Our big list of free & cheap tours (guided, self-guided, virtual)

We found a cache of free tours (and a few cheap ones at $15 or less) that visitors and residents alike will enjoy. Each tour is unique to Seattle, something you won’t find anywhere else. We think that makes them priceless. But, we’ll take free!

The free tours included guided tours, self-guided tours, walking tours, and virtual tours on a variety of interesting topics at sites around the greater Seattle-Tacoma metro area. Most of these cheap and free tours are offered year-round. The last section features seasonal tours offered only at certain times of the year.

Free Seattle tours

In-person guided Seattle Free Walking Tours include the flagship “Seattle 101” and “Market Experience” tours, as well as other premium partner tours loved by both residents and visitors alike. These tours aim to educate you about Seattle’s diverse history and culture, where we came from, and who we are now. Yes, the tours are free. Of course donations are gratefully accepted. Seattle Free Walking Tours sustains itself through your generous gratuities. More info: Seattle Free Walking Tours (walk-seattle.com)

Self-guided HistoryLink Seattle Waterfront Tour. The Seattle Waterfront is a place where people have been gathering for centuries. Long ago, canoes could easily land anywhere along the beach. But when sailing ships and steamships arrived and piers were erected, railroad tracks were laid to transport the cargo on land. Then came a seawall and Alaskan Way for autos—this vehicular route and the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct shaped the waterfront for over five decades. With the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and realignment of Alaskan Way underway, the waterfront is again transforming, this time incorporating recreation and care of the environment. You can explore the waterfront first-hand with HistoryLink’s 16-stop Walking Tour of Seattle’s Central Waterfront. Download the app for a self-guided tour. More info: HistoryLink Tours — Seattle’s Central Waterfront

Self-Guided GPS Walking Tours to Explore Seattle. Expert-designed walking tours at your own pace using the smartphone app “GPSmyCity”. Each walk comes with a detailed tour map as well as photos and background information for the featured attractions. The app’s navigation functions guide you from one attraction to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad. More info: 10 Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seattle, Washington + Maps (gpsmycity.com)

(Not free) Seattle Stadium Tours

Check our list of stadium tours of CenturyLink Field, T-Mobile Park, Husky Stadium

Free King County & Washington State tours

King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) isn’t the sexiest tour on this list. But it is fascinating stuff. And let’s face it, you take in (and…uh…release) lots of water everyday. The King County WTD provides free educational programs focusing on the importance of clean water, the history of sanitation, and how to steward our waterways and prevent pollution. Throughout the year, they host a variety of public tours, family programs, classes & workshops, other events, and resources. You can earn about their work, water treatment plants and other facilities, and the importance of clean water in our community. All-in-all it’s fun and interesting stuff. You can find upcoming tours and events on our calendar, or visit them directly to find out about upcoming events: https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/wastewater/education/events.aspx 

Self-guided HistoryLink Washington State walking tours. Written by HistoryLink’s network of experts in local history, these easy-to-use self-guided walking tours — with audio and translation — explore popular Seattle neighborhoods and surrounding cities with a nod to the past. Meticulously researched and richly illustrated, each walking tour is easily reached via public transit. More info: HistoryLink Tours — Self-Guided Historical Walking Tours of Washington State

Free tours about technology

Amazon offers several ways to see its headquarters in downtown Seattle.

• Amazon Headquarter tour lasts about 90 minutes and takes visitors through a few buildings on Amazon’s Seattle urban campus, including Doppler, Day 1, and The Spheres. Free, but requires advance registration.
• Spheres are an extensive collection of biodiversity that explores the value of conservation in an urban environment. More than 40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries range from tiny epiphytes that cling to a 50-foot living wall to Rubi, a 49-year-old ficus tree. Free Spheres tours are offered two Saturdays per month and require  advance reservation.
• Understory is a free, self-guided, museum-style exhibit where guests can learn about Amazon and The Spheres. Please be aware that the Understory exhibit is separate from the indoor gardens of The Spheres.
• Free Audio Tour Listen gives customers a sense of Amazon’s history, a taste of the peculiar culture and customer obsession, a guide around the unique urban campus, and explains the company’s connection to the surrounding community. Available on Audible.com.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation near Seattle Center works to tackle critical problems in four program areas: Development (addresses hunger and poverty), Health (advances in science to save lives), high school and postsecondary education in Washington State, and Policy & Advocacy to promote policies that help advance the work of the Foundation. Public Drop-In free tours are offered Tuesdays through Saturday from 2-3pm. Advance registration is not required. After your tour, be sure to visit the interactive gallery to see new ideas, suggestions, and inventions from other visitors. For more information, visit the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation website.

