You have become pretty savvy on saving your pennies but you can't hid yourself away because you don't want to spend money on entertainment.
While it looks like everything interesting you want to do or try is very pricey there are great things to do out there that won't cost you that much money or are free.
There is great entertainment available through out the year, but you might have to do some searching to find out what is going on near you. Here is our list of ideas to keep you entertained through out the year with out busting the bank.
Library- The best thing your taxes ever paid for. Books are not the only
thing available at libraries, catch up on magazines, movies, music,
concerts, children's activities, lectures and art exhibits. Most of
these are free with a library membership card but you will have to
register your children for any activities in advance. If your library is small or not that interesting see what is offered in neighboring areas or towns.
Parks- Visit a park, it doesn't have to be your local park, go explore to see what other parks have to offer. Some have petting zoos and others have huge play structures for children. In the summer many have water pads to cool off in. If you are by yourself take a kite or a book or people watch, or take the family with you and have a game of touch football, soccer, or some other game you all enjoy. If you take a snack or a picnic you can make a day of it or your treat could be to buy a small ice cream for $2 or $3
City Hall - You local City Hall can be a treasure trove of free advice, outings and information. Out door movie nights, renting venues, parades, festivals, socials, children's activities, local trail walks, and historical walks. Go on their website and explore what they have to offer.
Visitor Center- there are coupons and maps available at your home town visitor centers that you can use for yourself and your family. You can go on line check out their upcoming events where local sites can advertise free, and paid, events in your area.
Museums - Some museums offer times were there no charge for visitors but they can also offer great lectures, talks and tours for nominal cost. Smaller museums will have a guest speakers on a variety of subjects through out the year. Smaller museums are always looking for volunteers so you could attend their events for free if you are volunteering.
Universities - There are events through out the year that universities welcome the public to attend. It might be student art show or exhibits. If you have a university in your town check their website for up coming events.
Art Galleries - Public Art Galleries have great displays through out the year and also events that can be quite posh. See what the cost is to become a member and you might find that for a reasonable cost you will be given a chance to attend some of the cities best social events.
Societies - If your town has a Horticultural Society they probably have a list of social events and lecture events through out the year. Some of these will be free while other might have a small fee. It can be as diverse as learning how to do crafts with materials from your garden to talks about the importance of growing your own vegetables with food samples at the end.
Re-enactments - If you live near a historical site see if they have any re-enactments that the public is free to watch. You might find yourself in the middle of a battle of the War of 1812 or watching court jesters at a Medieval Festival. You could become intrigued enough join as a participant the following year.
Festivals- In small towns near you there are festivals that happen through out the year, everything from Maple Syrup Festivals in the spring to Pumpkin Festivals in the fall. In between there are everything from Buskers Festivals to Jazz Festivals. Many times these are held free to the public in the down town cores of small towns. For the more sophisticated look into the Wine Festivals if you live near grape growing areas where they have wine tastings and food samplings, some of these can be expensive but for smaller vineyards that are trying to make a name for themselves they are very reasonable.
Shakespeare in the Park- Through out cities across North America, Great Britain and Australia there are theater troops that offer the wonderful plays of Shakespeare preformed for free or pay-what-you-can in their parks. These are first rate productions that are a joy to watch. Check to see if any are available in your part of the world and check to see if you need to bring your own seating or if they encourage you to just bring blankets to sit on. These are extremely popular and sites advice you to come early to make sure that you have seating.
Bride Watching - Yes Bride not bird. Strictly a Saturday morning activity to do with the girls. In beautiful parks in large cities during the warm weather months brides have their wedding photos taken outside. Park your car away from the action, bring a lawn chair and a little picnic and be prepared to be amazed and entertained. Be polite, don't heckle and stay out of the way of the photographers.
Ask around. It is surprising what activities go on in your own back yard that you might not know about. Youth groups preform concerts and plays, neighborhood community centers have strawberry socials and church groups always welcome the public to their events. With a little bit of research you can be entertained through out the year with great cheap and free activities for you and your family.
Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2010
Morestylethancash
Parks- Visit a park, it doesn't have to be your local park, go explore to see what other parks have to offer. Some have petting zoos and others have huge play structures for children. In the summer many have water pads to cool off in. If you are by yourself take a kite or a book or people watch, or take the family with you and have a game of touch football, soccer, or some other game you all enjoy. If you take a snack or a picnic you can make a day of it or your treat could be to buy a small ice cream for $2 or $3
City Hall - You local City Hall can be a treasure trove of free advice, outings and information. Out door movie nights, renting venues, parades, festivals, socials, children's activities, local trail walks, and historical walks. Go on their website and explore what they have to offer.
Visitor Center- there are coupons and maps available at your home town visitor centers that you can use for yourself and your family. You can go on line check out their upcoming events where local sites can advertise free, and paid, events in your area.
Museums - Some museums offer times were there no charge for visitors but they can also offer great lectures, talks and tours for nominal cost. Smaller museums will have a guest speakers on a variety of subjects through out the year. Smaller museums are always looking for volunteers so you could attend their events for free if you are volunteering.
Universities - There are events through out the year that universities welcome the public to attend. It might be student art show or exhibits. If you have a university in your town check their website for up coming events.
Art Galleries - Public Art Galleries have great displays through out the year and also events that can be quite posh. See what the cost is to become a member and you might find that for a reasonable cost you will be given a chance to attend some of the cities best social events.
Societies - If your town has a Horticultural Society they probably have a list of social events and lecture events through out the year. Some of these will be free while other might have a small fee. It can be as diverse as learning how to do crafts with materials from your garden to talks about the importance of growing your own vegetables with food samples at the end.
Re-enactments - If you live near a historical site see if they have any re-enactments that the public is free to watch. You might find yourself in the middle of a battle of the War of 1812 or watching court jesters at a Medieval Festival. You could become intrigued enough join as a participant the following year.Festivals- In small towns near you there are festivals that happen through out the year, everything from Maple Syrup Festivals in the spring to Pumpkin Festivals in the fall. In between there are everything from Buskers Festivals to Jazz Festivals. Many times these are held free to the public in the down town cores of small towns. For the more sophisticated look into the Wine Festivals if you live near grape growing areas where they have wine tastings and food samplings, some of these can be expensive but for smaller vineyards that are trying to make a name for themselves they are very reasonable.
Shakespeare in the Park- Through out cities across North America, Great Britain and Australia there are theater troops that offer the wonderful plays of Shakespeare preformed for free or pay-what-you-can in their parks. These are first rate productions that are a joy to watch. Check to see if any are available in your part of the world and check to see if you need to bring your own seating or if they encourage you to just bring blankets to sit on. These are extremely popular and sites advice you to come early to make sure that you have seating.
Bride Watching - Yes Bride not bird. Strictly a Saturday morning activity to do with the girls. In beautiful parks in large cities during the warm weather months brides have their wedding photos taken outside. Park your car away from the action, bring a lawn chair and a little picnic and be prepared to be amazed and entertained. Be polite, don't heckle and stay out of the way of the photographers.
Ask around. It is surprising what activities go on in your own back yard that you might not know about. Youth groups preform concerts and plays, neighborhood community centers have strawberry socials and church groups always welcome the public to their events. With a little bit of research you can be entertained through out the year with great cheap and free activities for you and your family.
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Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2010
Morestylethancash
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