Traveling can get expensive. Buying airplane tickets, paying for taxis and Ubers, reserving a respectable hotel and eating out can add up quickly. On top of that, unexpected expenses can derail a perfectly good trip leaving you feeling exhausted and stressed. In this article we’ll help you find fun and entertaining things to do for free or nearly free.
1. Get out in nature
One of the most beautiful and relaxing things you can do is explore the natural landscape or manicured gardens of the city you’re in. Start by using Google Maps and searching for ‘Gardens’, ‘Parks’, ‘Nature Reserves’, etc. Botanical Gardens are also a beautiful stroll but they’re almost always a paid entrance.
While at these parks you can obviously observe the nature, plants, flowers and animals that inhabit it but you can also take some time to do some people watching!
Large parks like Central Park in NYC, Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, and Green Point Park in Cape Town usually have activities as well like sports, biking, boating and picnic areas. At the Luxembourg Gardens you can watch some people play basketball, tennis, football or even chess!
2. Galleries and Museums
Many cities feature local artwork and some may even house beautiful and historic pieces as well as artifacts. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the British Museum, and the Getty Center are all large museums that offer free entrances to view some of history’s finest art.
Many downtown and central areas also have free galleries to walk through that feature local art. This is a great way to get to know the culture as well as the people from the place that you’re visiting.
Check Google Maps to see if there’s a link to the gallery’s website and to confirm the entry requirements as well as to make a reservation if needed. Visiting local art also gives you the opportunity to support local artists through donations or bringing home a new wall piece!
3. Window Shopping
Buying clothing, accessories and books can be fairly expensive. But, strolling through a shopping district, a department store or a library can offer you the opportunity to see new ideas without having to buy anything.
You can snap pictures at Le Bon Marche in Paris, El Palacio de Hierro in Mexico City, and La Rinascente in Rome all offer shopping as well as restaurants and cafes to refresh yourself and you can take these styles home with you and find something similar on sale.
4. Libraries
Libraries are often situated inside beautiful and historic buildings that are worth the visit. The Historical Library of the City of Paris, the OBA Oosterdok in Amsterdam, and the National Library of Spain in Madrid all offer a beautiful setting as well as a wide selection of books to sit down and read for an hour or two.
5. Hiking
Along with looking up parks or gardens, you can find a slightly more rustic area to see undisturbed nature far from the bustle of the big city. Most European metros offer public transit that will land you near enough to a forest or nature preserve to make a half-day trip worth it.
You can also pick a neighborhood to walk through that offers unique architecture or culture. Picking up a free walking tour can be very educational as well as a safer alternative to walking through a city that you don’t know.
6. Monuments/Murals
Many monuments in older cities are placed outdoors for the public to enjoy, which also means that they’re free! So use Google Maps to search for statues, plaques, markers or religious buildings. To make this more informative, you can also look up the history behind these, especially if you don’t speak the language of the region.
Murals are also a beautiful expression of art and feeling that can be strewn across a city. And they make for great picture! Again, just use Google Maps to look up ‘Murals’ and you’re sure to be shown at least a handful of them in most cities.
7. Your Hotel
You’ve already paid for your hotel, so make sure you get your money’s worth! Visit any amenities included with your stay like a pool, sauna, hot tubs, gym, free breakfast, wood-fired chimneys, game rooms you name it. Your hotel may offer many activities to pass some time and have some fun.
Bonus: Discounts
Many places offer discounts for children under 17 or adults over 55. Some may offer discounts for people who serve as first responders, teachers, or military. Students can often get into educational facilities like libraries and museums for free or at a discount as well. Just make sure you bring the necessary identification to prove your status!
As you’ve seen, there’s many ways to have fun with little to no money on your trip. Sometimes you may have to get creative to find some of these places, but the journey is perhaps the greatest part of the trip.
