August is nearly here Seattle, and that means we’ve entered late summer. If you’re trying to stay conscious of spending while enjoying the great weather, there is still plenty of fun to be had around the city. Here are 14 of the best free & cheap things to do in Seattle this August.
Free Public Tours of Washington Park Arboretum
The Arboretum is one of Seattle’s best spots for getting outdoors, especially in the summer. While you can walk it by yourself at any time, you can also enjoy free tours on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 AM-1 PM.
When: First Thursday of every month
Where: 2300 Arboretum Drive E
Cost: Free
Dancing ’til Dusk
Dancing ‘til Dusk is back for its 16th year, bringing Seattle Parks and Recreation and partners together for 14 glorious nights of outdoor dancing. The event happens across parks in Seattle and begins with a dance lesson for the first hour. No experience is needed but keep in mind the class rotates partners. If you’d prefer not to, you can bring a partner to the lesson.
When: Until Thursday, August 31st
Where: Parks around Seattle
Cost: Free/Varies
University Village 2023 Summer Concert Series
University Village’s free summer concert series is back with six different concerts for you to enjoy. There will be a mix of local and well-known artists and JOEY Kitchen will be hosting the beer garden where you can grab cold beverages, small bites, and juicy burgers.
When: Until Wednesday, August 16th
Where: 2623 NE University Village St
Cost: Free/Varies
Hike to a stunning waterfall
Now that the days are getting warmer and longer you might be looking for ways to cool off. What’s a more memorable way to do that than by hiking to and enjoying a local waterfall? Washington state has many, with several closer to the city than you might think.
Capitol Hill Art Walk
A digital map allows you to pick and choose where you stop on the Capitol Hill Art Walk. Stop by small galleries, local businesses, and more on this monthly art walk.
When: Second Thursday of every month
Where: Capitol Hill
Cost: Free
Visit one of the nation’s largest public telescopes
If you’re into stargazing then get excited because one of the nation’s largest public telescopes is right here in Washington. Goldendale Observatory is worth the trip to the Columbia River Gorge, and it just so happens to be free to visit. Just make sure you make your reservations in advance.
Where: 1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale, WA
Hours: April 1st-September 30th: Thursday-Sunday, Solar Show: 3 PM-5 PM, Evening Show: 9 PM-Midnight
Hike Hurricane Ridge
Despite this year’s lodge fire, Hurricane Ridge has reopened to hikers and those looking to explore the area. The parking lot has a daily limit of 315 vehicles, 175 of which can be supported at a time. The Hurricane Ridge Road will have limited access from 7 AM to 9 AM. That being said, you can also use the Clallam Transit Shuttle to avoid the long lines at the Heart O’ the Hills entrance.
Where: Olympic National Park
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See some wildflowers
With summer well underway, there are tons of places to catch glimpses of wildflowers. Whether you want to partake in a long and challenging hike or something on the easier side, we have options for you.
Silent Reading Party: In-Person
The beloved Silent Reading Party is back in person if you’d like to have the experience of reading amongst strangers inside the beautiful Hotel Sorrento. Keep in mind there is a $20 food and drink minimum on top of your ticket price.
When: First Wednesday of each month
Where: 900 Madison St
Cost: $8-$40
Check out Washington State Parks
You can literally check Washington State Parks out of the Seattle Public Library. Well almost, you can check out a Discover Pass which allows you to visit Washington State Parks for free. Keep in mind if you plan on camping you will still have to pay for your spot.
Watch one of the best meteor showers of the year
The Perseid meteor shower will fly overhead from July 14th until September 1st according to EarthSky. It is expected to peak sometime between August 11th-13th this year with the 13th being the most likely date. If you’re lucky you could see up to 100 meteors per hour. Keep in mind that even if you miss the peak, you may still see shooting stars.
Food Truck Fest
Food Truck Fest invites you to spice up your lunch with a mini food court of options. On the last Wednesday of each month, five local trucks will take over the park. Beyond eats, you can enjoy free live music and games for the perfect lunchtime break.
When: Until August 30th
Where: Westlake Park
Cost: Varies
Visit a museum for free
You may or may not know but Seattle actually has 5 museums that you can always visit for free. We’ve listed them out and given you some details so you can take yourself on the perfect adventure.
Fremont Sunday Market
The Fremont Market is truly a classic Seattle shopping experience and it happens year-round, rain or shine. It’s a great place to find antiques, vintage clothing, and much more. It’s definitely one of the best free things to do in Seattle each weekend.
When: Every Sunday
Where: Evanston Ave N & 34th St
Enjoy all of that beautiful sun and have fun with all of these free and cheap things to do in Seattle!