Bullitt Center, World’s Greenest Building. The Bullitt Center demonstrates that it is possible to exist comfortably and productively in a modern environment, while making the least possible demand on resources. The goal of the Bullitt Center is to drive change in the marketplace faster and further by showing what’s possible today. Using only off-the-shelf products that any building project could choose, the design team and public sector partners achieved net zero energy, net zero water, and net zero carbon, using composting toilets and toxic-free materials, plus a grand stairway and 90-percent-plus day lighting in a six-story infill office building in a dense, urban neighborhood. Tours include the building’s mechanical and electrical rooms, the gray water and rainwater treatment systems, non-flush toilets and the “irresistible” stairway. Public tour tickets are $5 and advance reservations are required. For available tour dates, and to make a reservation, visit the Bullitt Tour page.

Geocaching HQ Visitor Center. Geocaching HQ is where the tools for global geocaching adventures are created and maintained. Before your visit, you might want to check out the Fremont nieghborhood, by completing the Geocaching HQ GeoTour. Print out your GeoTour passport at home, then stamp the spaces as you find each geocache. These nine geocaches will lead you to some of the best geocaches in the neighborhood as well as great shops, restaurants, and sights. The entire walking GeoTour takes 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. Once completed, bring your passport to the visitor center to get a gold stamp of completion, plus take time to snap a photo in the photo booth, and buy souvenirs in the gift shop, and peruse the geocache museum. Free, drop-in self-guided tours are usually available weekdays, except holidays. Check their website for hours and closure information. To get started, schedule your visit.

KEXP is a nonprofit arts organization serving music lovers through in-person, broadcast and online programming. KEXP operates one of the most influential listener-supported radio stations in the world, 90.3 KEXP-FM Seattle, with online and on-air service reaching over 200,000 global listeners each week.  On KEXP’s YouTube channel , videos of exclusive live performances garner millions of views per week. At their home at Seattle Center, KEXP hosts community events and produces hundreds of live performances each year, many of which are open to the public at no charge. 45-minutes tours are offered daily at 2:00 pm (excluding most holidays), and during summer (June-August) additionally at 10:00 am. Reservations are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome, but subject to availability. For more information, visit the KEXP website or make a KEXP Tour Reservation.

Microsoft Visitor Center (MVC), located about 15 miles northeast of Seattle in Redmond offers self-guided, interactive free tours during regular business hours. At the MVC, you will experience some of the latest technology products, explore hands-on exhibits, and learn about the people whose ideas and creativity make Microsoft a world leader in computer and software technology. Most people get through in 30 to 60 minutes, but you can take as much time as you like. No registration is required. However, be sure to check the schedule on the Microsoft Visitor Center website or call the MVC before you head over; they may be closed if a private event is scheduled.

Museum of Flight Restoration Center and Reserve Collection, located 25 miles north of Seattle at Paine Field in Everett is a 23,000 square-foot facility where acquired aircraft are restored. A group of dedicated volunteers puts in thousands of man hours each year, working to restore each aircraft to exhibition quality in the most historically accurate way possible. On the Restoration Tour, you can get a look at all the labor that goes into aircraft restoration and get a chance to talk to volunteers on site. The Restoration Tour is available Wednesday-Sunday during business hours (9AM–4PM). Tickets: Adults (18 +) $5, Youths (5-17) $3, Children (4 and under) FREE. MOF Members also get in FREE.

Free tours about food

Check our list of free and cheap cooking classes and food tours throughout the region, including coffee, chocolate, cheese, and self-guided walking tours.

