Seattle's pleasant climate and natural beauty make it an easy city to enjoy without spending a lot of money. Most of the parks and gardens are free or ask for a small donation. Most of the museums offer days with discounted rates. The parks and beaches provide activities that are free or wallet-friendly. Peruse a used bookstore or an art gallery in Pioneer Square or visit the neighborhoods around the University of Washington campus which are energetic with their mixture of shops and eateries.
Sports and Recreation
Seattle has an abundance of public parks, several hundred in fact, so there should be at least one to suit you. Play some tennis in one of the public courts, bike, run or skate along the Burke Gilman Trail. Watch the Mariners play baseball at Safeco Field. Tickets for the third level seating are still under $10 as of 2010. Every seat at Safeco is a good seat, just watch your wallet when tempted by the chocolate-covered strawberry kabobs and IchiRoll sushi.
Art and Culture
The Frye Art Museum is always free and most of the other museums offer free days, usually the first Thursday of the month. There is the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight, the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Experience Music Project, among others. The main Seattle library has enough books to get lost in and entertain the kids. There are also plenty of used bookstores to find inexpensive treasures.
Beaches and Parks
Alki and Golden Gardens are two public beaches. Kids may love exploring the tide pools on one end of Alki Beach in search of tiny crabs and even sea cucumbers. Take a picnic to the Arboretum, a botanical garden cared for by the University of Washington. Hidden inside the Arboretum is the Japanese Garden in all its tranquil glory. Rent a canoe or kayak from the U.W. Recreation Sports Center and row around the lake and around the Arboretum. The cost of rental in 2010 was under $10 per hour. Don't forget to explore Gas Works Park which is particularly fun for kids. Fly a kite on the hills above Lake Union and enjoy the perfect view of the city skyline.
Ballard Locks and Jumping Fish
Besides the beaches, parks and libraries, kids tend to get a kick out of watching the boats go through the the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, commonly referred to as the Ballard Locks. The locks separate the salt water of Puget Sound from the freshwater of Lake Washington and Lake Union. Watching the water rise and lower to allow the boats passage is fascinating. The fish ladder at the locks is also quite the sight and kids love watching the mature salmon jump up the ladder to the freshwater while the young fish swim down into the saltwater and out towards the ocean. There are also gardens and beautiful spots to picnic at the locks. The sights are free and parking fee was $2 as of 2010.
Obvious Seattle
Pike's Place Market is Seattle's oldest public market. It is free to walk through and offers some outstanding views of Puget Sound. Instead of paying the not-so-cheap fee per person to ride to the top of the Space Needle, enjoy the view from below and if it's a hot day, kids will enjoy playing and cooling off in the fountain at Seattle Center next to the Space Needle. Seattle Center is also a fun place to spend New Year's Eve with the grand display of fireworks over the Space Needle. If you must see the view from up top, try the observation deck at Smith Tower in Pioneer Square. With a fee of still under $10 in 2010, it is the cheaper way to see a panoramic view of Seattle.
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