Exploring Seattle doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or simply budgeting, there are plenty of ways to experience the city’s art and culture for free. Many museums offer recurring free admission on the first Thursday of each month, and some even welcome visitors at no cost every day.
A few non-museum spots also participate in Free First Thursday, including the Seattle Japanese Garden, which has recently reopened after its winter closure.
Before you go, keep a few tips in mind: free admission hours may be shorter than regular operating times, though some museums extend Thursday hours until 8 pm. Certain locations require advance reservations for free days, so it’s worth checking ahead.
Outside of Free First Thursday, you can also take advantage of the Seattle Public Library Museum Pass, which resumed in summer 2025 and allows library cardholders to visit many museums—as well as the Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo—for free! And if you have kids in tow, note that many Seattle museums offer daily free admission for children, with age requirements varying by location.
Now, here are the Seattle museums and gardens offering free admission in April 2026:
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture—located on the University of Washington campus—offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month. It also participates in the Museum for All program. Children ages 3 and younger as well as UW students, staff, and faculty always have free admission.
Can’t make it there on First Thursday? Burke Museum participates in the Seattle Library Museum Pass program so you can use your library card to schedule a free visit!
Center for Wooden Boats
This maritime museum is always free. It is open Wednesday through Sunday. One of their most popular programs is their free rowboat rental on Lake Union.
Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center
The Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center offers daily free admission for all, with the goal of sharing “the culture and traditions of Seattle’s first people: the Duwamish Tribe.” Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Free parking is available. Note that it is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Frye Art Museum
Frye Art Museum is always free! Donations are welcome. This small contemporary art museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located in First Hill. They always have a variety of ongoing programs at the museum that are free to participate in.
Henry Art Gallery
As of spring 2025, Henry Art Gallery is now offering daily free admission to all! Despite the name, this is not an art gallery; it is a contemporary art museum that was founded in 1927. It is located on the University of Washington campus.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Located in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, this small museum is packed with interesting information about the 1890s Klondike gold rush in the city. It offers daily free admission for its self-guided exhibits.
Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight offers free admission from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Children ages four and younger are always admitted for free.
Can’t make those hours on First Thursday? The Museum of Flight also participates in the Seattle Library Museum Pass program so you can use your library card to schedule a free visit!
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
Visiting this museum is a great way to learn about the history of Seattle and the surrounding region! The Museum of History and Industry in Lake Union Park offers free admission from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month but note that advance tickets are required. Children ages 14 and younger always have free admission.
If those hours on First Thursday don’t work for you, MOHAI also participates in the Seattle Library Museum Pass program so you can use your library card to schedule a free visit!
National Nordic Museum
Here you’ll learn all about Nordic culture, heritage, history, and art. National Nordic Museum in Ballard offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month, and has also extended their hours to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday so more people can go after work.
Can’t make it on First Thursday? National Nordic Museum participates in the Seattle Library Museum Pass program so you can use your library card to schedule a free visit!
Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park—an extension of the Seattle Art Museum—is an outdoor sculpture museum located downtown that is always free. It is open daily 30 minutes after sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. You can wander through the park on a self-guided tour of the sculptures while enjoying views of Elliot Bay.
Seattle Art Museum
Seattle Art Museum (SAM), located downtown a block away from Pike Place Market, offers free admission every First Thursday as well as other discount access programs. Admission is always free for children age 14 and younger.
Best of all, SAM has extended their hours to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday so more people can go after work.
Seattle Asian Art Museum
Seattle Asian Art Museum offers free admission for all on the first Thursday of every month and children age 14 and under are always admitted for free. Their admission fee is also always donation-based.
You’ll find the museum nestled within Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill. The hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Seattle Chinese Garden
Seattle Chinese Garden, located at South Seattle College, encompasses over 4 acres and features stunning views as well as the four traditional elements of a Chinese garden: plants, stone, architecture, and water. It is open daily with free admission from dusk to dawn. Donations are appreciated!
Seattle Japanese Garden
The Seattle Japanese Garden is a popular local attraction that waives its admission fees on the first Thursday of every month. It is located inside the Washington Park Arboretum, which is always free to visit.
Can’t make it on First Thursday? As of 2025, the garden also now participates in the Seattle Library Museum Pass so you can schedule another time to visit for free with your library card!
Volunteer Park Conservatory
This historic greenhouse in Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park offers free admission twice a month: on the first Thursday and first Saturday of every month. Afterwards, you can enjoy Free First Thursday admission at the Seattle Asian Art Museum next door or walk to the nearby Volunteer Park water tower and climb the stairs for a 360-degree view (this is always free).
Can’t make it on those dates? As of 2025, the Volunteer Park Conservatory now participates in the Seattle Library Museum Pass so you can schedule another time to visit for free with your library card!
Washington Park Arboretum Walking Tour
The Washington Park Arboretum offers a free walking tour on the first Thursday of every month (except December!). No need to pre-register—jut show up! The tour departs from the Graham Visitors Center at 11:30 a.m. and runs to about 1:00 p.m.
You’ll get to learn all about the history and plant collections of the arboretum. Note that this educational walking tour is geared towards adults.