The sun-drenched party capital of Mexico, Cancún is synonymous with high-end hotels, glamorous clubs and spring breakers lining those dazzling beaches. But there is more to this town than the surface level of glitz aimed at tourists in search of a good time.

Cancún is a multi-layered city with ancient historical sites, beautiful natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage – and many of these experiences come for free or at a very budget-friendly price. Our round-up of the best cheap things to do there will give you a memorable vacation at a fraction of the regular price.

Playa Delfines

Playa Delfines is a breathtaking Caribbean beach with soft sand and impossibly turquoise waters. With no high-rise hotels on it, the beach is also one of the few in the Zona Hotelera that is easily accessed (so easy, there’s a designated bus stop and car park).

The vibe is chilled-out and family-friendly – playing in the waves, sandcastle-making and reading novels are the main events. Just as nice are all the free amenities: rows and rows of palapas, clean restrooms, a playground…even lifeguards. All you need is your beach blanket!

7 stunning Cancún beaches

Parque de las Palapas

Tucked into a quiet neighborhood in downtown Cancún, Parque de las Palapas is a welcome slice of local flavor. An open, leafy plaza, it comes alive in the evenings, when the heat of the day subsides. Food cart vendors do brisk business in impossible-to-resist street eats, while others sell handicrafts and traditional clothing.

Kids zip around the park in toy sports cars as families and couples stroll around. On weekends, free entertainment lights up the palapa-shaded mainstage – everything from live jazz to traditional dance groups – with a cultural treat for locals and visitors alike.

Museo Maya de Cancún

Sitting among the high-rise hotels, this contemporary museum showcases over 400 Maya artifacts – vases, jewelry, masks – found at key archaeological sites around the Yucatán Peninsula. Multi-media exhibits are engaging and informative, most with English translations. The admission ticket (US$4) includes access to the adjoining ruins of San Miguelito, a Maya community dating to the 13th century. Jungle paths wind past ancient dwellings, alters and even a 26ft-high (8m) pyramid – a reminder of the Cancún that once was.

Top things to do in Cancun

Zona Arqueológica El Rey

Located across from Playa Delfines, this small and very reasonably priced (US$2.75) archaeological site makes a good break from the beach and poolside games. A wide path runs down the center of this former Maya maritime and fishing community, with small temples and ceremonial platforms on either side. The site gets its name from a sculpture excavated here of a noble, possibly a rey (king), wearing an elaborate headdress. Keep an eye out for the beefy iguanas – many of them make their home here!

Teatro de Cancún

The Teatro de Cancún is easy to overlook – who goes on a beach vacation to go to the theater, after all? But taking in a show at this modern playhouse is an inexpensive way to fold in some genuine Mexican culture to your trip. Shows range from traditional dance performances and classical music to plays and comedy shows. Tickets start at just $5. And yes, you can even wear your flips flops.

Mora Mora

A go-to spot in Cancún’s alt-nightlife scene, Mora Mora is the place to catch some Mexican hip-hop, reggae and punk bands. A combo restaurant, bar and gallery, the place is decked out in murals with tables and couches all around. Bands rock out on an open-air stage in the rear garden; most shows are free (and the drinks cheap). When the stage is dark, stop in for free screenings of arthouse- and cult-favorite films.

The best day trips from Cancún

Tigres de Quintana Roo

Shake things up with a professional baseball game in downtown Cancún. The Tigres de Quintana Roo, one of 18 teams in the Mexican professional baseball league, play in the Beto Ávila stadium from March to September.

The ambiance is family-friendly, down to the team’s goofy mascot. And be sure to order snacks – local faves include chicharrónes (pork rind) doused in hot sauce and tropical fruit on a stick. The beer is ice cold and cheap too. Tickets start at just $2 and top out at $12 (a steal!).

Mercado 23

Mercado 23 is a bustling city market and a great place to experience the sights and scents of local Mexico: rows and rows of tropical fruits and vegetables, buckets of colorful flowers and sacks of dried shrimp and all manner of animal parts. Souvenirs and handicrafts can be found here too – most of the same ones you’d find in the Zona Hotelera but at a fraction of the cost.

Parque Kabah

Parque Kabah is tropical nature reserve in downtown Cancún, a public park appealing to nature- and fitness-lovers alike. A 1.2-mile trail loops through the park, popular for running and walking; along the way, local wildlife like coatis and iguana can be seen.

A set of ponds are home to turtles and young crocodiles; in the winter, migrating birds also make them their temporary home. A wood playground and simple park museum round out the space. Park-goers encounter occasional farmers markets, yoga classes and other free events here too.

La Isla Shopping Village

Yes, it’s a mall, and yes, the boutiques and activities are pricey (there’s an aquarium and Ferris wheel) but La Isla is also a pleasant place for a stroll in the Zona Hotelera – a tough thing to find if you’re not on the beach.

Canals with Venice-style gondolas wind through the outdoor shopping “village,” street performers are engaging and there’s a boardwalk that opens onto Laguna Nichupté, a beautiful spot to take in the sunset. If it’s raining, stop into the multi-plex movie theater ($3.50), where on Tuesdays two-for-one tickets are the best deal in town.

You may also like:
Riviera Maya by bus, taxi or colectivo
A day on Isla Mujeres: a vacation from your vacation
Cancún beaches and beyond

Cancún on a budget: the best free (and almost free!) things to do in party city

With the daily influx of new residents seeking its wealth of culture and diversity, Austin is thriving. Fans of sprawling green spaces in urban areas are spoilt with numerous public parks and lakes providing hiking trails, kayaking and beautiful views under the Texan sun. And when the heat gets a little too intense in the early afternoon, galleries, museums, music venues, bars and restaurants are waiting to welcome you.

Austin's quirky indie spirit is a big part of its attraction to visitors and the open-armed welcome you get from the locals is why so many people never leave. There's something fun to do in Austin no matter when you visit – here's our guide to the best things to do in the city.

1. Continental Club

Considered Austin's preeminent music venue, there's no passive toe-tapping here. The dance floor at this 1950s-era lounge is always swinging with some of the city's best local acts. On most Monday nights you can catch local legend Dale Watson and his Lone Stars serenading the crowd with their country and western tunes. The Continental Gallery upstairs houses a regularly changed collection of artwork and sometimes hosts intimate live music sessions. It has a hidden-away speakeasy vibe and you can catch some incredible jazz and soul performances up close and personal.

2. Blanton Museum of Art

A big university with a big endowment is bound to have a big art collection, and now, finally, it has a suitable building to show it off properly. With one of the best university art collections in the USA, the Blanton showcases a variety of styles. It doesn't go very deeply into any of them, but then again you're bound to find something of interest. Especially striking is the permanent installation of Missao/Missoes (How to Build Cathedrals) – which involves 600,000 pennies, 800 communion wafers and 2000 cattle bones.

3. Bat Colony at Congress Avenue Bridge

Every year up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home upon a platform beneath the Congress Ave Bridge, which crosses the Colorado at the southern end of downtown. It's an Austin tradition to sit on the grassy banks of Lady Bird Lake and watch the bats swarm out as dusk approaches each evening, like a fast-moving, black, chittering river. Each night, they feed on an estimated 30,000lb (13,500kg) of insects. The best viewing is in August.

North America’s largest urban bat colony consists entirely of female and young animals. In June, each female gives birth to one pup, and such is the density as the families take to the skies that bat radars have detected bat columns up to 10,000 bat feet (3050m) high. Bat Conservation International has volunteers on hand and holds programs throughout the bat season. Capitol Cruises, behind the Hyatt Hotel, offers bat-watching cruises on Town Lake below the bridge.

