I usually start my search for cheap or free attractions we can visit at my credit card company’s site. Bank of America gives card holders free admission to a limited number of museums on the first weekend each month. If I can find one we want to visit and kids’ admission is very cheap or even free, we’re good to go.

Next, I check individual attraction sites to see if there are any special offers. For example, the National Aquarium in Baltimore has $5 Fridays that start after 5 p.m. and has a dollar days special that always is held sometime in December. Dollar days are really awesome, because almost all the other family friendly Inner Harbor attractions jump on the bandwagon. You can spend about $10 each and wear yourselves to the bone going from one attraction to the next.

(For homeschoolers, family field trips may be the way to go. The Maryland Zoo at Baltimore offers a free self guided field trip for homeschool teachers and their students.)

Finally, I check with any schools or employers in the family. I used to get major discounts from being a college student and then a college employee. Some of my other employers have gotten nice discounts for employees, too.

How do you sightsee on a budget?

Photo by Lisa D/Stock Exchange

Post from: Thrifty Mommy