With temperatures soaring close to 90 degrees in Seattle this week, you may need a place to cool down. Many Seattle residents don’t have air-conditioning in their homes. So when we have unusually hot days here, conditions are ripe for Seattleites to experience adverse health effects such as (but not limited to) heat stroke.
That is why we’ve rounded up spray parks, beaches, and air conditioned places in Seattle where you can cool down for free.
Here are public places in Seattle where you can cool down for free:
1. The KEXP Gathering Space
You’ll find air conditioning as well as free Wi-Fi, a cafe, and plenty of seating at the KEXP Gathering Space located in Lower Queen Anne. It is open daily: from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 to 6:00 on weekends.
2. Seattle public libraries
The Seattle Public Library is a great place to cool down on a hot day: you can browse, read a book, use the Wi-Fi, and sit for as long as you want for free. There are 22 Seattle library locations with air conditioning, including the Central Library located downtown. You can find a full list of the air-conditioned library branches with hours on the Seattle Public Library website.
3. Seattle Center Armory
Seattle Center Armory is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is free admission and the main level has public restrooms as well as a wide variety of food and beverages for sale.
4. Elliott Bay Books
This massive independent bookstore in Capitol Hill is a great place to cool down. You can purchase a book or some refreshments from the cafe, but you don’t have to if you just want to browse and enjoy the AC for free. They’re open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Best of all: Elliot Bay Books is dog-friendly! So bring your pup to cool down with you.
5. Frye Art Museum
The Frye Art Museum in First Hill always has free admission. They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind that food, drinks, and pets are not allowed.
6. Seattle community centers
You can cool off during regular business hours at these air-conditioned Seattle Parks and Recreation Community Centers:
- Rainier Beach Community Center (8825 Rainier Ave S)
- International District Chinatown Community Center (719 8th Ave S)
- Northgate Community Center (10510 5th Ave NE)
- Magnuson Community Center (7110 62nd Avenue NE)
Other locations that are used as Seattle cooling centers during heat waves include The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center in Pioneer Square, Seattle Indian Center in the International District, and Street Youth Ministries in the U District.
7. Wading pools and spray parks
There are 11 spray parks operating on a daily basis in Seattle from May 24 to September 1; the hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are also four large wading pools in Seattle that open for daily use on June 21 through September 1. See the full list of Seattle spray parks and wading pools. These are all free to use.
You can also cool off by dashing through the International Fountain at Seattle Center.
8. Seattle beaches
These eight swimming beaches in Seattle will have lifeguards for the 2025 season starting on May 24 or June 21, depending on the location.
If you choose to enter any bodies of water in Seattle this summer, exercise caution. Despite how hot the air may get, the water can be dangerously cold in Puget Sound as well as the lakes. Shock from cold water can lead to drowning, so wear a life vest.
Stay cool and safe out there, Seattle!