4. Franklin BBQ

This famous BBQ joint only serves lunch, and only until it runs out – usually well before 2pm. To avoid missing out, join the line – and there will be a line – by 10am (9am on weekends). Treat it as a tailgating party: bring beer or mimosas to share and make friends. And yes, you do want the fatty brisket.

A few tips? Look for handy fold-out chairs near the front of the line or bring your own. While you wait, you can buy beer from a cooler-toting server. And when your moment of glory arrives, go for the two-meat plate, or nab all you can for a feast to enjoy later. (Just be quick about it. The people behind you are starving.)

5. Texas State Capitol

Completed in 1888 using sunset-red granite, Texas’ state capitol is the largest in the US, backing up the familiar claim that everything’s bigger here. Drop in even if only to take a peek at the lovely rotunda – look up at the dome – and try out the whispering gallery created by its curved ceiling.

Self-guided-tour brochures for both building and grounds can be picked up from a ground-floor office that’s also the starting point for interesting 40-minute guided tours (daily, schedules vary). The green sprawl of the capitol grounds and its monuments (which controversially still include a Confederate monument) are worth a stroll. The freestanding visitor center holds an exhibit about the capitol building, while the gift shop sells Texas-themed souvenirs.

6. Lady Bird Lake

On a sunny morning in the spring, Lady Bird Lake looks like the world's most active playground. Kayakers skim across the still water, swimmers swim laps in Barton Springs pool, frisbees whir across a lush disc golf course and joggers and cyclists burn calories on lakeside trails.

Named after former first lady 'Lady Bird' Johnson, Lady Bird Lake looks like a river. And no wonder: it’s actually a dammed-off section of the Colorado River. Get on the water at the rowing dock, which rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes from $10 to $20 per hour Monday to Thursday, and slightly higher prices on weekends.

7. Zilker Park

This 350-acre park is a slice of green heaven, lined with hiking and biking trails. The park also provides access to the famed Barton Springs natural swimming pool and Barton Creek Greenbelt. Find boat rentals, a miniature train, a playground and a botanical garden, too. On weekends from April to early September, admission is $5 per car. The park celebrated its centennial in 2017.

Springtime brings hundreds of kites taking to the sky at the Zilker Park Kite Festival – the oldest kite festival in the United States. Food and games round out the fun.

8. Veracruz All Natural

Two sisters from Mexico run this East Austin taco truck (an old bus), which may serve the best tacos in town. Step up to the window, order a migas breakfast taco (you must!) then add a quesadilla or torta for variety. Take your buzzer – yep, this food truck is so popular that buzzers are a necessity – and grab a picnic table.

What's in the famed migas taco? Eggs, tortilla chips, avocado, pico de gallo and monterey jack cheese. Don't miss the salsas near the pick-up window.

9. Little Longhorn Saloon

This funky little cinder-block building, 5 miles north of downtown, is one of those dive bars that Austinites love so very much. They did even before it became nationally famous for Chicken Shit Bingo on Sunday night, when it's so crowded you can barely see the darn chicken – but, hey, it's still fun. The chicken is placed upon the bingo board and chooses the numbers in its own random chicken picken' way. There’s live music most other nights.

10. Ann & Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk

You can gaze at the downtown skyline from a series of photogenic boardwalks on this scenic 10-mile trail, which loops around Lady Bird Lake. Shorten the loop by crossing the lake on one of several bridges. You'll find restrooms, water fountains and waste bags for your pet along the way. Check the city's Parks & Recreation webpage for parking lots, trail access points and ADA accessible entrances. Austin old-timers may refer to the trail as the Lady Bird Trail or the Town Lake Trail.

11. Amy's Ice Creams

It's not just the ice cream we love; it's the toppings that get pounded and blended in, violently but lovingly, by the staff wielding a metal scoop in each hand. They're the perfect antidote to the Texan sun. Look for other locations on Guadalupe St north of the UT campus, on South Congress near all the shops, or at the airport for a last-ditch fix.

12. South by Southwest (SXSW)

For five nights in mid-March tens of thousands of record-label reps, musicians, journalists and rabid fans from around the country descend on Austin for South by Southwest, a musical extravaganza that attracts a couple thousand groups and solo artists from around the world at more than 100 different Austin venues. Admission to festival events is by badge only, but many bands also play free shows.

Though SXSW started out as an opportunity for little-known bands and singers to catch the ear of a record-label rep, it has since become a wildly popular industry showcase for already-signed bands. Add to that a hugely popular interactive festival, as well as a more subdued but still well-attended film festival, and you've got a major international draw that takes over the city and sends most of the locals into hiding for two weeks every spring.

13. Formula 1 Grand Prix

In Travis County, just outside of Austin, a high-speed racetrack draws legions of F1 fans during a high-octane weekend in autumn. The glamorous motorsport brings its global media circus to town and celebrities descend from all over the USA to watch the best drivers in the world compete under the stifling Texan sun on a state-of-the-art 3.4-mile circuit track.

Hotel rooms in September get snapped up because of it, so booking well in advance to avoid disappointment is recommended. Tickets for the race are far from cheap but still sell out very quickly.

14. Austin Pride

Founded in 2010, Austin's Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation has been working hard to support and celebrate the local LGBTIQ+ community for over a decade. Austin's gay pride celebration is now one of Texas' largest. Pride week in August features a parade, two stages of live music and more than 100 vendors. The parade usually starts at the Texas State Capitol, before heading down Congress Avenue and finishing in the Warehouse District. Austinites come out in force to celebrate and the atmosphere is electric.

15. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Talk back to the screen during an event night at Austin's homegrown movie theater. Easily the most fun you can have at the movies: sing along with Grease, quote along with Princess Bride, or just enjoy food and drink delivered right to your seat during first-run films. Check the website for other locations.

16. Austin City Limits Music Festival

What do music lovers do in the fall? They head to the Austin City Limits Festival, which, though not as big as SXSW (what is?), seems to grow larger every year. Spreading through the first two weekends in October, in Zilker Park, it books more than 100 impressive acts – Paul McCartney, Billie Eilish, and The Cure, for example – and sells out months in advance.

You may also like:
The top 10 city parks in Austin
How to get around Austin
6 must-visit neighborhoods in Austin

Everything's better in Austin: top experiences in the Texan sunshine

The sunshine-drenched sprawl of California gave us the Gold Rush and is home to some of the most expensive cities in the United States, but that doesn't mean you need a lottery win to vacation there. Some of the best experiences in the Golden State are free, from the towering redwoods of NorCal to the surf breaks of SoCal and dozens of wineries, museums, gardens, and cultural touchstones in between.

Whether you're looking for stunning state parks or museums that cover subjects from the avant garde to cryptozoology, Italian grapes or California cuisine, marine wildlife or towering man-made infrastructure, there's plenty to do here that's free (or nearly free). We've rounded up the best budget things to do in California starting in the north of the state and working our way south.

1. Redwood National Park

This park is the southernmost of a patchwork of state and federally administered lands under the umbrella of Redwood National and State Parks. To protect the Tall Trees Grove, a limited number of cars per day are allowed access – get free permits at the visitor center in Orick.

After picking up a map at the visitor center, you’ll have a suite of choices for hiking. Drive a few miles north along Hwy 101 and then turn east on Bald Hills Rd to get to Lady Bird Johnson Grove, a kid-friendly 1.5-mile loop trail that is perfect for the whole family. California has great weather all year round but higher water levels in winter mean some of the foot bridges are removed for safety reasons – check with the rangers if you plan to hike at that time of year.

