Having fun and seeing great sights doesn’t always have to break the bank. Why spend money to have the time of your life when there are these 12 free things to do in Washington? Here is proof that you can have fun and create memories without opening your wallet.
- Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle
Flickr / effjohn If you think boating is expensive, think again! Boat rides are free for public sailing on Sundays at the Center for Wooden Boats, a hands-on museum located by Lake Union. For more information, visit the website.
- Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle
Flickr / zeldman Grab a notepad and a pen and get inspired by contemporary art pieces at the Olympic Sculpture Park. This nine-acre public art space sits along the waterfront in Seattle and is a lovely place to take a stroll. It’s certainly one of the best activities in Washington. For more information, visit the park’s webpage.
- North Cascades National Park
Flickr / fixiewrek Enjoy a scenic picnic, go hiking, camping, or do any other outdoor activity you can think of at the North Cascades National Park. Best of all, there is no entry fee. Read more about this national park in our previous coverage.
- Harborview Park, Everett
Flickr / erika_brown Go for a hike and take a picnic to the viewpoint at Harborview Park where you can take in the gorgeous scenery surrounding you. For more on this park, visit the webpage.
- Bridge of Glass, Tacoma
Flickr / 24917258@N05
Admire the unique glass artwork of Dale Chihuly at the Bridge of Glass located at the Washington State History Museum. Although there is an entry fee to the museum, you can see this gorgeous art piece by Chihuly for free! To learn more about the glass art and the museum, read our previous post.
- Strawberry Fields Off-leash Dog Park, Marysville
Flickr / allaboutchase Your barking best bud will enjoy the freedom at Strawberry Fields Off-leash Park while you can capture some breathtaking photos of the surrounding landscape! Visit the webpage to learn more.
- Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland
Flickr / jasontho
With 1,000 feet of shoreline, a playground, ball fields, and beach with seasonal swimming, you can easily spend the day at Juanita Beach Park. For more information, head to this webpage.
- World’s Largest Radio Flyer, Spokane
Mykl Roventine/Flickr Take your new legendary Instagram profile pic at the World’s Largest Radio Flyer located at Riverfront Park. Also known as “The Childhood Express,’ this roadside attraction is one of the most popular in places to visit in Washington. It even has a slide!
- Kubota Garden, Seattle
Flickr / jmabel
Explore Kubota Garden, a vibrant Japanese-inspired gem in Rainier Beach of Seattle. Take a self-guided tour through the gardens and over bridges and learn about the lovely flowers in bloom. Visit the garden’s website for more information.
- Frye Art Museum, Seattle
Flickr / johnseb
Frye Art Museum offers free admission to see its incredible contemporary art collection. Just keep in mind that there’s paid street parking in downtown Seattle. To learn more about this museum, visit the website.
- Manito Park and Botanical Gardens, Spokane
Flickr / urbanworkbench
Spend some time at the dazzling Manito Park and Botanical Gardens, a 90-acre public park in Spokane’s South Hill neighborhood. With trails, gardens, playgrounds, a conservatory, and more, there is plenty to explore. Learn more by visiting the website.
- Poo Poo Point
Flickr / ahhhsucre The last thing on our list of free things to do in Washington is a venture up to the glorious Poo Poo Point in the Issaquah Alps. According to the Washington Trails Association website, there is no pass required for this particular hike. To learn more about the trail to the overlook, visit this webpage.
Flickr / effjohn
If you think boating is expensive, think again! Boat rides are free for public sailing on Sundays at the Center for Wooden Boats, a hands-on museum located by Lake Union. For more information, visit the website.
Flickr / zeldman
Grab a notepad and a pen and get inspired by contemporary art pieces at the Olympic Sculpture Park. This nine-acre public art space sits along the waterfront in Seattle and is a lovely place to take a stroll. It’s certainly one of the best activities in Washington. For more information, visit the park’s webpage.
Flickr / fixiewrek
Enjoy a scenic picnic, go hiking, camping, or do any other outdoor activity you can think of at the North Cascades National Park. Best of all, there is no entry fee. Read more about this national park in our previous coverage.
Flickr / erika_brown
Go for a hike and take a picnic to the viewpoint at Harborview Park where you can take in the gorgeous scenery surrounding you. For more on this park, visit the webpage.
Flickr / 24917258@N05
Admire the unique glass artwork of Dale Chihuly at the Bridge of Glass located at the Washington State History Museum. Although there is an entry fee to the museum, you can see this gorgeous art piece by Chihuly for free! To learn more about the glass art and the museum, read our previous post.
Flickr / allaboutchase
Your barking best bud will enjoy the freedom at Strawberry Fields Off-leash Park while you can capture some breathtaking photos of the surrounding landscape! Visit the webpage to learn more.
Flickr / jasontho
With 1,000 feet of shoreline, a playground, ball fields, and beach with seasonal swimming, you can easily spend the day at Juanita Beach Park. For more information, head to this webpage.
