The Best Things In Life Are Free

Free Things to do in Seattle and Beyond

Discover the best free things to do in Seattle and Seattle Southside

If you're looking for things to do for free in Seattle and the surrounding area, look no further.

From cultural centers to parks to public art, you're sure to find something that suits your tastes and budget.

Museums
Public Art
Get Outdoors
Free Events

Museums

Many local museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of the month, and some are always free.

If you're a local, having a library card through the King County Library System or Seattle Public Library can get you into some museums and other local attractions.

Museums That Participate in Free Museum Day

All the museums below offer free admission on the first Thursday of every month. Check their websites for details and hours.

  • Museum of Flight: Ever wanted to see what the inside of Air Force One looks like? This museum houses the first-ever Air Force One and a Blackbird spy plane.
  • Seattle Art Museum (SAM): This world-class museum is a Seattle staple. Take your picture with the giant “Hammering Man” sculpture out front!
  • Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI): This Seattle museum offers a glimpse into more than 150 years of Pacific Northwest history.
  • Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture: Located on the University of Washington campus, the Burke focuses on dinosaurs, fossils, Northwest Native art, plant and animal collections, and cultural pieces from across the globe. Fun fact: it holds a fossil of the giant sloth unearthed during the building of SEA Airport!
  • Seattle Asian Art Museum: This historic museum in Seattle's Volunteer Park has a stunning exterior, perfect for photoshoots, and an impressive collection of paintings, pottery, sculptures, and textiles from countries throughout Asia.

Free Museums in Seattle Southside and Beyond

  • Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST Center): One of Seattle Southside’s more popular free attractions, this aquarium and education hub is open for Discovery Days every Saturday. Explore 11 aquariums with two touch tanks and chat with experts in marine life.
  • Frye Art Museum: Learn about 20th-century German, French, and American art at this Seattle museum, which is always free.
  • Center for Wooden Boats: Located on the South Lake Union waterfront, this center offers several free activities, including rowboat rentals and public sails.

Public Art

Love the arts but want to maximize your time outside? We've got you covered.

  • Outdoor Art in Seattle Southside: Use our guide to explore fascinating sculptures and murals throughout Seattle Southside.
  • Self-Guided Des Moines Art Tour: Take a walking tour of the many sculptures in and near the Des Moines Marina along Puget Sound.
  • Seattle Southside Scenes Trail: This free, self-guided tour takes you through Seattle Southside's landmarks. Learn about art, history, and local lore, and earn rewards for checking into locations.
  • The UFO Mysteries Trail traces the history of a fascinating UFO encounter. Check into locations and earn prizes like a six-armed alien T-shirt! (There's also a free Maury Island Incident Audio Walking Tour).
  • Olympic Sculpture Park: Explore nine acres of art on the Seattle waterfront. What used to be an industrial site is now a green space dotted with contemporary works by artists set against the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the background.

Get Outdoors

The Seattle area has dozens of great urban parks. A few even have complimentary guided tours!

Gardens

  • Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a gorgeous oasis featuring a rose garden, a traditional Japanese garden, and different blooms year-round. Just a short drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), it's a great stop before or after a flight.
  • Washington Park Arboretum: Explore the 230 acres of 10,000 native plants in this internationally recognized garden, which offers free guided tours on Thursdays.
  • Woodland Park Zoo’s Rose Garden: Did you know there are more than 280 varieties of roses and that the Pacific Northwest’s moderate climate is one of the best places to grow them? Stop and smell the roses at Seattle's zoo, which is open every day, free of charge.

Beaches & Parks

Check out our guides to Seattle Southside Beaches and Parks for information on the best outdoor spots. Some of our favorites include:

  • Des Moines Beach Park: This gorgeous spot offers waterfront views, a grassy meadow, and a summer farmers market.
  • Redondo Beach: Take a stroll on the boardwalk or explore the beach.
  • Angle Lake Park: This family-friendly park is popular for swimming, playing in the splash park, fishing, and picnicking.
  • Discovery Park: Seattle’s largest city park overlooks Puget Sound from Magnolia Bluff.
  • Hiram M. Chittenden Locks: See some of Seattle’s biggest private boats go from Lake Washington to Puget Sound. From the public viewing window, you can see salmon as they climb the fish ladder. The Locks offers a free, guided tour from March through November.

Free Events

Looking for free things to do in Seattle Southside? Check out our local events calendar, which is regularly updated with upcoming free and low-cost events! And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some of these recurring events.

Spring Events

  • Cherry Blossom Viewing: Watching the beautiful spring cherry blossoms is always free. Make an event out of it by adopting the Japanese tradition of hanami, or watching the cherry blossoms as you picnic beneath the petals.

Summer Events

Fall Events

  • Halloween Events: With both free and paid spooktacular things to do in Seattle Southside, you'll have lots of ghoulishly good options.
  • Fall Events: Fall is about more than just Halloween! With Oktoberfest, the leaves changing color, and more, there's lots to celebrate around town.

Winter Events

  • Winter Holiday Events: Free events like holiday tree lighting ceremonies and craft markets make this festive time of year lots of fun, even on a budget!

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Ashley Comar

Marketing Maestro

Crafting marketing magic and delightful campaigns, while whipping up culinary treats as an at-home chef.