Ten Free Things You Can Do In Any City

Updated: August 12, 2022

Vinnie Van Go loves a bargain, and doesn’t believe that a low budget should skim your itinerary. He asked the advice of Travel Expert Lucy Benton, about the most affordable experiences anyone can enjoy across the country.

Every big city offers so many things to do for tourists – from restaurants with delicious food to museums and tourist attractions. However, all of this might be very expensive, especially if you are traveling on a tight budget. But don’t worry because there are still plenty of activities you can do completely free of charge.

1. Visiting a museum

There are numerous museums out there that offer free admissions on specific days. For instance, if you are in New York, you can visit Museum of Arts and Design free of charge every Thursday. For those of you visiting the West Coast, check out Getty Center and Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. Both places have breathtaking exhibitions that will occupy your entire day and make it very memorable.  Chicago’s Museum Campus is a 57-acre addition to Grant Park’s southeastern end and is home to three of the city’s most notable museums, all dedicated to the natural sciences: Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History, and Shedd Aquarium. Chicago’s museums offer free days to visitors throughout the year. GO provides low cost airport transportation at JFK Airport and LaGuardia in New York and  O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport in Chicago.

2. Churches and religious monuments

When it comes to architecture, nothing can compare with churches and cathedrals. The shapes are so magnificent, so you will spend hours photographing these buildings from every side. Not to forget that you can go inside and explore them even more.

3. Relax in a park

Almost every city has parks, and they are perfect for strolling or having a picnic in nature. You will relax, soak in the atmosphere of the place, and meet other people. Central Park in New York City, Millennium Park in Chicago, Boston Common in Massachusetts,  are perfect examples of parks that are also a tourist attraction. John Douglas, a travel expert from Prowritingpartner.com says that it is one of the top destinations for both locals and visitors so you shouldn’t miss it.

4. Festivals and concerts

If you are struggling with the funds but still want to have an eventful trip, try to visit a city during the time of a free festival. These often include music concerts, street performances, art exhibitions, etc. You will see and hear a lot of beautiful performances, have plenty of fun, and get to know the city as you go along. For instance, many venues such as Satellite in Los Angeles offer free concerts in order to promote lesser known bands. Or visit Chicago Cultural Center during their festival where you can attend up to 200 free concerts.

5. Library day

While it might sound a bit atypical to go in a library while traveling, they are still great places to find more information about the local culture. You may go in and read books, newspapers, etc. For instance, you can find many free events and book readings at New York Public Library. Or browse around and marvel at the rows of shelves if you are a passionate bookworm.

6. Working out

Working out is important for many people. Do you want to stay in shape while you travel? Find a free workout class in a city you are visiting. If you are in downtown Miami, head out to Bayfront Park for a yoga class. Or you can choose to run which can be a great way to see the place. But make sure you turn on your running app so you don’t get lost.

7. Walking tours

There are plenty of free walking tours in many major cities across the United States. The tour guides are mostly locals who want to introduce their hometown to the visitors. Walking tours are a great way to get to know a city. And if you really like the information provided by your tour guide, leave them a tip at the end of the tour. Some of the best include:

• The Mission and Castro Districts in San Francisco
• Lower Manhattan and Financial District in New York City
• Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles
• Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
• Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park
• Downtown Philadelphia to see Independence Hall and The Liberty Bell
• The French Quarter in New Orleans
• The National Mall to see Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National WWII Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial
• Rainbow Row in Charleston, SC
• South Beach Boardwalk in Miami

We provide low cost airport pick-ups and drop-offs to airports in each of these destinations including Philadelphia International, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta, MSY in New Orleans, and Miami International in South Florida.

8. Shopping areas

Large fashion capitals such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York have outstanding shopping districts. Many famous brands have their stores there so you can window shop and appreciate the great designs. For instance, spend an afternoon on the Magnificent Mile or Rodeo Drive and simply browse around. You will have plenty of fun without an obligation to spend any money. Another option is to stroll around the Mall of America in Minnesota, which is a popular tourist destination for those visiting the Twin Cities.  We offer transportation between Minneapolis Airport and hotels, vacation rentals, AirBnbs, Mayo Clinic, and event venues and major attractions in the Twin Cities.

9. Visiting a zoo

There are quite a few zoos that offer free admissions on certain days of the week. If you are in Chicago, head out to Lincoln Park Zoo which is one of the most famous zoos in this part of the country. Or go to New York Aquarium on Wednesdays if you are more into marine life.  Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. is home to approximately 1,800 animals, 20 percent of which are on the endangered or threatened species lists. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn more conservation efforts while getting to observe these animals up close. If you’re flying into DC, we provide airport transportation at Reagan National, Washington Dulles, and BWI.

10. Observatories

Space is always a fascinating topic, and you can always squeeze in a visit to an observatory during your trip. Go to Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory in Nashville on every first Tuesday of a month to watch the planets and the solar system or visit Griffith Observatory in Southern California, which includes options for hiking multiple trailheads and hosts various educational programs. You can learn quite a lot and perhaps have a brand new experience.  Whether you’re flying into LAX, John Wayne Airport, Burbank, Long Beach, or Ontario ONT, we’ve got your airport transportation in Southern California covered through our local affiliates Karmel Shuttle and Prime Time Shuttle.

Conclusion

As you can see, having fun doesn’t necessarily cost a lot. You can explore a city and experience numerous things without breaking a bank. Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you will not enjoy every single second of your trip. Plus, when you book your airport transportation with GO, we offer affordable ride choices to fit most budget and lifestyles including shared ride airport shuttles and economy car service in many destinations.  Click here to find an airport.

Lucy Benton is a writing coach, an editor and currently works at www.assignmenthelper.com.au. She is constantly looking for the ways to improve her skills and expertise. If you’re interested in working with Lucy, you can find her on Facebook.