Do you ever get the urge to get out of the house but don’t know where to go? Are you also trying to save money? It can be hard to find things to do in the community that don’t involve spending.
In past posts, I’ve suggested trying No Spend challenges and recommended spending less time looking at a screen. However, it can feel like these the goals of less screen time and less spending are incompatible. After all, most of the things that immediately come to mind cost money. The movie theater. A restaurant or coffee shop. Stores. Fitness classes. Playing sports. The farmers market. The salon. Live performances. Music lessons. An art class. Museums.
That said, there are places you can go and things you can do, without spending money. So, if you’re looking for some ideas, this post is for you.
Cultural activities.
- Visit a local history museum. (Because they’re small, they’re usually volunteer-run and free to visit.)
- Attend a lecture at your local library.
- Watch a free play (maybe Shakespeare in the Park).
- Attend a free outdoor movie.
- Attend a religious service.
- Find a free concert.
Physical well-being.
- Hike at a nearby county park. (State parks, comparatively, sometimes have a parking fee.)
- Go for a walk. Maybe walk to a Little Free Library.
- Go for a bike ride (if you own a bike).
- Go for a run.
Nature activities.
- Download a naturalist app, go for a walk in nature, pick a plant you like, and learn about it.
- Go bird watching.
- Stargaze. (Or join a stargazing event.)
- Watch the sunset or sunrise. (Try finding the spot with the best view, like the beach or a hill.)
- Try geo-caching.
- Visit a local animal shelter or wildlife sanctuary.
- Visit a nearby creek.
Explore your area.
- Visit your local library. (Pick up a book, CD, or DVD.)
- Drive to the beach. (Bring a thermos, snack and a book.)
- Visit an open house in your area.
- Explore your town’s downtown and see what’s new.
- Find a scenic spot. Draw it or write a poem about it.
Social activities.
- Join a guided hike.
- Attend a book club meeting. (Borrow your book from the library, of course!)
- Join a pick-up sports game.
- Attend a language meetup.
- Have a photo-shoot with a friend. (Try a park, beach, or local monument.)
- Have a picnic. (If you invite others, ask everyone to bring their own food.)
- Go to the beach. Build a sandcastle, or a tiny village out of sticks, shells, and stones.
Give-back activities.
- Attend a volunteering event at a local park.
- Volunteer at a local festival or marathon.
- Walk a neighbor’s dog.
- Do a solo beach or waterway clean-up.
Where to Look for Free Events in Your Community
It can be hard to know where to find listings of free events! I know because I’ve struggled with it myself. Eventually, I learned to check multiple websites, as there just wasn’t one handy resource listing all the events happening in my county.
Here are some websites worth checking:
- Local libraries – for lectures, book clubs, puzzle swaps, repair fairs, and other events
- Local bookstores – for author talks and poetry readings
- Community centers – for art shows and fitness classes
- Community colleges – for plays and concerts
- Local concert halls – for concerts and open mic nights
- Parks associations – for guided hikes, lectures on nature topics, and stargazing parties
- Meetup – for book clubs, sports games, running clubs, board game nights, and all kinds of other events
- Eventbrite – for some local events