Unique free tours

Outdoor clothing and gear manufacturer. For more than 100 years, Filson of Seattle has manufactured outdoor clothes and accessories using the best raw materials and construction techniques for garments, bags, and outdoor gear that make them last for generations. During your tour, you may even get a peek at some new items the product team has in development upstairs. Filson factory free tours are offered twice a week at their store located in the SODO district, located south of the sports stadiums on First Avenue South. Visit the Filson tour page to sign up for a tour.

Outdoor sculpture and park tour at SAM’s Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle’s premier waterfront park, features world-class sculpture against the spectacular backdrop of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Guided free tours require no registration (just show up). During a tour, you will explore Olympic Park’s dynamic spaces, learn about the park design, discover the monumental works of art, and more. Tours are typically offered spring through fall, on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoon. Check the tour calendar on the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) website before you head out. Olympic Sculpture Park is always free and open 365 days a year. The Park opens 30 minutes prior to sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset.

Chinatown free online tour. Explore Seattle’s Chinatown in “16 Square Blocks“, online multimedia documentary by Andrew Hida that celebrates the stories and people of the 16 block area known as the Seattle Chinatown International District. Through photos and documentary shorts images, it is a contemporary presentation of this neighborhood’s people and their histories. Andrew Hida is an award-winning filmmaker and video producer who believes in the power of non-fiction visual storytelling to create powerful, compelling and beautiful stories about the human experience.

Historic tours

Historic Seattle walking tour. The Trail to Treasure Map is a free self-guided Walking Tour of Seattle’s Pioneer Square Historic District immediately south of the central downtown business district. Explore the rich history of the city’s oldest neighborhood. The map identifies 16 special places and events that helped shape the history and development of Pioneer Square, the city of Seattle, and the greater Puget Sound region. You can choose to pick up the trail at any of the 16 stops. Pick up a map in the visitor center at Klondike Gold Rush Park, 319 2nd Ave South, Seattle, or at participating locations throughout the district. In addition, free ranger-led Seattle Historic District Walking Tours are offered during summer (Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend). Tours generally last 45-60 minutes. Be prepared to walk on uneven terrain throughout the historic district, and expect weather ranging from warm and sunny to wet and cool. While the program is free, space is limited to 20 individuals on a first come basis. All tours begin the Visitor Center. See the tour web page for schedule or more details.

Seattle’s Central District Tour. Also called the Central Area, or CD, this area has been a hub for Black business and culture since the 1960s. The neighborhood spans four square miles, bound to the north by East Madison Street, to the West by 12th Avenue, to the south by South Jackson Street, and to the east by Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Home to the oldest residential area in the city, many single-family homes in the Central District were built prior to 1900. William Grose, a successful Black business owner, purchased a 12-acre ranch bordering the north end of the Central District in 1882. As more Black families arrived in Seattle in the late 1880s and early 1890s, Grose helped many of them secure homes by selling them lots from his parcel. The ethnic and racial makeup of the Central District has always been in flux. A predominantly Jewish and Italian neighborhood prior to World War I gave way to Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans by the 1930s. World War II brought significant numbers of Black Americans to the Pacific Northwest, both to serve in the military and to work in war-related industries. The practice of “redlining” that developed after WWII forced Black Americans to make their homes in the Central District, alongside Asian Americans and Latinx Americans. The resulting community developed a wealth of arts and cultural organizations, businesses, and services. The Central District is home to the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Mount Zion Baptist Church, and several historic Black homes. For decades, the 23rd Avenue corridor stretching from East Madison Street south to South Jackson Street served as the main business and civic hub for Black Seattleites. While the city’s development and population growth have disproportionately impacted residents and business in the Central District, 23rd Avenue persists as a center of community pride, art, spirit, and joy. This self-guided walking tour from HistoryLink begins at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and E Union Street. Tour info: HistoryLink Tours — Central District. 

Stimson-Green Mansion tour. The Washington Trust offers regular public tours of the Stimson-Green Mansion on Seattle’s First Hill. Tours provide insights into the architectural character and interior design features of one of Seattle’s most impressive examples of turn-of the-20th century residential architecture as well as a lively look at the life and times of the Stimson and Green families and their First Hill neighborhood. Public tours are typically (but not always) offered the second Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $10. Pre-registration is required through Brown Paper Tickets.