2. Willow Creek China Flat Museum

Drop into this free (though donations are welcome) museum to take in its extensive Bigfoot collection. Footprints, handprints, hair…it has all kinds of exhibits that seek to prove the existence of this mysterious creature. In fact, the namesake Bigfoot Scenic Byway (Hwy 96) starts here and heads north, winding through breathtaking mountain and river country.

3. Shasta Dam

In keeping with the enormous natural features of the area, this colossal, 15-million-ton concrete dam is second only in size to Grand Coolie Dam in Washington state and second in height only to Hoover Dam in Nevada. The dam is located at the south end of Shasta Lake on Shasta Dam Boulevard.

Construction started in 1937 and it took 12 years to complete – its 487ft spillway is nearly three times as high as the drop of Niagara Falls. Woody Guthrie wrote ‘This Land Is Your Land’ while he was here entertaining dam workers. Guided tours of the interior of the dam and powerplant aren't currently available but you can do a self-guided tour across the top of the structure. Check with the visitor center for the most up-to-date details.

4. Wild Horse Sanctuary

Since 1978 the Wild Horse Sanctuary has been providing a home to unwanted horses and donkeys and giving them a lovely life. You can visit these beautiful animals, or even volunteer to help out for the day, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the visitors center. The center is free to visit but to see them on the open plains, you'll need to pay for a one-day or multiday pack trip (contact the sanctuary in advance for availability).

5. Humbolt Redwoods State Park

Along Highway 101, 53,000-acre Humboldt Redwoods State Park protects some of the world's oldest redwoods and has three-quarters of the world's tallest 100 trees. Even if you don't have time to hike in, drive the park's awe-inspiring Avenue of the Giants, a 32-mile, two-lane road parallel to Highway 101.

6. Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve

Two miles west of Orr Hot Springs, this 2743-acre reserve protects some of the best old-growth redwood groves within a day’s drive from San Francisco. A 2-mile loop trail, starting near the picnic tables and toilets, crosses the creek, winding through the serene forest. It’s out of the way, so visitors are likely to have it mostly to themselves.

The trees here are impressive – some up to 367ft tall – but remember to admire them from the trail, both to protect the root systems of the trees and to protect yourself from poison oak, which is all over the park.

7. Graziano Family of Wines

The Italian Graziano family is one of the oldest grape-growing families in Mendocino County and specializes in ‘Cal-Ital’ wines – including primitivo, dolcetto, barbera and Sangiovese – at some fantastic prices. Wine tasting at Graziano is complimentary.

8. Patrick Amiot Junk Art

A cow rides a tractor, a rocket blasts off the lawn, and a dinosaur grabs a red convertible for lunch: it's all happening on Florence Ave, in sculptures Patrick Amiot made for neighbors' yards from recycled junk. You'll spot more around the town of Sebastopol, but Amiot's block hosts three of the best: tin-can firefighters in a bathtub-sized fire truck, a sprinting waitress made of cutlery and – in a driveway with a powder-blue VW Beetle – a tiny driver in a recycled-fuel-can Beetle.

9. French Laundry Gardens

The secret to French Laundry feasts is hiding in plain sight right across the street: a lush organic culinary garden. Walk among these neatly boxed plots, and see if you can guess the obscure heirloom varietals destined for dinner – if you can't tell your Mokum carrots from your Hakurei turnips, check the framed cheat-sheet at the front. Tables and seats are thoughtfully provided near the flowerbeds for lazy summer afternoons. Ungated and open to public (no sampling, please).

10. The Culinary Institute of America at Copia

You don't have to be a chef to find inspiration at the Culinary Institute of America's public food and wine showplace. Turn left at the Winemaker Wall of Fame (salute Merry Edwards, the sole woman!) for gourmet-themed art, including vintage portraits of Julia Child taken before she was famous. Upstairs is fabulous, with its free Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum and dazzling wall of copper baking molds (10:30am to 5pm daily). Check online for cooking classes, demos, documentaries and too-spicy-for-TV star-chef panels.

11. Point Reyes National Seashore

A rough-hewn beauty, Point Reyes National Seashore boasts marine mammals and birds, as well as scores of shipwrecks. Follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd west out to the point’s edge-of-the-world lighthouse, whipped by ferocious winds, where you can observe migrating whales in winter. The lighthouse is about 20 miles west of Point Reyes Station via Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

12. John Muir National Historic Site

Naturalist John Muir's former residence sits in a pastoral patch of farmland in bustling, modern Martinez. Though Muir wrote of sauntering the Sierra Nevada with a sack of tea and bread, it may be a shock for those familiar with the iconic Sierra Club founder’s ascetic weather-beaten appearance that this house (built by his father-in-law) is a model of Victorian Italianate refinement, with a tower cupola, a daintily upholstered parlor and splashes of white lace.

Check the website for special campfire programs, wildflower walks and full-moon hikes. The park is just north of Hwy 4. County Connection buses 16 and 98X from nearby Amtrak and BART stations stop here.

13. Diego Rivera's Allegory of California Fresco

Hidden inside San Francisco's Stock Exchange tower is a priceless treasure: Diego Rivera's Allegory of California fresco. Spanning a two-story stairwell between the 10th and 11th floors, the fresco shows California as a giant golden goddess offering farm-fresh produce, while gold miners toil beneath her and oil refineries loom on the horizon.  On the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, a free tour from SF City Guides provides exclusive access to this two-story mural.

14. Angel Island State Park

Rising in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Angel Island has been a military base, immigration station, WWII Japanese internment camp and Nike missile site, leaving interesting and thought-provoking forts and bunkers to explore. Spread out a picnic in a protected cove or beach with views over the urban grid and bridges, or explore this family-friendly beauty on foot or bicycle. E-bikes are also available for a fee and are increasingly popular.

15. Golden Gate National Recreation Area

It's no mystery why this is one of the Bay Area's most popular hiking and cycling destinations. As the trails wind beside the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay and through the Marin Headlands, they afford stunning views of the sea, the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco.

16. Point Bonita Lighthouse

This historical lighthouse is a breathtaking half-mile walk from Field Road parking area. From the tip of Point Bonita, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. Harbor seals haul out seasonally on nearby rocks. It's worth coming out here even when the lighthouse is closed. Call ahead to reserve a spot on one of the free monthly sunset tours of the promontory.

17. City Lights Bookstore

Free speech and free spirits have rejoiced here since 1957, when City Lights founder and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and manager Shigeyoshi Murao won a landmark ruling defending their right to publish Allen Ginsberg's magnificent epic poem Howl. Celebrate your freedom to read freely in the designated Poet’s Chair upstairs overlooking Jack Kerouac Alley, load up on zines on the mezzanine and entertain radical ideas downstairs in the new Pedagogies of Resistance section.

Visitors who make pilgrimages to this literary landmark will recognize truth in the cult sign declaring 'I am the door' – City Lights is the door to new ideas and nonstop revelations. Idle browsing is highly encouraged here – Ferlinghetti's hand-lettered sign describes City Lights as "A Kind of Library Where Books Are Sold." On the main floor, City Lights publications include titles by Angela Davis, Diane di Prima and Noam Chomsky, proving the point on another of Ferlinghetti's signs: "Printer's Ink Is the Greater Explosive."

18. Haight Street Art Center

Jeremy Fish's bronze bunny-skull sculpture guides you into a wonderland of screen-printed posters, San Francisco's signature art form. Glimpse rock-concert posters in progress at the on-site screen-printing studio, plus jaw-dropping gallery shows featuring Stanley Mouse's psychedelic Grateful Dead posters and Ralph Steadman's original illustrations for Hunter S Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Gracing the stairwell is a hidden SF treasure: Ruben Kaddish's 1937 WPA fresco Dissertation on Alchemy, surely the trippiest mural ever commissioned by the US government.

