Living life to the fullest may sound difficult if you’re on a budget, but fear not! With a bit of planning (hello, first Thursdays!), there are many ways to have fun in Seattle without breaking the bank. Here’s a guide to great things to do that are free, low-cost, or will at least give you great value for the money and help you make some new memories as you experience Seattle.
First Thursdays and Discounted Tickets
Before diving into where to go, we wanted to mention a great way to see and do more in Seattle on a budget: taking advantage of “First Thursdays.” Some attractions offer free admission on the first Thursday of the month. For some places, it’s all day; for others, it is only during specific hours. We’ve included several in this guide, so check for the “First Thursday” detail!
Save on attractions! Check online for discounts before your trip to Seattle. Many places offer deals like early bird, senior/child, military, and more. Find details on their websites and enjoy more of Seattle for less!
Seattle Center Monorail
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Seattle Center Monorail is a beloved landmark and a fun way to connect with the city’s past; plus, it’s the fastest way to get from Seattle Center to Downtown. Tap to pay and ride with your ORCA Card (Seattle’s transit card) or use the ticket kiosks at both Westlake Center and Seattle Center stations. Affordable one-way fares are $3.50 or less, and kids under 5 ride free!
Gates Foundation Discovery Center
Nothing fits into a budget like free. At the Gates Foundation Discovery Center, it’s always free to visit, and you’ll find interactive exhibitions designed to spark curiosity and inspire visitors to take action in their communities. You’ll see real-life innovations used to treat or prevent diseases like polio, malaria, and more. The Gates Foundation Discovery Center sheds light on the progress that has been made and the global challenges that continue, showcasing the power of innovation and collaboration. It’s a perfect place to learn and discover how even small actions can contribute to a better future. Suitable for all ages, The Gates Foundation Discovery Center is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, with drop-in public tours at 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM.
USS Turner Joy DD951
For a truly unique perspective on maritime history, you should visit the USS Turner Joy U.S. Naval Destroyer Museum! In this naval destroyer-turned-museum, you’ll tour the flagship for Destroyer Squadron 13 and Destroyer Division 131, whose distinctive service includes several Pacific tours of duty. The Turner Joy was built in Seattle and is perhaps most remembered for her participation in the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which escalated the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. She also served as a bookend to that conflict by firing the last naval round of the War.
To get there, depart from Colman Dock, the ferry terminal on the Seattle Waterfront, and enjoy a short ride on one of Seattle’s iconic ferry boats to Bremerton, Washington. Once there, it’s an easy walk to the USS Turner Joy. Discounts are available for active and retired military members, so check the museum website for full details on entrance.
T-Mobile Park
Ready to take in the stunning views of Puget Sound and the distant Olympic Mountains in Seattle’s T-Mobile Park? The best way to experience it on a budget has to be at the Mariners Value Games. With tickets for as low as $10 for select games all season, there’s no excuse to miss cheering on the Mariners. You can also visit the concession stand for the Value Menu and Value Beers, which are full of ballpark favorites like hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, nachos, and your favorite brews. Another insider tip for heading to the park on a budget is that you can bring outside food in single-serving sizes and water (less than 32 oz.) Check the T-Mobile Park Information Guide for full details on food and drink.
The park is also a venue for concerts, special events, and ballpark tours. On a stadium tour, you’ll get the MLB experience, and, depending on when you’re there, you can get behind-the-scenes visits to areas not normally open to the public. Tour options include a non-gameday, gameday, or pre-game visit. Find the event calendar online and get your tickets now!
SAM / Seattle Art Museum
Did you know that the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is made up of more than one museum? It’s true! Three dynamic locations make up SAM—the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park—and there are many ways to experience them all, even on a budget!
Situated just one block from Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum features an ever-changing lineup of collection installations and special exhibitions that bridge cultures and centuries. One mile north in Belltown is the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park on Seattle’s waterfront. The park showcases monumental contemporary sculptures alongside breathtaking views of the Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. Finally, on the tranquil grounds of Volunteer Park sits the Seattle Asian Art Museum, an architectural gem complete with indoor water features, award-winning light fixtures, and floor to ceiling windows that invite nature inside. This stunning space is the ideal setting for a beautiful array of art from the world’s largest continent.
Admission to the Olympic Sculpture Park is free to access and open to all from dawn to dusk, every day of the year. At the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Asian Art Museum, admission is free on the first Thursday of each month as part of Free First Thursdays in Seattle. For additional information on discounted admission, check out visitsam.org.
Seattle Children’s Museum
Spark your child’s creativity and curiosity through pretend play and hands-on exhibits at the Seattle Children’s Museum. They’ll love visiting a place designed just for them where they are encouraged to build, touch, and explore everything. Located in the lower level of Seattle Center’s Armory Building, this must-visit hidden gem is the perfect place to pop in when looking for affordable things to do in Seattle.
A few discounts are available, such as offers for teachers, military members, first responders, and families receiving government assistance through programs such as EBT, Provider One, Apple Health, WIC, and similar. Their website has more information on available discounts so check it out to get your adventure started today! Be sure to visit the epic neighboring Artists at Play Playground to maximize the value of your Seattle Center visit.