Historic theater tours. Seattle Theatre Group operates three Seattle Historic Landmarks: The Paramount, The Moore, and The Neptune Theatres. Performances include Broadway productions, concerts, stage plays, lectures, education, community, and film programs. You can take free guided tours of each historic theater, led by a well-versed volunteer staff, for a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes at each of these storied venues. For more information, visit STG theater free tours.

Pioneer presentation in Poulsbo. “Poulsbo Pioneer” in the historic Martinson Cabin is the setting for a hands-on lesson exploring life in Washington State at the turn of the 20th century, with artifacts dating from the 1880s to 1930. Participants will view the inside of the cabin, listen to stories of early Poulsbo, and take part in discovering the uses for a variety of early Poulsbo artifacts. Available weekdays by appointment, scheduled at least one week in advance. Each session will last approximately 60-90 minutes.  Tickets: $10 per person for up to 10 participants.

Seattle architecture tours are offered at locations throughout the city by The Seattle Architecture Foundation (SAF). Architectural tours can introduce you to the profound influence of the built environment in neighborhoods throughout Seattle, including architectural styles and Seattle history. To enjoy these tours, you should be capable of walking and standing for at least two hours. SAF tours are not recommended for children under 12, except tours specifically designed for younger children. Tours may not be ADA compliant. Tours are offered on Fridays and Saturdays, excluding holidays. During Summer, tours may also be offered on Thursdays. Tickets are $25 on the day of the tour (unless sold out). Discount: $18 advance purchase. For upcoming architecture tour dates or to purchase advance tickets, visit the SAF tour ticket calendar: http://seattlearchitecture.strangertickets.com/calendar.

Garden tours

For garden tours, check our list of arboretums and gardens for free self-guided tours in any season.

Seasonal free tours

The following free tours of attractions in and around Seattle are of limited duration, offered only during certain times of the year due to their seasonal nature.

King County election ballot counting, is one of the more inspired and unique free tours where you get to see democracy in action at the King County Election office in Renton. No appointment is needed for the FREE public viewing loop. The viewing loop is open during business hours with extended hours on Election Days. The Elections office recommends visiting during an election, which usually take place in February, April, August, and November. For a list of current elections, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/elections. For direction to the Elections Office, visit http://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/about-us/contact-us/directions. Here are the planned election dates and deadlines in Washington State:

Virtual: King County Elections ballot counting tours

King County Elections has suspended in-person tours due to the continued COVID-19 crisis to keep both staff and voters safe and healthy. Meanwhile, you can use virtual options to watch our election process at work:

• https://youtu.be/oR8ZRqCmnec
• https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/about-us/security-and-accountability/watch-us-in-action.aspx. Active only when election ballots are being counted; look up Current election dates – King County

Hiram M. Chittenden (aka “Ballard”) Locks are situated in the Ballard neighborhood along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which bisects the city of Seattle. Ballard Locks is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The ship canal connects (salt water) Puget Sound to (fresh water) Lake Washington. The locks accommodate the approximately 20-foot difference in water level between the sound and the lake. The Locks are the Nation’s busiest, with over 40,000 vessels per year. Open to ship traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the locks provide a transportation route for thousands of commercial vessels and pleasure craft. Guided Free Tours (March-November): No registration is required. The walking tour lasts about an hour. Tour times: Summer (May – September) Seven days a week at 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm, plus 11:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. Winter (March-April and October-November: Thursday – Monday 2:00 pm. No free tours January, February, and December. Self-guided free tours: stop at the visitor center to pick up a brochure. Visitor center hours: summer (May-September) open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; winter (October-April) closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, open Thurs-Mon: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free fish ladder viewing: A special feature of this park is the fish ladder viewing gallery, where you can watch salmon migrate mid-June through September. The fish ladder and grounds around the Locks, the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens, are open everyday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., including all holidays.

