61. Museum Of History And Industry
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Free admission all day on the first Thurs of every month, with extended hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
62. Olympic Sculpture Park
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This nine-acre former industrial site that was turned into a green art space makes for a great stroll dotted with contemporary sculptures by Alexander Calder, Richard Serra, and Mark di Suvero. Best of all, it’s open daily to the public, with no admission fees.
63. Northwest Folklife Festival
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Held over Memorial Day weekend each year, this completely free festival celebrates the folk, ethnic, and traditional arts of the area. There are lots of art, music, dance and theater performances, children’s activities, food, and more.
64. Paramount Theatre Tours
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: On the first Sat of each month, free guided 90-minute tours of the grand, lovingly restored Paramount are offered to the public. Meet at the main entrance a few minutes before 10 a.m.
65. Pike Place Market
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Free entertainment doesn’t get much better than this. Start at the pig—the large bronze swine sculpture that sits at the main entrance to the market, just down from First Avenue and Pike. This is where the famous Pike Place Fish company is located, those crazy guys who throw whole fish to each other as the customers order them. It’s usually thronged with gawkers, and the vendors sometimes get a little put out when there are too many onlookers and no buyers, which just adds to the entertainment value, naturally. You can spend hours walking around here and could almost make a meal off the dozens of samples that many of the market stalls offer, while street performers entertain. Great, cheap fun any day of the week.
66. Seattle Art Museum
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: On the first Thurs of every month, you can enjoy free admission all day to the SAM downtown. First Fri are free to seniors 62 and over, and second Fri are teen nights, with free admission from 5 to 9 p.m. for ages 13 to 19.
67. Seattle Asian Art Museum
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Free admission all day on the first Thurs of every month; on the second Thurs of each month, admission is free from 5 to 9 p.m. as part of the Blitz Capitol Hill art walk. First Fri are free to seniors 62 and over, and first Sat are free for families, courtesy of Target.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
69. Seattle Parks
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: It almost goes without saying that the abundance of parks in the city makes for great, free entertainment and recreation. Don’t forget to check out our Parks and Recreation section for details on this surefire way to spend a terrific free day in Seattle.
70. Seattle Public Library
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: One of the most dramatic buildings in Seattle, the central library is one of only four major works in the United States designed by Rem Koolhaas. One-hour tours are first-come, first-served and limited to 20 participants. Library tours are Mon at 11 am, and architecture tours are Fri at noon. You can also download a podcast for your own self-guided tour. Once you’re at the library, free readings and events are held all the time, for both adults and children, so be sure to check out the calendar. The Pacific Northwest Ballet also gives free preview performances on select Tues from noon to 1 p.m. www.pnb.org/Community/Audience/BalletPreviews.aspx.
71. Shakespeare In The Parks
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: The Seattle Shakespeare Company presents free Shakespeare in the Parks performances every July through Aug, at various parks around the city. It’s a great opportunity to take a blanket and picnic lunch, as well as your family and pets, and enjoy the outdoor theater. (206) 733-8222, www.seattleshakespeare.org/woodeno.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
73. Vineyard And Brewery Tours
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Just outside of Seattle lie many wineries and breweries, some of which offer free tours. Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery gives a guided tour on Sun at 2 p.m. Head 15 miles northeast of the city to the Columbia Valley, where Chateau Ste. Michelle conducts tours with free wine sampling from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. In nearby Woodinville, Redhook Brewery gives a brewery walk several times a day, with beer samples and a souvenir tasting glass for just $1.
74. Volunteer Park Conservatory
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: This spectacular Victorian-style greenhouse at the north end of Volunteer Park was modeled after London’s Crystal Palace. View and smell the dazzling collection of bromeliads, palms, ferns, trees, cacti, and seasonal display plants. Many are very rare, and very old. The conservatory also takes in and displays confiscated or quarantined orchids, cycads, and other plants seized by U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents. Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. For the best free view in Seattle, climb the Volunteer Park water tower. 1402 E. Galer Street, (206) 322-4112, www.volunteerparkconservatory.org.
75. Wing Luke Asian Museum
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Admission is always free on the first Thurs of every month at Seattle’s Asian American history museum in the International District—which also makes for a great area to stroll around for free people-watching and entertainment.