19. Travertine Hot Spring

A bit southeast of Bridgepoint, head here to watch a panoramic Sierra sunset from three small but entirely natural hot pools set amid impressive rock formations. To get here, turn east on Jack Sawyer Rd just before the ranger station, then follow the dirt road uphill for about 1 mile. The pools are located over the mound behind the toilet block, and are free to bathe in. There are trails around the hot pools, but watch your footing. There are smaller pools around the area that are big enough to fall in, or trip you up at the least.

20. Earthquake Fault

On Minaret Rd, about 1 mile west of the Mammoth Scenic Loop, detour to gape at Earthquake Fault, a sinuous fissure half a mile long gouging a crevice up to 20ft deep into the earth. Ice and snow often linger at the bottom until late summer, and Native Americans and early settlers used it to store perishable food. Accessibility is difficult during winter.

21. Point Sur State Historic Park, Big Sur

Around 6 miles south of Bixby Bridge, Point Sur rises like a green fortress from the sea. It looks like an island, but is connected by a sandbar. Atop the volcanic rock sits an 1889 stone light station, staffed until 1974. Three-hour guided tours include ocean views and engrossing tales of the facility's importance in tracking Soviet submarines during the Cold War. Tours are first-come, first-served and meet at the locked farm gate 0.25-miles north of Point Sur Naval Facility.

22. Manzanar National Historic Site

A stark wooden guard tower alerts drivers to one of US history's darkest chapters, which unfolded on a barren, windy sweep of land some 5 miles south of Independence. Little remains of the infamous war concentration camp, a dusty square mile where more than 10,000 people of Japanese ancestry were corralled during WWII. The camp’s lone remaining building, the former high-school auditorium, houses a superb interpretive center. A visit is one of California's historical highlights and should not be missed.

Watch the 22-minute documentary, then explore the thought-provoking exhibits chronicling the stories of the families who languished here yet built a vibrant community. A self-guided 3.2-mile driving tour around the grounds usually includes a recreated mess hall and barracks, vestiges of buildings and gardens, and the haunting camp cemetery. Sites are all accessible by foot or an auto road tour.

23. Alabama Hills

The warm colors and rounded contours of the Alabama Hills, located on Whitney Portal Rd/Movie Flat Rd, stand in contrast to the jagged, snowy Sierras just behind. The setting for countless ride-‘em-out movies, the popular Lone Ranger TV series and, more recently, parts of Iron Man (Jon Favreau, 2008) and Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained (2012), the stunning orange rock formations are a beautiful place to experience sunrise or sunset.

You can drive, walk or mountain bike along dirt roads rambling through the boulders, and along Tuttle and Lone Pine Creeks. A number of graceful rock arches are within easy hiking distance of the roads. Head west on Whitney Portal Rd and either turn left at Tuttle Creek Rd, after a half-mile, or north on Movie Flat Rd, after about 3 miles. Following the latter route, the road eventually turns into Moffat Ranch Rd and brings you back to Hwy 395, only 3½ miles south of Manzanar National Historic Site. The websites of the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce and the Museum of Western Film History have excellent movie-location maps.

24. Jade Cove

In the waters of Jade Cove in 1971, local divers recovered a 9000lb jade boulder that measured 8ft long and was valued at $180,000. People still comb the beach in search of similar treasures today. Jade is black or blue-green and looks dull until you dip it in water; the best time to find it is during low tide or after a big storm. Trails down to the water start from several mostly unmarked roadside pull-offs immediately south of Plaskett Creek Campground.

25. César E Chávez National Monument

Located within the undulating Tehachapi Mountains, this national monument, Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, is the national headquarters of the United Farmworkers of America and was the home of civil rights leader César Chávez from 1971 until his death in 1993. On view are exhibits on Chávez's work, his office and grave.

26. Rings Loop Trail in Mojave National Preserve

This fun and easy 1.5-mile trail in Mojave National Preserve delivers close-ups of the Swiss-cheese-like cliffs of the Hole-in-the-Wall area. Starting at the south end of the parking lot, it passes petroglyphs before entering an increasingly narrow canyon that you have to scramble out of using metal rings. You'll emerge at a picnic area and follow a paved road back to the parking lot. For a shorter experience (0.5 miles), use the rings to descend straight into the canyon and climb back out the same way.

27. The Getty Center

In its billion-dollar, in-the-clouds perch, high above the city grit and grime, the Getty Cente r presents triple delights: an engaging art collection (everything from medieval triptychs to baroque sculpture and impressionist brushstrokes), Richard Meier’s cutting-edge architecture, and the visual splendor of seasonally changing gardens. Admission is free, but parking is $20 ($15 after 3pm).

Five pavilions hold collections of manuscripts, drawings, photographs, furniture, decorative arts and a strong assortment of pre-20th-century European paintings. Must-sees include Van Gogh’s Irises, Monet’s Wheatstacks, Rembrandt’s The Abduction of Europa and Titian’s Venus and Adonis. Don’t miss the lovely Cactus Garden on the remote South Promontory for breathtaking city views.

28. The Broad Museum

From the instant it opened in September 2015, the Broad (rhymes with 'road') became a must-visit for contemporary-art fans. It houses the world-class collection of local philanthropist and billionaire real-estate honcho Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe, with more than 2000 postwar pieces by dozens of heavy hitters, including Cindy Sherman, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring and Kara Walker.

The museum docents are knowledgeable and the Broad's excellent smartphone app gives further descriptions of the art and artists. Admission is free (except during special exhibitions), but you’ll want to reserve a timed ticket online to avoid any queues in the walk-up line.

29. Fonts Point in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

East of Borrego Springs, a 4-mile dirt road, sometimes passable without 4WD, diverges south from County Rte S22 out to Fonts Point (1249ft). From up here unfolds a spectacular panorama of the otherworldly, wind-and-water-chiseled Borrego Valley to the west and the Borrego Badlands to the south. Anza-Borrego is often at its best during sunset.

30. Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail

A 20-minute drive inland finds a series of wonderful, mostly flat, shady and sunny paths snaking through a lush valley and past a cascading waterfall surrounded by volcanic rock. The main 7-mile pathway is moderately trafficked with runners, walkers and mountain bikers. Look out for butterflies, mule deer and bobcats. Stay alert when exploring – rattlesnakes also favor these arid pathways. Download the very useful (and free!) Easy2Hike app before you set off, for maps and trail info.

31. Mission and Pacific Beach Boardwalks

Central San Diego 's best beach scene is concentrated in a narrow strip of land between the ocean and Mission Bay. There's great people-watching along the Ocean Front Walk, the boardwalk running from South Mission Beach Jetty to the Pacific Beach pier. It’s crowded with joggers, in-line skaters and cyclists any time of the year. On warm summer weekends, the beaches are packed with people frolicking in sand and sea. Get there before noon to secure a parking space.

32. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

On the site of San Diego's first European settlement, Old Town consists of a cluster of restored or rebuilt historic 19th-century buildings filled with quaint exhibits, souvenir stores and cafes. A good place to start is at the visitor center in 1853 Robinson-Rose House; see the neat model of the pueblo in 1872 and pick up a self-guided tour pamphlet ( or download one for free). Staff also run free guided walking tours daily at 11am and 2pm.

You may also like:
Visit all of California's national parks on this legendary road trip
California's top experiences
Where to spot gray whales along along the Pacific coast as migration season gets in full swing

Cut-price California: the best free things to do in the Golden State

Those heading to Toronto will find a bright and bustling city, filled with museums, art galleries, a glittering skyline and more than 1500 parks and green spaces.