Skagit Valley tulip fields April 1-30 and is one of the destination events for the Pacific Northwest. Hundreds of thousands of people from every state across the United States and from around the world have visited the area to see millions of tulips burst into bloom. The Skagit Tulip festival is designed as a free self-guided driving tour. Hundreds of acres of blooming flowers are scattered across farms throughout the valley. The festival is not just about tulips; there are also daffodils, irises, and hyacinths. Check the Bloom Map to see what is blooming during your visit, as well as the tulip festival events list to see what else is happening on the days you plan to visit There are many other activities to enjoy in the area, such as art galleries and museums, breweries and wineries, farms and nurseries, plenty of food options, and much more.

Getaway: Pump-Generating Plant at Grand Coulee Dam (230 miles northeast of Seattle). This free guided tour of the of the John W. Keys III Pump-Generating Plant at Grand Coulee Dam in Eastern Washington is available only on a first-come, first-served basis. The 50-minute guided tour begins with a bus ride to the Pump-Generating Plant. Highlights of the tour include a look at the large pumps used for transporting water from Lake Roosevelt to the Columbia Basin Project, concluding with a ride across the top of the dam. Accessible tours are available with advanced notice by calling (509) 633-9265. All tour participants are required to pass through a metal detector prior to beginning the tour. Weapons, purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, and packages are not permitted on the tour. Cameras, but not camera cases, are allowed on the tour. Onsite storage for personal belongings is not available. Be sure to lock your car. Tour times are subject to change without notice. Please call the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center at (509) 633-9265 for the latest information. Tours operate several times a day from April – October, visit the tour website for more information: https://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/visit/tour.html. You might also like: https://www.greaterseattleonthecheap.com/grand-coulee-dam-recreation-area/.

Getaway: Solar Energy. The Wild Horse Wind/Solar Facility (130 miles east of Seattle) takes advantage of the wind and sun in Kittitas County, which are a tremendous natural resource for producing clean, renewable energy. Set high on a ridge, Puget Sound Energy’s Renewable Energy Center offers a first-hand look at how these elements are turned into electricity. Overlookingg the facility’s 149 wind turbines, you also enjoy 360-degree views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Basin. Weather permitting, free guided 45-60 minute walking tour depart daily, April 1 through November 15 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. No reservation is needed for these tours. Dress for the weather. Wind speeds average 17 mph, and it is typically 10 degrees colder on the ridge. Closed-toed shoes are REQUIRED. The tour covers a 1/2 mile on gravel trails. Those with mobility issues can arrange vehicle access with site staff. All participants must sign a liability form. Minors must have the liability form signed by a parent or guardian to participate in the tour. Tours can be cancelled or modified at any time due to inclement weather, high winds, or any unsafe conditions.

Artist studio tours. Throughout the year, artists in the Puget Sound region open their studios to the public, presenting the opportunity to meet artists in their creative spaces, see many diverse styles, and a wide variety of mediums. Art Studio Tours are free and artwork is also available for purchase.

• Camano Island Studio Tour (located about 60 miles north of Seattle, west of I-5) is typically offered Mother’s Day weekend and the weekend following Mother’s Day.
• Edmonds Art Studio Tour takes place in the fall.
• Seattle Art Studio Tour in northeast Seattle takes place in spring. 
• Seattle “Sampling” Art Studio Tour in West Seattle and Ballard takes place every December.
• Vashon Island Art Studio Tour spans two weekends twice each year in May and in December.

Northwest Glass Pumpkins September-October. The traveling glass pumpkin patches “sprout” in several locations throughout the region, for several weeks in the fall. Each glass pumpkin patch features over 1,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins, crafted by local glass artisans. You can wander through a dazzling array of one-of-a kind glass pumpkins in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. The glass pumpkins are for sale and certainly make unique gifts. In these gardens, viewing happens rain or shine and admission is FREE. For information on the current locations, visit Northwest Glass Pumpkins.

But wait, there’s more!

• Find walking labyrinths in Washington State
• Explore Puget Sound lighthouses you can visit for free
• Check out these free attractions around the Puget Sound region
• Find free and cheap things to do every day on the Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar.
• Visit the Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page and choose from a menu of free and cheap activities in the Puget Sound region.

Our calendar of free and cheap things to do

Listed below are all free and affordable events on our calendar for the next 30 days.