20 U.S. Outdoor Activities
October 03, 2011
2 min readParks, gardens, boat rides, beaches—get the most out of the great outdoors without spending a cent. We’ve got a list of 20 free outdoor activities in the U.S. Get a sneak peek of the list below, then find all 20 online. Plus, we want to hear from you. Tell us about a free outdoor activity in your neighborhood.
Stars in the Park San Diego, California
Turn your gaze to the skies above San Diego during Stars in the Park. On the first Wednesday of every month, members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up telescopes outside Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park to offer the public a free star show and the benefit of their astronomy expertise.
The Algiers Ferry New Orleans, Louisiana
Board the Algiers ferry and see how New Orleans got its nickname—the Crescent City—as you traverse the graceful arc of the Mississippi from the foot of Canal Street to historic Algiers Point on the West Bank. The ride offers great views of old New Orleans.
Honolulu Botanical Gardens Oahu, Hawaii
The island of Oahu boasts five unique botanical gardens—and four of them offer free admission. Ho`omaluhia has geographically grouped tropical plants from around the world, Koko Crater focuses on desert-like species, Wahiawa features a tropical rain forest, and Lili`uokalani, in Honolulu, was a favorite spot of Hawaii’s last queen. She donated the park to the people.
Smithsonian Gardens Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian Institution is famed for its museums but it also maintains an expanse of gardens on the National Mall. It takes about three hours to walk through them all at a leisurely pace. There is something worth seeing in every season, including rose gardens, butterfly habitat gardens, and even a World War II-era Victory Garden.
Help us build our list! Tell us about your favorite (and free!) outdoor activity in the U.S. or the world. Leave the details in the comments section below.
Photo: Jay Fahlen/My Shot
Sponsored by Toyota Venza
Previous: 10 Free U.S. Pet Events
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