11 Free Things to do in Las Vegas

Visiting Las Vegas on a budget? Lost your spending money gambling? Fear not; though known primarily for its gambling, Sin City has a multitude of less-famous and totally free entertainment options!

1. Las Vegas Spring Preserve – If the city has got you feeling claustrophobic, check out the natural beauty offered by the Las Vegas Spring Preserve! The Preserve contains museums, galleries, four scenic walking trails, an 8-acre botanical garden, and a playground for the kids! While the museum and galleries charge an entrance fee, the trails and garden are free of charge!

2. Fountains of Bellagio– Even if the splendorous Bellagio Hotel is outside your price range, you can still enjoy its beautiful dancing water show! The hotel’s fountains provide one of the most intricately choreographed water shows in the world, accompanied by beautiful works of classical and opera music. The show runs throughout the day, so show up at your convenience!

3. Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History– If you want to learn about the nature and indigenous peoples of the area, head over to UNLV and check out this museum! Exhibits range from lizards and tortoises to artifacts of the Hopi and Paiute tribes. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5 for adults.

4. Volcano at Mirage– If you’re walking along the Las Vegas strip, take a stop at the Mirage Hotel and Casino and witness the eruption of a man-made volcano! This marvelous creation combines flames, smoke, heat, eruption sounds to simulate an actual volcano! Eruptions occur throughout the evening.

5. Silverton Aquarium– True to its name, the Aquarium Silverton Hotel houses an 117,000 gallon aquarium which is open to guests and non-guests, free of charge. The aquarium contains 5,000 fish, including 3 species of shark!

6. Gaming Lessons– Want to learn how to gamble before opening your wallet? All major casinos offer free lessons in table games, free of charge! Even if you don’t intend to risk your money, stop by a casino just to get the free lesson!

7. Lion Habitat at MGM Grand– Want to see appreciate some spectacular animals during your stay? Walk 12 miles from the MGM Grand and you’ll find a beautiful, 8.5 acre lion habitat! The lions are available for viewing free of charge throughout the afternoon.

8. Fashion Shows at the Fashion Show Mall - Whether or not you’ve come to enjoy Las Vegas’ famous shopping, stop in at Fashion Mall to enjoy a free fashion show! Several times a day, the runway and stage rise from the ground and models display beautiful clothing. With ceiling lighting and LED screen effects, this experience is worth taking a shopping break for.

9. Fremont Street Experience– Running through the heart of downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street is home to a brilliant light and sound spectacle like you’ve never experienced before! Above the street hovers a 90-foot high canopy which contains millions of lights and 220 speakers. There’s nothing like this beautiful show, so walk down Fremont Street and prepare to be dazzled!

10. Eiffel Tower at Paris, Las Vegas - If you can’t get to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, at least enjoy this ½ scale replica at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas! This 460 ft. building offers the best view of Las Vegas you can get. Though the ride up has a price tag, simply admiring the tower is free of charge.

11. Movie Screenings at the Clark County Library– Want to relax and catch a movie during your stay in Las Vegas? The Clark County Library has free screenings of films such as Julie and Julia, The Proposal, Some Like it Hot, and Trainspotting. The library also hosts community events and features guest speakers such as David Sedaris.

Detroit has lots of options for budget travelers! Learn about history, go sailing, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Motor City and its surrounding areas.

1. Sailing Lessons

If you have an interest in learning to sail, head over to the University of Michigan’s Sailing Club. If you show up any Saturday between 9 AM and noon you can get a one-on-one lesson in sailing, rigging, and other topics. The first two lessons are free of charge.

2. Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum

This museum features an assortment of coin operated machines, animatronics, and other mechanical oddities from around the world. Come with some change to play, or just admire the bizarre findings at this one-of-a-kind museum.

3. Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Lying inside Belle Isle Park, along the Detroit River, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum surveys the maritime history of the Great Lakes region. Exhibits include a pilot house from the S.S. William Clay Ford, an anchor from the sunken S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, and one of the largest collections of model ships in the world. Anyone interested in history and fond of the sea ought to check this museum out.

