Budget Travel: Tips on Saving on Attractions and Activities

Did you know that there are lots of ways to get discounted tickets to attractions and to find ways to have loads of fun for free?  Time spent researching and planning ahead really pays off so that you're never paying full price.  Wtih a family of 4, the savings can really add up.

Photo by: Flickr/PhotopediaPhotos

Get into attractions for Free

Many libraries hold attraction passes that you can check out and get free admission to area attractions?  It’s a great way to save even more on a staycation, but if you’re visiting friends or family, ask them to check with their local library and reserve a pass for the week you’ll be visiting.

“The Chicago Library has free passes to many of the museums - so if you have friends or family in the area, have them reserve the pass for the week you'll be attending.”

-    Minnemom

“pick up free passes for area attractions from the library. Ours offers local zoo and aquarium passes. Some are buy 2 get 2 and others are completely FREE.”

- Meb123

Check museum websites for free days sponsored by companies and note that on your itinerary.  Target and Bank of America also offer free days to many of the local museums so keep an eye out for those schedules.  User the cost filter on Trekaroo to narrow down on free or almost free activities (one $ sign)

Hang out like a local

Local moms and dads aren’t hitting all the tourist destinations to have fun with their kids.  Get the inside scoop from local parents on Trekaroo fun places that the locals hang out in.  When searching for activities on Trekaroo, use the “Cost” filter to see activities that are free or nearly free.  When you’re already there, you might go to a playground and get the scoop from a local mom or dad about what they’d suggest as fun places to go with kids that don’t cost a lot.

Bundle Passes offer great discounts on major tourist spots

If you’re planning to hit up many major tourist spots, a visit to the tourism website or visitor’s center is a great place to find out if there is a bundle pass for the city you’re visiting.  Citypass offers bundles for most major cities in the US.

“City Pass in San Francisco includes a 7 day bus & cable car pass. We park our car in the hotel and use public transportation to get us where we need to go without the hassle of finding and paying for parking at every venue.”

- filmdncr

Military Discounts

If mom, dad, or grandparents were in the military at some point of time, you might be able to take advantage of military discounts.  Check with your local base.

“Don’t forget to take advantage of military discounts also. My mother can get discount admission tickets from the nearest airforce base.”

- Imsnow

Get around for cheap in big cities on special buses that stop at major tourist stops

 
“There is the Philly Phlash - a fleet of purple trolleys that make continuous loops around the city, stopping at 27 different stops of interest. Pay $2 per ride or grab a full-day pass for $5 or a family full-day pass (2 adults and 2 kids) for $10 - unlimited rides.”

- mamacheaps

Pick up coupon books and join AAA.

AAA members get discounts at many attractions and hotels.  10% here and there can add up.  Coupon books from tourism offices also offer discounts to places you’re already planning to go to. 

More on Budget Travel: Family Vacation on a Shoestring

• Budget Travel: Tips for Saving on Lodging
• Budget Travel: Tips for Saving on Meals

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LiLing Pang (TravelPangs) is co-founder and contributing author on Trekaroo - - a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA