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15 Free Views Every Seattleite Should Know About

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Photo: Tom Wright

Anyone can pay to go to the top of the Space Needle to get a view of Seattle or Puget Sound, but any Seattleite worth their weight in coffee beans needs to know the special places that they can visit any given moment for free in order to get the requisite inspiration that's so easy to find here. Below, you'll find a map with fifteen "free views." Maybe you know some of them but it's the rare Seattle view-seeker who knows all of them. Know an amazing, cost-free view we didn't include? Let us know in the comments. H/T to Elizabeth Tudor for compiling.

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Green Stairs in Carl English Botanical Gardens

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Wander around the Dawn Redwoods--trees dinosaurs once stood beside--and you'll eventually find the green stairs. Appreciate the view of Salmon Bay, and the Hiram M Chittenden Locks among 570 species, and 1500 varieties of plants from around the world.

The Bench in alley behind Flying Apron Bakery

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Who put this bench here? Who cares? Take a quiet moment to yourself, watch Fremont pass you by and keep an eye on the sliver of alley directly across for a glimpse to 35th Street.

Top of Volunteer Park Water Tower

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If you don't mind climbing about 100 steps, your efforts will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the city through caged windows. If it starts raining, stay awhile and read about the history of the park

Ward St. Hill at 5th Ave North

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You don't need a permit or money to park up here and own the view of downtown and infinity.

Benches across from Parsons Gardens

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After your tryst with your paramour in Parsons Gardens, rest across the street, and let the view of Puget Sound help you forget your sins.

Howell Park

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Between Madrona and Madison Parks, a hidden shore conceals nude sunbathers and Peeping Toms. Everyone knows you're not just here for the view of Lake Washington.

The End of SW Brace Point Drive

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Go to the very end of what looks like a private drive, and arrive at a small stretch of public beach. Remember you're sandwiched between private beaches, so don't let your excitement of watching ferries pass by get you arrested.

Hitt's Hill Park

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Named after the man who loved watching things explode, and founded one of the largest fireworks companies on the West Coast, this hilltop park boasts views of Lake Washington, downtown, and Rainier Valley.

NW 60th St. Viewpoint

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Watch the boats that you can't afford rush past on their way to Puget Sound. Remember to wave or flash!

Fremont Peak Park

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Follow the twisty silver ribbon on the ground to a panoramic view of Fremont and Lake Washington Ship Canal. Take pictures with the mysterious cement balls.

Wandering Rocks at Olympic Sculpture Park

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Sneak between the trees and find the black rocks aliens left behind millions of years ago. Stroll through Olympic Sculpture Park, and take in the view of Puget Sound.

Cormorant Cove

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Picnic with the Cormorants, and study the thoughtfully landscaped beach foliage. Launch your kayak or canoe into Puget Sound, and never return.

Northlake Park

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The sign says there's a park here, but it's hard to figure out where to go. Once you find it, it's totally okay to stand and stare at the boats in Lake Union under the I-5 overpass for a few hours.

Mt Baker Ridge Viewpoint

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Views of downtown, Beacon Hill, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains will make you forget you're on a suspended metal platform far above the treetops. Say a Druidic chant as you watch the sun go down through a sunset stone.

Aurora Avenue Pedestrian Overpass

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Just off the Fremont side, you'll find a sweet spot that gives you an equal view of Queen Anne Hill, Lake Union, the Seattle Skyline and the very top of the Space Needle. It's a little bit of everything in one shot.

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Green Stairs in Carl English Botanical Gardens

Wander around the Dawn Redwoods--trees dinosaurs once stood beside--and you'll eventually find the green stairs. Appreciate the view of Salmon Bay, and the Hiram M Chittenden Locks among 570 species, and 1500 varieties of plants from around the world.

The Bench in alley behind Flying Apron Bakery

Who put this bench here? Who cares? Take a quiet moment to yourself, watch Fremont pass you by and keep an eye on the sliver of alley directly across for a glimpse to 35th Street.

Top of Volunteer Park Water Tower

If you don't mind climbing about 100 steps, your efforts will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the city through caged windows. If it starts raining, stay awhile and read about the history of the park

Ward St. Hill at 5th Ave North

You don't need a permit or money to park up here and own the view of downtown and infinity.

Benches across from Parsons Gardens

After your tryst with your paramour in Parsons Gardens, rest across the street, and let the view of Puget Sound help you forget your sins.

Howell Park

Between Madrona and Madison Parks, a hidden shore conceals nude sunbathers and Peeping Toms. Everyone knows you're not just here for the view of Lake Washington.

The End of SW Brace Point Drive

Go to the very end of what looks like a private drive, and arrive at a small stretch of public beach. Remember you're sandwiched between private beaches, so don't let your excitement of watching ferries pass by get you arrested.

Hitt's Hill Park

Named after the man who loved watching things explode, and founded one of the largest fireworks companies on the West Coast, this hilltop park boasts views of Lake Washington, downtown, and Rainier Valley.

NW 60th St. Viewpoint

Watch the boats that you can't afford rush past on their way to Puget Sound. Remember to wave or flash!

Fremont Peak Park

Follow the twisty silver ribbon on the ground to a panoramic view of Fremont and Lake Washington Ship Canal. Take pictures with the mysterious cement balls.

Wandering Rocks at Olympic Sculpture Park

Sneak between the trees and find the black rocks aliens left behind millions of years ago. Stroll through Olympic Sculpture Park, and take in the view of Puget Sound.

Cormorant Cove

Picnic with the Cormorants, and study the thoughtfully landscaped beach foliage. Launch your kayak or canoe into Puget Sound, and never return.

Northlake Park

The sign says there's a park here, but it's hard to figure out where to go. Once you find it, it's totally okay to stand and stare at the boats in Lake Union under the I-5 overpass for a few hours.

Mt Baker Ridge Viewpoint

Views of downtown, Beacon Hill, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains will make you forget you're on a suspended metal platform far above the treetops. Say a Druidic chant as you watch the sun go down through a sunset stone.

Aurora Avenue Pedestrian Overpass

Just off the Fremont side, you'll find a sweet spot that gives you an equal view of Queen Anne Hill, Lake Union, the Seattle Skyline and the very top of the Space Needle. It's a little bit of everything in one shot.