Canada’s largest city is a cultural phenomenon, with residents from around the world and scores of languages, foods, customs and celebrations – the diverse population is a huge part of what makes this city great. Here are some fabulous things to do to make the most of your next trip there.

CN Tower

Riding one of the glass elevators up the CN Tower is one of those things you just have to do in Toronto. Dominating the city's skyline, the 553m communications spire stands over the city like a beacon. Three observation levels reveal unforgettable views and even Niagara Falls can be seen on a clear day.

There are floor-to-ceiling windows, glass floors and an 'EdgeWalk' for those with the backbone to walk around the perimeter of the main pod. With no fence and no windows, it's just you, tethered to a track. Even if you don't visit, you're bound to catch a glimpse of the tower at night: the entire structure puts on a brilliant (free) light show year-round.

Discover street art

Every neighborhood has a little street art, encompassing everything from graffiti to commissioned murals. Look around and you'll find examples hidden down forgotten streets in the Financial District, adorning brick walls in the Annex neighborhood and the east end, and covering entire facades in the Village, Kensington Market and the west end.

The most popular – and perhaps the most photographed – location is Graffiti Alley, a collection of myriad artists' works that spans three blocks just off Queen St West. Highly Instagrammable and perfect for colorful selfies.

St Lawrence Market

Opened in 1845, St Lawrence Market has been part of the city's fabric for almost 175 years. It's a foodies' paradise, with more than 120 vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses and all manner of prepared foods at South Market. Come here to poke around and to graze. Weekends bring the farmers and antique markets, and both are worth checking out.

Inside the old council chambers upstairs, the Market Gallery has rotating displays of paintings, photographs, documents and historical relics, while next door, cooking workshops and special events are held at the Market Kitchen.

Hockey Hall of Fame

The mecca of Canada's national sport, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a spectacular labyrinthine museum in the Financial District. Inside, multimedia exhibits showcase the greats – icons and players of the game. Visitors walk through a recreated Montréal Canadiens' locker room, watch documentaries and movies, and even shoot pucks at video-projected National Hockey League goalies.

Even those unfamiliar with the rough, super-fast sport are likely to be impressed by the world's largest collection of hockey memorabilia. Don't miss the goalie-mask wall, with rows and rows of personalized face shields. And, of course, be sure to take a pic with the beloved Stanley Cup, the championship trophy awarded annually to the NHL playoff winner.

Royal Ontario Museum

Opened in 1914, the multidisciplinary Royal Ontario Museum is Canada's biggest natural history museum. The permanent collection features more than six million specimens and artifacts, divided between natural history galleries and world culture galleries.

There's also a 'discovery zone' where kids can handle skulls, pelts and stuffed wild animals. Free docent-led tours are offered daily, and you can expect to learn about everything from ice-age mammals and hardwood forests to Chinese temples and religious masks.

Distillery District

Once the Gooderham and Worts distillery, the largest distillery in the British Empire, the Distillery District is now a fabulous collection of restaurants and coffee shops, art studios and galleries, performance spaces and specialty boutiques. The setting is a beautifully preserved Victorian industrial complex – think red brick, cobblestone walkways and imposing buildings.

In summer, expect live jazz, activities, exhibitions and foodie events. In winter, a festival of lights and a Christmas market lure people out from the warmth. Year-round, the place is buzzing.

Art Gallery of Ontario

One of the country's finest museums, the Art Gallery of Ontario has a wide collection ranging from 15th-century European art to contemporary American works. The highlights are the Canadian pieces, including Inuit and other aboriginal sculptures and paintings and landscapes by Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven - a famous group of Canadian landscape painters from 1920 to 1933.

And, of course, the spectacular redesign of the building itself by renowned Canadian architect Frank Gehry is a treat by itself. There's a surcharge for special exhibits, but visits to the permanent collection on Wednesday evenings are free. Several highly recommended – and free – tours are offered throughout the week.

Kensington Market

A relatively small enclave north of downtown, Kensington Market is multicultural Toronto at its most interesting. It's not a constrained market as much as a working residential neighborhood. The antics in Bellevue Square Park tell you all you need to know about this eccentric – some say just plain weird – area. Yes, there’s a swing set, but it’s literally child’s play compared to the bongo drumming circles, tightrope walking, fire hula-hooping and occasional boomerang tossing that keep the big kids busy.

If you pop along, you’ll find flavors from around the world, pocket-size stores selling vintage books and clothing, bikers and dreadlocked urban hippies. These co-exist happily alongside residential houses, eateries and traditional shops like butchers, greengrocers, fishmongers and cheese merchants.

Read more: Toronto’s Kensington Market: a loveable hodgepodge

Biking on the Toronto Islands

For great cycling adventures, head to the serene Toronto Islands, an archipelago of 15 islands with quiet neighborhoods, pleasant beaches, vehicle-free roads and lakefront paths – an unexpected treat in a city of almost six million people.

Bike from beach to beach, explore the different islands – several are connected by bridge – and stop for a snack with a spectacular view. Bikes can be rented on-island at Toronto Islands Bicycle Rental or brought from the mainland. The islands are only accessible by ferry, and the 15-minute trip reveals some of the best skyline views in the city.

Edwards Gardens

In the district of North York, this former estate garden features annuals, wildflowers, peaceful waterfalls and extensive rockery as it sits along Toronto’s ravine system. The arboretum has been magnificently installed next to the Children's Teaching Garden, allowing toddlers and little ones to interact with the environment.

Adjacent to the park is the Toronto Botanical Gardens. More than 3.7 acres of land make up 17 unique gardens like the Pollinator Garden with Urban Bee Hives, the Kitchen & Herb Garden and the striking Carpet Beds, which hold 15,000 plants and carry on the tradition of Victorian carpet bedding.

Scarborough Bluffs

For stunning outdoor views, head to Scarborough Bluffs where lakeshore cliffs with cathedral-spire formations expose evidence of five glacial periods. Spanning 14km from Rosetta McClain Gardens to East Point Park, there are several trails that allow visitors to enjoy meadows, forests, beaches, wetlands and spectacular views across Lake Ontario.

The highest section, grassy Cathedral Bluffs Park (65m), makes a great photo op. About 6km east is Guild Park, a serene 36-hectare lakefront forest filled with architectural relics and sculptures from the 1950s to the 1970s. The bluffs also created one of the best beaches in Toronto, Bluffer’s Park Beach, which has soft sand, shallow water and a couple of good swimming spots. It's also the best place to appreciate the jutting cliffs and spires.

Read more: Top 9 beaches in Toronto

Legoland Discovery Centre

It may not be a full-fledged theme park, but Legoland Discovery Centre is loved by kids. It especially appeals to younger ones, who delight in its collection of hands-on, educational Lego-centric attractions, including an earthquake table, a 4D cinema and a Lego factory.

Located a 30-minute drive northwest from Toronto’s downtown, the attraction has two children's rides and three million bricks – enough to keep young hands busy for the day. There's a themed café with family-friendly selections, and the locale is part of a large shopping mall, adding extra appeal for parents who might want some retail therapy after the family excursion.

High Park

Located west of downtown Toronto, High Park spans more than 398 acres. The family-friendly park has a playground, public pool, picnic areas, off-leash dog space and sports facilities, and is known for its famous cherry blossoms, which bloom in April and May.

