The best things in life are free – well stated by Coco Chanel. Supporting this ideology, we would like to share with you some fantastic free things to do in Seattle with your family and friends. These places could be related to your hobby or your deep area of interest. Just think that on a relaxing weekend, when you are free from always pending official or domestic chores, all you wish is to hang out. However, you don’t want to go to a crowded place that is unreasonably expensive and is very unhygienic, especially in the coronavirus epidemic.
Not many of you know that some great parks and museums in Seattle are free for visitors. Moreover, these places hold national and international importance. They are the best spot to see the cultural heritage of the United States of America. These are undoubtedly the best places to explore the free things to do in Seattle during covid.
Free Things To Do in Seattle
The places mentioned below are the best places to explore the free things to do in Seattle this weekend and spend quality time with your closest friends.
Space Needle
The Space Needle is an observatory tower in Seattle. It is considered an icon of the city and the Pacific Northwest. Space Needle has been designated a Seattle landmark for its popularity. Situated in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, it was built in the Seattle Center for the 1962 World’s Fair. It was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, standing at 605 ft.
It also features an observation deck 520 ft on the ground and provides views of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, and various islands in Puget Sound. Tourists can also reach the top of the Space Needle by elevators. In 1999, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board designated the tower a historic landmark.
Address: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109
Website: spaceneedle.com
Contact: 206-905-2100
Museum of Pop Culture
MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture) is a non-profit museum in Seattle that is dedicated to contemporary popular culture. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen founded the museum in 2000 as the Experience Music Project. Since then, MoPOP has organized dozens of exhibitions, 17 of which have toured across the U.S. and internationally. The museum was erstwhile known as Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum, Hall of Fame, and later EMP Museum until 2016.
It has also initiated many public programs, including Sound Off!, an annual 21-and-under battle-of-the-bands that supports the all-ages scene. Their other program, Pop Conference, is a yearly gathering of academics, critics, musicians, and music buffs. Moreover, it also presents the Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Film Festival in collaboration with the Seattle International Film Festival. Plus, they don’t charge for any program and offer so many free things to do in Seattle.
Address: 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Website: mopop.org
Contact: 206-770-2700
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 534-acre extensive park on the shores of Puget Sound in Seattle. It is the Emerald city’s largest public park and contains 11.81 miles of walking trails. The park has United Indians of All Tribes’ Daybreak Star Cultural Center. Moreover, there is a lighthouse on West Point of the park, the westernmost point of the park.
This national park was built on the historic grounds of Fort Lawton. Besides, most Fort Lawton Historic District (FLHD) falls within the park. The FLHD and the lighthouse are on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is known globally for its rich forests, beaches, prairies, and bluffs. You can play, run, stroll and do much more with your friends and family here. Overall, it is one of the best places having amazing free things to do in Seattle.
Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
Contact: 206-386-4236
Seattle Public Library
The Seattle Central Library, also known as Seattle Public Library, is the flagship library of the Seattle Public Library system. This extraordinary 11-story glass and steel building in downtown Seattle was opened to the public in 2004. The 362,987 square feet public library can hold more than one and a half million books and other materials. The library also received a 2005 national AIA Honor Award for its unique architecture.
It also offers underground public parking for 143 vehicles, and over 400 computers are accessible to the public in this library. Around 2 million people visited the library during its first year. In 2007, the building was voted 108th on the American Institute of Architects’ list of Americans’ 150 favorite structures in the U.S.
Address: 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Website: spl.org
Contact: 206-386-4636
Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum globally. Having more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft, thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences, and a world-class library, the museum brings humankind’s incredible history of flight.
Established in 1965, the museum is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. As the largest private air and space museum globally, it also hosts a large K–12 educational program. Over 500,000 visitors come to the museum every year to appreciate and wonder at the marvel. It also serves more than 140,000 students per year through its onsite programs: a Challenger Learning Centre, an Aviation Learning Center, and a summer camp (ACE).
Address: 9404 E Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
Website: museumofflight.org
Contact: 206-764-5700
Henry Art Gallery
The Henry Art Gallery is a well-known art museum of the University of Washington in Seattle. Situated on the west edge of the university’s campus along 15th Avenue N.E. in the University District, the museum was founded in 1927. It was the first public art museum in the state of Washington.
The original building was designed by famous designers named Bebb and Gould. It was expanded in 1997 to 40,000 square feet. At the same time, a new 154-seat auditorium was added to it. Since not many people appreciate art and culture, the gallery is rarely crowded. It is indeed one of the best and free things to do in Seattle this weekend during covid.
Address: 15th Ave NE & University of Washington, NE 41st St, Seattle, WA 98195
Website: henryart.org
Contact: 206-543-2280
The Bloedel Reserve
The Bloedel Reserve is a 150-acre long forest garden on Bainbridge Island in Washington. This reserve was made by Virginia and Prentice Bloedel, the vice-chairman of the lumber company MacMillan Bloedel Limited. The couple beautifully captured the essence of the Japanese garden, its naturalness, subtlety, reverence, and tranquility. – and made a Western expression of it.
The Bloedel Reserve has natural lakes, pristine lawns, woods, a stone garden, a moss garden, a rhododendron glen, and a reflection garden. Its French Chateau-style home is preserved as a visitor center, including many original furnishings. The reserve is one of the excellent places to visit with family and friends and explore so many things without charge.
Address: 7571 NE Dolphin Dr, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Website: bloedelreserve.org
Contact: 206-842-7631
Conclusion
Instead of visiting expensive overcrowded places, it is much better to explore those options that are of fundamental significance and don’t cost anything. We hope this article is meant for you and will make you aware of such places. So, nest time before planning for an outing with your family and friends, you must try these places offering you so much good and free things to do in Seattle.
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