You can spend a fortune taking the family on vacation, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to have a good time. It turns out, the best things in life really are free sometimes, even when it comes to traveling. There are a lot of budget-friendly sites to see and some you can enjoy at no cost at all.
Travel experts say these are the 10 best free attractions in the country:
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida - Focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation, it’s free and open to the public every day. Their goal is to rescue and return wildlife to their natural habitat, so the number of sea turtles and other sea creatures varies, but there are always animals to observe.
- TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, Florida - This is a protected marine sanctuary that gives visitors the rare chance to see manatees up close. There are also butterfly gardens, an observation tower, a boardwalk and walking trails to explore.
- Cape May County Park & Zoo in the Cape May Court House section of Middle Township, New Jersey - Home to more than 500 animals, including giraffes, zebras, and lemurs, it’s open year-round and both admission and parking are totally free.
- U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Visitors can find out the history of our country’s coins on a 45-minute self-guided tour, which includes seeing the first coin press from 1792 and meeting Peter the Mint Eagle, a real bald eagle.
- Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California - The famous suspension bridge is between Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Golden Gate Park.
- JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina - Visitors can explore the grounds and gardens, and learn about the plants and flowers on display.
- National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center in Columbus, Georgia - Exhibits include “The Last 100 Yards,” which shows significant battles in the Infantry’s history, and there are galleries covering time periods from the Revolutionary War to today.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina - It’s the most visited national park in the U.S., with many free activities in the massive space that spans the border between the two states.
- Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts - It weaves through the city and features some historic spots, including Park Street Church, Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution.
- Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia - Here you can learn the history of the American Revolution and see iconic landmarks including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Source: 10 Best