Explore Seattle Southside On Any Budget

Waterfront Views: Start your day at Quarterdeck, a welcoming, laid-back cafe next to the Des Moines Marina, and grab a coffee ($5 or less). Depending on which drink you choose, you may even be able to squeeze a pastry into this budget. Take your drink and stroll along the waterfront. Look for sea creatures, or take a self-guided public art tour to admire the many eclectic statues at and near the marina. You could also wander up the roughly two-mile-long Des Moines Creek Trail, a paved, forested path. You can turn around at any point, depending on how long you want to make the walk.

The Best Vietnamese Sandwich: When you’re ready for lunch, meander to downtown Des Moines and grab a filling, flavorful bahn mi at TeaCup ($8.25). Made with fresh baguettes, they're super satisfying and filling.

A Tranquil Public Garden: To extend the adventure, head north to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, a free, public garden open year-round from dawn until dusk.

Indian Street Food: For dinner, you'll have just enough room in your budget for some Indian street food at Urban Tapri, such as a vegetarian aloo tikki burger filled with crispy spiced potatoes ($8.99).

Total: Approx. $23*

The Highline Heritage Museum showcases our region's rich history with interactive, educational exhibits. General admission is $8, with discounts for youth.

Waterland Arcade is a nostalgic, retro gaming paradise. Play unlimited games all day for only $15 per person, with discounts for youth. Children 0-4 get in free.

Dimension XR offers a variety of 30-minute virtual reality games for $25 per person. Play VR laser tag with friends, or fight zombies, dragons, and other fantasy foes.

The MaST Center Aquarium is open to the public for free "Discovery Days" every Saturday year-round, and select Sundays in the summer.

Explore Seattle Southside's UFO Mysteries Trail is a free self-guided tour that takes you to sights related to a famous local UFO sighting. Download the app and get exploring!

A Sweet Escape: Start your adventure with a guided tour of Seattle Chocolate Factory ($15.75 for one adult ticket) and see how the famously delicious Maeve truffles and Jcoco chocolates are made. The hour-long tours are offered throughout the week. You can often find an opening at noon or 2:00 p.m. (Look online for open times and to book ahead).

The Happiest Hour: If you love a good, classic cocktail, you can't get a better value than the legendary Scratch Martini ($7.99) at Sharps RoastHouse, a local institution since 1988. If martinis aren't your thing, there are plenty of other drinks to choose from, including house red and white wine ($10) and mocktails ($12). Pair your drink with crispy Alaskan cod tacos ($14) or mac n' cheese made with Beecher's Flagship cheese ($15). (Pro tip: Download Explore Seattle Southside's Happy Hour Trail to see all the best deals in the area and win prizes when you check in to locations).

Early Evening Walk: After happy hour, take a walk at nearby Angle Lake Park, where you can admire a view of a serene, tree-lined lake. On clear days, Mt. Rainier looks majestic in the distance.

Total: Approx. $38-43

Family Fun Center offers hours of fun, with rides, arcade games, bowling, go-karts and more. Packages begin at $45.99, which includes 185 points towards arcade games and attractions. That's enough for lots of games and at least a couple of rides. (You can also share packages between multiple people).

Marina Mercantile hosts an ongoing Afternoon Tea featuring a tiered tray of homemade baked goods (rates vary but begin at $40 per person for adults). Just be sure to make a reservation in advance. Prices are a bit higher for seasonal specials, gluten-free, and vegan options.

Have an indulgent lunch at Sumi Korean Grill in Tukwila, a locally owned restaurant with an upscale yet welcoming vibe. The lunch special, which is $26 or less per person, includes three different kinds of high-quality meat that you can grill yourself right at your table. Choose from options like marinated Wagyu beef, spicy boneless short rib, and spicy pork shoulder. As if that weren't enough, you'll get salad, ban-chan (Korean small plates), rice, and soybean stew. (about $30 with a drink).

Afterward, visit the Museum of Flight and spend an hour or two admiring one of the world's largest collections of vintage aircraft (general admission is $29 per person). We suggest enhancing your experience with a free tour from one of the museum's passionate volunteers, who'll share fascinating facts and stories behind the exhibits. Tours are offered at various times, so check the tour schedule when you arrive.

End your day with a light dinner at JOEY Southcenter, where you'll be offered a complimentary glass of bubbly upon arrival. (Estimated $40 or less).

Total: Approx. $100

Sometimes, staying within a budget is not the goal. We suggest the following if you want to go all-out with a luxurious weekend.

Book a night at Cedarbook Resort, which has been named one of the best resorts in the U.S. by Travel+Leisure and other outlets. Enjoy seasonal dishes made with the freshest local ingredients at the onsite farm-to-table restaurant, Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar. You'll want to make some time to stroll through the lush grounds, complete with a pond and chef's garden. Complete your stay with a spa treatment such as a massage, facial, or mani-pedi. We'll leave off prices since they vary widely depending on your travel dates, room type, and the particular services you book. However, if you want to keep this itinerary under $500, it is possible to book a one-night stay and enjoy a meal or spa service for under $500 per person. You just have to be flexible with dates! Some nights come out to under $250 for a room.

While you could easily spend an entire weekend at the resort, there's plenty to do around the region to continue treating yourself. For instance, book a personal, 1:1 styling session at nearby Nordstrom Southcenter (it's free!), Then use the insights to take yourself on a shopping spree. Depending on when you're in town, you might even be able to catch a symphony and show off your new look.

Another sweet experience to check out: The Museum of Flight offers Premium Experiences, private, curated tours for small groups that you can customize to fit your specific interests. Prices vary, since they are tailored to your preferences, so inquire with the museum to design your tour and book in advance.