Numerous trails and nature walks can be taken in the summer, and in winter, the park is covered in a white blanket of snow that makes cross-country skiing a beloved activity. The park's Grenadier Pond is a popular fishing spot and when it freezes over, it's used for skating. One popular attraction is Shakespeare in High Park, which has been produced in the park's amphitheater every summer for almost 40 years.

Go to a festival

Toronto plays host to great annual festivals, including Toronto Fringe Festival, which offers more than 150 productions over two weeks in early July. Jazz, blues and soul blaze in Toronto's streets, nightclubs and concert halls during the Toronto Jazz Festival in late June, when more than 1500 musicians entertain across the city.

Music-lovers can safely write off 10 days in mid-June for the North by Northeast festival, where a plethora of indie bands and comedy acts perform at some of Toronto's coolest venues, including nontraditional ones such as streetcars and ferries. Then there's Luminato, an international arts festival dedicated to performance, media and visual arts. It takes place in venues across Toronto each June in a celebration of creativity that reflects the city's diversity.

Explore Toronto's food scene

Toronto has more than 7000 restaurants, representing a phenomenal range of tastes, cultures and experiences. Each neighborhood has its own trademark: the Financial and Entertainment Districts have fine dining and celebrity chefs, while Kensington Market and Chinatown are all about hole-in-the-wall eats and homegrown talent. Dining halls featuring a variety of cuisines and communal tables have popped up around town. Assembly Chef's Hall is a fine place to start.

There are two festivals that showcase Toronto's culinary scene annually - Summerlicious in July and Winterlicious in January. Over 200 top restaurants participate in these extravaganzas, offering high-end dinner and lunch options in three price categories to showcase the city's culinary diversity.

Admire architecture

Well-informed volunteers from the Royal Ontario Museum lead ROMWalks, one- to two-hour historical and architectural walking tours taking in some of the city's lesser-known but most interesting buildings and neighborhoods. Most, but not all, walks are free.

Over the fourth weekend of May, several public and private buildings of architectural and historical significance take part in the Doors Open Toronto event, allowing visitors to sneak a free peek at what's hot and what's not in other people's digs. Book ahead for walking tours and big-name buildings such as City Hall and Union Station.

Harbourfront Centre

The heart of the Waterfront district is the Harbourfront Centre, a cultural megastar made up of more than two dozen waterfront venues, including parks, outdoor stages, theaters and galleries.

An artistic powerhouse, this 4-hectare complex educates and entertains through a variety of year-round performances, events, festivals and exhibits. The main building houses the well-respected Craft & Design Studios, where the public can watch artists-in-residence at work.

Bata Shoe Museum

Shoe-lovers know that it's important in life to be well-shod, which is a stance the Bata Shoe Museum takes seriously. Impressively designed by Raymond Moriyama to resemble a stylized shoebox, the museum houses a collection of 13,000 'pedi-artifacts' from around the globe spanning 4500 years; only 3% to 4% are on view at any given time.

Peruse 19th-century French chestnut-crushing clogs, Canadian indigenous polar boots or famous pairs worn by Justin Timberlake and Pablo Picasso. Some of the museum's most famous shoes are ballroom slippers worn by Queen Victoria, Elton John’s monogrammed silver and red platform boots, Elvis Presley’s white and blue patent loafers, Marilyn Monroe’s red leather stilettos, Madonna’s platform Dolce & Gabbanas and the Dalai Lama’s flip flops.

Rogers Centre

Sports fans may want to check out the Rogers Centre, one of the largest stadiums in Canada with over 53,000 seats. Technically awe-inspiring, it opened in 1989 with the world's first fully retractable dome roof primarily to serve as a baseball stadium for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tours include a brain-scrambling video wall screening footage of past sporting glories, concerts and events, and you can also check out the stadium's memorabilia museum.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a major public gallery devoted to collecting the art of Canada. Handcrafted buildings set amid 40 hectares of conservation trails contain works by the Group of Seven, as well as by First Nations, Inuit, Métis and other acclaimed Canadian artists.

It's a 34km drive from Toronto and totally worth the trip. A sculpture garden and the graves of gallery co-founders Robert and Signe McMichaels and six of the Group of Seven artists are also on-site. Free tours are included with admission Wednesday through Sunday.

Toronto Music Garden

Toronto Music Garden is one of the city's most magical locations on the waterfront, designed in collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The landscape expresses Bach's Suite No 1 for Unaccompanied Cello, from the Prelude – conveying the feeling of a river flowing through a stream – to the Gigue – inspired by an English dance where spirited music is interpreted as a series of giant grass steps that offer harbor views.

Design features include the arc-shaped grove of conifers, a swirling path through a wildflower meadow and an outdoor amphitheater where free classical performances are given.

Casa Loma

Toronto's only castle may never have housed royalty, but Casa Loma certainly has grandeur, lording over the Annex neighborhood from a cliff that was once the shoreline of the glacial Lake Iroquois. You may have seen it in various movies including X-Men, The Pacifier and Chicago.

The 98-room mansion – an architectural hurricane of castellations, chimneys, flagpoles, turrets and Rapunzel-esque balconies – was built between 1911 and 1914 for Sir Henry Pellatt, a wealthy financier. A self-guided audio tour will lead you through the four levels of the Edwardian mansion as well as the 800ft tunnel to the stables, and the top floor houses a military museum.

Pride Toronto

Toronto's most flamboyant event celebrates the diversity of sexuality and gender identity, with a whole month of community events, workshops and gatherings, most of which are free. There are numerous individual events, party collectives and two festival weekends, with everything based around community, education and celebration.

The festival culminates with the Trans March, Dyke March and Pride Parade events at the end of June, when the streets around Church and Wellesley heave with over a million revelers.

Canada's Wonderland

Amusement-park lovers will want to trek to Canada's Wonderland, located 25 miles north of Toronto. It features more than 200 attractions, including 17 rollercoasters, two children's areas and a 20-acre water park called Splash Works.

Wonder Mountain is the park’s centerpiece and is 150 feet high at its tallest peak, with a 60-foot high waterfall. If you have the nerve, check out Leviathan, the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in Canada with a summit that reaches a height of 93.3m.

Heritage Toronto

Heritage Toronto provides a diverse offering of fascinating historical, cultural and nature walks and bus tours. Led by museum experts, neighborhood historical-society members and emerging historians, they take visitors through parks, to well-known landmarks, and through the many neighborhoods that make up Toronto.

Tours aim to commemorate the city’s rich heritage and the diverse stories of its people, places and events. The website also offers a handful of downloadable self-guided tours.

You might also like:
The best things you can do for free in Toronto
How to spend a perfect weekend in Toronto
The best time to go to Toronto

Toronto's top attractions have it all: culture, sports and delicious dining

Alaska ain’t cheap, as any "sourdough" (old-timer) will tell you. The cost of flying and shipping everything to such an isolated region is invariably passed on to the consumer. But if you’re willing to forsake flightseeing for hiking and national museums for national parks, you’re halfway to experiencing the US’s largest state on a shoestring.

Enjoy the outdoors at these eight national parks and preserves

In contrast to many national parks in the Lower 48, seven of Alaska’s eight parks and preserves don’t charge entrance fees. All of Wrangell-St Elias (a park the size of Switzerland) is free to roam at no cost. The full eight million acres of Gates of the Arctic can be enjoyed for nothing.

The only Alaskan national park where you do have to dip into your wallet is Denali which charges an affordable $15 (valid for seven days).

There are caveats, of course. Getting to some of the state’s more remote parks can be pricey. For a cheap intro, try Kenai Fjords National Park whose marquee sight, the Exit Glacier, is easily accessible from the town of Seward. Rangers at the Exit Glacier Nature Center lead free one-hour hikes to the ice-flow, imparting information on the wildlife and natural history of the area on the way.

