Tell us: Where's your favorite free vacation spot?
Posted by Lorrie Lynch Face it: When you're a celebrity, there is usually free stuff to be had. Just think of all the goody bags they give out at the Oscars, with tons of free swag. Chances are, Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise could walk into a bar and probably get comped for a couple drinks. If a well-known celebrity isn't comped, sometimes this is what happens. In Washington, D.C., the historical eatery Ben's Chili Bowl even has a sign up stating that only Bill Cosby and President Obama's family eat free. Unfortunately, most of us will never get that kind of service, and especially in a down economy, when it comes to travel, we like to get the most we can out of every dollar. That's why this weekend's cover story is all about our top 10 free, must-see travel destinations across the United States, just in time for summer. We scoured the country to look for the coolest and most cost-friendly spots, from William Faulkner's Mississippi home and whale-watching at Big Sur to the bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin and the Rose Gardens in Portland, Ore. We know that's only some of the best freebie locales across our great land, so we wanted you to tell us: What's your favorite free vacation spot? Channel your inner travel writer and let us know in the comments section below.
Comments (22)
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SORRY....NOWHERE ON THIS PLANET IS ''FREE''
EXCEPT IF YOUR MOTHER/FATHER-IN- LAW PAY FOR EVERYTHING
Come and see the Virginia State Capitol. Many
great resturants within walking distance. It is truly beautiful and free!
Come to St. Louis, Mo. and Alton, Ill. The zoo is free and many attractions are free certain hours or certain days of the week. Much history especially about the Underground Railroad and hauntings are popular in Alton. The Great River Road is a beautiful drive. There are free or inexpensive sites re:Lewis and Clark, free lock and dam tours. There is much to see and do that is not hard on your pocket book. The Missouri Botanical Gardens are exceptional. There is no site in the U.S. that doesn't have weather. We get hot in the summer, worry about tornados and severe thunderstorms but we don't worry about hurricanes. We respect earthquakes. Cost of living is your choice. You can find neat cheap places and crumby expensive places just like anywhere else in this country. Try us. You'll like us.
We live in our favorite vacation spot! It's Conneaut, Ohio! On the edge of Lake Erie, it boasts a fabulous beach, great port for fishing and boating, a world-famous trout stream, near-by golf courses, local wineries, covered bridges to tour, bed and breakfast accomodations, Race-Way Seven, near-by casinos,reasonable restaurants for family dining and within 45 minutes of Erie, PA and an hour from Cleveland! Visit us at everythingconneautohio.com!
Once again, You can't beat Washington D.C. I would only like to add, that the Metro rail has stops near many of the attractions and is very convenient to use. I use this option for day trips, parking at one of the outlying stations, and riding in. They have an all day farecard that is pretty reasonable priced. With the one way streets, and the unusual layout of the city, not to mention limited parking, the metro rail is very handy. They also have a website with maps. Just keep in mind that there are many commuters also using the metro rail during rush hour on weekdays. But just plan to be at an attraction during rush hour and travel before or after the rush.
Frederick Maryland is another town with alot of history worth checking out.
The San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum not only free, but educational also. A money-saving oasis in a beautiful, but rather expensive city.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunny16/sets/72157618493759920/
Redondo Beach (CA) rocks! There is so much great stuff to see and do. Everyone feels welcome here. No matter who you are or where you're from, there is something for everyone. Check out redondobeachresort.org for more.
National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola FL is one of the all-time bargains. It's free, offers a close look at over 100 aircraft indoors (no velvet ropes keeping you away from most of the exhibits), lots of hands-on displays, dioramas of facets of Naval Aviation, and free tours by knowledgeable guides. A recreation of the Officers' Club Bar at NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines displays the original bar and furniture, hundreds of squadron plaques, other memorabilia recovered when the base was closed in 1992 - and you can get reasonably priced sandwich-soup-salad type lunches and beverages. Another 45 or so aircraft are on the flight line behind the museum awaiting the next major enlargement of museum indoor exhibit space due in less than two years and can be viewed from a trolley. The 11AM trolley on weekends also visits the hangar where aircraft currently under restoration or repair can be viewed.
