FREEdom in Seattle
Posted on 20 October 2009 by Natalie
- Ride FREE Area along 1st Avenue – on Metro buses 15, 21, 22, 56 & 57. Everyday from 6am until 7pm you can hop a bus for FREE.
- Pike Place Market – it’s the famous Fish Market. They are so successful that they wrote Fish!
the how to boost your work environment book (it’s a good read). I asked Don who works their if every employee is required to read the book. Don informed me that almost every employee does, because it gives depth and understanding to the market place culture they provide. Pike Place is 100% FREE entertainment. The fish flinging fishmongers will throw fish through the air. A group of us went and bought tuna, then made sushi that night. We found all our veggies for sushi at the market too. I even tried chocolate pasta. Pike Place is absolute fun!
Elliott Bay Book Company – a huge old bookstore with loads of character. Nooks and crannies, creaky wood floors and cedar shelves with both new and used books. Seattle has endless rainy days, and Elliott Bay will warm you up and keep you dry. Famous authors make regular appearances, check online before you plan your visit to Seattle.- The International District - East of 6th Ave, south of Yesler Way – stroll this cultural hub with Seattle’s Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Laotian residents. Look for a store called Uwajimaya for fascinating food items.
- Occidental Square – it’s a park like plaza with upscale shops, galleries and cafes. Just when the rush of city life has began to piss you off, you can hide in the calm solitude offered by Occidental Square. The Cedar totem poles are really neat. Watch out for the wooden dorsal fins. Don’t visit late in the evening, as this area can be dangerous, one of Seattle’s only high crime locations.
- Freeway Park – Since I grew up in Detroit, I didn’t thing that anything named ‘Freeway Park’ could be a pleasant place to visit. This is the little park that could! The thundering fountains are currently off for maintenance, but a local explained that when they are functioning it’s beautiful. The fountains and waterfalls drown out the roar of nearby traffic and the paved footpaths offer pleasant strolls. Apparently in the summer their are live concerts frequently held in Freeway Park. Everything about Freeway Park is FREE. When you can’t find a locally carved totem pole, build one with friends.
Seattle Coffee is not FREE:
Don’t misunderstand, the temptation to spend money continuously was there, literally a coffee shop on every corner. Especially, this one little coffee shop. What was the name of it…Starbucks or something?
My favorite coffee shop we stopped by was Caffe Vita, a local favorite (only 5 locations). Their Americano is smooth to perfection. Caffe Vita roasts their own beans and the people working the coffee bar demonstrated a few tricks, before pulling my shot. It was a good show, similar to the guy tossing shrimp at a Japanese steak house. Travelers Note: FREE Wifi is available at Caffe Vita.
Seattle Beer is not FREE:
Elysian Brewery was our sanctuary in the rain. They always have creative seasonal beers. Currently, you will find three different pumpkin beers on tap. The Pumpkin Stout is brewed with pumpkin and pumpkin seeds with some cinnamon added. The menu has something for everyone, including tasty vegetarian options. Taste the corn fritters, instead of the traditional basket of nachos to complement your beer. My favorite beer by Elysian is Avatar IPA. I found this jasmine beer sold in bottles, at a local store. If you love jasmine green tea, you will love this jasmine beer!
My favorite Seattle neighborhood is Capitol Hill. Not just because our good friend Bryan lives there, but because of what the area offers. Everything is in walking distance. Every type of food or beverage you are craving. The trees are aged with height and character, and the people are friendly and diverse. The only negative about Capitol Hill is walking up steep streets. This happens a lot in Seattle. You might even feel like you are in San Francisco at times.
Seattle is not a cheap city. Done right, you can explore and wander Seattle with FREEdom and find some FREE fun along your journey.
Tags | Shoestring, urban exploration
You are totally right about Seattle not being a cheap city, but it is a nice one to visit. I remember spending a bit over my budget but had a great time.
Thanks Mary for confirming my opinions. I am so glad that you enjoyed visiting Seattle, even if you did go over budget. Happy travels!