Listed below are arboretums and botanical gardens* in cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Most gardens specialize in one or more aspects of Pacific Northwest native plants. A few offer non-native varieties and some have exotic specimens from far flung corners of the globe. These public gardens are regularly … [Read more...] about Public gardens and tours in the Puget Sound region
Hobbies & Interests
Visit Puget Sound at low tide for guided beach walk
Visit Seattle beaches during low tide in summer and learn about Puget Sound's marine plants and animals with the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalists. Reservations are not needed. Beach Naturalists are volunteer citizens who care about local beaches and want to help protect them. More than 100 people have volunteered … [Read more...] about Visit Puget Sound at low tide for guided beach walk
Free movie vouchers when you volunteer at SIFF
SIFF is Seattle's leading year-round film organization that brings the best in international and independent film to the Seattle area. In addition to producing the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), held in May-June every year, the organization also operates the year-round SIFF Cinema at the Uptown Theater … [Read more...] about Free movie vouchers when you volunteer at SIFF
Independent bookstores are key to Seattle’s literary scene
Independent bookstores in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region are staffed by passionate, well-read booksellers. These neighborhood fixtures are the ultimate storytelling backdrop. They are places where you can quietly immerse yourself among the bookshelves, join a lively book discussion group, listen to an author reading, … [Read more...] about Independent bookstores are key to Seattle’s literary scene
Free author readings in Seattle bookstores and libraries
As reported by the Huffington Post on May 15, 2012, Seattle and Bellevue rank among the top 20 most well-read cities in the country, according to an annual list compiled by Amazon, based on book and literature sales on their website. So, if you decide to attend a reading, you'll have plenty of company! What is an … [Read more...] about Free author readings in Seattle bookstores and libraries
Seattle Reads annual city-wide reading event
Seattle Reads is also called a “one book, one city” program. During the program, people throughout the region are encouraged to read and discuss the same book. The program is designed to deepen engagement in literature through reading and discussion of the work. Everyone is invited to participate in … [Read more...] about Seattle Reads annual city-wide reading event
Free stargazing events around the Sound
Stargazing is simply observing the night sky. It's an enjoyable hobby enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts and amateur astronomers. Stargazing is an activity that can be done any time of the year, alone, with friends, or at a group "star party". Regardless of your experience level, a star party is a great time … [Read more...] about Free stargazing events around the Sound
Wine tasting in Seattle and the Puget Sound region
One reason to go to a wine tasting is to try several wines at one time, allowing you to compare the characteristics of the different wines, and figure out which ones you prefer. There are no right or wrong answers. It’s like any other food or beverage preference. Some people prefer chicken over beef, broccoli over … [Read more...] about Wine tasting in Seattle and the Puget Sound region
Dance lessons and social dancing around the Sound
The following free and cheap dance classes and social dances are offered at dance studios and ballrooms around the Puget Sound region. They feature classes and dances in a variety of styles including contra, country, line, salsa, soul, swing, and several others. A few dance classes are free and others are $15 or less … [Read more...] about Dance lessons and social dancing around the Sound
Free online encyclopedia of Washington state
HistoryLink.org is the first and largest free, online encyclopedia of community history created expressly for the Internet. It written by Washingtonians, about Washington State. The content increases almost daily. New features fill gaps and enlarge upon selected subjects. Existing articles are often expanded or … [Read more...] about Free online encyclopedia of Washington state
Free trade magazine subscriptions
TradePub.com offers free business and technology trade magazine subscriptions and technical document downloads. TradePub.com became the first online subscription services provider for business-to-business (B2B) magazine publishers in 1994. Today, TradePub.com goes beyond magazines, providing a sophisticated … [Read more...] about Free trade magazine subscriptions
Free and cheap e-books + free e-reader software
Digital media is any file that can be used on a computer or other digital device and includes electronic or e-books, audiobooks, magazines, music such as mp3 files, and movies. An audiobook is a spoken version of the book to be listened to on an audio device. An e-book is a digital version of a printed book that can be … [Read more...] about Free and cheap e-books + free e-reader software
Glass Blowing Studios and Glass Art Galleries
Only Murano island, near Venice, Italy has more glassblowing studios than found in Seattle. Read more about the history of glass and development of the art in Seattle: While the history of glass is, as the saying goes "old as dirt", glass blowing, manufactured glass, and glass art is much more recent. Naturally … [Read more...] about Glass Blowing Studios and Glass Art Galleries
Planetarium shows in the Puget Sound region
The following planetariums and observatories in the Puget Sound region and around Washington State have regularly scheduled public astronomy shows that have free or cheap admission of $15 or less. Planetariums feature digital videos displayed on a dome-shaped screen with breathtaking images of the universe or … [Read more...] about Planetarium shows in the Puget Sound region
Free tickets for Seattle Opera volunteers
Seattle Opera is a cultural icon in the Emerald City that speaks to all residents and visitors in the Puget Sound region by offering opera’s unique fusion of music and drama that speak deeply to people’s hearts and minds. The company presents the classics of the European repertoire as well as new works of American … [Read more...] about Free tickets for Seattle Opera volunteers
