Being on a budget can make it challenging to find fun things to do on a weekend or after work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still go out and enjoy yourself. In pretty much every city, there are unique and little-known activities that you can do totally for free--you just have to know where to look.
Local activities
A lot of cities have small local magazines or social media accounts, and that’s where they advertise a lot of cool local events. Check there for things like farmer’s markets, music festivals, free concerts, and the like--even if you leave with a basket of fruit or a jar of honey, it’s a cheap evening on the whole.
Enjoy the great outdoors
No matter where you live, nature is an awesome free option. Check online or ask some locals about awesome hikes, parks, or walks. There are also some apps like AllTrails that you can filter by location, difficulty level, and other things to find trails nearby to you.
Create your own fun
If you have little kids or are feeling a little whimsical, there are a lot of cool free things you can create on your own. Find a cute local park and bring a picnic, or create a scavenger hunt and visit local, unique places in your town that maybe you didn’t know before.
Community theater
Small local theaters, high schools, and other similar places sometimes offer free or discounted tickets, so you can enjoy a free (or at least cheap!) evening out on the town. Combine it with a cozy dinner at home and you’ll be able to enjoy an evening on a budget.