Major U.S. cities with the most free or almost free things to do: Which cities make this list? (homes, purchasing)

[Rwarky]

Which major U.S. cities have the greatest amount of free or almost free things to do?

Enjoy and please post!

[dorado0359]

Washington D.C.

Almost very tourist site in Washington is Free...even the National Zoo.

[Katiana]

Denver has lots of "free days" at the zoo, art museum, botanic gardens, etc. Meaning admission is free for Colorado residents, who must show proof.

[dullnboring]

Definitely D.C. Almost all of the museums, monuments and the zoo is free. Growing up in the area, I actually assumed that was the norm everywhere; and it wasn't until I was around 16 and went to New York on vacation with my family when I was stopped by museum security for not purchasing a ticket as I strode into the museum that I realized otherwise.

[Juice13610]

I have heard that St. Louis is second on this list behind DC. Free zoo, science center, lots of crap!

[montanamom]

I second the vote for Washington D.C. So many great monuments and museums to see for "free" (of course, we all pay for these with our federal taxes). Seriously though, I was born and raised in the Washington D.C. suburbs and I have rarely seen musuems, monuments, and other destinations that compare or are as interesting as those in Downtown D.C. The National History Museum is awesome, as is the Space Museum. I could spend days there downtown checking these places out (wouldn't want to live there again though!). Also, the old Fords Theatre and Arlington Cemetery (where JFK is buried) are all must-sees. There are lots of great restaurants downtown and music clubs. D.C. is a great vacation destination.

[st. louie louie]

St. Louis has a tax that goes to a zoo/museum district. That means the zoo is always free, along with
Art Museums (several)
Arch
Old Courthouse
Several historic homes (Campbell House, Eugene Field House)
Science Center
Laumiere Sculpture Park
There are even free seats at the Muny ( a large outdoor broadway theater)

[ColoWeb]

I traveled in many places and so far I would say St. Louis. GREAT Art museum, history/nature museum, and zoo etc. Other than the heat, I enjoyed St. L.

[linicx]

I've traveled extensively in Illinois, Missourri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, California and also parts of Texas, Wiconsin, Minnesota and Louisiana.

I think when you limit your scope you miss a lot of places that area just as awesome but they are smaller. My personal favorite is central Illinois because there is always something to do or see that is free. .

[montanamom]

We went to DC for our vacation this summer. Much has changed, and many of the exhibits were dissapointing. Plus, way too crowded and awful traffic and parking. Oh well. things are never as good as you remember them to be...