8 Affordable Things to Do in Seattle
Seattle isn’t a cheap city. Hotels are pricey, and dinner out can add up fast. But a lot of the best things to do here cost very little or nothing at all, from ferry rides with million-dollar views to parks that feel like proper wilderness.
In this guide
- 1. Graze your way through Pike Place Market
- 2. Ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island
- 3. Catch the view from Kerry Park
- 4. Meet the Fremont Troll
- 5. Watch the boats at the Ballard Locks
- 6. Picnic at Gas Works Park
- 7. Escape to Discovery Park
- 8. Go to museums on free days
- Where to stay for less
- Getting around cheaply
- Cheap eats worth finding
- A free day, start to finish
- Common questions
Here are eight affordable things to do in Seattle that won’t wreck your budget.
1. Graze your way through Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is free to wander, and it’s the most fun place in the city on a weekday morning. Watch the fishmongers throw salmon, smell the flower stalls and dodge the crowds on the lower levels.
Make it lunch by grazing instead of sitting down. Grab a piroshky from Piroshky Piroshky, a cup of chowder from Pike Place Chowder and a few samples along the way. Skip the line at the original Starbucks unless you really care. The coffee’s the same everywhere else.
2. Ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island
This is the best deal in Seattle. A walk-on ticket for the ferry to Bainbridge Island costs around $10, and you only pay going west. The ride takes about 35 minutes and gives you sweeping views of the skyline, the Olympic Mountains and, on a clear day, Mount Rainier.
Once you land, walk up to the small town of Winslow for a coffee or a bakery stop, then catch a ferry back. Try to time the return trip for sunset. It’s better than most paid harbor cruises.
3. Catch the view from Kerry Park
Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill has the classic Seattle view, with the Space Needle in front of the downtown towers and Mount Rainier floating in the background. It’s the photo you’ve probably seen a hundred times.
It’s free, small and busy around sunset, so arrive a little early. Afterward, walk along Highland Drive to see some of the city’s grand old houses. It’s one of the nicest residential strolls in Seattle.
4. Meet the Fremont Troll
Under the north end of the Aurora Bridge, a giant concrete troll is crushing a real Volkswagen Beetle in his hand. The Fremont Troll has been there since 1990, and you’re allowed to climb on him.
Fremont calls itself the center of the universe, and it’s a quirky neighborhood to walk. Look for the statue of Lenin, the rocket on the side of a building and the Sunday market, which has cheap food stalls and vintage finds.
5. Watch the boats at the Ballard Locks
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, which everyone calls the Ballard Locks, move boats between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater lakes. It’s free, and watching yachts, kayaks and fishing boats rise and fall is surprisingly hypnotic.
There’s also a fish ladder with an underwater viewing window. From about July to September, you can watch salmon fighting their way upstream. The botanical garden next to the locks is free, too, and lovely in spring.
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6. Picnic at Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park sits on a point on the north side of Lake Union, built around the rusting towers of an old gas plant. It sounds odd, but it’s one of the most loved parks in the city.
Pick up sandwiches on the way and climb the grassy hill for a view across the lake to the skyline. You’ll see seaplanes landing and sailboats drifting by. It’s also a top spot for watching the Fourth of July fireworks.
7. Escape to Discovery Park
Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest park, with over 500 acres of forest, meadows and bluffs right inside the city. It’s free, and it feels a world away from downtown.
Follow the trail down to the beach and the West Point Lighthouse. You’ll get views over Puget Sound to the Olympics, and maybe spot seals. The full walk down and back takes a couple of hours, and the climb back up is the only hard part.
8. Go to museums on free days
Many of Seattle’s museums are free on the first Thursday of the month, including the Seattle Art Museum and the Frye Art Museum, which is actually free every day. The Olympic Sculpture Park, run by SAM, is free all the time and has great views of the water.
Check museum websites before you go, since free days and booking rules change. If you’re planning several paid attractions, a Seattle CityPASS can also save you money.
Where to stay for less
Downtown hotels are expensive, especially in summer. Look at Capitol Hill, Queen Anne or the University District for better prices. A few good hostels near Pike Place are a solid option for solo travelers. Wherever you stay, make sure it’s close to a light rail or bus line.
Getting around cheaply
Skip the rental car. Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown for a few dollars, and buses cover most neighborhoods. Get an ORCA card or use the Transit GO app. The Monorail from Westlake Center to the Space Needle area is quick and inexpensive, too.
Cheap eats worth finding
Eating well on a budget is easier than you’d think. Teriyaki is Seattle’s unofficial comfort food, and you’ll find small, cheap shops all over the city. The International District has excellent dim sum, pho and noodle spots at fair prices. And happy hour is a local religion, with many restaurants offering half-price oysters, snacks and drinks in the late afternoon.
Honestly, a happy hour can easily replace dinner. Pick a place with a view, order a few small plates and you’ll leave full for a fraction of the price.
A free day, start to finish
Want to try a day without spending much at all? Start at Pike Place for browsing, walk the waterfront to the Olympic Sculpture Park, then take the bus up to Kerry Park. In the afternoon, head to Fremont for the troll and on to Gas Works Park for a picnic dinner on the hill. You’ll see a lot of the city for the price of a bus fare.
Common questions
Is Seattle expensive to visit?
Hotels and food are pricey, but many of the best sights are free.
Is the Space Needle worth the money?
It’s fun, but Kerry Park and the ferry give you great views for much less.
When is the cheapest time to go?
Late fall through early spring, when hotel prices drop. Bring a rain jacket.
Do I need a car in Seattle?
No. Light rail, buses and walking cover almost everything on this list.
What’s the best free view?
Kerry Park at sunset, with the Space Needle and Mount Rainier in one shot.
