Countless unique features like the original Starbucks and Dale Chihuly’s stunning glass masterpieces make Seattle a classic stop in the Pacific Northwest, not to mention that it is the setting of beloved rom-coms like Sleepless in Seattle and shows like Frasier. But if you’ve visited Seattle, you probably know that it can be anything but cheap - especially if you plan on visiting the highlights of the city. I was recently visiting with some friends and, being the frugal college students that we are, we found that many places we’d planned on visiting were entirely out of our budget. We had an incredible time just the same by managing to explore some of the cheaper spots in Seattle. If you’re looking for Seattle adventures for $10 or less, here are my top picks:
1. Splash around the International Fountain
Price: Free
Aside from the fact that it was a rare sunny day in Seattle, we had a great time monkeying around this gorgeous fountain. This fountain is huge and surrounding it are other Seattle hotspots. The best part? It’s 100% free.
2. Daily Dozen Doughnut Company
Price: $0.50
That’s right - 50 cents for a sweet treat to make your day. I bought half a dozen for my friends and walking through Pike Place instantly became a better experience.
3. Walk around the Artists at Play Playground
Price: Free
To be fair, walking around this absolutely huge playground wasn’t enough for my friends and I. The funky, geometric jungle gym, topsy turvy slides, and carousel were too much to resist. Even if you’re just interested in strolling around Seattle, there are some uniquely crafted seating areas on this playground which is conveniently situated near the glass museum and some incredible glass sculptures.
4. Put gum on the Gum Wall
Price: $1
Although it might seem crazy when you first hear of the concept, the Gum Wall, which is covered in hundreds of thousands of gum globs is definitely one of my favorite places to visit in Seattle. People write messages, leave business cards, and for the most part, love contributing to this unsanitary community masterpiece.
5. Enjoy an Out to Lunch Concert
Throughout the summer, free, live music is provided in multiple locations throughout downtown Seattle. Free and live? Can you really say no?
6. Take a ride on the Seattle Center Monorail
$4.50 is cheap, especially considering that this allows you to enjoy some of the gorgeous city landscapes from a whole new perspective.
7. Visit the Seattle Central Library
Price: Free
Am I crazy to suggest that, of all places, you should visit… a library? Definitely not. As you can probably see, this is no ordinary library.
8. Buy pastries at Piroshky Piroshky
Delectable Russian pastries ranging from sweet to savory flavors, this tiny bakery near Pike Place is one of my all-time favorite treats.
9. Explore Uwajimaya
Price: Varied
Seattle’s International District is home to this enormous Asian supermarket. And when I say supermarket, I mean SUPERmarket. If you want any Asian groceries, baked goods, or snacks, this is your place.
10. Tour Theo Chocolate
Price: $10
A tour of this chocolate factory for 10 bucks is a bargain - especially considering that you get tons of samples along the way.
