Visiting New York City can be an exciting vacation or holiday. But it is definitely not an inexpensive trip. However, with a little effort and thought, you can come up with things to do in NYC that do not cost a thing. Here are ten things you and your family can do and not spend a single dime.
Free NYC Activity #1 – Free Museums
One of the things that New York City is well known for is the abundance of museums. Many museums do not charge entrance fees on specific days of the week or during periods when there are not many visitors.
Free NYC Activity #2 – Walk Neighborhoods
New York City is an amazing city made up of interesting neighborhoods with unique architecture and residents. One of the most famous is Greenwich Village, which is made up of gorgeous brownstone homes and small unique boutique stores. Manhattan can also be a great place to wonder through, looking at the buildings and world famous stores.
Free NYC Activity #3 – Attend a Television Show Taping
New York City is well known for the large number of television shows that are taped in local studios. You can attend a taping session without spending a dime. Simply show up at the studio and wait in line to be chosen and allowed into the studio audience.
Free NYC Activity #4 – Take a Walking Tour
Walking tours rarely cost any money. In NYC, you can take walking tours of many popular neighborhoods and areas around the city. Popular tours include Grand Central Park, Grand Central Station and Time Square.
Free NYC Activity #5 – Visit the Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve is the world’s largest gold vault. Tours are offered weekdays and you can see where the gold is held and learn about the history of the Federal Reserve. Reservations are advised for this tour.
Free NYC Activity #6 – View a Historic Church
New York City is full of interesting historic churches. Many churches offer walking tours and have docents available to tell you about the history and building architecture. Favorites include Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Trinity Church.
Free NYC Activity #7 – Visit High Line Park
New York City is certainly a city of innovation and imagination and their city parks are no exception. High Line Park is an abandoned old elevated train track that used to carry freight. Today it is a popular destination for both tourists and residents and has a gorgeous waterfront and view of the city.
Free NYC Activity #8 – Tour a Brewing Company
With the growth of micro breweries in the United States, New York City is no exception. You can easily take a free tour of Chelsea Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery or one of the many other beer factories in the city.
Free NYC Activity #9 – Go on a Ferry Ride
Known for being located on waterways, you can go on a ferry ride to Staten Island without parting with a fee for the ride. The Staten Island ferry goes past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Manhattan bridges and New York Harbor.
Free NYC Activity #10 – Cross the Brooklyn Bridge
Whether by foot or by vehicle, crossing the East River over the Brooklyn Bridge can be a way to see amazing views of New York City landmarks. Look out over the river to see the United Nations and wonderful views of the Manhattan skyline.
Los Angeles is known as the entertainment capital of the world, but there are many things to do that do not cost anything and will allow you to see many different parts of the city. Whether you are interested in historical venues, cultural events or pure entertainment, you can find it in Los Angeles.
Free Los Angeles Activity #1 – Go to the Getty
The Getty Center is one of the premier places in Los Angeles to see wonderful works of art. Parking is free for evening programs and you can attend lectures, see documentary films and listen to live music performances.
Free Los Angeles Activity #2 – Tour Brand Boulevard
Brand Boulevard is located in Glendale, which is a quiet suburb or Northeast Los Angeles. This quiet area features luxury boutique shopping and business towers that rival some of the hippest districts in the world. Travel to Brand Boulevard via Metrolink and then shuttle.
Free Los Angeles Activity #3 – Visit Griffith Park
Griffith Park is home to the famous Griffith Park Observatory. The park also features horseback rides, a golf course and a zoo. Also visit the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. Picnic areas are also available.
Free Los Angeles Activity #4 – People Watch at Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is famous for its crowds and stores. Visit the Pacific Park rides and ride the famous Santa Monica Farris Wheel. Also visit the close-by Third Street Promenade to see street performers and view the goods at the many craft stalls.
Free Los Angeles Activity #5 – Take a Hike on Runyon Canyon
Full of celebrities, Runyon Canyon can be a great place to work out and to see the stars at that same time. Take a run around Lake Hollywood and the Mulholland Reservoirs. You can hike up near the world-famous HOLLYWOOD sign and take a picture of the view of the city.
Free Los Angeles Activity #6 – See Los Angeles Central Public Library
If you like libraries, then you will love visiting the Los Angeles Central Public Library. It contains over six floors of published archives, along with a public street garden and a Chinese food restaurant.
Free Los Angeles Activity #7 — Take a Tour of Downtown
Close to the Central Public Library there are many downtown attractions to visit. See the Bonaventure Hotel, Arco Towers, the Wells Fargo Museum and Seventh Street and Figueroa malls, which are located underground. Also visit the Los Angeles Superior court house.
