Free things to do · Seattle · United States
11 free things to do in Seattle
Seattle without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jllm06, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Seattle without paying an entry fee: Pike Place Market, Waterfront and Pier 62, Olympic Sculpture Park and Ballard Locks are all free. The Olympic Sculpture Park, the Frye Art Museum, Klondike Gold Rush museum, Ballard Locks and most big parks are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Market · Downtown and Pike Place
1.Pike Place Market
Arrive before 10am for flowers, produce and breakfast before the cruise and tour crowds; weekday mornings are calmest.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
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Waterfront · Downtown and Pike Place
2.Waterfront and Pier 62
Walk from Pike Place down to the water, then south to Colman Dock for a ferry ride at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Park · Belltown
3.Olympic Sculpture Park
Combine it with a walk along Myrtle Edwards Park, which continues north along the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Outdoors
Landmark · Ballard
4.Ballard Locks
Visit in summer to see salmon in the fish ladder, then stroll the botanical garden beside the locks.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Park · Magnolia
5.Discovery Park
Allow about two hours for the loop plus the walk down to the lighthouse and back up.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
Viewpoint · Queen Anne and Seattle Center
6.Kerry Park
Come at dusk on a clear evening when the city lights come on and Rainier glows pink.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
Park · Fremont
7.Gas Works Park
Bring a picnic for sunset, when the skyline is lit across the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Landmark · Fremont
8.Fremont Troll
Combine it with Fremont's other public art and a walk along the ship canal.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Art
- Photo spot
Garden · Montlake
9.Washington Park Arboretum and Japanese Garden
Visit in April or May for azaleas and rhododendrons, or October for maples.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Couples
- Outdoors
Park · Capitol Hill
10.Volunteer Park and Conservatory
Climb the stairs of the water tower for a free view over the city and the Cascades.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Rainy day
Gallery · First Hill
11.Frye Art Museum
A short walk uphill from downtown; pair it with lunch on Capitol Hill.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown and Pike Place | Pike Place Market and Waterfront and Pier 62 | 2–3 hours + 1–2 hours |
| Belltown | Olympic Sculpture Park | 1 hour |
| Ballard | Ballard Locks | 1–1.5 hours |
| Magnolia | Discovery Park | 2–3 hours |
| Queen Anne and Seattle Center | Kerry Park | 30 minutes |
| Fremont | Gas Works Park and Fremont Troll | 1 hour + 20 minutes |
| Montlake | Washington Park Arboretum and Japanese Garden | 2 hours |
| Capitol Hill | Volunteer Park and Conservatory | 1–2 hours |
| First Hill | Frye Art Museum | 1 hour |
More ways to save
- The Olympic Sculpture Park, the Frye Art Museum, Klondike Gold Rush museum, Ballard Locks and most big parks are free.
- Take Link light rail from the airport instead of a taxi; it costs a fraction of the fare and avoids traffic.
- A walk-on ferry to Bainbridge and back is one of the best-value views in the city.
- Oyster and seafood happy hours are the most affordable way to eat Seattle seafood.
- Hotel rates drop sharply from October to April; summer and cruise-season weekends are most expensive.
- Seattle CityPASS saves money only if you visit at least three or four of the included attractions.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Seattle expensive to visit?
Seattle is expensive for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Seattle?
Pike Place Market: Arrive before 10am for flowers, produce and breakfast before the cruise and tour crowds; weekday mornings are calmest.