4. Detroit Historical Museum

The Detroit Historical Museum, one of the oldest metropolitan history museums in the United States, chronicles the history of Detroit from a small town to an international capital of the auto industry. Exhibits chronicle subjects ranging from the earliest settlers to the life of a Detroit artist. Spend the afternoon and get to know the Motor City like never before!

5. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

Located on Belle Isle, this Conservatory features trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals of many species. Take your family on a tour of this beautiful nature preserve!

6. Hart Plaza

The Phillip A. Hart Plaza is a hard-surface park situated along the Detroit River. Located on the site where Antoine Cadillac founded the city in 1701, the plaza features several amphitheatres, an ice-skating rink, and an outdoor art gallery.

7. International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit

Founded to help new immigrants adjust to life in America, the Institute now hosts cultural events to expand knowledge of world cultures in the Detroit area. These include world dance festivals, language instruction, and much more.

8. Cranbrook Educational Community

In the suburb of Bloomfield Hills, just outside of Detroit, lies an agglomeration of artistic and educational facilities known as the Cranbrook Educational Community. The grounds include the Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, which includes paintings by Andy Warhol and Roy Liechtenstein, and the Cranbrook Institute of Science, which houses a life-sized Stegosaurus model. Walk or bike through the beautiful premises and take in the culture.

Atlanta, one of the fastest growing cities in the country, is drawing an increasing number of tourists. Discover all that this beautiful city has to offer without spending a fortune! This list covers some of the best free options that Georgia’s capital have to offer.

1. Turner First Thursdays

Get acquainted with Atlanta’s local art scene in one night! The first Thursday of every month, the city’s art museums, galleries, and studios open their doors free of charge! Check out the technology and design exhibits at the Museum of Design; visit the Art for All Gallery, which features pieces by children and the disabled; and take a tour of real artist’s studios.

2. Music at Centennial Olympic Park

Enjoy a free concert and soak up the sun at Centennial Park’s outdoor concerts! The Music @ Noon series brings local jazz, reggae, and pop musicians to the park every Tuesday, noon to one. Come by Wednesday evenings for Wednesday WindDown, a weekly concert by the biggest names in local music. There’s no better way to enjoy Atlanta’s outdoors and local music!

3. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site

Visit the birthplace of the famous civil rights leader! Located in the Sweet Auburn District, this historic site also includes his boyhood church, the Ebenezer Baptist Church, he and his wife’s graves, and the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Register ahead of time to go on a park ranger-led tour.

4. Center for Puppetry Arts

This unique museum displays puppets and puppetry accoutrements from around the world! Special exhibits cover puppet-making and the life of Jim Henson. Admission is free Thursday afternoons.

5. Savannah College Art and Design Galleries

Georgia’s top art college, SCAD, operates several galleries in Atlanta! Check out the latest exhibits at the Trois Gallery, Gallery See, and the famous ACA Gallery.

6. Sweet Auburn District

Stop by this district and discover the history and culture of Atlanta’s African-American community! In addition to the Martin Luther King National Historic Site, the District is home to the Apex Museum of African-American art and history, the King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, and the Auburn Research Library on African-American culture. No trip to Atlanta is complete is complete without a stop at this center of African-American culture and history!

7. Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank

Want to learn about our government’s relationship to the economy? Or do you just want to see where money comes from? Atlanta is home to one of America’s twelve Federal Reserve Banks, where you can take a tour or view the Monetary Museum. Current exhibits explain the history of money and the relationship between the Federal Reserve and our economy. Come learn out the economy at this center of monetary policy!

8. Atlanta Contemporary Art Center

This art gallery displays work from local and national artists alike. Thursdays are free and often feature special events, including lectures, tours, and film screenings.

9. Governor’s Mansion and State Capitol

Come visit the institutions that make up Georgia’s state government! The State Capitol, which comprises the state House and Senate, is a beautiful neoclassical building modeled after the Capitol in D.C. Take a tour or check out the building’s public gallery. The Governor’s Mansion is also open to tour groups.

