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When you visit one of these 10 free attractions — nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — you can save big travel budget bucks for other things. Even though they come at no cost, in each case, you get way, way more than you pay for.
At the National Mall and Memorial Parks, visitors can observe iconic memorials dedicated to those who helped shape this nation. Highlights include the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument.
If you’ve ever had childhood dreams of touring a chocolate factory, you’ll love the free tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World. Climb aboard with your whole family and enjoy the 30-minute ride that will whisk you into the world of Hershey’s chocolate-making. The best part — the tour culminates in some free and very tasty chocolate samples.
The oldest state park in the U.S. and one of the most well-known natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls is a sight to behold. Start by learning about the park’s history in the visitor’s center, then go for a hike for some great views of Devil’s Hole Rapids and the Whirlpool Rapids, or simply observe the falls in all their glory.
Starting at the Boston Common and ending at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, the Freedom Trail offers historical insight into the city of Boston. It’s easy to hop on and off of the Freedom Trail as it weaves throughout the city, highlighting some of Boston’s most special places including Park Street Church, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, and the USS Constitution.
Take in the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico as you stroll along the St. Pete Pier, a 26-acre public park that’s home to shops, restaurants, events, and more. Discover gorgeous works of public art like Xenobia Bailey’s “Morning Stars,” check out the vendors at the marketplace, cool off with the family at the splash pad, or enjoy a free concert — all right here!
At Cape May County Park and Zoo, you can check out your favorite animals including giraffes, zebras, leopards, and lemurs. Check out the zoo’s calendar for a full schedule of year-round events to enhance your visit. Both admission and parking are free.
Immerse yourself in Chicksaw culture at this cultural center, where you can roam the Chikasha Inchokka’ Traditional Village, Aaholiitobli’ Honor Garden, and Holisso: The Center for Study of Chickasaw History and Culture, all free of charge. The village offers the chance to witness stickball, cooking, art, and storytelling demonstrations, while the study center features a 20,000-square-foot specialty library where you can really dig into local history.
Situated in Apollo Beach, Florida, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center is a protected marine sanctuary that offers visitors the rare opportunity to see manatees up close. You can also enjoy beautiful butterfly gardens, an impressive observation tower, a boardwalk, and walking trails. The park is open seasonally, from November to April.
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Florida’s Juno Beach is dedicated to ocean and sea turtle conservation, and it’s free and open to the public. The number of resident sea turtles varies, since the center’s goal is to rescue and return wildlife to their natural habitats. There are plenty of other sea creatures to observe as well, and helpful volunteers are on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Part of St. Louis’ Forest Park, this free zoo is home to 12,500 animals, including over 400 species, so you’re always meeting a new curious creature when you visit. Spot the hippos and cheetahs in River’s Edge, check out the sea lions splashing in Lakeside Crossing, or get lost in the Insectarium.
Jessica James is an award-winning novelist and freelance writer who shares her passion for history and travel by writing about historical destinations and off-the-beaten path sites across the United States. Her blog Past Lane Travels has been named the #1 history and travel blog in the USA, and features many regional destinations that are often overlooked. You can find out more about her books at www.jessicajamesbooks.com.
Kyle McCarthy is co-founder of Family Travel Forum’s award-winning publications: The FamilyVacationist, MyFamilyTravels.com, and “America’s Most Popular Family Vacations.” Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, MSN, CNN and other publications. Find her on Instagram and Facebook @familytravelforum.
Natasha Bourlin is an award-winning freelance food, travel and environmental writer based on the Island of Hawaii. As a first generation American, her fervor for travel and culture has sent her around the globe exploring myriad countries and continents, while her favorite times are spent at home in Waimea with her dog Lucy. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate.com, AFAR Media and USAToday.com, among others. Follow her on Instagram @Natashawandersoff or visit Passportandplume.com.
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, and the founder of ThemeParkHipster.com and FloridaHipster.com. As a self-proclaimed foodie and wine lover, she brings her curiosity and zest for life to every adventure. Based in Orlando, Florida, NikkyJ spends her days discovering hidden gems and world-class attractions throughout America. You can join her journey on YouTube, where she shares insider tips, stories, and inspiration for theme park travelers everywhere.
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women’s solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
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