Free Things to do in Seattle

I love being so close to Seattle!! Now that the kids are older it is easier to make a day trip the city and it also doesn’t have to be expensive, I love how much you can find to do in Seattle to do for free!!  As long as you can find parking you are normally good to go on an adventure.  (I have included affiliate links to products I love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Playing tourist in your own city can be a blast! I love to ask others what to see when we go to Seattle, but even though we have been here for over 10 years there are still spots we haven’t made it to.  I am hoping we can have more adventures this summer and knock more tourist spots off our list!

Fodor’s Seattle (Full-color Travel Guide)Passport to Explore – SeattleSeattle magazine

Free Things To Do In Seattle:

A trip to the Center for Wooden Boats can last all day, but if you want to get by with free parking, park in the public parking lot to the west for up to 2 hours for free. Enjoy the view, take some pictures, and even participate in free sails on Sundays. Be sure to arrive early if you are going for the sails, though, as they fill up fast. The CWB is a lesson in hands-on history and is great for older kids and adults. The little ones will still enjoy it, but I think overall the older ones get the most out of it.

The Klondike Gold Rush National Park is always free to get into! A day trip for the entire family, this National Park is full of rich history – there’s so much to learn! Step back in time with interactive exhibits to see how life was in 1897 in the Yukon gold fields of Canada.

Pike Place Market is another little gem in downtown Seattle that the entire family will enjoy taking a trip to visit. There are so many things to do and see, you’ll never get bored. From sampling some chocolate pasta samples, fish throwing, to taking a picture in front of the pig statue, there’s no getting bored at Pike Place Market! Oh, and be sure to stop by the gum wall!  *Tip: Get there early, many vendors close early.*

Plus Enjoy free admission days to most museums in Seattle on the first Thursday of each month. I suggest checking out the Museum of History and Industry, Seattle Art Museum, and the Museum of Flight. Plus these museums are also reciprocating for other museums all over so be sure to check your memberships if you have one!

Movies under the stars in the summer are one of the best ways to make memories! Grab a blanket and some popcorn, and head to the Seattle Center for Summer Outdoor Movies in the Park.

Feed your kids to a troll. Jusssst kidding! But really, check it out. It’s an 18-foot tall troll and it’s super creepy.

Free Gardens In Seattle:

Kubota Garden is a decades-long project, dating all the way back to the 1920s. This 20 acre reserve boasts many native plants, walking paths, and being the perfect picnic spot.

Washington Park Arboretum has many plant collections and has special tours designed especially for families.

Bellevue Botanical Garden provides a unique learning experience, with rock gardens, and trails.

What are your favorite things to do in Seattle?