In the last week of October, as rainy weekends start to increase, you might be wondering where to go with your kids and friends. I always start by checking the calendar at this time of year.

In Seattle, there's something called Free First Thursday every month. On this day, several museums do not charge admission.

There are only two remaining dates this fall: Thursday, November 5, and Thursday, December 3.

So, how should you plan your visits? Let's break it down one by one.

First, there's the Seattle Art Museum downtown, abbreviated as SAM. On the first Thursday, it's free for everyone, and it's open from 10 AM to 8 PM.

Typically, it extends its hours from 5 PM to 8 PM, so you can easily visit after work. Tickets can be obtained on-site or online.

The Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park is also free on the same day. However, it's open from 10 AM to 5 PM, so if you go in the evening, it will be closed. This can be a bit confusing.

The Burke Museum on the UW campus is also free on the first Thursday and is open from 10 AM to 8 PM. They strongly recommend reserving a free timed ticket in advance.

On-site tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. They also mention that the early afternoon is the busiest time, while late afternoon or evening tends to be relatively quiet.

Parking can be tight, so they recommend public transportation. If you must drive, the N1 lot next to the museum is the closest option.

MOHAI in South Lake Union is free on the first Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM. If you go during the day, you'll need to pay, so make sure to time your visit accordingly.

The Museum of Flight also has evening hours. It's free on the first Thursday from 5 PM to 9 PM, and no reservation is needed.

However, if you enter before 5 PM, you'll have to pay the regular admission fee. If you have a child who loves airplanes, there's no better day for value than this one. You have a generous four hours to explore at a leisurely pace.

The National Nordic Museum in Ballard also offers free general admission on the first Thursday. You can reserve free tickets online, and walk-ins are accepted.

However, special exhibitions still charge $5 per person on this day. The operating hours can vary by date, so it's essential to check their website before you go.

The Wing Luke Museum in the Chinatown International District requires a bit of caution. This year, the announced free evening on the first Thursday was from May to October.

So, it's best to confirm whether it's still free in November and December. I can't say for sure since I haven't verified this myself.

Also, keep in mind that if a holiday falls on the same day, the dates may shift. For example, this January, New Year's Day was the first Thursday, so the Museum of Flight moved to January 15, and the Nordic Museum moved to January 8.

The most common mistake is overlooking the different free hours at each museum. Separating those that are free all day from those that are only free in the evening makes planning much easier.

Now, let's talk about the actual itinerary. If you have time during the day, it's best to visit Burke in the late afternoon and then head to SAM in the evening.

If you can only go after work, choose just one. It's better to pick one of the three free options after 5 PM (SAM, MOHAI, Museum of Flight) and enjoy it at a relaxed pace.

Many people try to squeeze in all three and end up wasting time on parking and travel. If it's free but exhausting, what's the point?

For those who can't make it on the first Thursday, there are still options. The Frye Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery, and Olympic Sculpture Park are all free at any time.

There's also the Seattle Public Library Museum Pass. You can reserve free admission tickets for participating museums using your library card, which is great for weekends.

If you have a King County Library (KCLS) card, there's a separate KCLS Museum Pass, so be sure to check both.

I personally think these programs are fantastic. They're not funded by increased taxes; instead, museums and sponsors lower the barriers for access.

However, users must also practice good manners. If you reserve and don't show up, you're taking a spot from another family, so if you can't make it, please cancel.

To summarize: mark November 5 and December 3 on your calendar, reserve for Burke in advance, and visit the evening museums after 5 PM.

If it were me, I'd split my visits between Burke and SAM in November, and the Museum of Flight in December. Be sure to check each museum's website for the day's hours before you head out.