Seattle’s vibrant cultural life make it an obvious tourist destination, and with these free options it’s also an affordable one! You can hear music, visit art museums, and learn how to boat without spending a dime!

1. Seattle Art Museum

Featuring collections from around the world, the Seattle Art Museum is the city’s most comprehensive art museum. Come on the first Thursday of the month and admission is free.

2. Seattle Asian Art Museum

Housing the largest collection of Asian art in the region, the Seattle Asian Art Museum has pieces spanning centuries of Asian art history. Current exhibits include Japanese woodblocks and a Seattle perspective on Chinese art. First Thursdays of the month are free and the second Thursdays are free from 5-9 PM. First Fridays are free for seniors over 62, and first Saturdays are free for families.

3. Olympic Sculpture Park

This outdoor sculpture gallery, featuring both permanent and visiting pieces, is a unique fixture of Atlanta’s art world. The park is situated on a beach, so feel free to take a refreshing dip after viewing the sculptures!

4. Center for Wooden Boats

Head to Lake Union and the Center for Wooden Boats will give you a free boat ride! If you’re interested in learning how to boat the Center also hosts educational programs. Also check out the library in their boathouse.

5. Concerts at City Hall

Head to city hall the first Tuesdays and Thursdays of the month and catch a free concert! Performers this summer include Caspar Babypants, Latin Expression, and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.

6. Bellevue Arts Museum

This museum, itself an architectural marvel designed by Stephen Holl, is home to some of the best artwork in Seattle. Bellevue holds no permanent collection; it displays traveling pieces and focuses on providing art education to the surrounding area. Take a trip to this remarkable institution the first Friday of the month, when admission is free.

7. Museum of Flight

This air and space museum, just south of Seattle, boasts over sixty aircraft, including the first Presidential Jet and the only remaining Boeing 80A. If you’re interested in the history of aeronautics this museum is a must-see! Admission is free on the first Friday of the month.

8. Coast Guard Museum Northwest

This museum, celebrating the history of the Coast Guard in the American Northwest, houses thousands of books, photos, and artifacts pertaining to the American Coast Guard. Among the museum’s many pieces are lighthouse lights, ship parts, and the coast guard flag brought on the first Space Shuttle flight.

Heading to San Diego soon? America’s Finest City is home to scenic beaches, public parks, and museums which can all be experienced without spending a nickel. With this list you can explore the desert, see where Olympians train, view contemporary art, and learn about the early history of man for free!

1. Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine
If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, escape to this lake shrine. The shrine is a 10-acre oasis of tranquility located just north of San Diego; it includes a lake, several waterfalls, koi ponds, and beautiful gardens. The site also includes a Court of Religions, which displays the symbols of five of the worlds principal religions, and a shrine to Gandhi, which houses the only ashes of Ghandi outside of India.

2. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
This 600,000-acre State Park, east of San Diego, covers a vast expanse of desert which is home to iguanas, golden eagles, rattlesnakes, foxes, and bighorn sheep. If you arrive in early Spring you can witness the blooming of thousands of different flowers. Check out the Visitor’s Center to get a sense of the flora and fauna which inhabit this diverse region.

3. Balboa Park
This 1,200-acre urban park features a combination of open, green spaces and cultural attractions, including the San Diego Zoo and Spreckels Organ. Site of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and the 1935 California-Pacific International Exposition, the park is a cultural and historical center of San Diego and California.

4. Mission Bay Park
At over 4,200 acres, Mission Bay is one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Sail, jet ski, or swim in the beautiful waters, or camp along its shore. The park also contains over 20 miles of trails for walking or jogging.

5. La Jolla
This San Diegan community features one of the most beautiful shorefront sunsets in the US. Its combination of rocky and sandy coast lines and clear blue oceans make the La Jolla coast an unforgettable sight.

