Creating a memorable summer vacation can be achieved while keeping a conscious budget. In fact, thanks to the current economic climate, Bank Rate reported that 28 percent of vacationers are choosing more budget-friendly activities for their summer getaway. 

If you’re looking for interactive or immersive experiences while at your summer destination, here are a few low-cost — or free — ideas to consider. 

1. Download a free audio tour 

An option that is typically available no matter where the locale is, is an audio tour. Audio tours are recorded educational commentary about a specific location or attraction. As listeners walk through or observe the subject or area, audio tours provide knowledge about it similar to what a live tour guide might offer, but at a lower cost. 

Free audio tours, particularly for popular tourist destinations, are readily available, offering an affordable way to spend an hour or two during vacation. Guiding yourself along an audio tour of your host city offers a new perspective of the surrounding area, providing a glimpse into its history and culture. 

A few places to find audio tours include:

• Your smart device’s app store. Before you go, download a self-guided walking tour app, like GPSmyCity and VoiceMap Audio Tours which are both free for Android and iOS users. are apps that share interesting and fun information wherever you are on the map. These apps let you wander at your own pace while learning about your host city.

• Rick Steves Audio Europe. If you’re visiting Europe this summer, Rick Steves offers various free audio tours by destination. For example, if visiting Vienna, you can download Rick’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral Tour or simply a broader walking tour of the city.

• Museums and galleries. If you prefer a more “official” audio tour, many high-traffic museums and galleries offer their own complimentary audio tour for guests. For example, the U.S. National Gallery of Art offers self-guided audio tours to listen to on your own device. You’ll get more context and factoids than what’s simply displayed on a nearby placard through this budget-conscious option.

2. Visit free points of interest

Another budget-minded summer vacation activity is visiting low-cost or free sightseeing opportunities. No matter where you travel to, it likely offers at least one affordable point of interest that lends a unique and memorable experience. 

Below are a few examples of points of interest to try: 

• Local museums. Example: If you’re visiting Los Angeles this summer, spend the day at the Getty Center, an art gallery and garden. Admission is always free.

• Cultural centers. Example: The Asia Culture Center in South Korea offers free admission to its Culture Adventure venue to guests under the age of 3. Access to its main exhibit halls is 7,000 South Korean Won, about $5 U.S. Dollars.

• City zoos. Example: Animal lovers will appreciate the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute which is free and home to more than 2,100 animals.

• Scenic viewpoints. Example: Although you can get a stellar view from within the Eiffel Tower in Paris, travelers on a budget can opt for free and memorable photos of it from a distance with it in the backdrop from the Trocadéro across the river Seine.

• Public art installments. Example: Those who are visiting the Windy City, can plan a stop at Cloud Gate (a.k.a. “The Bean”), a free art sculpture, in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

3. Picnic at a famous park

Enjoying a picnic while on vacation offers more benefits than just fresh air. For one, it helps you and your group save money on meals, compared to dining at a restaurant. Simply visit a local grocery store to purchase finger foods, or your favorite sandwich ingredients for a filling lunch.

It also offers flexibility. This activity can be held at other outdoor areas, like at the foot of a forested hiking path, or on the beach also achieves the same idea) and at any time that’s convenient (weather permitting). Plus, this affordable summer activity lets you spend quality time with friends and/or families while sharing a slice of everyday life with the locals.

Here are a few examples of famous parks across the country and internationally that are free to enter and enjoy:

• Central Park in New York City, New York

• Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California

• Zilker Metropolitan Park in Austin, Texas

• Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawaii

• Hyde Park in London, United Kingdom

• Happō-en garden in Tokyo, Japan

Another perk of having a picnic is that you’re often in close proximity to other low-cost activities, such as potential hiking or walking paths, street performers and shows, and more.

Let these ideas inspire unique experiences for your upcoming trip. Including just one or two of these inexpensive activities to your itinerary can offer significant savings, especially if you’re traveling as a large group.

 

 

 

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