Free Los Angeles Activity #8 – Visit Santee Alley
Santee Alley is one of the most famous areas of Los Angeles. See shop vendors selling everything from jewelry to authentic Mexican foods. Move along to the more recently renovated area of Santee Alley and see small art galleries and boutique stores.
Free Los Angeles Activity #9 – See Exposition Park
Home to the world-famous La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum, Exposition Park is surprisingly located in the downtown area. As with many Los Angeles museums, they offer free admission days. Visit their website for free admission day information.
Free Los Angeles Activity #10 – Attend a Television Show Taping
Home to many television studios, Burbank is the place to go to watch a television show taping. Look on Craiglist to find notifications of show taping information and simply show up to stand in line and wait to enter the studio. You can also find free movie screenings in Burbank by going to local AMC movie theaters, where studio representatives offer free tickets to watch pre-release movies.
Chicago is a great place to visit and if you are on a budget, there many things to do that you can enjoy without spending a single dime.
Free Chicago Activity #1 – Visit Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park has a wonderful zoo and adjacent farm you can visit for free. The farm is a replica of a typical farm in the Midwest and has domesticated animals and tractors. The zoo has hippos, lions and tigers and other animals for visitors to learn about.
Free Chicago Activity #2 – Visit the Waterfront
Chicago is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It has 18 miles of lakefront paths for recreational walking, jogging and biking. You can see wonderful views of the skyline and explore downtown clear to the Field Museum.
Free Chicago Activity #3 – Go to the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago has a wondrous collection of Monet, Seurats and Hopper paintings and you can see them for free on selected evenings. Visit their website for further information.
Free Chicago Activity #4 – Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art
Similar to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art has selected days during the week when they do not charge admission. See their website for free admission days and times.
Free Chicago Activity #5 – View Public Art
The Loop district is well known for their public displays of art. View art from famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Miro and Marc Chagall, just to name a few.
Free Chicago Activity #6 – Tour the Loop District
The Loop district of Chicago is known for landmarks such as the Chicago Theater sign and the State of Illinois Building. Weekly tours are available by train and you can purchase tickets at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Free Chicago Activity #7 – Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is the country’s largest conservation park. Located on four acres of glass structure on the west side of Chicago, it houses climates from the desert to the tropics.
Free Chicago Activity #8 – See Maxwell Street Market
Maxwell Street Market has been downsized in recent years, but you can still walk the many aisles of good and find everything from socks to tools. Find authentic ethnic goods and wonderful Mexican food from market vendors.
Free Chicago Activity #9 – Go to Navy Pier
Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most famous tourist attractions. It receives over 8 million visitors every year and is free. Visit the Smith Museum of Stained Glass or listen to live music during good weather conditions.
Free Chicago Activity #10 – Get a Tour From a Local
The Chicago Office of Tourism has a wonderful program that allows visitors to meet a Chicago Greeter and get a personal tour of areas of Chicago. See neighborhoods and learn about local history from someone who lives there.
Las Vegas- the city that never sleeps. There are so many things to do in Las Vegas that one could spend a week there and no see and do everything. But a person doesn’t have to be made of money to have fun there. The city offers a lot to travelers on a limited budget. The following are just some of the free things available to do in Las Vegas.
Circus Circus Casino offers fun for the whole family. It is known as the largest permanent circus in the whole world. Every half hour spectators are treated to jugglers, aerialists, and clowns. But space is limited so get there early to get a seat. If you happen to get there after it fills up there is always standing room. Shows start daily at 11 a.m. and run until midnight.
The MGM Grand Casino offers one of the most spectacular lion exhibits around. The habitat is built like a jungle with a working waterfall. What’s nice about this exhibit is the animals aren’t forced to do tricks for viewers entertainment. You just get to watch them naturally play with handlers as they enjoy chasing bowling balls and each other. The display is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
It is mardi gras all year round at The Rio Hotel and Casino.. Every hour a parade of floats soars high above the casino as dancers and performers shower guests with mardi gras beads. Masqueraders, clowns, and acrobats put on a show you won’t soon forget. This show is only available Thursday through Sunday from 7 p.m. to midnight and a live band provides the music. This show is not recommended for younger audiences as some of the costumes may be considered slightly revealing.
Rock and Roll fans can rejoice at the memorabilia available to gawk at on display at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. You can gaze at Beatles collectibles, Madonna’s underwear, motorcycles once owned by Nikki Sixx and Matt Sorum, autographed guitars, photos, and drum sets, and much more. This rock lovers dream is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
If you have 15 minutes you can enjoy a crossbreed of action and music. The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino offers a blend of music, dancing, sword fights, acrobatics, and pyrotechnics all aboard a sinking ship. The show is named ’The Sirens of TI Show’ as it consists of scantily clad women fighting burly pirates. Land lubbers beware the sexy image portrayed. Shows run every evening and the times are as follows: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30.
