Free Things You Can Do When Visiting Seattle

The Emerald City has plenty to keep every type of traveler busy — from the endless green space that makes for a great urban respite to fantastic restaurants and cafes (serving that famous Seattle-quality coffee), not to mention the events on almost every corner. It can be overwhelming to decide on what to do each day. However, many of those things cost money, often quite a bit. Seattle's days as a "budget city" are long gone and fun attractions such as going up the Space Needle or eating at The Pink Door (after getting a coffee at the "original Starbucks") will set your budget back quite a bit.

Luckily, while the cost of living for residents and the price of accommodations and restaurants for visitors has steadily increased, the city still has plenty to do for free. There are numerous parks, beaches, and other public spaces without an entry fee. While some landmarks might cost you a few bucks (or more), Seattle is full of great gratuit viewpoints. Additionally, many activities that normally would require spending some cash occasionally throw the public a bone by removing charges on certain days of the year. So, here are 14 terrific free things to do in Seattle.

This remarkable outdoor art park is situated on a coveted piece of real estate on Seattle's stunning waterfront. Just down the stairs from Pike Place Market, it'd be a shame to miss. The sculptures are permanent fixtures and a marvel to see in person, enhanced by the Olympic National Park across the Sound. This backdrop is what gives the park its name and adds another dimension for your eyes to wonder at.

The park is free to visit and open every day of the year. It opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset. We recommend visiting twice if you can. Once, to truly appreciate and examine the works of art among their water-and-mountain frame, and a second time either during dawn or dusk to see the works bathed in the special light of those particular periods. The park covers 9 acres and only hosts 20 sculptures, so it's not an impossible feat. You could easily arrive early for sunrise before enjoying coffee at Pike Place and a morning wandering the market and waterfront. Alternatively, start your stroll of the area in the afternoon, checking out the sculptures in daylight before returning at sunset.

Seattle is full of fantastic neighborhoods, each with their unique character. You could enjoy a very cheap, but also entertaining, vacation just wandering all of them from Capitol Hill to Eastlake, to the U-District, Belltown, and everywhere in between. However, if you only have time for one, or simply want to enjoy a more relaxed day and focus on one area, we highly recommend Fremont. It is located across the canal from Queen Anne, south of Wallingford and Ballard, and west of the University District. So, no matter where you're staying in the city, Fremont shouldn't be too far away.

If you want an active day that involves visiting two neighborhoods, start in the U-district and head south towards Lake Union until you meet up with the Burke Gilman trail. Then walk (or bike) west to Fremont for a fun scenic trip where you'll follow the water and enjoy views of houseboats à la "Sleepless in Seattle." You'll need to take the stairs at the Fremont Bridge (the blue one) up to street level from the path. Once you've reached your destination, you can enjoy a quirky area full of tasty eateries, independent coffee shops, and bookstores, as well as the place to be for nightlife. And make sure to follow Troll Avenue (yes, really) to the Aurora Bridge, under which you'll find the famous Fremont Troll.

There isn't an entry fee at any Seattle-area farmer's markets, but you might end up spending something on a little treat at some point. But, if you can resist treating yourself, it can be a completely free activity. There are a ton of options, as almost every neighborhood has its own farmers market, and each has a different feel.

Ballard is a favorite among residents and those coming from elsewhere in the city (including residents). Entire streets are closed every Sunday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The market takes place throughout the neighborhood, making it easy to also pop into cafes for coffee or other storefronts. You could easily shop for an entire week here (although that might be difficult to fit in your suitcase), with fresh local produce, baked goods, and canned goods like jam on offer. Another popular one is the Queen Anne Farmers Market, which is a bit smaller, but no less charming. What started as a community effort to save a local grocery store is now a weekly event, every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer. And pro tip: Queen Anne has a fantastic rotation of food trucks. The market in Fremont is also popular and unique in that there is less food and more artisan and fashion products. It takes place every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Did you even visit Seattle if you didn't get a pic at the University of Washington Quad or Harry Potter reading room in Suzzallo Library? Students aren't the only ones you'll find wandering the 700-acre campus. The grounds double as a community gathering place and Instagram background for out-of-town visitors. Even if you're well past college graduation, it's always fun to wander around campus and indulge in a bit of nostalgia.

And the UW campus is a gorgeous one to walk around, no matter the time of year. The grand (and recently renovated) Suzzallo Library impresses from the outside, but ups the ante once you sit inside. Head up the stairs and through arched doorways to the quiet reading room (so don't talk) that is affectionately called the "Harry Potter room" amongst students and alumni for its resemblance to Hogwarts. Back outside, the quad is a lovely spot to sit, people-watch, and take pictures. If you're into flowers, visit in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom! Finally, head down to the Drumheller Fountain, where you'll see baby ducks swimming in the spring. And if it's a clear day, you'll have one of the best views of Mt. Rainier in the entire city. Before your visit, check the UW academic calendar. If you visit during a break (unless the cherry blossoms are blooming), you'll enjoy fewer crowds, but many buildings, including the library, might be closed.

The Seattle Public Library might not initially sound like a "must-see" attraction, but trust us, the building is an amazing architectural feat you won't want to miss. The "library" is actually a system with numerous locations throughout the city, many in beautiful historic buildings. Here we're focusing on the downtown branch, referred to as the Central Library. Constructed in 2004 and designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the building's style is very early 2000s modern. Referred to as a "space age" design, the all-glass geometric structure does feel a bit like something out of "Star Trek."

The library is located in the heart of downtown, near many hotels and Link Light Rail stations. It's very easy to add to any walking tour of Seattle. Or, if you just need access to free Wi-Fi while working remotely, or a restroom while strolling the city, it's a great option. The interior of the building is almost as cool as the outside. The all-glass windows make you feel like you're walking on air (not recommended if you're scared of heights) and the sunlight on a bright day is unmatched elsewhere in the city. It's almost the same as wandering Amazon's glass spheres, but those are only open to the public on the first and third Saturday of the month. The library is open year-round, every day of the week, to locals and visitors.

Museums aren't an obvious choice for travelers looking to save money and benefit from a "free" activity. There are many in Seattle, though, that have no entrance fee, either year-round or on certain days of the month. Those that are always free to enter include the Center of Contemporary Art in Pioneer Square, which features new and up-and-coming artists from around the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, the Duwamish Longhouse and Culture Center, where visitors can learn about the history of the Seattle area before white settlers arrived, and the Frye Art Museum in Capitol Hill are also free to enter.

Some of the most well-known museums in the city also have gratuit entrances on the first Thursday of the month. This includes the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) downtown, the Henry Art Gallery, and the Burke Natural History Museum on the University of Washington campus.