The museum also contains a beautiful art gallery, a research library, and a Flight Adventure Deck for school children to be introduced to the laws of physics and math as they apply to flight through hands-on demonstrations. Flight students stationed at the Naval Air Station can be seen training on F-18 simulators. The museum also offers an IMAX theater and several types of simulators available to the public (not free). It's the jewel of the Gulf Coast.
Couldn't agree more about Washington DC being the best place for freebies! In addition to the great places ( National Zoo; Smithsonian Museums, especially Air & Space and Natural History;and Monuments) already mentioned in DC, the National Gallery of Art, Hirshorn Sculpture Garden, and Asian and African Art Galleries are must-sees, and free! Don't forget Arlington National Cemetery just over the Memorial Bridge in VA and Mount Vernon, just down the river.
The US AF Museum aboard WPAFB- Fairborn, OH is indeed an excellent way for families to spend two wonderful days. You won't be disappointed.
I was wondering why you failed to mention a very fun way to spend a day or two in Minneapolis-St. Paul, searching for, and enjoying the larger than life-size Peanuts character sculptures that can be found all other both cities? Even adults find the search for those 111 sculptures to be a lot of fun.
Washington D.C. by far has the most freebies for all of us, but please don't forget Boston and surrounding areas. The early history of our great nation can be found on a daily basis in Boston, Quincy, and Salem. Plus, the 1st Saturday of each March brings a living history re-enactment of the Boston Massacre in front of the Old State House. Most participants are descendants of those present the night of the Boston Massacre.
Let's not forget the great Civil War battlefields IE: Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Appomottax Courthouse Station where General Lee surrendered to General Grant. A living history program is also presented at Appomottax and well worth the visit.
Philadelphia is another great city to explore and enjoy the early history of this nation, and it too provides living history programs along the historic route.
Then there is Valley Forge where yet another living history program allowing visitor participation can be enjoyed.
Now let's travel west to the magnificient Rocky Mountains where, a drive thru the Rocky Mountain National Park will take a full dayand leave you wanting more. I know, because my husband and I will be making that trip again this August and can't wait to get back to 'our' beautiful Rocky Mountains.
Research, and then explore the vast freebies to be found in our great country. You won't be disappointed.
For the best freebie vacation, I have to agree that it's hard to beat Washington,DC. This beautiful city is not only steeped in history, but almost all attractions are free - museums, parks,gardens,the zoo...there are even free nightly musical performances at the Kennedy Center! Explore the neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and Georgetown. DC is a great place for walking. Historic sites, entertainment,good food and terrific nightlife: our nation's capital has it all.
My favorite free place is the Hocking Hills near Logan, Ohio. Gorgeous hikes among old outcroppings of huge rocks, beautiful old hemlock trees, plenty of streams and small waterfalls and lots of shops nearby. All within about an hour of Columbus, but there are plenty of lovely cabins in the area to stay. A great place to "clean your spirit".
Please check out the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. It's wonderful and free. http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/
Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado has amazing rock formations. There are stops along the way if you drive through the area. But, the best way to enjoy the stunning beauty is to take the walking trails. There are also opportunities for rock climbing.
I have traveled to many places in this beautiful country and the most awe inspiring vacation and is free to all is Washingtn DC. I always find something new to see every time a go. In fact I will be there this Memorial Day weekend.
I am shocked and horified that our nations Capital Washing DC was not in the article or Gettysburg and Learn out nations history!!!! You just need to get there!
Hi! I just got back from the Caribbean and have to admit we had the time of a life time, the adult vacations resort at charlisangels is one of the best in the Caribbean I've visited. I spent a wonderful 4 days 3 nights at an all inclusive with beautiful European and Russian escorts in private beach front villa, look forward to my next trip there sometime in the summer.
Hi! I just got back from the Caribbean and have to admit we had the time of a life time, the adult vacations resort at charlisangels is one of the best in the Caribbean I've visited. I spent a wonderful 4 days 3 nights at an all inclusive with beautiful European and Russian escorts in private beach front villa, look forward to my next trip there sometime in the summer.
Washington, DC is the best place in the U.S. for a freebie vacation. There are a million "free" things to see from all the museums on the Mall to all the memorials to the Capitol, and on and on. And then when you're done, there are plenty of other scenic areas to walk like Georgetown and Old Town Alexandria.