6. US Olympic Training Center
Chula Vista, just south of San Diego, is home to one of only three Olympic Training Centers in the US. The facilities are open to the public throughout the week, so if you’re in the area be sure to take a free, self-guided tour!

7. San Diego Museum of Man
San Diego’s premier anthropology museum houses archaeological objects and publications from around the world, with an emphasis on the Americas and Egypt. Current exhibitions focus on the human genome, the history of board and card-games, and ancient artifacts from Mexico to Peru. Admission is free on the third Tuesday of every month.

8. Spreckels Organ Concerts
With 4,530 pipes which reach as high as 32 feet, Spreckels Organ is one of the largest outdoor organs in the world. Free concerts are performed Sunday afternoons by the region’s leading organists. Bring a picnic and enjoy the outdoors while enjoying this one-of-a-kind musical experience.

9. Stargaze at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
This science center sets up a number of huge telescopes for public viewing of the night sky on the first Wednesday of the month.

10. Julian
Julian was once the county’s second largest city after the Gold Rush of 1869; today, its Victorian architecture and quiet atmosphere remain undisturbed by San Diego’s growth. Come and explore this quaint community in the autumn to enjoy the hundred-year-old Julian Fall Apple Harvest, or at any point to simply take a glimpse into the past.

11. Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
The Museum of Contemporary Art has two buildings, one in La Jolla and one downtown. Together they hold over 4,000 pieces from all mediums, with strong holdings in works from Latin America and the San Diego-Tijuana region. Admission is free from 5 – 7 PM, on the third Thursday of the month.

Houston, a regional capital in art, theatre, and commerce, is also a great vacation spot for budget travelers! With this list you can experience the culture and history of America’s fourth-largest city at no cost.

1. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

This museum features fine art from around the world. Current exhibits explore fields as disperse as metal art, cowboy culture, and Sufi mysticism. Admission is free on Thursdays.

2. San Jacinto Museum of History

At 570 feet, the San Jacinto Monument is the tallest war monument in the world, passing the Washington Monument by 15 feet. Gaze at this incredible edifice and walk inside its base, which contains the San Jacinto Museum of History. The museum covers Texan history from Mexican rule to the present.

3. Holocaust Museum Houston

This museum honors the millions of victims of the Holocaust and other genocides of the 20th century. Its permanent collection includes footage, photographs, artifacts, a WWII rail car, and a Danish rescue boat. In addition, the museum is a venue for Holocaust-related artwork and theatre, including the Laramie Project.

4. Cullen Sculpture Garden

Next to the Museum of Fine Arts stands a beautiful, five-acre sculpture garden designed by Isamu Noguchi. The garden’s permanent collection includes works by Henri Matisse and Frank Stella, as well as an assortment of sculptures by local Texan artists.

5. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

On the Western edge of Houston’s Memorial Park is a 155-acre urban nature sanctuary. Explore the Arboretum’s five miles of scenic trails, and check out the many events held in the park year-round.

6. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

This beautiful, stainless steel museum houses the best regional, national, and international contemporary art. Current exhibitions explore the relationship between static and performance art, with the audience interacting with pieces in fascinating ways.

7. Menil Collection

The impressive collection assembled by John and Dominique de Menil is on display at this free museum. Their 16,000-piece collection includes pieces from the Byzantine Empire, African, and Oceania, as well as contemporary art from around the world.

8. Tranquility Park

This two-block oasis commemorates the original, 1969 moon landing in the Sea of Tranquility. The park contains memorials to the Challenger and Columbia disasters.

9. Museum of Printing History

This unique museum is dedicated to the history, art, and science of printing. Current exhibits focus on printing in Bhutan, the technology of early photography, and minority publications through Houston’s history.

The always busy and bustling city of Mumbai which is the commercial and financial nerve center of India is often used by tourists as a gateway to other parts of the subcontinent. Mumbai which was recently immortalized forever in the Oscar winning movie, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has often been described as ‘an assault on your senses’ and ‘a cacophony of sights and sounds’ but despite what people may say about it, it does have a lot to offer for tourists. Traveling to Mumbai is easy when you find great Asia Airfare deals! Listed below are some of the activities that you can pursue for free in this always buzzing city by the Arabian Sea.

