Free & Cheap Activity Guides

The best free and budget-friendly family activities in every city — parks, free museum days, festivals, and hidden gems.

Other guides:Cost Guides·Toddler Guides·Big Kids Guides·Rainy Day Guides·3-Day Itineraries

Free & CheapWest Yellowstone, MT

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in West Yellowstone

A USD 35 Yellowstone vehicle pass is the most cost-effective recreation purchase in the United States — it unlocks 7 days of geysers, wildli…

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Free & CheapTokyo, Japan

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Tokyo

Tokyo has more than 20 completely free family activities, and several of the best ones — the adventure play parks, free zoos, and neighborho…

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Free & CheapSan José, Costa Rica

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San José

A family of four can fill two solid days in San José on under USD 100 in activity costs — the city has more than a dozen free parks and cult…

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Free & CheapRome, Italy

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Rome

Rome has over a dozen completely free family activities, and several of them — the Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese, and the public drinking f…

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Free & CheapPunta Cana, Dominican Republic

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Punta Cana

Most Punta Cana families spend way more than they need to on activities because they book everything through the hotel. Between resort inclu…

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Free & CheapPrague, Czech Republic

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Prague

Prague is one of Europe's best cities for budget family travel. Free walking tours that run 2-3 hours with expert guides, a riverside promen…

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Free & CheapParis, France

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Paris

Paris has more genuinely free family activities than most visitors expect — parks that are among the best in Europe, tip-based walking tours…

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Free & CheapLondon, UK

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in London

London has over 30 completely free family activities that are genuinely worth your time — not just filler. You can spend an entire week here…

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Free & CheapLisbon, Portugal

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Lisbon

Lisbon has more completely free family activities than almost any comparable European city. Parks, viewpoints, monasteries (kids under 12 fr…

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Free & CheapIndianapolis, IN

Free and Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is one of the more budget-friendly big cities for families. The free options aren't just "free for a reason" fillers — the park…

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Free & CheapHuntsville, AL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Huntsville

Huntsville has more genuinely free family activities than most mid-sized cities — not the kind where you walk in for free but pay for everyt…

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Free & CheapBuenos Aires, Argentina

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has more genuinely good free family activities than almost any other international city — 35 of the 144 things to do with kids …

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Free & CheapBarcelona, Spain

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Barcelona

Barcelona has over a dozen completely free activities for families — beaches, parks, playgrounds, fountains, and cultural spaces — and a fam…

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Free & CheapBar Harbor, ME

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor has more free family activities than most Maine coastal towns — and the best ones aren't just fallback options. The shoreline wal…

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Free & CheapBangkok, Thailand

Free and Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Bangkok

Bangkok is dramatically cheaper than most major cities for families, but the tourist circuit can still add up fast. The good news: the free …

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Free & CheapVancouver, Canada

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Vancouver

Vancouver has 8 completely free family activities that are genuinely among the best things to do in the city — not filler, not consolation p…

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Free & CheapToronto, Canada

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Toronto

Toronto has 10 completely free family activities and another 6 that cost under $15 per person, which means you can fill three solid days wit…

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Free & CheapNassau, Bahamas

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Nassau

Nassau has 13 completely free family activities, and a family of four can fill an entire day — beach, history, food sampling, and shopping —…

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Free & CheapMontreal, Canada

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Montreal

Montreal has 8 completely free family activities — including two of the city's best parks, both major public markets, and an urban beach — p…

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Free & CheapGulf Shores, AL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Gulf Shores

Six out of ten kid-friendly activities in Gulf Shores are completely free, and the paid ones all have tricks to bring the price down. A fami…

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Free & CheapCharlotte, NC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Charlotte

Charlotte has 10 completely free family activities — including an Olympic-grade whitewater center with free trail access, a state park with …

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Free & CheapCancún, Mexico

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Cancún

Cancun has 4 completely free family activities and a family of four can fill a full day — beach, Maya ruins, and authentic street food — for…

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Free & CheapCabo San Lucas, Mexico

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas has 8 completely free family activities, and a family of four can fill a full day — beach, desert hiking, glass-blowing, and …

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Free & CheapBreckenridge, CO

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Breckenridge

Breckenridge has 16 completely free family activities — parks, trails, gardens, historic sites, and a wildlife preserve where you can spot m…

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Free & CheapAsheville, NC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Asheville

Asheville has 11 completely free family activities, and the best ones — waterfalls, above-treeline hikes, artist studios — would be worth pa…

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Free & CheapWilliamsburg, VA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Williamsburg

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Williamsburg Williamsburg has a reputation as a theme park city, which makes families assume everythi…

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Free & CheapWashington DC, DC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Washington DC No city in America gives families more for free than Washington DC. The entire Smithson…

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Free & CheapVirginia Beach, VA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Virginia Beach

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Virginia Beach Virginia Beach has a reputation as a place where you spend all day paying for things —…

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Free & CheapTampa, FL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Tampa

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Tampa Tampa has a reputation as a pricey theme park destination, and Busch Gardens will absolutely ea…

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Free & CheapSt. Louis, MO

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in St. Louis

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in St. Louis St. Louis might be the best city in the country for a family on a budget. The park system i…

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Free & CheapSedona, AZ

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Sedona

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Sedona Sedona has a reputation for expensive resort pricing. That reputation is earned — but it's als…

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Free & CheapSeattle, WA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Seattle

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Seattle Seattle has one of the best free activity rosters of any major US city for families. Genuinel…

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Free & CheapScottsdale, AZ

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Scottsdale

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Scottsdale You can have a great family day in Scottsdale without spending $200 at the Talking Stick E…

