a 22-foot manufactured waterfall overlooking a dual-level patio with tables and chairs, offering a relatively quiet space to enjoy a book or some lunch in the middle of the city.

Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Address: 219 Second Ave. S.
Opening hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

20. Pioneer Square Art Walk

Many cities have art walks at the beginning of the month, and Seattle is no exception. The Pioneer Square Art Walk takes place on the first Thursday. The neighborhood’s galleries open their doors gratis, and many area garages offer free parking for the event. Other neighborhoods join in on the fun, too.

Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Address: Various venues across Pioneer Square
Opening hours: Every first Thursday of the month from noon to 8 p.m.

21. The Seattle Art Museum

The Seattle Art Museum has free days on the first Thursdays and Fridays of each month. Note that some galleries may be closed to allow museum staff to conduct reinstallations and exhibit rotations.
Neighborhood: Trulia
Address: 1300 First Ave.
Opening hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

22. Pike Place Market

Seattle’s most popular tourist destination is one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the United States, established in 1907. Visitors will find many opportunities to shop and eat at Pike Place Market, but it’s free to window shop and walk around the area. The 9-acre historic district overlooks the Elliott Bay waterfront and houses various unique shops, restaurants, fishmongers, fresh produce stands, and craft stalls.

Neighborhood: Pike Place
Address: 85 Pike St.
Opening hours: Open daily with varying hours for each vendor

23. Volunteer Park

The observation deck at Volunteer Park‘s water tower offers one of the best free views in Seattle. The 48.3-acre park also includes a conservatory. The park has longer opening hours, but the Water Tower is open only from 10 a.m. until dusk.

Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Address: 1247 15th Ave. E
Opening hours: Park, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

24. South Lake Union Block Party

Every year, the South Lake Union Block Party takes over the South Lake Union Discovery Center in August. Entry and live musical entertainment are free, but you can also purchase refreshments at food trucks and the beer garden. In addition to a free print-your-own-poster station, the event includes a “letterpress steamroller smackdown,” where local design pro teams print oversized posters with a 5-ton steamroller!

Neighborhood: South Lake Union
Address: 101 Westlake Ave. N.
Opening hours: Check website for event date and time details

25. Christmas Ship Parade of Boats

Find free things to do in Seattle, even in the winter months, such as watching the Christmas Ship Festival Parade of Boats. Led by The Spirit of Seattle, glowing vessels sail around the city, lighting up the waters of 65 various waterfront communities. You’ll need to pay to watch the show from the water on a follow boat, but it’s totally free to admire the boats from onshore at Lake Washington, Lake Union, Elliott Bay, and Puget Sound Parks.

Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Address: 860 Terry Ave. N.
Opening hours: 8-9:30 p.m.

It’s hard to get out the door for less than $50 these days, but with this thrifty list, all you’ll be paying for is transportation. Get started on your apartment search if you’re not a Seattle local and find your perfect place.

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