Explore ‘the many bazaars’ of Mumbai

Mumbai has many lively ‘bazaars’ (marketplaces) and if you really feel want to get a finger on the pulse of the city you must try visit a few.  Crawford Market is of one of the largest markets of Mumbai which located in the heart of the city. This market which is housed in an imposing Gothic building that dates back to the nineteenth century is a wholesale market for fruits, vegetables, poultry, household goods and  oddly enough even pets. This market offers a riot of  enchanting visuals and experiences.  Located in a lane opposite Crawford Market is the main textile market of Mumbai called ‘Mangaldas Market’. The market is housed is a cavernous building which is populated by numerous vendors of fine textiles like colorful silks, soft cottons, crepes,  and brocades. Yet another fun market in Mumbai is ‘Chor Bazaar’ or the ‘thieves market’ which is located on Mutton Street and is a treasure trove for antiques, curious tchotchkes and ’stolen goods’.

Pay a visit to Haji Ali, the mosque in the middle of the sea

The mosque known as Haji Ali was built at a distance of five hundred meters from the coast in the midst of the Arabian Sea by a wealthy Muslim merchant in 1431. The merchant named the mosque, Haji Ali after a Muslim saint called Haji Ali who renounced his worldly goods before he took the pilgrimage to Mecca. This holy shrine contains the tomb of Haji Ali and can only be accessed by walking on the narrow walkway that leads to the mosque. This walkway is accessible only at the time of low tide.  The walkway strangely connects the mosque to a Hindu temple called Mahalaxmi located close by. The whitewashed mosque which is a fine exponent of Islamic architecture is open to people of all faiths and welcomes nearly 40,000 worshipers every week.

Explore the temple district of Walkeshwar

Mumbai like various other Indian cities and town  is littered with Hindu temples and shrines. The area of Walkeshwar which is located within the tony South Mumbai area  of Malabar Hill is home to several ancient Hindu temples as well as the historic Banganga water tank which  dates back to the 9th Century and is today a preserved historic landmark. Every year in January, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation hosts a wonderful music festival on the banks of the tank which usually features  the leading lights of the Indian Classical Music scene.

Learn about Mumbai’s art scene at the Jahangir Art Gallery

Mumbai has a vibrant art scene and the city is populated by many art galleries which display and retail the artworks of contemporary Indian artists like Ram Kumar, F.N. Souza, Jitish Kallat,  T.V. Santosh, Subodth Gupta and many others.The works of these artists are now also sold internationally by leading auction houses like Southeby’s and Christie’s and if you want to learn about Indian art then you should make a point take in an exhibition at Mumbai’s Jehangir Art Gallery which is a famous art locale in the city that offers four exhibition halls and also has within its bowels, the favored Indian artists’ hangout, the Samovar restaurant. Right outside the Jehangir Art Gallery, is  another pavement gallery called Art Walk which displays the works of lesser known artists for free .

Savor a ‘cuppa’ at Tea Center

India is one of  the world’s largest  producers of tea and to showcase its wide range of teas, the Tea Board of India has set up a colonial style tea salon in an old building called Resham Bhavan located in the heart of Mumbai cheek by jowl to the city’s perennially busy  Churchgate station.  Here you can stop by and enjoy a cup of iced or hot tea in the restaurant’s elegant and refined settings as you stop to catch your breath in this chaotic city.

Marvel at the crowds at  Mumbai’s Beaches

Mumbai is a city which is bordered by the Arabian Sea but unlike in other seaside cities Mumbai’s beaches like Juhu and Chowpatty  do not feature shimmering sands or azure waters for they are  busy recreational hubs of activity which are populated with vendors of food, toys , pony and Ferris wheel rides. These beaches are also popular with morning walkers and avid exercisers though not too many swimmers, as the waters of the Arabian Sea have strong currents which are not conducive to swimming.

