It can be expensive these days. But as out-of-town family members start trickling in for the holidays, there are ways to show them around, and save some money.
Thanks to our friends at Greater Seattle on the Cheap, we're helping you look like a holiday hero.
Top 10 free and cheap things to do in Seattle
1. Watch glassblower artists. Seattle is the epicenter for glass blowing worldwide. Only Murano island, near Venice, Italy has more glassblowing studios than Seattle. Listed below are glass studios in the region where you can watch glassblowing artists work. More info here.
2. Tour a radio station. 90.3 KEXP-FM, 472 1st Ave N, Seattle WA 98109 is a listener-supported radio station. 45-minutes tours are offered daily (excluding most holidays. Reservations are recommended. For more information, visit the KEXP website. More info here.
3. Explore Native American cultures in the Puget Sound region at two tribal centers. Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, located within Discovery Park, 3801 West Government Way, Seattle, WA. Enjoy art exhibits by a wide range of local and internationally recognized Native American artists, including contemporary and traditional works. Self-guided tour brochure available for purchase upon arrival. Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, 4705 W Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106. A traditional cedar post and beam structure designed in the Puget Salish Longhouse style. A place for cultural and educational events, it has a small art & gift gallery open to the public. More info here.
4. Visit a Chinese Garden in south Seattle. Seattle Chinese Garden in south Seattle is one of the largest Chinese gardens outside of China. The 4.6-acre garden is a showcase for four elements that are customary to Chinese gardens: plants, stones, architecture, and water. Open daily. Free admission, donations are greatly appreciated. After your visit to the Chinese garden, you can stroll the adjacent South Seattle College (SSC) Arboretum. Often called “the best kept secret of West Seattle”, the 5-acre park sits on the edge of a bluff with stunning views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the West Duwamish Greenbelt. More than a garden, the Arboretum is a classroom and laboratory for teachers and students in the SSC Landscape Horticulture Program. More info here.
5. Take a self-guided historic Seattle walking tour. The “Trail to Treasure Map” is a free self-guided walking tour of Seattle’s Pioneer Square Historic District. The map identifies 16 places and events that helped shape the history and development of Pioneer Square, the city of Seattle, and the greater Puget Sound region. Pick up a map in the visitor center at Klondike Gold Rush Park, 319 2nd Ave South, Seattle, or at participating locations throughout the district. More info here.
6. Visit an outdoor clothing and gear manufacturer. For more than 100 years, Filson of Seattle has manufactured outdoor clothes and accessories using materials and construction techniques that make them last for generations. Free tours are offered twice a week at their store in the SODO district. Visit the Filson tour page to sign up. More info here.
7. Tour a Green Building. The Bullitt Center demonstrates that it is possible to exist comfortably and productively in a modern environment, while making the least possible demand on resources. Using only off-the-shelf products that any building project could choose, the design
team and public sector partners achieved net zero energy, net zero water, and net zero carbon, using composting toilets and toxic-free materials, plus a grand stairway and 90-percent-plus day lighting in a six-story infill office building in a dense, urban neighborhood. Tours include the building’s mechanical and electrical rooms, the gray water and rainwater treatment systems, non-flush toilets and the “irresistible”• stairway. Public tours of the Bullitt Center are offered most Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays at noon. Tickets are $5 and reservations are required. More info here.
8. Tour historic theaters. Seattle Theatre Group operates three Seattle Historic Landmarks: The Paramount, The Moore, and The Neptune Theatres. Performances include Broadway productions, concerts, stage plays, lectures, education, community, and film programs. Most Saturdays you can take guided free tours of one of these historic theaters, led by a well-versed volunteer staff, who provides a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes. For specific dates and theaters, visit STG theater free tours. More info here.
9. Take a free boat ride. The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) celebrates the rich and varied watercraft heritage that is a vital part of the history of Seattle and the Puget Sound region. There are two locations: in the heart of Seattle on Lake Union and at Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, about 65 miles north of Seattle. Each CWB location is a hub of hands-on learning year-round. There is no admission fee: you can stroll the docks (Seattle) or beach (Cama). Every Sunday rain or shine at CWB Seattle, you can sign up and take a free boat ride. Space is limited and spots fill quickly. More info here.
10. Visit free museums. We found 16 museums with free admission in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. A few of our favorites include historical museums: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Pioneer Square, The Northwest Nikkei Museum preserving Japanese American history in Seattle, and Log House Museum in West Seattle. More info here.
Top 7 free and cheap things to do in Tacoma
1. Ride the free Tacoma Link Light Rail. Getting around Tacoma is free 365 days a year on the Tacoma Link Light Rail. You’ll get views of many of Tacoma’s historical buildings. Catch a ride every 12 minutes during the day at six stops. Parking is free in the Link garage next to the Tacoma Dome Station. More info here.
2. Take a self-guided glass sculpture tour. Chihuly Glass Walking Tour in Tacoma. This free audio tour and map from Tacoma Art Museum allows users to learn more about Dale Chihuly’s artwork in the Museum District. The tour provides smartphone users the opportunity to hear a narrator—and even Chihuly himself—talk about the installations. You can learn how the “uglies” became Macchia, how many pieces are in the Seaform Pavilion on the Bridge of Glass, and how eight Venetians found a home at The Swiss Restaurant & Pub. More info here.
3. Explore the night sky. Pierce College Science Dome, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood, WA USA 98498. The digital planetarium provides an interactive tour of the current night sky and fulldome videos on a variety of astronomy and space topics. Public Shows are held every Friday and Saturday during the year, and additionally on Wednesdays in summer. Admission is $6. More Info here.
4. Visit a historical site and park. Rivaling Seattle’s 230-acre UW Arboretum and 534-acre Discovery Park, Fort Steilacoom Park south of Tacoma offers 340 acres of trails and four of the fort’s historical buildings open to visitors. Events are held throughout the year and many are free or by donation. More info here.
5. Learn U.S. Army history in the Pacific Northwest. Lewis Army Museum, 4320 Main St, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA 98433. The only certified U.S. Army Museum on the West Coast, located in the WWI-era Red Shield Inn building, preserves the heritage of the Army in the Pacific Northwest through exhibits and artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, and other memorabilia. Free admission. More info here.
6. Explore local history. Harbor History Museum, 4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Preserves the history of the region through educational programs, exhibits, and events in its historic venues and library. Admission is free through 2018.
7. See movies at a discount on the big screen. Blue Mouse Theatre, 2611 North Proctor, Tacoma, WA 98407. One of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the country, Blue Mouse screens a mix of current and classic films. Admission is $4-$6. More info here.
