Washington state is one of the great places in the United States for enjoying the outdoors. Also, the state has a lot to offer for you culturally. There are many free attractions, free activities including free museums that can be visited without charges.
So, if you’re looking for free things to do in Washington state, these are the best places to visit mentioned below.
1. Olympic Sculpture Park
Address: 2901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Phone: (206) 654-3100
Hours: Open 365 days a year, opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.
Olympic Sculpture Park is a public park located in downtown Seattle, Washington State, United States. Admission to this beautiful 9-acre park is free to the public.
This award-winning sculpture park is a great destination for families and individuals interested in modern and contemporary sculpture and for those who are tight on budget.
The Olympic Sculpture Park was opened in 2007, and it is created and operated by the Seattle Art Museum. The highlights of this famous Washington State attraction include an outdoor sculpture museum, an indoor pavilion and a lavish beach on Puget Sound.
2. Pike Place Market
Address: Neighborhood in Seattle, Washington.
Hours: Open 363 days a year, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Must plan your visit to this delightful place to get the taste of original farmers market in Seattle. Exploring the Market is indeed some of the best free things to do in Washington State as the place allows you to enjoy some unique local discovery without touching your wallet.
Moreover, the Market is not only one of the best places to visit in Washington State, but it is the world’s top 33rd most visited tourist attraction, receiving more than 10 million visitors annually.
Locating in Seattle, this public market was opened on August 17, in 1907, and it is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States.
Multiple programs and events are conducted throughout the year, craft demonstrations are some of the most engaging events for diversified age groups. Considered as “the soul of Seattle”, the market spans nine historic acres in the center of downtown.
No matter which season of the year you plan to visit this free attraction, you’ll find the place bustling with locals and tourists alike. It is the place where people go with their loved ones to eat, meet, shop, tour, play and make great memories for the lifetime!
The Pike Place Market is open 365 days a year.
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3. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Address: 319 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 220-4240
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm; closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Also located in Seattle, a visit to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is another one of the free things to do in Washington State. The historical park is popular with interpreting the history of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98.
So, this is the place to get involved with adventurous activities with your family and friends. Also, the attraction allows to explore the area’s public land and to engage with the local community.
The rich heritage of the area drags thousands of visitors to explore the park’s four famous units. These units include— a six-block historic business district, the Chilkoot Trail, the White Pass Trail and a Visitor Center at 319 Second Ave S (Pioneer Square), Seattle.
Furthermore, a number of programs and events are conducted from May to September. Also, permanent and seasonal exhibits are there to attract more visitors. Among all these fun and engaging activities, many free activities are also offered at the Visitor Center.
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4. Kerry Park
Address: 211 W Highland Dr, Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: (206) 684-4075
Hours: Open everyday from 6 am to 10 pm.
Experience Kerry Park, the 1.26-acre small public park, popular specially on clear evenings for providing the great skyline view of Seattle. Often crowded with people, the urban park is a fun and unique place for fine photo opportunity.
If you want free things to do in Washington State, spend your day or an afternoon in this outdoor park exploring the most iconic views of the city skyline. The park was created in 1927 and it’s operated by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Moreover, at the center of the park there is Changing Form, the 15-foot-high steel sculpture that was installed in 1971. In addition, multiple skyline facing benches are installed in the park for enjoying the majestic views for a longer time.
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5. Frye Art Museum
Address: 704 Terry Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 622-9250
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 11 am to 5 pm, closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Among all the free things to do in Washington State, a visit to Frye Art Museum is a must. It’s a modern and contemporary art museum that was established in 1952 in Seattle, Washington.
The name of this famous attraction has been after Charles and Emma Frye, in fact, the museum houses the collection of Fryes’ through temporary and rotating exhibits on a daily basis.
Among art lovers, the museum is a great destination, and the library of the museum is having more than 2,000 books which are based on 19th and 20th century American and German Art. Moreover, there are many prominent prints, paintings and sculptures, including permanent exhibitions and programs that are conducted for the public.
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6. Ballard Locks
Address: 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 780-2500
Hours: Open everyday from 7 am to 9 pm.