Devour the Street Foods of Mumbai

Mumbai has vibrant street food culture which features foods like Bombay Bhelpuri, Pau Bhaji, Vada Pav  that are sold by vendors on the city’s busy streets. These street foods though delicious can cause havoc in a  foreign visitor’s belly. However there are several restaurants in Mumbai like Swati Snacks and Soam which offer a wide array of these street foods which are hygienically prepared in their kitchens and hence are relatively safe for consumption.

Enjoy watching a game of cricket on the green

The game of cricket was introduced in India by the British who ruled the country for over 100 years and today the game in all its forms is enthusiastically followed by hordes of fans throughout the country though it is especially popular in Mumbai which down the ages has been known as ‘the nursery of Indian cricket’ as many players who have played in city’s team have often gone on to play quite successfully for the national team. Impromptu  games of cricket are played on countless Mumbai streets as well as on its lush greens which are colloquially referred to as ‘Maidans’.

Experience the joys and sounds of a Mumbai festival

Mumbai celebrates all the major Indian festivals but there is one festival which is unique to Mumbai and that is the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival. This elaborate festival is held to celebrate the Hindu elephant god , Ganesh and it is usually held over a period of 10 days  in August or September depending on the cycle of the moon. During the Ganesh Festival, elaborate and sometimes super sized, hand crafted  figurines of Ganesh are installed in open air cubicles called ‘Pandals’. Rituals and prayers are then offered to these Ganesh idols for the entire duration of the festival. On the last day of the festival , the figurine is carried out in a  colorful procession for immersion into the Arabian Sea. Aside from these communal Ganesh figurines, many people even celebrate the festival by installing small Ganesh statues in their own homes so it is estimated nearly 150,000 statues of Ganesh are immersed into the Arabian Sea on the last day of festival  every year.

Go shopping on Fashion Street
Fashion Street which is a located along a road called  M.G. Road in Central  Mumbai   is the city’s export surplus market  .Fashion  street is chock a block with vendors who sell export surplus and rejects which are sourced at whole sale prices from Mumbai’s many export oriented  factories who manufacture these  garments for leading US and UK retailers like TopShop, Next, New Look and others.  Some of these  stalls even sell  costume jewelry and other knick knacks and souvenirs.Like in other global markets bargaining is an accepted  norm on Fashion Street as well.

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The Mile High City is loaded with free activities for budget travelers! There are always some great Denver hotel deals to take advantage of. You can enjoy the culture, environment, and landmarks of this great city without worrying about spending a fortune.

1 – Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater

This beautiful park is known for its red sandstone boulders and gorgeous views. Built into the landscape is the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater, a world famous music venue nestled in the stony environment. Walk, bike, or hike through this remarkable park!

2 – Dinosaur Ridge

Just west of Denver rests one of the most important dinosaur fossil excavation sites in the country. Dinosaur Ridge features an exhibit hall which elucidates the many dinosaurs which have been discovered there. Walk through this Historic Landmark and learn about the animal and plant life which inhabited the area in the Jurassic and today.

3 – Critical Mass Denver

Like hundreds of metropolitans in the world, Denver is home to a monthly Critical Mass Bike Ride! Cyclists of all ages meet together and partake in a leaderless, free-spirited romp through the city. If you’ve never been on a Critical Mass before, the beautiful landscape of Denver is a great place to start; if you’re a veteran rider, every city is a new experience! Riders meet in Civic Center Park at 5:30 on the last Friday of every month.

4 – Denver Trails

Bring or rent a bike and hit Denver’s incredible array or biking trails! Denver has over 850 miles of off-street bike trails which are great for biking, walking, or jogging. The city is also home to a huge system of urban trails, including some along Cherry Creek and Platte River. Enjoy the beautiful environment, get some exercise, and explore the area!

5 – United States Mint

Want to see where our money comes from? Denver is home to one of the US Mint’s four coin-producing facilities. The building is only open to tours, so reserve yours ahead of time to guarantee a spot.