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Free & CheapSavannah, GA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Savannah

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Savannah Savannah costs as much as you let it. The hotels and restaurants in the Historic District wi…

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Free & CheapSanta Cruz, CA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Santa Cruz

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Santa Cruz Santa Cruz has enough free and low-cost options that a family of 4 can fill two full days …

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Free & CheapSan Juan, PR

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Juan

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Juan Puerto Rico is a US territory with US prices in some areas — but the best family experiences…

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Free & CheapSan Francisco, CA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Francisco San Francisco has a reputation for being expensive, and for good reason — but the city'…

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Free & CheapSan Diego, CA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Diego

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Diego San Diego has a reputation for being expensive. It's a fair one. But the city also has more…

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Free & CheapSan Antonio, TX

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Antonio

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in San Antonio San Antonio has more genuinely free, genuinely good family activities than most cities it…

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Free & CheapSalt Lake City, UT

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Salt Lake City

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Salt Lake City Salt Lake City has one of the best free outdoor recreation networks of any major Ameri…

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Free & CheapPortland, OR

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Portland

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Portland Portland is one of the few major West Coast cities where you can have a legitimately great f…

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Free & CheapPigeon Forge, TN

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Pigeon Forge

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge has a reputation as an expensive tourist town, and some of it is earned. Bu…

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Free & CheapPhiladelphia, PA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Philadelphia

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Philadelphia A full family day in Philadelphia does not have to cost $200. The city has a legitimate …

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Free & CheapOuter Banks, NC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Outer Banks

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Outer Banks You're already spending a lot on the rental house. The good news about the Outer Banks sp…

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Free & CheapOrlando, FL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Orlando

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Orlando Orlando doesn't have to mean theme parks. The city has an underrated collection of free parks…

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Free & CheapNew York City, NY

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in New York City

The most expensive city in America also has more genuinely free, world-class family activities than any other city in the country. The trick…

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Free & CheapNew Orleans, LA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in New Orleans

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in New Orleans New Orleans has a reputation as an expensive party city. For families, the reality is dif…

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Free & CheapNashville, TN

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Nashville

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Nashville Nashville has a reputation as an expensive city, and hotel rates will back that up. But the…

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Free & CheapMyrtle Beach, SC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Myrtle Beach

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Myrtle Beach A Myrtle Beach family trip doesn't have to run $300 a day. The city is stacked with free…

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Free & CheapMoab, UT

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Moab

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Moab Moab has a reputation for expensive guided tours and pricey lodging, and that's not wrong. But t…

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Free & CheapMinneapolis, MN

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Minneapolis

Minneapolis runs almost entirely free for families willing to work with what the city's park system offers. Nine of the ten best-rated famil…

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Free & CheapMilwaukee, WI

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Milwaukee

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Milwaukee Milwaukee is legitimately affordable for families. The zoo is cheaper than Chicago's. The l…

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Free & CheapMiami, FL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Miami

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Miami Miami's reputation as an expensive city is overstated. There's a substantial collection of genu…

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Free & CheapMaui, HI

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Maui

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Maui Maui is expensive. Resort prices, tourist-area restaurants, and activity operators that charge $…

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Free & CheapLos Angeles, CA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Los Angeles LA's reputation as an expensive city is partly deserved and mostly overblown when it come…

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Free & CheapLas Vegas, NV

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas

Las Vegas doesn't have to be expensive with kids. The city has more than 20 completely free family activities, a handful of paid attractions…

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Free & CheapLake Tahoe, CA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe on a family budget is more doable than most people think. Four of the highest-rated kid activities in the area are completely fre…

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Free & CheapKansas City, MO

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Kansas City

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Kansas City Kansas City has more free than people expect. A Hallmark-sponsored art studio. A nature c…

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Free & CheapJackson Hole, WY

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Jackson Hole

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Jackson Hole Jackson Hole has a reputation for being expensive — and in many ways, that's earned. But…

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Free & CheapHouston, TX

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Houston

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Houston Houston punches well above its weight for free family activities. Twenty-two of the 61 kid-fr…

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Free & CheapHonolulu, HI

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Honolulu

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Honolulu Hawaii has a reputation for being expensive, and it is — if you default to tourist packages …

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Free & CheapHilton Head, SC

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Hilton Head

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Hilton Head Hilton Head has a high-end reputation that scares families off — unnecessarily. The islan…

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Free & CheapDestin, FL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Destin

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Destin Destin has a reputation for being expensive, and some of it is earned. But there's a solid lis…

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Free & CheapDenver, CO

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Denver

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Denver Denver's outdoor options alone give you weeks of free family activities. But there are solid c…

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Free & CheapDallas, TX

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Dallas

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Dallas Dallas has more free and genuinely affordable family activities than most people realize. The …

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Free & CheapChicago, IL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Chicago

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Chicago Chicago's free options are genuinely excellent — not just filler. Lincoln Park Zoo. Maggie Da…

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Free & CheapCape Canaveral, FL

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Cape Canaveral

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Cape Canaveral Cape Canaveral surprises people. The Space Coast is known for Kennedy Space Center's $…

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Free & CheapBranson, MO

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Branson

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Branson Branson markets itself as a budget family destination, but the Strip will eat your money if y…

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Free & CheapBoston, MA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Boston

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Boston Boston has a reputation for being expensive, and some of it's earned. But the city's parks, pl…

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Free & CheapAustin, TX

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Austin

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Austin Austin might be expensive to live in, but it's one of the better family travel destinations fo…

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Free & CheapAtlanta, GA

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta

Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta Atlanta has more genuinely free family activities than most cities its size. You don't have t…

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