Everyone needs a change of scenery and to get out of his or her office or house once in awhile, but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to go offline. At the same time, who wants to pay for Internet service that isn't in your own residence? Local establishments that offer free Wi-Fi are usually the answer, but sometimes they have stipulations attached, like time limits or required purchases. The places listed below are ready to let you hang out and use their wireless network - though you may need a cup of coffee to get the password.

Last month, Starbucks, in response to the many customer requests it has received, announced that it would start offering unlimited, free Wi-Fi at all company-operated stores in the country. To see the countless locations in our area, visit www.starbucks.com/store-locator.

Cutters Point Coffee offers free Wi-Fi at all of its South Sound locations, but typically a password is required and can be obtained from a barista following your purchase. Check out the stores in Tacoma (1936 Pacific Ave. and Sixth and Orchard) or Lacey (5750 Ruddell Road, 1340 Marvin Road NE and 5831 Lacey Blvd. SE, Suite A). They also have two locations in Gig Harbor (5500 Olympic Dr. and 5006 Point Fosdick Dr.).

Forza Coffee is a locally founded chain that offers free, unlimited Wi-Fi access at its stores, though a password is required at some of them. Stop into the Lakewood (8813 Edgewater Dr. or 10240 Bridgeport Way SW), Puyallup (210 West Pioneer St. or 9909 168th St. E), DuPont (1520 Wilmington Dr.) locations or any of the Tacoma sites (2209 N. Pearl St., 4040 Orchard St. W. or 1201 S. Union Ave.) to hop online.

Panera Bread Company offers free Wi-Fi, but does have a time constraint of either 30 or 60 minutes during their peak hours which are listed as 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but may include more times depending on the day. Try the Lakewood (5606 Lakewood Towne Center Dr.), Gig Harbor (4751 Point Fosdick Dr.) or Lacey (1320 Marvin Rd. NE) locations and be sure to follow the unofficial rule of taking a small table if it is just you and your laptop.

Tully's Coffee Shops, which are scattered throughout Tacoma, also have free Wi-Fi. Check out any of the T-town spots (1427 Pacific Ave., 24 Tacoma Ave. N. and 2312 N. 30th St.).

Some independently owned coffee shops and eateries also provide free Internet service to their customers, like Mud Bay Coffee Co. in Olympia (1600 Cooper Pt Rd. SW), Lakewood's Cascade Bagel & Deli (6115 Motor Ave.), Blue Bottle Espresso in Yelm (309 Yelm Ave.) or Tacoma's Commencement Bay Coffee (2354 Jefferson Ave.).

If being surrounded by books is what you prefer, try the Borders stores in the area. While the following ones offer free Wi-Fi and don't require a password, finding a good seat, or any seat, may be tough. Try Tacoma (2508 S. 38th St.), Puyallup (3829 S. Meridian), Gig Harbor (4601 Point Fosdick Dr. NW) or Olympia (2415 4th Ave. West).

Likewise, their competitor, Barnes & Noble, also offers complimentary Wi-Fi at its local stores in Lakewood (5711 Main St. SW) and Olympia (1530 Black Lake Blvd SW).

If you are on base, the Grandstaff Library (Bldg. 2109, Pendleton Ave.) and the Crittenberger Library (Bldg. 3271, 2nd Division Dr.) on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Main offer free Wi-Fi, as does the McChord Library (851 Lincoln Blvd.) on JBLM McChord Field. Also try either Battle Bean location inside the AFC Arena (Bldg. 2275, Liggett Ave.) or inside the Stone Education Center (Bldg. 6242, Colorado Ave.).