Highest-rated free things to do in Washington, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Washington, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Washington.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Washington using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (714 reviews)
- Address: 440 5th Ave. North Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Waterfront Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (585 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (939 reviews)
- Address: 14111 Northeast 145th St. Woodinville, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Quinault Rain Forest
- Rating: 4.5/5 (331 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Bruce Lee Grave Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (525 reviews)
- Address: 1554 15th Ave. East Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Gas Works Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (995 reviews)
- Address: 2101 North Northlake Way Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Lime Kiln Point State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (803 reviews)
- Address: 1567 Westside Road Friday Harbor, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Fremont Troll
- Rating: 4/5 (1,519 reviews)
- Address: North 36th St. Troll Ave. North Freemont District Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Discovery Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (879 reviews)
- Address: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Green Lake Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,123 reviews)
- Address: 7201 East Green Lake Drive North Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Seattle Waterfront
- Rating: 4/5 (1,727 reviews)
- Address: Alaskan Way Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Bellevue Botanical Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (716 reviews)
- Address: 12001 Main St. Bellevue, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. University of Washington
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,234 reviews)
- Address: 1410 Northeast Campus Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Kubota Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (519 reviews)
- Address: 9817 55th Ave. South Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Marymere Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (732 reviews)
- Address: Lake Crescent Road Olympic National Forest Port Angeles, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Washington Park Arboretum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (723 reviews)
- Address: 2300 Arboretum Drive East Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Alki Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,086 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Riverfront Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,095 reviews)
- Address: 507 North Howard St. Spokane, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Whatcom Falls Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (960 reviews)
- Address: 1401 Electric Ave. Bellingham, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Point Defiance Park
- Rating: 5/5 (1,260 reviews)
- Address: 5400 North Pearl St. Tacoma, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,091 reviews)
- Address: 319 2nd Ave. South Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Rialto Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (732 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Lake Crescent
- Rating: 4.5/5 (811 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Seattle Public Library
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,233 reviews)
- Address: 1000 4th Ave. Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Manito Park
- Rating: 5/5 (1,490 reviews)
- Address: 1702 S. Grand Blvd. Spokane, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,258 reviews)
- Address: 3015 Northwest 54th St. Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Snoqualmie Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,100 reviews)
- Address: 6501 Railroad Ave. Southeast Snoqualmie, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Ruby Beach
- Rating: 5/5 (1,295 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Kerry Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,510 reviews)
- Address: 211 West Highland Drive Queen Ann Hill Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Pike Place Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21,953 reviews)
- Address: 85 Pike St. Seattle, Washington
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
