Travel Ideas: Portland.
1. Pike Place Market
One of the best things to do in Seattle is walking around Pike Place Market. And it is free too. It gives you chance to buy local produce, fish,flowers, arts etc. It is a treat to watch fish being thrown around and hear musicians play in the street. There are amazing variety of restaurants in the same area.
2. Waterfall GardenYou will be surprised to find this secluded, lovely park in midst of downtown in Pioneer Square!! Majestic waterfall and surrounding seating offers tranquility for sightseers, shoppers, and locals . Park was privately built and maintained by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Waterfall Garden marks the birthplace of the United Parcel Service!! Locals love to visit Waterfall Garden during lunch time for little quiet time.
3. Kerry Park
This 1.6 acre park offers spectacular views of Seattle downtown, Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier in single panorama.
4. Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park. It is situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound. It offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.
5. Frye Museum of Art
The Frye Art Museum is dedicated to artistic inquiry, a rich visitor experience, and civic responsibility. Museum has collection of late nineteenth and early twentieth century art by Munich-based artists. Admission and parking to the Museum is free.
6. Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center offers visitors a chance to step back in time and journey to the Yukon gold fields of Canada as thousands did in 1897 and 1898. Interactive exhibits highlight Seattle's role in this international event. Touch screen computers allow visitors to experience the gold rush through the eyes of actual stampeders by referring to their journals and personal accounts. Films are also available upon request.
Entry is free. Park is open 9:00 am - 5:00 daily.
7. Free Boat Ride on Lake Union
Center for Wooden Boats located on Lake Union, offers free boat rides in classic wooden sailboats for couple of hours every Sunday. Check out their calendar of events for timings.
8. Ballard Locks
Ballard Locks - link salty Puget Sound with the fresh waters of Salmon Bay, Lake Union, Portage Bay and Lake Washington. Tourists and locals enjoy the parade of sailboats, motorboats, tugs and yachts.
There are free guided tours available every week day 1:00PM and 3:00 PM. Also on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM. Free concerts are also held during Jun through September.
9. Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park nine-acre (3.6-hectare) waterfront park. It is dotted with contemporary works of art and it is open to public for free year round.
10. Lunch time concerts at Seattle City Hall Seattle city hall provides lunch time concerts for free year round. Check their calendar for date and time.