Boeing Future of Flight
Journey into the world of aviation at Boeing Future of Flight, located in Mukilteo just north of Seattle. With General Admission tickets, explore the Gallery, featuring interactive exhibits that delve into flight history and showcase future concepts. Catch amazing views of planes from the Sky Deck, and ignite a passion for flight in the Kids’ Zone filled with hands-on fun. Space enthusiasts can even explore a full-scale mockup of the U.S. Space Lab, an integral part of the International Space Station.
With Boeing Everett Factory Tour tickets, an 80-minute guided experience, you’ll step inside the world’s largest building by volume, enjoy sweeping views of the 777/777X assembly line, learn the history of Boeing’s Everett location, and get a peek at the future of commercial aviation.
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or simply looking for a fun, budget-friendly, educational family outing, Boeing Future of Flight General Admission tickets (includes Gallery exhibits, Sky Deck), are $12.00 ($10 for Seniors and Military with ID, Boeing Employees with ID are $6, Youth (6-15) are $6.00, and Kids (5 and under) are free.
The popular Boeing Everett Factory Tour tickets include General Admission and has the following safety requirements: Children/Youth must be at least 4 feet (48in/122cm) tall to go on the tour. Carrying children on the tour is not allowed for safety reasons. Children/Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Check the daily schedule online for ticket availability to avoid sold-out tours. Arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of your scheduled tour time to allow for check-in and stowing of personal belongings in their free lockers before the tour.
Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
First Thursday – Free Admission 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Seattle is well known for its innovative spirit. With a visit to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI,) you’ll uncover the past and present and see how that spirit shaped the city. Explore permanent, rotating exhibits detailing maritime history, tech advancements, and important social movements. Get a deeper look at the region’s transformation from its early days of native cultures into a global business hub and tourist destination. There’s something to interest everyone and spark curiosity when you visit.
Visit MOHAI on the First Thursday of every month for free admission to the museum’s permanent exhibits from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, including True Northwest: The Seattle Journey, Maritime Seattle, Kid-Struction Zone, Bezos Center for Innovation, and, for a limited time, Pulling Together: A Brief History of Rowing in Seattle. Find details on registering to attend on First Thursday and purchasing tickets for visits on other days on the museum’s website.
The Museum of Flight
First Thursday – Free Admission 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Museum of Flight is a stunning aviation-themed air and space museum worth visiting if you’ve ever dreamed of flying, becoming a pilot, or are curious about the science and history of flight. This museum boasts an incredible collection of aircraft, including galleries of hanging and floor-parked WWI and WWII aircraft and an aerospace collection in the Space Gallery that is not to be missed with an Apollo Command Module 007A, Sputnik I engineering model, Mercury Capsule mockup, plus a Lunar Rover Vehicle mockup. Outside, under the covered Aviation Pavilion, you’ll find rare and unique commercial and military aircraft from the 1930s to the present. You’ll see the first Boeing 747, a Boeing 787, and the West Coast’s only Concorde! Also, the first jet mode Air Force One, the first 727 and 737, and an air cargo exhibit. The Museum of Flight is conveniently located just south of Seattle in Tukwila, WA. In addition to free evening admission on the first Thursday of the month, this museum participates in a community access program to help provide museum access for those in the community who are faced with financial barriers. Visit the museum’s website for more information on available tickets and discounts.
National Nordic Museum
First Thursday – Free Museum Day!
Explore the art, culture, and history of Nordic peoples and learn their stories with a visit to the National Nordic Museum. Tour galleries with artifacts from all five Nordic nations, from Viking treasures to modern design. Nordic Journeys, a permanent exhibit, details the Nordic immigration story, including its evolution over the last 12,000 years. To further immerse yourself in Nordic culture, check out Freya in the museum for Nordic-inspired food and drinks. The National Nordic Museum hosts many events throughout the year, including hands-on activities, film screenings, guest speakers, and cultural performances. No matter when you plan to visit, you can reserve your tickets online in advance, and don’t forget to stop by the Admissions Desk to check in for First Thursday. Access to special exhibitions is available for $5 per person on First Thursdays.
Woodland Park Zoo
Over 800 animals and 250 species call Woodland Park Zoo home: African lions, zebras, gorillas, orangutans, warty pigs, Malayan tigers, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, and so many more, including some of the world’s most critically endangered. When you explore the animal exhibits, you’ll notice different zones based on their habitats, from humid tropical rainforests and coastal deserts to temperate rainforests like those of the Pacific Northwest.
Visiting this award-winning zoo is the perfect way to spend the day in Seattle; everyone loves to take a trip there! To save time and money, we recommend you plan ahead and buy tickets online. Not only do you skip the lines, but purchasing your tickets four (4) or more days before your visit saves you 10% off your ticket price. Other discounts are also available, like the Discover Ticket program, so check the website for all the details.
After learning all these money-saving tips, Seattle on a budget sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? So don’t stay home with FOMO; get out and experience everything the city offers!
