Free things to do in 10 great cities
Vacation expenses often add up much quicker than travelers imagine, thanks to airfares, baggage fees, the cost of gas, hotel rooms and eating out. But being on a restricted budget doesn't mean you can't enjoy what a city has to offer. Many highly appealing destinations have enticing no-cost entertainment options. Here are some of our favorite cities for free activities.
Las Vegas: Exciting shows, exotic animals and neon lights
You may not think of a city known for catering to high rollers as a budget-friendly destination. But there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas that don't cost a dime.
In the city where everything glitters or glows, it may not come as a surprise that no-cost entertainment comes in the form of spectacles. Visit some of Vegas's luxury hotels to catch free, unforgettable entertainment like Volcano at the Mirage. Erupting nightly every hour between 7 and 11 p.m., this pyrotechnic display offers a lot of bang for no bucks. You'll experience explosion after explosion timed to an accompanying soundtrack.
All that firepower can be balanced by a visit to another popular hotel attraction, Fountains of Bellagio. Water, light and music combine to thrill onlookers as choreographed Bellagio fountains dance in perfect timing to inspiring music. The dynamics of the display change often, so you can visit repeatedly.
For a different side of Vegas, head to The Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo where you can admire the Flamingo hotel's pink namesake mascot, as well as koi, ducks, turtles and swans. Take in more aquatic action at the free Silverton's Mermaid Show. At various times Thursdays through Sundays, live "mermaids" drop into a 117,000- gallon aquarium for a swim with stingrays, sharks and thousands of gorgeous, tropical fish.
Music lovers will appreciate the many free concerts and performances at First Friday Las Vegas, held downtown. Of course, a stroll down the neon-lit Strip is one of the greatest shows on earth. Grab a reminder with a souvenir photo taken in front of the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
Chicago: Pier-strolling, giant art and wildlife
Chicago is a bustling city steeped in culture and full of interesting and fun attractions, many of which are free. It's easy to hit the city streets and not spend a single penny (on entertainment, anyway). Strolling the Navy Pier costs nothing, but even more free attractions are located onsite. Performances are held at both indoor and outdoor venues at the pier, and fireworks light the sky twice weekly during summer, all at no cost.
Also located at the pier is Crystal Gardens. If it's not in use for an event, enjoy taking a rest in this glass ballroom containing open seating and dancing fountains. It's a well-kept secret mostly frequented by residents, so it's a great place to get a break from the crowds. Don't miss the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at Navy Pier where admission is free and light streams through colorful and awe-inspiring works of art.
In the heart of Chicago, Millennium Park holds eyebrow-raising public art. Get your photo taken in front of the shiny, stainless steel Cloud Gatesculpture or at the innovative Crown Fountain, where projected images of faces are positioned so that water appears to flow from their mouths. If you're lucky, the Millennium Park stage might be hosting a free live performance. Lurie Gardens is also nearby and a lovely place to stroll.
Astonishingly, there's no admission charge for the city's renowned 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo. As one of the oldest zoos in the United States, it provides a world-class atmosphere for learning about wildlife. Because visitors can spend hours observing lions, tigers and bears (oh my!); many a resident puts the zoo on a "what to do in Chicago" itinerary for friends and family.
New Orleans: Festivities, live music and culture
Southern hospitality with a Cajun flavor is what you'll encounter as you explore the many free things to do in New Orleans. Full of vibrant personalities, the city streets are prime for people-watching, especially on Bourbon Street. You'll also come across several distractions at nearby Jackson Square, where street performers - including mimes, dancers, brass bands and artists - entertain onlookers.
For a taste of authentic New Orleans food and nightlife, enjoy live music at Le Bon Temps Roule music club, where free oysters are offered every Friday. Revel in free dancing at the clubs on music-rich Frenchmen Street, where most nightlife spots don't require a cover charge, and genres span the spectrum from jazz and rock to electronica and reggae.
Over three days near the end of each summer, the Satchmo Summer Festival celebrates Louis Armstrong with jazz concerts, films and arts markets. To escape the heat, rest easy in the sprawling shade of century-old oak trees in City Park or Audubon Park.
There's also no charge to dive into the culture that's molded the city. Browse the art, clothing and accessories on display at the French Market; you'll spy goods strongly influenced by local African, West Indian, Spanish and French populations. But bring your willpower with you to this attraction: it's only free if you make no purchases.
San Francisco: Postcard views, sea lions and foreign cultures
One of America's prettiest cities also welcomes budget travelers. San Francisco offers one postcard view after another, so bring your camera: you could spend weeks just snapping away. The best way to take in all the views is to embark upon the city's 49-mile Scenic Drive, which encompasses Chinatown, Twin Peaks, Mission Dolores, Fisherman's Wharf, Lake Merced and a bevy of other delights.
