{"id":28357,"date":"2019-08-30T16:00:19","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T16:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=28357"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:21:59","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:21:59","slug":"free-things-to-do-with-kids-around-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/free-things-to-do-with-kids-around-the-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Things to Do With Kids Around the Country"},"content":{"rendered":"

Traveling as a family can quickly get expensive. There\u2019s the flight, hotel, and of course, all the activities once you reach your destination. But if you play your cards right, you can find a wealth of free things to do with kids in most major cities. To break it down, we\u2019ve created a guide to the best free things to do around the country if you\u2019ve got your family in tow. Save more\u2014and enjoy more\u2014while you\u2019re there. <\/p>\n

1. Chicago<\/h2>\n
\"The
Top Left: Via Joao Virissimo\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom: Via Luis Boucault\/Flickr<\/a> Top Right: Via VICTOR TORRES\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Windy City may be full of skyscrapers, but you don\u2019t need to spend high stacks of cash to enjoy your trip. When it comes to things to do with kids for free in Chicago<\/a>, head to the waterfront. Navy Pier is a staple in the city, and features a number of carnival games and rides. After that, make funny faces when you stop at the famous \u201cBean\u201d (real name: Cloud Gate) and make sandcastles at the popular Ohio Street Beach.<\/p>\n

2. Atlanta<\/h2>\n
\"All
Bottom Left: Via f11photo\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top: Via Rob Hainer\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom Right: Via Dirk Ercken\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Atlanta\u2019s sense of Southern hospitality will quickly make you feel welcome, but all the free stuff doesn\u2019t hurt either. Some of the top free things to do in Atlanta with kids<\/a> include the Capitol Museum tour, Centennial Olympic Park, and Fernbank Science Center. From political history to tree frogs, this city\u2019s magic will capture your kids\u2019 imagination in no time.<\/p>\n

3. Houston<\/h2>\n
\"The
Bottom Right: Via IrinaK\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top: Via Kokoulina\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom Left: Via Matthew H.\/Yelp.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the largest city in Texas, you\u2019d best believe there\u2019s a ton of fun free things to do with kids in Houston<\/a>. One of the most interesting is Waugh Bridge Bat Colony. Find a good viewing spot at sundown and watch the bats fly into the sky. Need a new family pic for the holidays? The picturesque Water Wall is a popular spot for photography. And while you\u2019re in town, take a look at the calendar for Miller Outdoor Theatre. The venue puts on a number of performances for eight months of the year.<\/p>\n

4. Las Vegas<\/h2>\n
\"The
Bottom Left: Via Bumble Dee\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom Right: Via David Tadevosian\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top: Via twogiraffe\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We tend to think of Vegas as an expensive party town, but there are plenty of things to do with kids in Las Vegas for free<\/a>. First and foremost, you have to watch the water show at the Bellagio Fountains. The whole family will feel like they\u2019re in a movie scene straight out of \u201cOcean\u2019s 11.\u201d Speaking of shows, don\u2019t miss the free circus performances at Circus Circus. Just get there early, since there are only a few spots. And if you need to get away from The Strip for a while, lace up some hiking boots and take the kids on a hike through Calico Basin Red Springs.<\/p>\n

5. Los Angeles<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Bottom: Via Steve Jurvetson\/Flickr<\/a> Top Right: Via Hayk_Shalunts\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top Left: Via oneinchpunch\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Movie stars aren\u2019t the only ones who have fun in LA. When there are this many free things to do with kids in Los Angeles<\/a>, the town really is your oyster. Don\u2019t miss the California Science Center, which has an enormous spaceship the kids will love. Next, take a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier, before ducking into the on-site aquarium. Last but not least, you can\u2019t leave LA without walking on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and pointing out all the big names you recognize.<\/p>\n

6. Denver<\/h2>\n
\"All
Bottom Left: Via Ami Parikh\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top: Via Yobab\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom Right: Via Gray Photo Online\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Denver balances a strong arts culture with outdoors activities. Luckily, both of these things tend to be cheap or even free. What are the best free things to do in Denver<\/a>\u00a0as a family? First, decide if you\u2019d rather spend the afternoon at a museum or national park. Top favorite attractions in the city include the imaginative Denver Art Museum, the rugged Red Rocks Trail, and the popular Denver Zoo.<\/p>\n

7. New York City<\/h2>\n
\"Best
Top: Via Songquan Deng\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom Left: Via Albert Pego\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Bottom Right: Via AntonioCarlos\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We all know New York is a pricey city, but with a little savvy, you can enjoy the top NYC free things to do with kids<\/a> and not break the bank on your trip. This is, of course, home to the famous Central Park, the enormous green space right in the heart of the skyscrapers. And if you like the outdoors, the Staten Island Ferry is a can\u2019t-miss and takes you past sights like the Statue of Liberty. If you want to introduce your kids to the arts, make a stop inside the MOMA. This famous museum should spark plenty of new finger paintings.<\/p>\n

8. Orlando<\/h2>\n
\"Top
Left: Via Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos\/Flickr<\/a> Bottom Right: Via aphotostory\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top Right: Via Biserka Stojanovic\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The House of Mouse is without question one of the most joyous places in the world\u2026but all those souvenirs can add up. Thus, you\u2019ll want to scout out the best free things to do with kids in the Orlando<\/a> area. Among the most popular attractions are Disney Springs, which includes live entertainment and splash pads; Lake Eola, which is perfect for a nice morning stroll; and the tons of free outdoors movies around the city.<\/p>\n

9. Phoenix<\/h2>\n
\"The
Top Left: Via bobistraveling\/Flickr<\/a> Top Right: Via Natalie G.\/Yelp<\/a> Bottom: Via Paula Henry\/Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Phoenix is known for its extremes, both in terms of heat and art. So when you\u2019re looking for free things to do with the kids in Phoenix<\/a>, you\u2019ll be happy to find plenty of air conditioning and lots of activities. Start your journey at the Phoenix Art Museum. This center is always pushing the boundaries of expression, and your kids might just walk away as the next Frida Kahlo. The Phoenix Children\u2019s Museum is another favorite, with plenty of hands-on activities. When the weather\u2019s cool in the mornings, make a stop into the Phoenix Botanical Garden. There are so many strange plants, you and the kiddos might feel like you\u2019re on Mars.<\/p>\n

10. San Diego<\/h2>\n
\"The
Bottom: Via ff11photo\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top Left: Via Manuela Durson\/Shutterstock.com<\/a> Top Right: Via Gabriele Maltinti\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s America\u2019s Finest City for a reason. Not only are there a ton of fantastic free things to do in San Diego with kids<\/a>, but many of them are set amidst gorgeous scenery. Take a stroll through the famous Balboa Park, which includes a free and historic botanical garden. Check out the sea lions and the gorgeous sunset when you and the family head to the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. And don\u2019t miss the tortillas and historic sites when you stop into Old Town.<\/p>\n

Are you ready to see what America has to offer? With these top cities around the country offering free things to do with kids, you and the family will never run out of adventures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finding the top free activities around America for the whole family<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":28368,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1877,1777,1780,1793,1776],"tags":[],"authors":[2222],"class_list":["post-28357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budget","category-family","category-inspiration","category-things-to-do","category-type-of-vacation","authors-jennifer-cuellar","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFree Things to Do With Kids Around the Country | Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"No matter where you travel around the country, there are a ton of free things to do with kids! 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