The Fremont Street experience is a nightly light show over the original Las Vegas downtown area of Fremont Street. The show starts at dusk and lasts around 12 minutes. It is particularly appealing during the Christmas season.
In 1989, one of the first free Vegas attractions opened. This is the Mirage Hotel and Casino’s 54 foot manmade volcano. It has actual molten lava and if you stand close enough you will actually feel the flames on your face. Located right on the strip, the volcano erupts nightly, every 15 minutes, from 7 p.m. to midnight. This attraction may not be for those who are afraid of fire.
A more tame attraction that can be enjoyed during the day, as well as at night, is the botanical gardens at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. A 50-foot high glass ceiling encases floral displays beyond words. The photo opportunities are magnificent and no matter what time of the year you go, you can be sure you’ll be in for a treat. The displays are changed seasonally and to coincide with holiday themes. This can be enjoyed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for a nice relaxing and tranquil break from the fast paced city life.
Another 24 hour exhibit is the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. It boasts over 300 birds including a massive flock of bright pink flamingoes. Also to be enjoyed, are penguins, swans, koi, and turtles, all frolicking on the island and streams surrounded by beautiful waterfalls.
The Bellagio Light and Water Fountain Show at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is one of the most beautiful free attractions you will find in Las Vegas. A manmade lake sitting right on the strip makes you feel, for just a moment, that you aren’t actually in Vegas but eating at a Bistro on Lake Como, Italy. Lights, music, and jets of water dance for your enjoyment. You can catch this show Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight and Saturday through Sunday noon to midnight. Shows run sporadically due to weather but can generally be viewed every 15 to 30 minutes, weather permitting.
Those are the top ten things to see and do in Las Vegas, all for free. Casinos are competing more and more frequently to get people to come in to their hotels and lobbies and spend their hard earned money gambling, so they offer a variety of things for free to lure people in, and keep their kids entertained. You can bet more and more things will spring up as time goes on.
London is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit. There are so many attractions to see and events to go to. London even has a great many places that do not cost anything to visit. This is very beneficial for the travelers who are visiting on a very strict budget. They want to see all there is too see. The free places there are to see is just a bonus for them.
There are many great art galleries throughout London. Many art galleries display British art from anywhere between the sixteenth century and the present day. The majority of art galleries even stay up late. Art galleries are definitely a must see for the art lovers.
Every major museum in London is typically free. Many of them will have certain attractions that are pay to get in kind of things, but the museum visit itself is free. Museums are very entertaining. They can also be very educational. This is especially a beneficial choice for those who have children or a fascination with museums.
London has many gardens and parks to visit. Many of the parks and gardens have breathtaking views. They are a great place to relax in. It could even be ideal to read or have a picnic. It could even be a great place to just spend time with the family and play games, or the kids could play in the park while the parents talked and get a small break from running around.
It is impossible to go to London and not witness the changing of the guards. This takes place every day during the summer at 11:30 am. During the winter time, it’s every other day. This is a very popular military tradition to witness. Many tourists and citizens go often to witness it taking place.
There are many popular London landmarks that are wonderful to see. It is even possible to print out maps of places where the most popular landmarks are. This makes for great scavenger hunts. It is also a great for the picture takers and sight seers.
Trafalgar Square is known for being one of London’s most popular visitor attractions. It was developed in the 1820s and built in the 1830s. It is surrounded by many popular and beautiful attractions. It is also one of the main focus places for political demonstrations. Every Christmas holiday they place a big Christmas tree in the square for everybody to see.
A few places, such as the West Piazza and South bank, have performers who pass through often. Some come every day. Some only come on the weekends. They are always licensed to perform, and they always let the audience get involved with the performance.
There are many street markets to visit when in London. In fact London is well known for them. They have many different varieties of things to look at. It’s a great way to get to know the culture and just walk around and look at miscellaneous items. If a person wanted to, they could buy small trinkets from any of these places.
Westminster Abbey is another wonderful place to go. They never charge people who want to go there to worship. The do, however, charge if somebody is just visiting the place. They have beautiful chorus performances. The people in the chorus are taught at the Westminster Abbey Choir school and are highly talented.
There are a lot of free concerts and music festivals that take place in London. They usually have some kind of music event going on frequently. They always have lists of upcoming events that people can look at and plan to go to on their own time.
There are many other great places to go to and see when in London that are free. In fact there are hundreds. Many tourists love the fact that there is always something going on in London to go to or see. London in itself is a beautiful place to visit.