Are you looking for something cool and budget-friendly to do? These are the best options to spend a great summer without breaking the bank!
Seattle is a great city, but it isn’t necessarily cheap. Fortunately for us, there are great options to enjoy the city and have a great day without spending too much money. We’ve rounded up some of the best activities to do for cheap or free!
1. Stroll Seattle’s Waterfront
There’s so much to see on the waterfront, you can either choose to have a short stroll or even bike around. Enjoy the marvelous views of the Sound, the salty breeze, and the nice summer weather. A great cheap option here is Miner’s Landing, you’ll find a carousel, an arcade, and multiple shops. Grab an appetizer from The Crab Pot, and enjoy strolling around.
2. Have a picnic at Gasworks Park
3. Take a selfie with a Troll
The Freemont Troll is a Seattle landmark you should visit at least once. The troll is technically open 24/7, but it’s usually kinda crowded during the daytime; so if you’re thinking of getting a cool photo, we would recommend visiting early in the morning. You should also check out our article on “The things you should know before visiting the Freemont Troll”, and know what to expect from this unique destination.
4. Play beach volleyball at Alki
5. Admire the Seattle Spheres
This unique building in the heart of Seattle’s downtown is well known for its incredible structure and beautiful collection of trees and plants. It hosts more than 40,000 different plants, and you can learn more about Amazon’s story when you visit. Stroll the Amazon Spheres for free every first and third Saturday of each month. Make sure to check availability 15 days before your preferred date and register for your visit.
6. Get a coffee up high at Columbia Tower
7. Visit the Frye Art Museum
This free museum located in downtown Seattle is open to the public from Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11 am to 5 pm. Frye Art Museum is a great place to catch amazing artwork from local and international artists. It’s also a great activity for a rainy day in Seattle.
8. Taste some Beecher’s Cheese at Pike Place Market
9. Ride a wooden boat
Normally The Center of Wooden Boats offers a Sunday public sail that allows you to hop on a steamboat, electric boat, yawls, and yachts, but due to COVID, they’re now offering a different option to the public. If you’re looking to go out in the water for free, CWB is hosting free one-hour rowboat rentals every day! Make sure to check out their website for more information and updates.
10. Spend the afternoon at the Seattle Art Museum
11. Ride the ferry
Taking a ferry ride is one of the cheapest things to do in Seattle, and it’s also a great way of entertainment. Seattle’s Ferry terminal offers numerous routes to take, but one of the most popular ones is the one to Bainbridge Island. You can drive your car to the ferry, bike, or walk. Make sure to check the full schedule on their website.
12. Visit a Farmer’s Market
13. Eat at Dick’s
Opened 7 days a week from 10:30 am to 2:00 am, Dick’s is the perfect spot to grab cheap burgers, fries, and shakes. They have several locations throughout the city, where you could get a delicious plain burger for just $1.80. Can’t get cheaper than that!
14.Take a water taxi
15. Tour T-Mobile Park
Going to a baseball game is always fun, but seats plus food and drinks can become quite expensive. One way to visit T-Mobile Park is by booking a stadium tour. You’ll get to visit the clubhouse, press box, field, luxury suites, and dugout. If you wanna stay for a game, they have cheap seats in the outfield available for purchase.
16. Walk through the Washington Arboretum
17. Hike Discovery Park
You don’t have to go far to enjoy nature. Discovery Park is a great spot for a nice hike or even for biking. This 534-acre park covers a variety of terrain, including the forest, meadows, and the beach. This is also a popular place for parties, BBQs, and picnics.
18. Kayak on Lake Washington
19. Go camping in the wilderness
Go for something unique and forget about expensive hotels, consider getting away from the city, and reconnecting with nature. There are many amazing campsites around Seattle for a weekend getaway.
20. Have a bonfire at Golden Gardens
21. Watch an outdoor movie
This is a great summer activity and fortunately for us, Seattle has many options for this. Check out Marymoore’s Drive-In Movies, or visit Chateau Ste. Michelle, and catch an epic classic movie accompanied by a glass of wine.
22. Get some Zen at the Waterfall Garden Park
23. Enjoy sunset at Kerry Park
This is the prime spot to catch the sunset and take amazing photos of Seattle’s skyline.
Also, see: 68 Experiences To Add To Your Seattle Bucket List