What are some free & unusual things to do while visiting Seattle?

Question

Will be visiting Seattle in early August. Don't want to do typical tourist stuff. I thank you kindly for responding to my question.

Answer 1

Go down to the waterfront and visit the Pike Street Market, Ivars, and Ye Olde Curiosity Shop - prolly lot more there now. Take a ferry ride up through the San Juan Islands, even make it a bike trip and camp on some of the islands. Beachcomb and explore the tide pools. Drive up to La Conner (up a bit north) - neat little artsy town. Drive up into the mountains a ways, like toward Snoqualmie, visit Snoqualmie Falls (beautiful up there). Go hike in the Cascades. Visit the Arborateum - one of the best collections of gardens I've ever seen, right along Lake Washington. Visit the locks. Check out the boat houses along Lake Union. Visit the Wooden Boat school/institute - they teach boat building there. Museum of History and INdustry. Tour UW campus. Lot's more, these are just some. HAVE FUN!

Answer 2

While it could be a little touristy, Kerry park has the best views of Seattle. It is on the corner of W. Highland St. and 2nd Ave. W. in Queen Anne. This is where many of the post cards are taken from.

While not free, if it is sunny one of the best ways to spend some time in Seattle is canoeing on Lake Washington. For $7.50 an hour you can rent a canoe from the University of Washington's Waterfront Activity Center: http://depts.washington.edu/ima/IMA_wac.php. The area right around there is great for a canoe. Most of the general public doesn't realize you don't have to be student to rent, so it is usually students renting. Be careful of the Sun though, if you are out there for a while, bring sunscreen.

Answer 3

You specified FREE so in keeping with your question, let me first agree with Sig. Especially the smith tower near the waterfront. It is of the old skool, with the old bar style close the gate, push a big black button once u are inside. The nostalgia of the building is awesome as is the history. Also go near 7th-11th james and seneca, find the tallest buildings, go to the top floor. Bring your Cameras and truly enjoy the view.

There are many stairs and places where you can sit down. My favorite is near Harborview. Sit down on the north side of the sidewalk, and enjoy the free entertainment... smiles, sid should like this one. lol

There is always Freeway park. ohhhhh yeaaaa and while u are at harborview, go south to the backside. Around the corner of Alder. Up the hill to where parking is. THE VIEW IS AWESOME. And there is a pigeon homing area. Also if u go to the edge of the area... to the left is the helicopter landing pad, and directly down below, drug city.

These would definately qualify as free and not of the typical tourist stuff.

Answer 4

While you might consider it tourist-y (it's the most-visited site in Seattle or so I've heard) I'd recommend seeing the Chittenden Locks in Ballard. It's free, it's an impressive feat of engineering, it's surrounded by a lovely botanical garden and even for a local, watching the boats go through is a pleasant way to pass a couple of sunny hours.

Answer 5

Ride all the elevators in the skyscrapers downtown that don't charge.