They say the best things in life are free, and while that may not necessarily be the case for everything, everyone can agree that this saying is true regarding free fun! In today’s economy of rising prices, everyone really could use some free fun now and again as budgets get tighter for extracurricular activities and unnecessary expenses. Every penny counts, and thankfully, residents of Snohomish County can keep those pennies in the bank with the area’s plethora of fun, free activities to enjoy!
Art is for Everyone at the Schack Art Center
2921 Hoyt Avenue, Everett
425.259.5050
Since opening its doors in 2011, the Schack Art Center has offered public admission-free exhibitions, classes, workshops, robust arts education, and outreach programs. Featuring over 200 local artists, the art center has quickly become a beloved destination for artists, art enthusiasts, and the general public alike.
Schack Art Center has cemented itself as a driving force in the local arts as it continues fostering creativity, education, and appreciation for the visual arts in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. It’s the perfect place to spend the day immersed in an extravaganza of colors and artistic inspiration, plus it’s home to the only public glassblowing hot shop north of Seattle.
Save Pennies Exploring the Beaches of Edmonds
Let’s face it — any day spent on the beach is typically a fun-filled, mostly free day, assuming you pack a picnic so as not to spend money on lunch and just so happen to find free parking somewhere. What truly makes for the best of the best seaside days in the community is that there are many beaches and activities to choose from.
Marina Beach Park, Meadowdale Beach Park, and Olympic Beach are just a few of Edmond’s beautiful beaches for a relaxing day of no spending. There’s also always the Port of Edmonds to explore and plenty of local waterfront shops to peruse.
It Doesn’t Cost a Dime to Venture Through the Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens
145 Alverson Blvd., Everett
425.257.8597
There’s no shortage of beautiful parks in Snohomish offering free play and adventure, but the Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens is truly a sight to behold. Guests are invited to explore the garden’s three and a half acres anytime, every day from dawn until dusk for free.
Maintained by a small army of volunteers and garden curators with help from Everett Parks and Community Services, its 11 themed gardens include the Urban Tree Walk, Rock Garden, Northwest Native Plant Trail, Japanese Maple Grove, Nativar Garden, Backyard Garden, Horizontal Rock Garden, Viewing Mound, Woodland Garden & Fernery, and Conifer Gardens.
During your travels along the various paths, you’ll find the arboretum’s sculpture collection dotting the landscape in a truly unique way, further enhancing the beauty and serenity of this free experience of nature.
Enjoy a Snohomish County Art Walk at No Cost
Art is everywhere throughout Snohomish County. From beautiful backdrop murals to breathtaking sculptures, plenty of pieces decorate the region in dazzling displays of colors and mediums.
As they’re out in the open, they’re naturally free to view, which can make for quite a fun scavenger hunt for those who decide to spend the day venturing out in search of them all to see. It’s a fun, free activity that’s bound to get those creative juices flowing and expand your knowledge as you learn about each unique piece.
Get Funky for Free at Funko HQ
2802 Wetmore Avenue, Everett
425.783.3616
Experience the excitement and wonder of all things Funko at their 17,000-square-foot flagship store in Everett. The family-friendly hub that simultaneously serves as the company headquarters, Funko HQ, is a special place where fans can gather, connect, and experience something truly magical.
Designated areas of the store are thermally decorated and dedicated to various icons, legends, and fandoms, with large Funko characters capturing the essence of some of the biggest names in the cinematic universe. From Star Wars to Disney, Marvel to DC, Harry Potter to Deadpool, and many more can all be found here in larger-than-life Funko fashion! Admission to the store is free, but the large selection of standard Funko size figures for sale may tempt you to open your wallet at this fun, free activity.
Only Suggested Donations are Requested at the Edmonds Historical Museum
118 5th Avenue N, Edmonds
425.774.0900
As a local nonprofit dedicated to sharing the history of our beloved community, admission into the Edmonds Historical Museum is technically free. However, there is a suggested donation amount at a very low and more than reasonable price of $5 for adults and $2 for students.
Established in 1973 by a group of dedicated volunteers, they have been collecting, preserving, and displaying the historic origins of Edmonds and surrounding areas, amassing over 26,000 objects, documents, and photographs representing the history and heritage of the city and the greater south Snohomish County area. What’s more, the museum is even housed in one of the city’s historic buildings, the 1910 Carnegie Library building at 118 5th Avenue North, meaning you’ll be literally walking through history.
One Card That’s Not Credit or Debit Unlocks a World of Possibilities at the Snohomish Library
311 Maple Avenue, Snohomish
360.568.2898
There’s one magical card that exists in the world that can seemingly get you anything your heart desires, in terms of the written word, that is. We’re talking about a library card! A library card at the Snohomish Library or any other Sno-Isle Libraries grants residents a vast array of library resources.
Besides checking out books that will take you on grand adventures, patrons can also do such things as Book a Librarian, who can help with subjects like creating an email account, computer basics, and downloading eBooks and digital audiobooks. The library also hosts several free events, such as story times, meet and greets, parties, a Repair Café, and online workshops on various topics.
In addition, Snohomish is home to a variety of farmers markets during the summer that are also full of free fun. During the winter, the region glistens with holiday light displays that are typically at no cost.
Are there any free fun activities you enjoy in Snohomish County that we missed? Send us your answers to submit@snohomishtalk.com, and they just might be included in our next free-fun article! And, of course, all articles at SnohomishTalk.com are free to the public, so don’t forget to like and subscribe for more free, fun info about the community!