When is the best time to go to Alaska?

Learn about the Tlingit at the Sitka National Historical Park

This striking juxtaposition of Indigenous totem poles and Russian colonial culture explores a little-known chapter of Alaskan history on the site where native Tlingits were defeated by the Russians in 1804.

A beguiling one-mile-long forest walk weaves past 18 Tlingit and Haida totem poles that blend seamlessly with the shadowy trees; most of the structures are over 100 years old. The path also crosses the site of an old Tlingit fort, the last bastion in a key face-off between the Russians and the Indigenous people. The story of the 1804 battle is re-told at the park visitor center also home to a wood-carving workshop where you can watch local artists at work.

The nearby Russian Bishop’s House includes an ornate Orthodox chapel and was constructed by Finnish craftsmen in 1843. It is one of the few remaining examples of Russian colonial architecture in the Western hemisphere and one of the oldest buildings in Alaska.

Feel the chill at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

A day out at the Mendenhall Glacier costs nothing but the bus fare from Juneau ($2) if you head directly to the waterside visitor center with its giant glass windows and full-frontal view of the calving ice-flow abutting Mendenhall Lake.

The center doubles up as a mini museum with geological exhibits complemented by a beautifully shot film about the relationship between glaciers, wildlife and people. It’s also the nexus for a lattice of short trails (pick up a free map) that meander to various viewpoints and get you to within showering distance of thundering Nugget Falls. If you’re lucky, you even might spot a bear or two (at a safe distance) at no extra cost.

Hitch a ride on the Mt Roberts Tramway

Most tourists ascend Juneau’s Mt Roberts on its spectacular tramway (cable car) that leaves directly from the cruise ship dock. On reaching the summit, there’s time for lunch in the ridge-top restaurant followed by a couple of short strolls above the treeline before taking the tramway back to town. Total price: an exorbitant $35, plus the food.

For those on tighter budgets, there’s a cheaper alternative. Hike up to the tramway’s top station on a steep two-mile trail, spend $10 in the restaurant and ride back down for free. It’s a fun dollar-saving day out that’s well worth the energy expenditure.

Go on an art crawl of Seward’s murals

Alaska’s street art capital isn’t metro Anchorage or even capital Juneau, but the village-sized city of Seward. A total of 35 story-telling murals painted by local artists makes up a huge outdoor art gallery that draws heavily on Alaskan and Sewardian themes.

There are tributes to the famous Mt Marathon race, depictions of hardworking fishers, nods to brave bush pilots and a shout-out to the legendary Iditarod dog-sledding event. The project was initiated in 1999 and includes work from 20 different artists.

The 10 best day trips from Anchorage

Tour Skagway’s historic Klondike gold rush sites

Look past the cruise-ship day-trippers, a million of whom disgorge onto Skagway’s creaky boardwalks every summer, and you’ll see a wonderful town-sized museum haunted by the ghosts of the 1898 Klondike gold rush and all the brothels, gunfights and debauchery that went with it.

Most of Skagway’s historic buildings are managed by the National Park Service and the best of them – including the Moore Homestead, the Mascot Saloon, and the wonderful visitor center turned museum – don’t charge for entry. Equally gratis are the street actors, waitstaff in period costume and storytelling national park rangers who enliven the bars and boardwalks around town.

Dive in and join the (free) show.

Admire Indigenous art at the Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum

This enlightening museum in diminutive Valdez on Prince William Sound isn’t just free to enter (unusual in Alaska), it’s also one of the best of its kind in the state. The artifacts, which are legion and varied, were donated from the private collection of an American couple who relocated to Alaska in 1947 and became enthusiastic hoarders of indigenous art, random ephemera, and taxidermy.

Kudos should go to the curation which has organized the mass of objects in a coherent and interesting way with written commentaries that discuss and examine rather than evangelize. Admire model ships, fish wheels, moose-antler furniture, native masks, and lifelike stuffed animals.

Honor the dead at Totem Bight State Park

Totem poles are ubiquitous in southeast Alaska where they have been sculpted for centuries by Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian people. One of the best places to learn about their role in greeting visitors, honoring the dead, burying deceased ancestors and shaming transgressors is at Totem Bight State Park, 10 miles north of downtown Ketchikan.

The partly forested 33-acre park overlooking the Tongass Narrows serves as a free outdoor totem museum with 14 poles and an intricately carved clan house adorned with ravens, whales, and other native motifs.

Detailed interpretive boards explain the importance of the poles, all of which are replicas made in the 1930s during an early attempt to revive the then dying art of totem carving.

Stroll the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark

In one of the few road-accessible corners of mammoth Wrangell-St Elias National Park, this once flourishing copper mine is now a noble ruin and a roughshod outdoor museum to boot.

You can stroll at will around the mishmash of antique industrial buildings, some restored (such as the Depression-era General Store), others left in a state of ghostly decrepitude. For the full story of Kennecott’s brief reign as a prosperous mining community, join one of the free ranger-led walks that depart daily from the visitor center between May and September.

Go for a hike

Once you’ve invested in the essential gear – durable footwear, bear spray, walking poles and the like – Alaska’s finest and most widely available activity works out absurdly cheap. Whether you’re body-swerving hand-holding couples on the paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage or dodging grizzles in the treeless (and trail-less) taiga of Denali National Park, hiking in the "Last Frontier" is nearly always free. The iconic Chilkoot Trail, which crosses into Canada, is one of the few trails that charges a fee.

Even multi-day hikers make savings, backcountry camping is free in all of Alaska’s national parks (although in Denali you’ll need to apply for a permit).

You might also like:
Travelers to Alaska can get a free COVID-19 vaccination
Top 8 road trips in Alaska
Why Alaska's stunning coast is best seen by ferry

This article was originally published in June 2021 and updated in September 2021.

Explore Alaska on the the cheap with these 10 epic experiences 

Toronto is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Steeped in history and culture, it also bursts with joyous, offbeat energy and resolutely inclusive attitudes. I've learned that Toronto has its challenges and unspoken rules too; planning ahead and knowing what to expect go a long way in making a trip here unforgettable.

Add 13% to almost everything you buy (and then some)

Toronto is expensive, there are no two ways about it. It doesn’t help that a 13% tax is tagged onto all goods and services. Add to that a 17% tax for hotel stays. And, of course, 15% to 20% tips for meals are expected.

In general, travelers on a mid-range budget should plan on spending CA$100-250 per day to cover typical expenses. To save a bit, consider staying in a hostel (most have private rooms), buy self-catered meals in markets and take public transportation. CityPASS helps save on some major attractions too. And there are plenty of free things to do as well if all those taxes feel overwhelming.

Pay with Loonies

Yes, most places accept US dollars but use Canadian dollars instead – you are in Canada after all (plus you’ll save cash on lousy on-the-spot exchange rates).

Reserve your stay

While Toronto has no shortage of accommodations, smaller places like inns and B&Bs can sell out, especially during the summer months. Book early!

Buy pro sports tickets well in advance

Torontonians are diehard sports fans, no matter how poorly their teams are playing. If you want to join the madness, book tickets as soon as you know you’re headed to town – Maple Leafs and Raptors games go especially fa st.

Purchase seats for big-ticket shows early too

While you can typically score last-minute tickets for smaller theaters, Broadway shows pack houses months ahead. Buy tickets in advance. Otherwise, rush tickets are occasionally sold on performance day, starting at 9am.

Explore Toronto (mostly) on foot

Though Toronto is Canada’s largest city – over 6 million people – most sights are concentrated in downtown Toronto and the bohemian, ethnic, historic and waterfront neighborhoods that surround it.

