The Budget Traveler’s Guide to Seattle: Restaurants and Attractions for Less Than $10 per Person

The first person I met during my trip to Seattle warned me (unprompted) of how expensive the city is. My plane landed around midnight local time, which is 3 a.m. in my Kentucky hometown, and I was starving. The only open restaurant served pricey bar food, and as I browsed its menu and chatted with my new acquaintance, I knew I'd have to be creative for the rest of my time in the Emerald City to keep from breaking the bank. Over the next few days, I kept my eyes open for low-cost food and things to do. Here are my best finds—five attractions and restaurants for less than $10 per person in Seattle, Washington.

1. Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is 117 years old and one of the oldest public markets in the U.S. It's one of the coolest places to shop and a tourism hot spot, drawing about 10 million visitors yearly. I genuinely loved it. I spent an entire day browsing its shops, restaurants, and cafes. I loved seeing the legendary fishmongers throw fresh fish and smelling the hundreds of vibrant spring flowers for sale. I walked past the first Starbucks, which opened in the market in March 1971. From the market, I walked a few minutes to Victor Steinbrueck Park, which has incredible waterfront views. I could see Puget Sound and the snowcapped peak of Mount Rainier, all without spending a dime.

2. The Hart and the Hunter

The Hart and the Hunter is a downtown American diner in the Palihotel Seattle. While it serves a variety of mouthwatering brunch and dinner dishes, one budget-friendly and delicious breakfast option is a plate of biscuits and coffee. The order comes with three huge biscuits, homemade berry jam, and butter, and could easily feed two people for breakfast. I took them back to my hotel room and dove in. They were some of the best biscuits I've ever tasted—rich, flaky, and buttery. Its coffee was also delicious, and the friendly server reminded me that even to-go coffees came with free refills.

3. The Spheres

The Spheres at 2111 7th Avenue is an Amazon corporate office and a spectacular indoor garden. Its three sphere-like buildings are made of 2,643 panes of glass and house thousands of plants. One tree, a 49-foot-tall Ficus rubiginosa named Rubi, was sourced from California. The Spheres is open for free tours on two Saturdays each month, and visitors make reservations ahead of time online.

4. Seattle Public Library, Central Branch

The Central Branch of the Seattle Public Library on 4th Avenue Downtown is a stunning building with incredible glass walls. I loved looking around the massive library and even stumbled upon unexpected gems. On Level 8, I found the Staff Art Exhibit featuring pieces Seattle Public Library employees created. The artwork included oil paintings, digital art, and much more. The library also regularly hosts engaging Art & Culture events, including concerts, crafts, and discussions. This library is free to explore, with a fee for non-residents who want to check out books.

5. Los Agaves

Los Agaves is a budget-friendly restaurant serving Mexican food in Pike Place Market. Several of its dishes are well under $10, including the Pupusas, corn flour tortillas stuffed with either pork and cheese or beans and cheese, and the Bean and Cheese Burrito. Its tacos are $3.50 each and filled with pork, chicken, beef, or vegetables. These are great for a light lunch or quick snack on the go as you continue to explore the market and beyond.

That's my list of five budget-friendly restaurants and attractions for less than $10 a person. If you've been paying attention, you've noticed that some items listed are free! What do you think of this list? Is there anything you'd add?

There are many amazing things to do in Seattle, from the city's iconic destination, the Space Needle, to the city's hidden gems like Fran's Chocolates and the Washington Park Arboretum. There are also a number of amazing day trips from Seattle, including destinations like the San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie Falls, and Victoria, B.C.

I stayed at the Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle during my trip. I loved its historic decor, convenient location, and friendly employees. I highly recommend it and would stay there again!