Frugal Things to Do in Seattle (Huge List!)

A reader once emailed me: she and her husband were visiting Seattle for their anniversary, traveling with a baby, and wanted relaxed, low-cost sightseeing, not pricey tours. Great question! I polled our Facebook community too, and this list is the result.

I'm sticking to Seattle itself here, so day trips like Mount Rainier and Leavenworth will have to wait for another post.

Prices, hours, and attractions change, so double-check before you go.

Free Places to Explore

Pike Place Market. Every Seattle visit starts here. Browse produce stands, local crafts, flowers, and snacks, and watch the famous fish throwers. Don't miss the quirky Gum Wall in Post Alley or a photo outside the original Starbucks across the street. Local tip: it's Pike Place Market, not "Pike's Place."

The Waterfront. Stroll the piers for window-shopping and a cup of clam chowder. The waterfront has been redesigned with a wide promenade and the Overlook Walk connecting it to Pike Place Market.

Gas Works Park. One of my favorite spots from college. This former coal gasification plant is now a park, with the old industrial machinery left standing. It has great skyline views and is a popular spot for photos and fireworks.

Washington Park Arboretum. Over 200 acres of gardens with plants you won't see anywhere else. It's beautiful during spring blossoms or fall foliage, and admission is free. For a splurge, rent a canoe from the University of Washington's Waterfront Activities Center.

Discovery Park. At over 500 acres, Seattle's largest park feels more like a nature preserve. Bluff-top meadows, forest trails, beaches, and views of both the Olympics and the Cascades. It's a must for outdoorsy visitors.

Ballard Locks. Fun fact: my husband and I had our very first date here! Watch boats move between Lake Washington and Puget Sound, see salmon climbing the fish ladder (late summer and fall are best), and stroll the gardens, all for free.

Fremont. A funky neighborhood full of cafés and shops, close to Gas Works Park and the Locks. Snap a photo with the Fremont Troll under the Aurora Bridge.

Seattle Center. The grounds around the Space Needle host festivals, concerts, and events year-round. Check the calendar before you go. Walking around is free.

Green Lake Park. A roughly 3-mile path circles the lake and attracts walkers, joggers, and skaters. Grab a coffee and enjoy the people-watching. Weekend mornings get busy.

Alki Beach. Head to West Seattle for a sandy beach with classic skyline views. Readers recommend exploring tide pools at low tide and staying for sunset.

First Thursday Art Walk. On the first Thursday of each month, Pioneer Square galleries stay open late, and several museums offer free or discounted admission. Check museum websites for current free days.

A Few of My Personal Favorites

University of Washington campus. I'm biased as an alum, but it's gorgeous. Walk through Red Square and step into Suzzallo Library's grand reading room, which is often compared to Hogwarts. Be very quiet!

University Village. My favorite place to window-shop, with free garage parking and plenty of affordable cafés.

Uwajimaya. A huge Asian market in the Chinatown–International District with groceries, gifts, and a food court. I love browsing the unusual produce.

Saving on Popular Attractions

Get out on the water. Seeing Seattle from Puget Sound is a must. The cheapest way is a Washington State Ferry from the downtown terminal to Bainbridge Island. Walk-on passengers only pay on the westbound trip, and Bainbridge is fun to explore on foot. Narrated harbor cruises are another option.

Seattle CityPASS. If you want the big attractions (Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, a harbor cruise, Pacific Science Center or Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Woodland Park Zoo or MoPOP), CityPASS bundles admission at a significant discount and gives you several days to use it.

Woodland Park Zoo. A wonderful zoo. Check its website for off-season pricing and discounts.

Discount ticket sites. Goldstar and Groupon often have deals on shows, tours, and attractions.

Best Views Without Breaking the Bank

Skip the Space Needle? We took our kids up once and decided it wasn't worth the price for us. If you do go, consider pairing it with CityPASS.

Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center is taller than the Space Needle and often cheaper, and you get the Needle in your photos.

Smith Tower Observatory offers a historic, 1914-era vantage point with a bar inside.

Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill is the free, postcard-perfect skyline view. Gas Works Park and Alki are close seconds.

Cheap Eats

Dick's Drive-In. Ask Seattleites for the best cheap burger and you'll hear "Dick's!" It's fast, cheap, and iconic, with several locations.

Red Mill Burgers. A beloved local burger joint that has been voted one of Seattle's best many times, with vegetarian options too.

Pike Place snacks. Make a meal out of piroshky, clam chowder, and fresh fruit from the market stalls.

Final Tips

• Don't fear the rain. Seattle's reputation is worse than reality. It's more drizzly than downpour, and plenty of cities get more annual rainfall. Locals prefer hooded jackets to umbrellas.
• Parking. Free parking is rare downtown but available at many parks, neighborhoods, and shopping centers.
• Ride transit. Light rail runs between the airport and downtown, and buses cover the city. Load an ORCA card or use the Transit GO Ticket app.
• Seattle is walkable, and very stroller-friendly in most tourist areas.

Enjoy your trip! Seattle has so much to offer that doesn't cost a thing.

Love exploring the Pacific Northwest? See our family trips to the Hoh Rain Forest and Mima Mounds, and check out free museum days around Seattle.