Mykl Roventine/Flickr
Take your new legendary Instagram profile pic at the World’s Largest Radio Flyer located at Riverfront Park. Also known as “The Childhood Express,’ this roadside attraction is one of the most popular in places to visit in Washington. It even has a slide!
Flickr / jmabel
Explore Kubota Garden, a vibrant Japanese-inspired gem in Rainier Beach of Seattle. Take a self-guided tour through the gardens and over bridges and learn about the lovely flowers in bloom. Visit the garden’s website for more information.
Flickr / johnseb
Frye Art Museum offers free admission to see its incredible contemporary art collection. Just keep in mind that there’s paid street parking in downtown Seattle. To learn more about this museum, visit the website.
Flickr / urbanworkbench
Spend some time at the dazzling Manito Park and Botanical Gardens, a 90-acre public park in Spokane’s South Hill neighborhood. With trails, gardens, playgrounds, a conservatory, and more, there is plenty to explore. Learn more by visiting the website.
Flickr / ahhhsucre
The last thing on our list of free things to do in Washington is a venture up to the glorious Poo Poo Point in the Issaquah Alps. According to the Washington Trails Association website, there is no pass required for this particular hike. To learn more about the trail to the overlook, visit this webpage.
Some of the best things in life cost nothing. If you are looking for free things to do in Washington, there are plenty of options. What kind of activities do YOU like to do around Washington that don’t break the bank? Let us know in the comments.
If you’re looking for some strange roadside attractions to visit around The Evergreen State, check out our article, 10 Bizarre Roadside Attractions In Washington That Are Fascinatingly Weird.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 1010 Valley St, Seattle, WA 98109, USAAddress: 2901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, USAAddress: North Cascades National Park, Washington, USAAddress: 1621 W Mukilteo Blvd, Everett, WA 98203, USAAddress: 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USAAddress: 6100 152nd St NE, Marysville, WA 98271, USAAddress: 9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland, WA 98034, USAAddress: W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA, USAAddress: 9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USAAddress: 704 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USAAddress: 1702 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203, USAAddress: Poo Poo Point Trail, Issaquah, WA 98027, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Things To Do In Washington May 06, 2021 Melissa M What are some of the best activities to do in Washington? With a state as beautiful as Washington, spending time outdoors is always a great option. With numerous state parks, mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, and more, you always have an outdoor adventure waiting for you. And if want to escape the crowds and head out into nature, read this article for some ideas. What are the best road trips through Washington? We have put together many fun and fascinating road trips that you can reference. If you enjoy chasing waterfalls, take our Ultimate Washington Waterfalls Road Trip. There is also a Creepy Ghost Town Road Trip if you like exploring abandoned places and a Lighthouse Road Trip because we all love seeing those picturesque lighthouses! What is an inexpensive destination in Washington I can visit? Point Defiance Park, a 760-acre urban park in Tacoma, is a nature lover’s paradise with all it has to offer. The park itself is free to visit but there is a zoo and aquarium you may want to explore and there is an admission fee for that, although it’s not too expensive.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Things To Do In Washington
May 06, 2021
Melissa M
What are some of the best activities to do in Washington? With a state as beautiful as Washington, spending time outdoors is always a great option. With numerous state parks, mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, and more, you always have an outdoor adventure waiting for you. And if want to escape the crowds and head out into nature, read this article for some ideas. What are the best road trips through Washington? We have put together many fun and fascinating road trips that you can reference. If you enjoy chasing waterfalls, take our Ultimate Washington Waterfalls Road Trip. There is also a Creepy Ghost Town Road Trip if you like exploring abandoned places and a Lighthouse Road Trip because we all love seeing those picturesque lighthouses! What is an inexpensive destination in Washington I can visit? Point Defiance Park, a 760-acre urban park in Tacoma, is a nature lover’s paradise with all it has to offer. The park itself is free to visit but there is a zoo and aquarium you may want to explore and there is an admission fee for that, although it’s not too expensive.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
With a state as beautiful as Washington, spending time outdoors is always a great option. With numerous state parks, mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, and more, you always have an outdoor adventure waiting for you. And if want to escape the crowds and head out into nature, read this article for some ideas.
What are the best road trips through Washington?
We have put together many fun and fascinating road trips that you can reference. If you enjoy chasing waterfalls, take our Ultimate Washington Waterfalls Road Trip. There is also a Creepy Ghost Town Road Trip if you like exploring abandoned places and a Lighthouse Road Trip because we all love seeing those picturesque lighthouses!
What is an inexpensive destination in Washington I can visit?
Point Defiance Park, a 760-acre urban park in Tacoma, is a nature lover’s paradise with all it has to offer. The park itself is free to visit but there is a zoo and aquarium you may want to explore and there is an admission fee for that, although it’s not too expensive.
