Take advantage of free entrance days in National Parks and Washington State Parks throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these fee-free days. Plan an outing with family or friends at the nearest park. It's also a great time to discover a new favorite park around Washington State. Short History of Our National … [Read more...] about 2025 free park entrance days in Washington State
Fitness & Recreation
New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dips and First Day Hikes
Welcome the New Year with healthy, active outdoor fun. Polar Bear Dips are for those willing to brave icy Northwest winter water, including Lake Washington and Puget Sound. If you prefer to stay dry, then check out our list below of the many First Day Hikes at Washington State Parks around the region. Polar Bear Dip … [Read more...] about New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dips and First Day Hikes
40+ Walking labyrinths in Washington State
Although a labyrinth is like a maze in appearance, unlike a maze it has only one path (unicursal) and no dead ends. There’s no getting lost in a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a single, methodical path leading to a center point. You begin a labyrinth walk at the only entrance (and exit) and proceed along the path. At the … [Read more...] about 40+ Walking labyrinths in Washington State
7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow
Here is a list of winter sports you can enjoy in Washington State, including popular sports such as skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. Our list starts with indoor ice sports, followed by outdoor snow sports. In addition, we list several other fun activities that appeal to a wide variety of recreational … [Read more...] about 7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow
How to get discount tickets to Wild Waves in Federal Way
Wild Waves Water Park & Theme Park in Federal Way is over 70 acres and the largest water park in the Northwest. Located 25 miles south of Seattle off I-5, Wild Waves is two parks for the price of one. The theme park has over 60 rides and attractions, including thrill rides, family rides, and kiddie rides. The … [Read more...] about How to get discount tickets to Wild Waves in Federal Way
Free water safety guides & Washington boating laws
If you plan to get out on any of the many waterways in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region, be sure you are prepared. Whether you will be in a motorboat, sailboat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, or enjoying lakes and rivers as a swimmer or water skier, be sure to get familiar with Washington Boating Laws and water … [Read more...] about Free water safety guides & Washington boating laws
Car-free Bicycle Weekends in southeast Seattle
Seattle Parks and Recreation has announced the schedule for 2023’s set of open street events on Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker and Seward Park. Now dubbed “Bicycle Weekends,” Bicycle Sundays have been a feature on the park-owned arterial street dating back to the late 1960s, with the two-lane street shut … [Read more...] about Car-free Bicycle Weekends in southeast Seattle
Free summer bowling for kids (and their adults)
Bowling centers, schools, and other community organizations have worked together to provide affordable bowling to kids and families. It's a great summer activity designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and to provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. About … [Read more...] about Free summer bowling for kids (and their adults)
Canoe & kayak rentals at UW Seattle
The UW Waterfront Activities Center (WAC) at the University of Washington in Seattle is located directly behind Husky Stadium. From spring through fall, they rent kayaks and canoes to paddle around the Union Bay Natural Area and Montlake Cut to admire the wildlife: bald eagles, osprey (also known as seahawks), and … [Read more...] about Canoe & kayak rentals at UW Seattle
Seattle snow day sledding tips
Snow parks in the Cascade Mountains are a great choice during winter. But on the rare occasion the Seattle area gets enough flurries for a snow day, local kids take to any of the hundreds of parks and green spaces around the region for some sledding fun. Tips for sledding safely These are some good rules to ensure … [Read more...] about Seattle snow day sledding tips
10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Fitness exercise is a popular reality in Seattle. The city consistently ranks as one of the healthiest places in the country, as reported by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index. The ACSM report finds that we like fitness and exercise, evidenced by our overall health, walkable city, … [Read more...] about 10 frugal ways to stay fit in Seattle
Getaway: Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend (58 mi. NW via ferry)
The first Wooden Boat Festival (WBF) in North America in 1978 at Port Townsend eventually joined with Northwest Maritime Center in 2005 to continue to engage and educate people in traditional maritime culture and to inspire people to adventure on the sea--the most powerful teacher you may ever know! Today, the Port … [Read more...] about Getaway: Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend (58 mi. NW via ferry)
Free swim lessons (ages 6-16) at Seattle beaches