6 – State Capitol

If you want to see the center of Colorado’s state government, head over to the State Capitol, which houses the State Assembly and Senate. Visit during the legislative session and see lawmakers in action, or just admire the beautiful architecture. The building is modeled after the US State Capitol and contains portraits of every US President.

7 – Coors Brewery

Denver is home to the world’s largest single-sight brewery! Coors provides factory tours and beer-tasting, so be pay this landmark a visit!

Montreal is the largest francophone city in North America and the cultural capital of Quebec. With its fine dining, copious beaches, and beautiful natural scenery, it’s also one of the top tourist destinations in all of Canada. For those looking some save money, there are dozens of great Canada hotel deals, and Montreal has options galore: several free, outdoor festivals, 14 municipal parks, free museums, and other cultural attractions. If you’re looking to experience a truly foreign city without spending a fortune or traveling too far, Montreal is la ville pour vous!

1. Parc Jean Drapeau

One of the city’s many public parks, Jean Drapeau is located on the islands of Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame. As such, it is the site of a number of great beaches. It is also the site of some displayed artwork, a public pool, the magnificent Biosphere from 1967’s World Expo, and a number of other attractions. It’s easy to make a day out of a visit to this beautiful, multifaceted park!

2. Festival International de Jazz de Montreal

This annual festival brings some of the best names in jazz from around the world to play for free in Montreal’s streets. Music ranges in genre, so non-jazz-fans can enjoy the show too. If you missed this year’s event, check out the city’s other festivals, including FrancoFollies and the Just for Laughs Festival.

3. Redpath Museum

McGill’s natural history museum is open to the public free of charge. Marvel at its permanent collection which includes dinosaur remains, mineral exhibits, and Egyptian mummies. Temporary exhibits analyze Charles Darwin’s relationship with McGill and the anatomically accurate glass-sculptures by the Blaschka family.

4. Parc du Mont-Royal

The short hike up 760-foot Mont-Royal affords visitors one of the best views Montreal has to offer, as well as a great way to get some outdoor exercise without leaving the city. The layout of the park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and perfectly complements the natural landscape. Right beside the mountain is Mont-Royal cemetery, where many famous Montrealers are buried. Visit both and take in Canada’s history and nature at the same time!

5. Centre Canadien du Architecture

If you have an interest in architecture, the Centre Canadien du Architecture is a must-visit. Current exhibits focus on urban agriculture, Martin Kemp, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s photography. Admission is free on Thursdays from 5:30 to 9 PM.

6. Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec

If you’re interested in the artistic history of Quebec, be sure to visit this great museum! Its holdings, over 6,000 strong, chronicle the province’s French-Canadian heritage through its art, ranging from woodwork and paintings to sculpture and dress. Special exhibitions throughout 2010 focus on the history of glass art. Admission to the museum is free on Wednesdays. If you visit on a weekend or holiday instead, use public transportation and your ticket will bring you a 10% discount.

7. Musée des beaux-arts de Montreal

The main gallery of this fantastic art museum is open with free admission every day. Its permanent collection includes European artwork since the Middle Ages, archaeological pieces from the Mediterranean, Inuit art, and a comprehensive collection of Canadian artwork.

8. Musée de Lachine

The outdoor exhibit of this art museum, conveniently located along the walking and biking trail near Louis Lake and Lachine Canal, is open for free every day! Its holdings include over 50 sculptural works by artists from Quebec and around the world. In September and October the museum also hosts outdoor archaeological workshops.

9. Basilique Notre-Dame

Canada’s first Gothic-revival style cathedral is also one of Montreal’s greatest architectural attractions. It contains a 100-year-old organ with just under 7,000 pipes, its walls are lined with incredible religious sculpture, and its windows are ordained with brilliant stain glass artwork. There’s an entrance fee to simply enter the building, but attending a service is free. If you want to attend mass during your visit, stop at this cathedral and marvel at its stunning interior.