The most iconic landmark in the city is yours to explore up close. It's absolutely free to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, a unique way to experience one of the most photographed things on Earth. Free parking is available but limited. The sea lions in residence on the docks at Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf bring out the kid in all visitors. And sports fans should go early to the free viewing area behind AT&T Park during Giants' home games.
Immerse yourself in the city's tremendous multicultural mix by strolling the streets of Chinatown or North Beach. Exotic Chinatown holds 24 blocks of colorful surprises, from food markets to museums. Walking through lovely North Beach, the Italian part of San Francisco, gives the sense of being in Europe. A hill in this neighborhood also holds Coit Tower, with its signature city views.
Two defining museums are always free. The financial district's Wells Fargo History Museum traces the timeline and activities of the frenzied Gold Rush era with artifacts shiny and rare. The San Francisco Cable Car Museum lets visitors watch the machinery which winds the 11 miles of steel driving the cars about town. You'll want to hop on a cable car if you haven't already, and while they're not free, the cost is only $5 to board the only American national historic landmark which moves.
London: Free museums, historic sites and photo ops
If London is calling but your bank account isn't picking up, don't fret. Rich in history, culture and local flavor, there are abundant free things to do in London. The city has enough free museums for weeks of no-cost entertainment; your dilemma will be choosing which to visit.
Art lovers enjoy the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the best art and design museums on the globe, and the Tate Modern which houses an extensive collection of international contemporary and modern art. History buffs get a thrill from visiting the Museum of London, a veritable exploration of the city through the ages, or the British Museum, home to treasures including Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone.
You may also want to tour some of London's most historic sites – completely free of charge. Visit Horse Guards Parade to witness the daily Changing of the Guards ceremony, at 11:00 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. Make an effort see to Queen's House, a villa originally appointed by King James I for Anne of Denmark, his wife. The home is a marvel in itself, but also serves as an exhibit for historical paintings and a maritime art collection.
Be sure to look both ways at famed Abbey Road before staging the photo opportunity of a lifetime as you re-create the famous Beatles album cover. Other free (and popular) souvenir photo spots include the exteriors of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, where tourists take great pleasure in getting a snapshot with a stone-faced guard.
Vancouver: Outdoor activities, public art and festival concerts
Let the great outdoors be your Vancouver travel guide. This gorgeous city's mild climate, numerous parks and miles of biking and hiking trails lend themselves to hours of free entertainment. Head to the Baden Powell Trail in the vast Lynn Canyon Park for a scenic hike, or to take a refreshing dip in its swimming hole. The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is free and usually low on crowds, an added bonus.
If you're the type who'd rather go for a leisurely stroll, you can still enjoy a lovely day in Vancouver as you explore outdoor public art in several different neighborhoods. In the Downtown Core near the Vancouver Convention Centre, Digital Orca is a sculpture of a "pixilated" killer whale. A-maze-ing Laughter is worth seeking out, in Morton Park on Vancouver's West End. Its fourteen smile-inducing bronze sculptures each measure 8.5 feet tall and depict a man in a fit of merriment.
Head to Vancouver the end of June and free world-class entertainment awaits at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. From June 21 - July 1, 150 free concerts are offered and span several different genres of music, not just jazz.
Boulder: Hiking, music, tea and beer
Beautiful Boulder, in its stunning Flatiron Mountains setting, has a noticeable bent toward outdoor lifestyles and wellness. Boulder has 45,000 preserved acres and 140 miles of trails! If you're so inclined, put on your hiking boots and explore the city's Flatiron Mountain trails. Many are right in town and climb from Boulder's mile-high elevation to 7,000 feet or higher. The only cost for climbing might be at your lung's expense.
The city's "Bands on the Bricks" summer concert series puts everyone in a vacation mood on Wednesday nights. Boulder's pedestrian-only Pearl Street (known as the Pearl Street Mall) is the setting for the series, and also for a plethora of street performers. Prime among them is an entertainer who might not make every Boulder travel guide, but should. The boggling ZIP Code Man responds to any shouted zip code with a reference to its associated town, state, and often even a business name.
Head for Boulder Creek for the renowned Boulder Farmers Market, held on Saturday mornings until late November. The market's colorful collection of farmer/vendors, tie-dye-clad moms, cycling enthusiasts, dog walkers and artists also congregate on Wednesday evenings in summer. Don't miss stepping inside the elaborate Dushanbe Teahouse, a nearby architectural treasure which was hand-assembled in Tajikistan, then disassembled and shipped to Boulder as a gift from its sister city.
