They say that the best things in life are free but, honestly, we tend to struggle to believe it every time we have our eye on something fun – but expensive – that we’d like to try. That’s why we decided to delve into the realm of free activities and see whether, in actual fact, there is anything worth doing that won’t cost you anything at all. The good news? There is! Here are just five of the most fun things.
A Brewery Tour
There are plenty of tours of breweries across the United States so, hopefully, you’ll be able to find one near you. This activity is basically genius because it allows us to explore something super-fun (beer), all under the guise of education and culture; you’ll be learning about everything from history to production processes while you’re there. In fact, these experiences go into detail and, depending on where you go and the level of tour you want, you can actually often get tours for free. And, while you usually have to pay to sample, some of these free tours even offer free samples as well – unbelievable!
Play Bingo
Some activities at least require you to have money for gas; others you can do from the comfort of your very own home. This is one of them. These days, there are so many ways to game online, absolutely free, which makes a change from traipsing to the bingo hall all the way across town! The online version of bingo has the same variations of the game we all know and love, with the exact same thrills you get when winning. Free bingo choices are a dime a dozen on the Internet and, although you’ll rarely win cash prizes, there’s still plenty at stake. It’s a great way to stay entertained for hours if you’ve got absolutely no money.
Get Backstage Access – Sort Of!
Whether your thing is the theatre or music, there are plenty of ways to get an insight into these artistic worlds for free. When it comes to theatre, many smaller productions will allow you to come to the earlier rehearsals for no charge (just don’t expect things to be polished or perfect). If you’re lucky enough to live near a theatre hotspot like NYC, there are often special initiatives that you should keep an eye out for, such as the long-running Broadway in Bryant Park, which offers snippets of the hottest Broadway shows for free in the park. Of course, their intention is to get you hooked so don’t be too surprised if you find yourself checking out Ticketmaster to see the full shows afterwards!
When it comes to music, lots of local areas will often have free festivals over the summer. Also, if you’re willing to do a little (light) unpaid work such as handing out flyers before or after a show, a lot of bands or venues will let you come and watch them for nothing. If you’re super-keen, joining a fan club or getting close to your favorite musical acts could also work, too. Often they’ll let you into secret acoustic shows or let you watch a soundcheck – just make sure you’re being respectful.
Become Cultured
Being cultured isn’t something you can learn overnight, but it’s unfair that the privilege should be reserved for the rich! Many museums across the USA allow you entry for absolutely no cost, allowing you to get up close and personal with a range of artifacts and a whole host of knowledge. Dotted across the nation, you can learn about everything from art to civil rights, covering a broad scope of what truly makes America great (alongside anything from the past that perhaps was not). Museums offer a fascinating global insight for all the family and you’ll understand the world around us a lot better as a bonus.
Experience Freedom
Freedom apparently always comes at a price but not when you visit some of the breathtaking natural wonders that the USA has to offer. National Parks are some of our finest, protected areas of natural beauty, but so many people never get to see them, even when they’re right on our doorstep. Although there are usually entrance fees to help in matters of conservation, certain days of the year come at absolutely no cost to the visiting public, usually on related holidays. With over 400 to choose from, you won’t be stuck for options!
When you tally up gas prices, data costs, and things like parking, sure, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. But these days, when something is free, you should just appreciate it – there’s plenty of stuff to enjoy!
