If you’re trying to save money for a big vacation in the summer, there are plenty of ways you can still have fun with your family and stay within your budget. This time of year, especially, gives you lots of outdoor and indoor options. Maybe you’ve never checked out all the fun things to do right in your hometown or other small towns close by. Pretend you’re a tourist and start exploring!
One of the best places to get information on fun things to do is online at your local Chamber of Commerce website. They usually have a list of things to do and also any special events coming up. While you’re online, just do a search and type in “fun things to do in (your hometown or county)”. If you have a Welcome Center in your area, stop in and get brochures. Sometimes you’ll even find coupons for local attractions.
I recently moved and my family has been doing a lot of exploring. There’s so much to do in our area that we haven’t even seen everything yet and we’ve been here almost a year. The best part of all is that most of these things are either free or very inexpensive. So, here is a list of fun things we can all do with our family and still stay within our budget:
Outdoor Activities
- Parks – Sometimes you only pay one fee per carload to get into parks. You can do walking trails, hiking trails, bike riding, frisbee, disk golf, picnics, fishing, and camping.
- Local festivals – These are usually free or inexpensive to get in, and then you just pay for food.
- Local farmer’s markets and flea markets – This is a great way to get fresh produce and other homemade items.
- Local outdoor music concerts – These are usually free.
- Downtown shops and antique stores – Try some stores you’ve never been in. It’s free to just look.
- Scenic drives – This is free except for the gas.
- Local zoos – The smaller, local zoos are usually inexpensive and sometimes you can buy a season pass.
- Apple orchards and pumpkin patches – These usually open late summer to November and are so much fun, it’s become a yearly tradition for our family.
Indoor Activities
- Local art galleries and museums – Sometimes they have one day a week with a discounted price.
- Historical houses – These are interesting, educational, and inexpensive.
- Local public libraries – Check out books and DVDs for free, special events and speakers, free classes, and children’s story time.
- Local coffee houses – Sometimes they have free, local musicians.
- Movie theaters – If possible, go to matinees for cheaper tickets.
- Local performing arts theaters – These are great for plays and concerts. Tickets are usually cheaper than they would be for a big production.
- Shopping and browsing – This is free unless you buy something. Bookstores can keep me entertained for hours.
- Local sports – If you like football, basketball, or baseball, high school and minor league games can be fun. They usually sell season tickets if you want to be a dedicated fan.
So, next time your kids say, “I’m bored!”, pull out this handy list and let them pick something. It won’t even cost you much. This list is just to get you started. Watch for special events in your area, especially during this time of year. Get out, explore, and have a great summer!