Fun is Free in Seattle
If you want to sample what the Pacific Northwest of the States is all about, Seattle is the place for you. From the delicious sea food to the new age hipster, Seattle has it all.
The best part about the city is that you can get the full Seattle experience for free. I know, it sounds a little bit like a Billy Mays infomercial trying to sell you on something that sounds too good to be true (by the way, Billy Mays could have sold me on anything). But really, there are so many free things to do in Seattle that I decided to go through the list and find the top 10.
So when your wallet needs a break from the brewery tours, deep see fishing, and music festivals, we’ve got some fun alternatives that happen to be free.
Que the Sportcenter music — here are the top 10 free things to do in Seattle.
Free Food & Drink
- Pikes Place Market
Since I am a foody the list naturally starts with food and drinks. If you are looking for great food in Seattle, look no further than Pike Place Market.
Sampling food is a simple activity that make my heart and belly full, and Pike Place Market is the epicenter of free food. Fancy some Salmon jerky, be my guest. Okra chips sound intriguing, come on down. The list of unique and delicious food goes on and you can sample until your heart is content.
Pike Place Market puts Costco on a Sunday afternoon to shame. It has developed this reputation as a place for great food and culture over the years. It is a must see in Seattle and is the longest continually operating public market in the United States.
Download the Pikes Place Market visitors guide.
Make sure to satisfy your cravings here first by sampling truffled potato soup, peaches, apples, pears, and everything else you can imagine. Pike Place Market will provide you a much needed snack while you tour the city, and help you save your appetite and your budget for a delicious meal later.
2. Metropolitan Market
We are still in the food and drink portion of the top 10 free things to do in Seattle so it goes without saying that I mention the Metropolitan Market.
There are several Met Market locations in Seattle and I guarantee if you walk through the doors you won’t be disappointed. They are known for their beer and food tasting events that will feature local brews and tastes from around the Pacific Northwest.
On top of the great food you will find at the Met Market, there is always something educational about new products and fun kiosk kitchens workshops at all of their locations.
Once again, this could be a great midday stop to stock up on a wine sampling, delicious snack, and possible an ice cream social to tie you over until dinner. Plus, this 3 course meal is all free so you can’t complain with that.
3. Chateau Ste. Michelle
Let’s score some free wine from the Chateau Ste. Michelle to conclude the food and drink section of the top 10 things to do in Seattle for free.
Yes, you did read correctly, FREE WINE!
The Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of Washington’s largest wineries and since they offer free alcohol they also happen to be my favorite. Every single day they offer complimentary tours and tastings of their Artist Series, Ethos Reserve, Single Vineyards, and many other wines.
But once again, it’s free alcohol, so it doesn’t really even matter.
The Chateau St. Michelle is really quite beautiful in itself and if you pull yourself away from the free wine for a few minutes you will find that it also has a rich history. Its roots date back to the Repeal of Prohibition in 1912 but it was never known as the Chateau Ste. Michelle until the French style winery was built in Woodinville.
Free Arts & Entertainment
4. The Mural
Now that you should have a full belly and a little bit of a buzz, let’s find something fun to do. There is nothing better than sitting on a grassy hill and enjoying a free concert or movie at the Mural.
This natural amphitheater in the city has a free concert series brought to you by local radio station KEXP, who brings Seattle all the best hits! (There is you free plug KEXP). Some of the most noteworthy artists to have performed at the Mural this year were Mommy Long Legs, Bread & Butter, and Industrial Revelation.
Never heard of them? Me either, but its free so who’s complaining. Here is a complete schedule list so you can plan you stop accordingly.
During the summer months at the Mural you will be able to bring the homemade popcorn, snack, and lay out a blanket to enjoy a free movie under the stars.
5. Frye Art Museum
If you are into a different form of arts, then I suggest checking out the Frye Art Museum. This is great for those rainy days (which happens a lot in Seattle if you didn’t know already).
The Frye Art Museum is great because it is free every day, so you can keep it as a nice backup plan for when (not if) it rains. You will be able to browse works from greats like Any Warhol, Thomas Hart Benton, Winslow Homer, and Edward Hopper.
6. City Hall
Let’s get back to some outdoor activities with some more free concerts. The Out to Lunch concert series at the City Hall is perfect for someone looking for some midday free entertainment while visiting the city.
It is a local gathering spot at lunch for people looking to escape the office desk and listen to some great music while taking a lunch break.
The summer concert series only runs through July 7 — September 2 so you will have to wait until next year to experience this great even. You never know what you will hear when you come to the city hall as their concert series featured Indie, Jazz, Rock, and Reggae
The City Hall is also a hub in Seattle for free activities for all ages. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays take the kids as there are endless activities and fun. Start the week off right with a free fitness class on Monday nights, and then finish the week off with a movie under the starts
Free Sights & Tours
7. Center for Wooden Boats
Seattle is known for the water that surrounds its lands. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the water, but it can be difficult to do it for free.
If you are patient and have a free Sunday, Center for Wooden Boats is a great way to experience the water for free. Anyone can sign up to hit the water and go out on one of the wooden boats.
Make sure to get there early and reserve a spot as it the boats push away from the docs at 10 am. Even if you aren’t able to snag a boat, they always have many events going on to have fun off the water so make sure to check out their events page.
8. Seattle Center
When in doubt you can always take a tour of the Seattle Center. Known for the Space Needle and the International fountain, the city center is filled with many spectacular leftovers from the 1962 World’s Fair.
The fairgrounds stretch over 74 acres and are a campus for art organizations, sports facilities, restaurants, and much more. It is a thriving urban hub that offers areas for children to play, have a picnic, and all the sightseeing you can handle.
Click here for the self-guided tour that has over 25 points of interest. You will enjoy the water features, art pieces, gardens, and open green spaces that mark you path through the city center.
Thats why Seattle’s Awesome
The best part about Seattle is that its culture is rooted in the people. And the people of this Pacific Northwest City are a known for being able to have fun without spending a ton of money. For example, Macklemore is from Seattle, and his biggest hit is called “Thrift Shop”.
So the next time you are planning a trip to Seattle and need a way to stretch your dollar, we hope you refer to this list. That way you can enjoy the food, fun, and sights that the city is known for.