Tea drinkers will also enjoy a trip to Celestial Seasonings for a free factory tour. The aroma wafting through the Mint Room is unforgettable, and there are plenty of free tea samples. Want something stronger? Asher, Avery, Boulder, Fate, Twisted Pine and Upslope Breweries all offer free tours and tastings.
Savannah: Waterfront, parks, streetcars and ferries
Few cities in America are able to deliver as much visual splendor as Savannah. Exploration on foot is free, of course, and by far the best way to unlock the city's secrets. Gifted to President Lincoln by General Sherman for Christmas in 1864, Savannah is rich in history. From its busy riverfront to its peaceful parks, this southern city pleases those who explore her.
The riverfront is a first stop for many visitors working their way through a Savannah city tour. Street performers play for tips and a stroll past the city's historic architecture will surprise and delight. Climb aboard any of the classic Savannah Belles ferries until midnight, and ride to any (or all) stops for free. Savannah also offers visitors an authentic 1930s streetcar for free rides from noon until 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Exploring Savannah's sun-dappled public squares - all 22 of them - is a pleasurable pursuit with ample rewards. Be sure to find Chippewa Square, designed in 1815. At its north end is the spot where the bus stop scenes in Forrest Gump were filmed. In the Savannah History Museum on MLK Jr. Blvd, you'll find the famous bench where Tom Hanks' character weaved his mesmerizing tale (the museum is free, and is located inside the Visitors Center). Beautiful Forsyth Park always has a variety of activities, while the hauntingly beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, casts a fascinating spell.
Tours are free at the beautiful Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, while a jaunt along Bluff Drive takes your car past gorgeous 20th century riverfront mansions. For a perfect end to any day, head to nearby Tybee Island's south end for sunset over Tybee Creek.
Myrtle Beach: Fireworks, music, tigers and time travel
The Atlantic coast is where much of the Southeast goes to play in summer, and there are plenty of free things to do in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Start on The Boardwalk, a 1.2 mile-long promenade with ocean views and superb people watching. The Boardwalk's also where you'll find an amazing lineup of free festivals, carnivals and concerts, all part of the city's Hot Summer Nights program.
On Wednesday nights, Myrtle Beach celebrates Hump Day with a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show at the 2nd Avenue Pier. Another free fireworks show caps each Tuesday evening in summer, thanks to Broadway at the Beach, where warm-weather concerts are also held at no charge.
Show your stripes with a visit to T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station at Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach's amazing yet free wildlife exhibit and tiger museum, where you can watch Bengal, Siberian, Royal White Bengal and Golden Tabby tigers playing in their own outdoor environment.
The LW Paul Living History Farm allows visitors to travel back to the first half of the 20th century. There's no charge to try your hand at milking cows, curing meat, blacksmithing, making lye soap or grinding grits. The farm is in nearby Conway, a pleasant 20-minute drive from Myrtle Beach.
Greenville, S.C.: Waterfalls, fireworks, trolley rides and concerts
The last thing a person expects to see in the middle of an urban area is a roaring waterfall. Yet that's exactly what surprised visitors find in beautiful downtown Greenville. People happily while away hours strolling across the city's striking pedestrian-only Liberty Bridge, which looks down upon the Reedy River's inspiring reclaimed waterfall.
The gushing namesake of Falls Park is surrounded by lush riverfront vignettes. The city's popular Swamp Rabbit Trail winds through terraced southern landscaping from one beautiful view to the next. A bevy of swinging benches, large sunny outcroppings and grassy picnic spots act like a magnet for locals, visitors, pets, ducks, photographers, brides and lovers.
Summer sees free performances during the city's Saturday morning farmers market, and a festival is held downtown on many a weekend. Upstate Shakespeare Festival productions are free on summer evenings in the park. So are a variety of outdoor concerts held Wednesday nights at the nearby TD Stage at the Peace Center on the Reedy River. At the other end of the city's award-winning Main Street - lined with twinkling trees and vibrant restaurants - crowds gather on Thursday evenings until Labor Day for Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive concerts.
No less exciting are the free concerts held outside the Hyatt Regency for Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays. Catch a free trolley afterward, and you might make it to South Main in time to see fireworks shot at the end of any Friday night Fluor Field baseball game. The trolley is a fun way to explore beautiful downtown while the Swamp Rabbit Trail extends deep into nearby Cleveland Park, but also stretches north to the lovely Furman campus. You'll never lack for things to do in Greenville.