Seattle Parks and Recreation offers safe, lifeguarded beaches at nine beaches around the city: Green Lake, Madison Park, Madrona, Magnuson Park, Matthews Beach, Mount Baker Park Beach, Pritchard Island Beach, and Seward Park Beach. It is strongly recommended that you swim only where and when lifeguards are … [Read more...] about Free swim lessons (ages 6-16) at Seattle beaches
Summer camps & school break camps
There is a lot of variety in summer camps schedules and activities in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region. There are day camps, weekly camps, half-day camps, full day camps, and overnight camps. There are indoor and outdoor camps, and camps that explore skills, learning, and fun through art, nature, math, science, sports, … [Read more...] about Summer camps & school break camps
Washington State ski areas & ski ticket discounts
Washington Ski Season typically runs November-March. We usually update ski lift ticket discounts beginning in April when the current season ends, and operators announce their prices for the next season. There are 13 Washington State ski areas, 10 in the West and Central parts of the state and 3 in the East: Nine … [Read more...] about Washington State ski areas & ski ticket discounts
5 best things to do at Discovery Park in Seattle
At 534 acres, Discovery Park is the largest park in Seattle. Located in the Magnolia neighborhood, the park sits on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. It is an easy getaway spot in the city with something for everyone. Here you’ll find forests, meadows, sea cliffs, tidal beaches, freshwater streams, and sand dunes, plus … [Read more...] about 5 best things to do at Discovery Park in Seattle
Kids can Try Hockey Free in the Puget Sound region
USA Hockey provides the foundation for the sport of ice hockey in America, helping young people become leaders—even Olympic heroes—while promoting a lifelong love of the sport. USA Hockey’s primary emphasis is on the support and development of grassroots hockey programs that provide opportunities for players of all … [Read more...] about Kids can Try Hockey Free in the Puget Sound region
30 great park trails for kids in the Puget Sound region
Here's a list of parks throughout the Puget Sound region that feature easy nature walks that are great places to take your kids. These park trails make for pleasant day trips, weekend outings, or as part of a long summer vacation. These kid-friendly trails are especially nice destinations for families or anyone … [Read more...] about 30 great park trails for kids in the Puget Sound region
Free trail maps for running or walking
Listed below are free regional and Seattle trail maps for running and walking, whether you want ideas for a regular fitness program to enjoy all year long, or just a casual family outing or romantic stroll in a nearby park. The information includes a variety of downloadable and printable maps, online … [Read more...] about Free trail maps for running or walking
Free Skateboard Parks in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond
Listed below are Seattle skateboard parks, roughly in order from north to south throughout the city. After the Seattle list, you will find a list of skateboard parks in surrounding cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Seattle skateboard parks Seattle, Dahl (Waldo J.) Playfield, 7700 25th Ave. NE … [Read more...] about Free Skateboard Parks in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond
Free and cheap meditation resources
Meditation is a great way to relax and reduce stress or “unplug” from the pace and responsibilities of everyday life. The benefits of a regular meditation practice can include many positive changes such as increased focus, creativity, patience, happiness, and overall life balance. Meditation is a tradition dating … [Read more...] about Free and cheap meditation resources
10 mental health self-care tips for every day
We all need to handle stress in our daily lives. The trick is to take care of our mental health before the day-to-day pressures build up and cause “burnout” or worse. Symptoms of burnout include a loss of motivation—finding it difficult to complete tasks. You may feel overwhelmed, tired, or simply incapable of … [Read more...] about 10 mental health self-care tips for every day
Late night bowling around Puget Sound
Bowling is an easy, fun recreational activity the entire family can enjoy. Many bowling centers offer late night discount bowling, which is a great alternative to common nighttime entertainment such as movies or strolling the nearest shopping mall. In the list below, we've cherry-picked the late night bowling … [Read more...] about Late night bowling around Puget Sound
Best value gym and CrossFit
For gym memberships, CrossFit classes, and other fitness programs, we offer a list of facilities with modest fees, based on the average gym and fitness class prices in the Seattle metro area. In the lists below, we include only regular prices and initiation fees. However, many fitness retailers offer discounts at … [Read more...] about Best value gym and CrossFit
Free guided hikes with the Issaquah Alps Trails Club
Issaquah Alps Trail Club (IATC) mission is to be a voice for protection of the open spaces, trails, and quality of life and to act as custodian of the trails and the lush, open, tree-covered mountaintops known as the Issaquah Alps. About Issaquah Trail Club The Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) has always been more … [Read more...] about Free guided hikes with the Issaquah Alps Trails Club
