Travel Guide: Free Things to Do in Seattle

Seattle is a great place to spend your time and well-earned cash. It is one of the most exciting maritime cities along the Puget Sound. The Emerald City has surpassed its grunge scene and now has warmly welcomed international attention from all parts of the world which is evident by its world famous International District and Museums. Fortunately, you don't have to make a six-figure salary in order to enjoy the Seattle experience. The following guidelines will help you figure out how to get around free in Seattle in the categories listed below.

Transportation:

Make sure you have family or a friend who will agree to drive you around in Seattle. This is the only way you can get around free in Seattle without money. Your friends or family will be more inclined to give you free rides to wherever you plan to go as long as you agree that you will show them a good time. If you don't have any friends in the Seattle area, you can try to meet with people in the area granted that they meet you in a public area. Never agree to meet a stranger in closed areas. So, do remember to keep a diplomatic attitude while someone else is paying for gas money as you recline comfortably in your passenger seat. Also, Seattle is virtually bike-friendly. However, do be careful when bicycling on the Ballard Bridge, as the Seattle Weekly's Damon Agnos suggested in his article entitled "As if Biking Across the Ballard Bridge Weren't Already Dangerous Enough." Agnos writes that "The Ballard Bridge is notoriously dicey for cyclists, for whom it provides ribbons of tightrope on either side. With speeding traffic a high-five away, little to no room to pass (despite having cyclists moving in both directions on both sides of the road), and curbs that won't prevent you from going into the roadway, but will instead insure that you enter head-first, it's truly a say-your-prayers passage."

Entertainment:

Visiting the local movie theater which showcases the latest films will cost the frugal traveler more money than visiting a museums or park. Seattle is one of the greatest places to discover new and exciting things at virtually no cost. The Frye Art Museum in First Hill district allows free admission. The Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, The museum of History & Industry, and the Northwest African American American Museum allows free admission on the first Thursday of every month. The Museum of Flight allows free admission on the first Thursday evening of every month from 5 am to 9 pm. For travelers who won't be able to visit any of the museums until Saturday, the Seattle Asian Art Museum will provide that historical fixing as it allows free admission on the first Saturday of every month.

Free Samples:

Some candy and ice cream shops, delis, markets, and other destinations offer free samples. Nothing can go wrong with Pike Place Market, Uwajimaya, and even the nearby Costco (especially during when they give out free samples!). Do take the time to take advantage of every sample. Also, museums and local college campuses will oftentimes hand out free pencils, notepads, stickers, and buttons. Do take advantage of those items as well.

Movies/Entertainment/Parks and Recreation:

During the summer months, some local parks organize outdoor movie nights which are full of fun and intrigue for the whole family. Check with Seattle Parks and Recreation at www.seattle.gov/PARKS/ for more information.

Bradner Gardens is a 1.6 acre farm which is located on 29^th Ave. S and S Grand St. For more information call 206-684-4075. Bradner Gardens is open from 4 am to 11:30 pm.

• The Japanese Garden on 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E. is a 3 ½ acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida in 1960. For more information call 206-684-4725.
  • Mar 22 - May 2 - Tues-Sun - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    May 3 - Aug 15 - Mon-Sun - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    Aug 16 - Sep 19 - Mon-Sun - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    Sep 20 - Oct 17 - Tues-Sun - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Oct 18 - Oct 31 - Tues-Sun - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Nov 1 - Nov 15 - Tues-Sun - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Katie Black's Garden is a 0.6 acre park which is located on 12^th Ave. S & S Atlantic St. For more information call 206-684-4075. Katie Black's Garden is open 4 am to 11:30 pm.
• Kubota Garden is a 20 acre park which is located on 9817 55^th Ave. S and is open from sunrise to dusk. For more information call 206-684-4075.
• Parsons Garden is located on 7^th Ave. W and W Highland Dr. The park was formerly the family garden of Reginald H. Parsons, and was given to the City in 1956 by the family's children. For more information call 206-684-4081. Parsons Garden is open 6 am to 9 pm.
• Volunteer Park Conservatory is located on 1400 C. Galer St. Regular Hours (beginning July 1, 2009): Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Open on non-Monday holidays. Please call to confirm.) Fore more information please call 206-684-4743. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
• Woodland Park Rose Garden is a 2.5 acre park which is located on 750 N 50^th St and is open from 4 am to 11:30 pm. Adjacent to the Woodland Park Zoo the Rose Garden is one of only two dozen certified American Rose Test Gardens in the United States. From May through August, the garden displays new rose hybrids before they become available to amateur rose enthusiasts. For more information call 206-233-7272. The garden is maintained by the Woodland Park Zoo society.