10. Centre Bouddhiste Kankala

If you want to improve your meditation or let your mind relax after the stresses of vacation, visit this Buddhist center. Free guided meditation sessions occur in both French and English throughout the summer; check their website for details.

11. Sunday-@-the-Segal

Every Sunday at 11 AM, Centre Segal, one of Montreal’s premier theaters, hosts a free lecture on the performing arts. Previous subjects have included jazz, Yiddish theatre, and Harry Houdini.

12. Musée McCord

This museum chronicles the social and material history of Quebec and Canada. McCord holds over 1 million historic photographs and thousands of other artifacts. A current exhibit focuses on the Irish immigrant experience in Quebec. Starting June 30, admission will be free from 5 to 9 PM on Wednesdays.

13. Tango Libre
This dance school and studio offers free beginner lessons in tango at multiple locations. St. Viateur Park hosts lessons Sunday evenings in July and August, while the Verdun bureau offers lessons on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

Though the Olympics are over, Canada’s third-largest city is still a thriving metropolis and tourist destination. Moreover, its possible to enjoy Vancouver without spending a fortune. With this list, and some great Canada hotel deals, you can take advantage of the city’s diverse culture and natural environment without spending a thing.

1. Stanley Park

This 1,000-acre park, just outside of downtown Vancouver, if frequently cited as one of the best urban parks in North America. In addition to its thousands of Coniferous and Deciduous trees, Stanley Park has a great Pacific coast, several freshwater lakes, and Shakespeare Park – an arboretum which features the trees named in Shakespeare’s plays. There are also a number of man-made attractions in the park, including the Air India Memorial, the 9 O’Clock Gun and the Garden of Remembrance.

2. Granville Island

This island, once a site of industrial plants, has redefined itself as a culturally vibrant community filled with galleries, restaurants, cafes, theaters, and a famous public market. Take the Aquabus Ferry, which, unfortunately, comes with a $5 price tag, and arrive at this island escape right in the middle of the city.

3. Grouse Grind

If you really want to get a workout during your trip, take this 1.8 mile hike up Grouse Mountain. Though the mountain is only 4,000 ft high, it is particularly grueling due to the 30% gradient most of the way up. If you make it up and find yourself exhausted, there’s a gondola to bring you back down to earth.

4. Gordon Macmillan Southern Observatory

Adjacent to the Macmillan Space Center, this observatory offers free use of its Cassegrain telescope Thursday and Friday nights. If the sky is clear be sure to check out this free glimpse into the cosmos!

5. Queen Elizabeth Park

This 130-acre park, practically in the center of the city, is known for being the tallest point in Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth Park has both an arboretum, housing thousands of trees, and a number of recreational facilities, including golf, tennis, and lawn bowling. Whatever you want out of your Vancouver vacation, this park will make a great stop.

6. Italian Movie Nights

Celebrate Vancouver’s Italian heritage at the Italian Culture Center, which hosts a free movie night every other Monday. Each film is shown in its original Italian with English subtitles and a lecture afterward by the center’s film expert.

7. Lynn Canyon Ecology Center

Learn about Vancouver’s temperate rainforest environment at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Center! The kids will love the center’s exhibits and the play area in back.

8. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park

Though there’s an admission price to get into Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden, the adjacent park is always free of charge. Enjoy the Chinese-style garden and relax by the park’s pond. The park is named after Sun Yat Sen, a Nationalist Chinese leader who thrice stayed in Vancouver during the Chinese Civil War.

9. Christ Church Cathedral

This Gothic-revival building is one of Vancouver’s most impressive religious buildings. Constructed in 1889, it was later given beautiful stain-glass windows to commemorate Canada’s fallen during the World Wars. The church is open for visitation throughout the week, so you can attend a service, listen to a free choir concert, go on a guided tour, or wander the premises at your own pace.

10. Lighthouse Park
This popular public park encompasses 185 acres of Vancouver rainforest and a beautiful shore-front. Hike along the park’s many trails or picnic by Point Atkinson Lighthouse. The park is located in West Vancouver, just outside of Vancouver proper.