Another one of the popular free attractions in Washington State includes Ballard Locks. Constructed from 1911 to 1917 and finally opened on July 4, 1917, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, or commonly known as Ballard Locks, is locating on Salmon Bay, Seattle, Washington.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ballard Locks are nice hangout spot among people who love the outdoors. The special attraction includes the fish ladder viewing room where visitors can encounter Salmon Fish through the large glass window.
The best time to spot these fish species is July through August. Though the locks are Seattle’s some of the most popular tourist attractions, specially, during summer months.
In addition, Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden is nestling here. The botanical garden is another beautiful destination for visitors who are tight on budget.
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7. Spokane Falls
Address: The downtown Spokane, Washington.
Hours: Open 24 hours and for 365 days a year.
Spokane Falls, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the state, is located in the business district in the downtown of Spokane, Washington State. With the elevation of 1771 ft, the waterfall consists of the upper falls and the lower falls, both are locating in the downtown area.
The best time to praise the waterfall is in May when the waterflow is at its peak. The surroundings are peaceful, scenic and provide contentment to every heart! There are two pedestrian suspension bridges that are enough to take you on a trip beyond the earth!
Enjoyed by tourists and locals alike, Spokane Falls beckons you to visit it. There are multiple viewing points for the waterfall, and seeing the attraction in the downtown is one of the best things to do here.
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8. Gas Works Park
Address: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 684-4075
Hours: Open everyday from 6 am to 10 pm.
Built in 1975, the 20.5-acre Gas Works Park is a public park located in Seattle, Washington, United States. The perfect place for picnic amid industrial ruins, the place offers nice backdrop to spark the imagination.
Nearby the park, there is Lake Union making the environment more fascinating! Also, there is the popular Burke-Gilman Trail that passes right through the park, it’s an ideal spot where you’ll encounter people enjoying the outdoors, jogging and bike riding.
So, exploring this polished industrial backdrop in any weekend with your crew is indeed one of the best free things to do in Washington State. Few other free activities include flying kites, gaining knowledge about the coal-gas industry and catching the perfect Seattle skyline from Gas Works Park.
Moreover, there are two remaining towers of the coal-gas factory still visitors can see here.
9. The Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma
Address: Bridge of Glass, Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: (866) 468-7386
Hours: Open 24 hours and for everyday.
The best part about The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is it’s accessible and free to the public for 24 hours and for everyday. For best experiences, nighttime is the perfect time to visit the bridge when the attraction gets lighted up, and it’s visible at many points around the downtown.
Located in Tacoma, Washington, United States, the construction of this 500-foot pedestrian bridge was started in 1994, and finally it was open to the public in 2002 as a gift to the city.
The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is decorated with artworks by Dale Chihuly. So, get ready to be astonished at every point of the bridge. On the south end, there is a 15-meter-long covered portion where 2,364 pieces of colorful marine-life inspired glasses are beautifully placed.
At the middle of the bridge, the 40-foot-tall two crystal towers are other attractions to stop and get inspired from these unique artworks.
10. The Grand Coulee Dam
Address: Spokane, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours and 365 days a year.
A day trip to the Grand Coulee Dam, on the Columbia River in Washington State, is truly one of the best free things to do in Washington State because of its beautiful landscape. The dam is a major crowd puller, and the nearby lake is best known for offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and canoeing.
Must have a visit to the Visitor Center, there are historical photos, geological samples, turbine and dam models for the visitors to enjoy. Moreover, there is a theater, a tour of the Third Power Plant that are available to the public. The tour lasts for an hour.
11. The State Capitol Building in Olympia
Address: 416 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: (360) 902-8880
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm.
A tour of the Washington State Capitol Campus is truly a fun way to learn more about the place. With all free tours, programs and activities, an enthralling visit to the State Capitol Building is one of the best free things to do in Washington State.
Complete with a deep and rich history, the attraction provides daily activities for the visitors. Complete with some of the most picturesque treats of diverse age groups, hare you can explore 143-acre grounds, five parks, three gardens and 18 monuments and artworks.
