You’ve done it. You’ve booked time off work, picked your perfect vacation spot, found economical transportation and lodging – now that you are there, what do you do?

You’ve likely spent a good chunk of cash to get to your destination and would now like to keep your travel expenses to a minimum. No problem!

Every city, big or small, has loads of free activities to partake in that still allow you to experience the city to the fullest.

Forget expensive tours, tickets to attractions and pricey excursions – you don’t need to spend much to get a truly rich experience.

Want to learn more about budget travel? Check out our budget series:

•  ‘How to Travel the World for Free’ 
• ‘How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere’
• How to Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’

Free Travel Activity Ideas

• Parks – There are so many to choose from and they are usually built around locations of interests. Public parks are run by the city and therefore tend to be clean, maintained and well manicured making for a pretty view. You may also find some great amenities like restrooms, picnic tables and bbqs so you can spend the day.
• Beaches – Sun, sand and an ocean view – there is nothing more I need. Get there early, scout out a primo spot, bring a picnic and a shelter, and spend the day enjoying the warmth and local people.
• Museums – Get your dose of culture and history. Many cities offer free admission either daily or on specific days of the week – check ahead to see the best deal.
• Outdoor concerts, festivals and fairs – Every city has their own unique celebrations and these go all year round. Ask the locals, your tourism office or hotel reception for events in your area.
• Hiking – Go on a day hike and see sights off the beaten path. Find a trail that will take you to a beautiful vantage point, spend the day resting at the top and watching the beautiful sights below you.
• Local Markets – These pop up all over the place – on main streets, on side streets, in alleyways, in the countryside. Here you will meet locals, get a real sense of the local culture, grab some cheap souvenirs and the cheapest and most authentic food available.
• Parades – Parades are an amazing way to get excellent free entertainment – each city will offer it’s own blend of music, dancing, costumes and culture – a treat for the senses!
• Government buildings – Check out historic architecture, gain knowledge of the city and most will offer a free tour.
• College and University Campuses – An often overlooked option. Here you’ll find beautiful architecture and low-cost events like concerts, plays, science fairs, art shows, and sporting and athletic events.
• Geocaching – Geocaching is essentially a worldwide scavenger hunt. This free mobile app allows you to see nearby hidden hide and seek containers filled with tiny treasures and a log book to show you completed the mission. There are millions hidden all over the world. They are usually hidden near interesting spots and gets you out into different areas of the city and countryside.
• Snorkeling – Bring along your own snorkel gear and spend hours exploring the water (just remember to put some SPF on your back!).

While you are traveling around and having fun (for free!), make sure you bring along high energy snacks so you don’t ruin your travel food budget. Check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘ for a list of high energy, non-perishable foods you can bring along with you while you tour your destination. 

Tips on Cheap Things to do on Vacation

• Bike Rentals – This is our favourite thing to do and has popped up in practically every large city around the world. It’s simple to use – bike docking stations appear all over the city, just find one, bike wherever you wish and drop it off at any other docking station you see. You can get a fairly inexpensive day pass and explore the entire city this way – and cover way more ground than on foot.
• Outdoor Community Pools – A great spot to relax and spend the day by the poolside. Large cities will have these and usually charge a very small fee to enter for the day. A much cheaper alternative to a fancy resort or waterpark.
• Tastings at a Winery or Brewery – You’ll get some education about the local culture here and finish off with a tasting for free or cheap.
• National Parks – A national park will usually charge a small fee for a day pass but there are endless things to do once you’re in. Spend a whole day discovering natural beauty, hike, picnic, take a free tour and learn about the history of the land.
• Local Sporting Events – Sports are a big deal everywhere in the world. Check out a local sports team and witness first hand the passion of the locals.
• Transit Passes – Grab a bus or subway day pass and tour the whole city on the cheap. If you know where you are going and where the best places are, you can avoid expensive ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ buses.
• Rent a Canoe or Paddle Boat – Get off the land and explore the lakes and rivers – get off your feet and get a new perspective from the water.

