Everyone loves a dinner date, but food in Seattle is expensive and everyone could use alternative date spots that don’t require spending money to visit or enjoy. This list focuses on date spots that are unique, fun, and can be accessed by public transportation. The list is organized by how long a date at each place would take.
First on the list is the Beaver Lodge Sanctuary, a small wildlife refuge located in Madison Park. The Sanctuary is a great place to read, take pictures, or watch the local wildlife ranging from turtles, to herons, ducks, and of course, beavers. This refuge is also a great place to set off paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes if you have access to them. For spotting beavers, the best time to go is around dusk, as they are crepuscular animals. Contrary to popular belief, beavers do not hibernate during the winter, however they do spend more time in their lodges and might be harder to spot.
To get to the Beaver Lodge from Garfield, take the 48 going north to John St. Next, take the 11 from John and 23rd down Madison to the last stop on McGilvra and 42nd. From there walk west all the way down McGilvra street until you reach the metal gate of the Broadmoor golf course and finally take a right down the gravel road to the sanctuary. If you are driving, there are two parking spots down this gravel road that are usually free and there is also parking on McGilvra.
Located in Ballard, the Hiram M. Chitten Locks are a complex of locks that connect Salmon Bay to the Puget Sound. The main attraction of the locks is the salmon ladder where visitors can watch salmon as they travel to fresh water. The peak of salmon migration generally ends around September, however in the later months there is still a chance to see the stragglers. Aside from salmon, you can also spot seals, beavers, and seagulls are all common around the locks. The Ballard locks are surrounded by a small park and a botanical garden.
The quickest way to get to the locks from Garfield is to take the 3 or 4 bus downtown to James St & 4th, and from there turn left onto 3rd St and catch the 17 going north. Stay on the 17 through downtown until you cross the Ballard bridge and get off at 54th & Market St. From there, it is a short walk down 54th St reaching the Locks on the left. For those driving, parking can be found on both the north and south sides of the locks.
Bainbridge Island is a great place for a weekend day trip that can be accessed for free with public transport. Right off the ferry from Seattle, Bainbridge has many great parks around the area. You can take the Sound to Olympic Trail hike for a short walk up to Sakai Park, or for a longer hike, take the 95 bus to Battle Point Park and follow the trail around the park. Bainbridge is also a great place to bike. For those up for a challenge or who want to test the cardiovascular strength of their date, bike the Chilly Hilly route, 33 miles of a scenic bike path around the island, or for a less intense route, bike to the Restoration Point on the southern tip of Bainbridge via Blakely Ave.