Find Budget Deals With Websites & Apps

• Forum sites like Tripadvisor give you great information because it consists of posts and reviews from fellow travelers. Check out the ‘Top Things To Do’ in the city you are in and get an idea of what is worth seeing, price comparisons and free activities.
• Sites like Groupon offer a huge amount of deals on local activities, classes and restaurants. Always check here first and you may find just what you are looking for at a much cheaper price.
• Sites like Craigslist are an amazing resource while traveling. Check out Craigslist for the city you are visiting. There is a ‘community’ section where you will find tons of local activities, events, classes etc.
• Google things like ‘free walking tours’ and ‘free events’ to find out what’s happening near you. Another great activity are ‘Self Walks’ – Google this and you will get a walking route that you can take on your own without paying for a tour guide.
• Vayable.com is a fantastic community built site to help you find free and cheap activities to do in the cities you are visiting. The posts are put up by locals and experienced travelers so you know you are getting the best insider tips.
• Most major cities offer free walking tours. This is a great way to explore and learn more about the city you are visiting. Websites like Free Tour, Free Tours by Foot and New Europe Tours allow you to search cities worldwide for free and cheap walking tours.
• Check the tourism website and community calendar of the city you are visiting for free events happening in the community.
• We also found a post by The Mindful Wonderer very helpful – check out their “59 Budget Travel Tips”.

Don’t be a fool, and travel like a pro! Travel can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful – so make sure you bring along the right gear! Make sure you read our post Top 10 Must Have Items for Long Travel Days and carry along these items to help improve comfort and sleep, and reduce anxiety and stress:

• J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
• Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle
• Physix Compression Socks
• Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
• Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones

List of Hacks to Find Affordable Activities

• Stop in at Tourist Centers – Each city has one. Take advantage of these – ask for a map, tips on transportation, and free local activities and events happening nearby.
• Avoid Expensive Organised Tours – Unless you are going to a dangerous or extremely remote spot, ditch the paid tour. Check out public transportation routes or rent a car and you can check out local attractions for a fraction of the cost.
• Pick up brochures for coupons and local newspapers for a list of free events.
• Visit Smaller Cities and Towns – Large, popular and capital cities will always be the most expensive to tour in. You are more likely to be charged to enter public spaces and buildings there. Smaller cities will offer more free activities and have more local events, markets and festivals to explore. It will also give you a slower, calmer and more authentic experience.
• Connect with Locals – Talk to the local people you come across at cafes, markets and on the street. These are the true experts of the city you are visiting and they are often happy to give you advice. Ask about the best parks, hikes, restaurants, events and festivals to check out.
• Take Advantage of the Library – You’ll get some beautiful architecture, lots of free activities for kids, clean public restrooms, use of their WiFi and computers, and borrow books, DVDs and CDs to entertain yourself on rainy days or long trips.
• Volunteer for a Local Cause – Support the community you are traveling in and meet locals. You may even be rewarded with a free lunch.
• Be Flexible – The most interesting places we have happened upon were on days we had no schedule and no destination – we were just wandering the city or countryside. This is how to find unique and local events you may not hear about any other way.

Famous Free Activities Around The World

• Staten Island Ferry, New York – A ride on the Staten Island Ferry is free and takes you past Governors Island, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
• Paris, France – You will get free admission to many museums in Paris on the first Sunday of each month.
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (aka Notre Dame), Paris – Always free admission.
• Rome, Italy – You will get free entry to state-owned museums and heritage sites – such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum – on the first Sunday of each month.
• St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican – It is always free to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, with admission fees for a few other areas if you wish.
• Parc Güell, Barcelona – You can enter the ticketed monumental area for free on some Sundays, but you can walk the surrounding park for free anytime. At the end of the walk you end up at the top of a mountain with the best view of Barcelona.
• Melbourne, Australia – The central section of the tram system – the CBD and the docklands of Victoria Harbour – in Melbourne is free for all users.
• The British Museum, London – Always free admission. Also, most museums in the UK have free admission. 
• Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC – Offers 19 museums that all have free admission.
• US Capitol, Washington DC – Get a free parliamentary tour at the center of politics itself.
• Full Moon Rave, Thailand – On the full moon and half moon of each month, this huge beach party takes place for free in Koh Phangan.
• Golden Temple, India – Every day the temple in Amritsar dishes out a free meal for around 40,000 people.
• Grand Bazaar, Istanbul – It is always free to visit one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world – with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops to explore.
• Bahá’í House of Worship (aka Lotus Temple), Delhi – People of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate.

Do you have any great tips for things to do for free while traveling? Comment below!

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