Laid out in a grid, navigating Toronto is easiest on foot – you'll see more, learn how the city works, and have the freedom to pop in and out of places. If the weather is cruddy, follow the signs to PATH, a 17-mile network (30km) of tunnels that connects over 70 buildings and shopping centers. For the waterfront, change things up and rent a bike.

To get across town, use Toronto’s public transportation system (TTC). True, the streetcars and buses are often delayed and the subway only has four lines, but it’ll get you where you’re going. At all costs, avoid driving; the bumper-to-bumper traffic can be soul-crushing. If you must, bring your defensive-driving “A” game.

Mind your Ps and Qs

Though Torontonians are generally laid-back, “please,” “thank you” and “sorry” are highly valued words. Use them. Bumping into someone without apologizing or not thanking someone for holding the door is considered rude.

Likewise, cutting a line can prompt full-on shouts. And whatever you do, don’t say Canadians and Americans are the same – this oft-heard comment abroad is considered offensive at home.

Hear beaucoup languages

Toronto is a cultural phenomenon, where 51% of the population was born outside of Canada. You see it in the races and ethnicities of the people (over 250 nationalities), you hear it in the languages spoken (over 170) and you taste it in the food (almost 7,500 eateries).

Likewise, the celebrations and festivals, advertising and even the lineup of comedians and musical acts look and sound like nowhere else on earth. The city’s multiculturalism is refreshing and embracing…it’s what makes Toronto great.

Notice the Land Acknowledgements

“Land Acknowledgement” proclamations are posted all around Toronto and are read aloud at public events. The exact text varies, but at heart, they’re reminders that you’re on the ancestral lands of several First Nations’ communities, that it was taken by force or by broken treaty and that generations of Indigenous people have suffered all manner of atrocities at the hands of colonizers. It’s a small but significant recognition of Toronto’s First Nations’ people, their history and present-day struggles.

Display your rainbow colors proudly

Toronto is one of the LGBTIQ+ friendliest cities in the world, the first in North America to legalize same-sex marriage. The Church-Wellesley Village neighborhood is ground zero for the LGBTIQ+ community, a welcoming place where pretty much anything goes and everyone belongs. If you’re here in June, don’t miss the month-long Pride Toronto festivities – the parade alone brings over one million revelers to the streets!

Wear jeans and pack a warm hat

A decent pair of jeans is a standard go-to in Toronto, day or night. The exception is at upscale restaurants, clubs and theaters: where you should bring out your trendy threads instead. In the colder months, carry a warm hat and a jacket too – temperatures can drop quickly, and nothing says tourist more than wearing a ‘Toronto’ sweatshirt around town.

Have a government-sanctioned drink

Thanks to Ontario’s antiquated laws, hard alcohol can only be purchased from the government-run LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario).

Beer and Ontario-produced wine can be found at some grocery stores and the aptly named Beer Store. If you’re looking to picnic with a bottle, be discreet – public drinking is tolerated but not legal.

Don’t count on Universal Health Care

While Canada offers some of the finest health care in the world, it’s only free for Canadians. In fact, if you land in the ER, care can be prohibitively expensive. Before arriving, check if your healthcare policy covers you in Toronto; if it doesn’t, consider purchasing travel health insurance.

Be aware of your surroundings

Toronto is an extraordinarily safe place, consistently ranking as one of the safest cities in the world. But, like any major metropolis, it has some sketchy areas. Near the city’s attractions, Allan Gardens is known as a place you might encounter pickpockets; best to take a cab or ride-share around there, especially after dark. An

d regardless of where you are, it’s always good practice to be aware of your surroundings and avoid flashing your cash. If you encounter any problems, call 911.

You may also like:

6 perfect day trips to take from Toronto
Top parks in Toronto
How to explore Toronto with kids

Tips and tricks to keep in mind on your visit to Toronto

If you picture Georgia as a vast expanse of red dirt punctuated by peach trees to the moss-strewn coast, think again. Georgia's Piedmont spills out of the Appalachian mountains at the state's northern end, a stretch of rugged terrain packed with incredible hikes that rival neighboring North Carolina and more famous outdoor destinations like New Hampshire and Vermont.

From the legendary Appalachian Trail's southern terminus to spectacular waterfalls crashing into pools ringed by rhododendron, from under-the-radar south-eastern thru-hikes like the Pinhoti Trail to a swath of canyons carved by a century of erosion, the Peach State is full of surprises.

So lace up your hiking boots and grab your trekking poles – we've hand-picked some of the best hikes in Georgia, from challenging trails with technical features to short day hikes easily accessible for families and hikers with disabilities.

The Pinhoti Trail

Best for backpackers and thru-hikers

Springer Mountain wasn't intended to be the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Initially, Benton MacKaye, the conservationist who first conceived of the epic thru-hike, imagined the trail would run the entire length of the Appalachian Mountains named for, including the rolling foothills that extend into portions of Georgia and Alabama.

Work began in the 1970s on blazing the Pinhoti Trail, which encompasses the southern spurs left off the official AT. However, it wasn't until the early aughts that the Pinhoti Trail was completed and opened to thru-hikers.

Over the past 13 years, the Pinhoti Trail has steadily become better known as a southeastern thru-hike in its own right, as well as a good training ground for north-bound AT hikers. It also makes for a great section hike; however, whether you want to spend a Saturday on a portion of the PT or make a backpacking trip out of the 160 miles that traverse the Peach State from the Alabama state line near Etna to the northern terminus at Flagg Mountain near Epworth. However far you go, just follow the blue blazes.

Blood Mountain

Best for day hikes

Despite the sinister-sounding name, Blood Mountain is one of the most renowned hikes in all of Georgia. It's the highest-elevation peak on the Georgia section of the AT, and unlike a lot of summits in Appalachia, you actually get inspired panoramic vistas from the top instead of climbing to a dense, anti-climactic knob socked in by foliage.

Pick up any last-minute supplies you need at the legendary Mountain Crossings general store nearby, then start your climb at the Byron Reece trailhead near Neels Gap. You can follow the blue blazes to the intersection with the AT at Flat Rock Gap, then follow the Appalachian Trail's famous white blazes. You'll know you're getting close to the top when the trees give way to a series of big stony balds, which hint at the views to come.

Keep your glutes firing, though, until you reach the big stone shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps almost a century ago, where AT hikers still rest up overnight.

You can scramble up the boulders behind the shelter for the best summit views and a bite to eat – there's a reason it's called Picnic Rock, after all. There's also an outhouse a few dozen yards further down the trail and downhill from the shelter.

If you don't want to backtrack on return to your car, turn your Blood Mountain hike into a loop by continuing along the AT until you run into the Freeman Trail partway down the mountain. It juts off on a sharp left and brings you back to the Byron Reece trailhead at a lower elevation.

The Pigeon Mountain Pocket

Best for hikers with disabilities and families

If it's wildflowers and waterfalls you're looking for, it's hard to beat this best-kept secret of northwest Georgia. Tucked at the foot of Pigeon Mountain is a tiny jewel box of biodiversity, criss-crossed with level, accessible boardwalks that float just above a sea of bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, Virginia bluebells, and star chickweed.

The Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail is typically in bloom from March through May, though it's pretty any time of year thanks to the bubbling Pocket Branch creek and the lovely, two-pronged cascade that feeds it from atop Pigeon Mountain.

Where the boardwalk ends, there's a trail leading to the base of the falls – though be aware it's fairly rocky, rooty, and muddy. Be careful to stay on the trail to protect the vegetation that makes this place so unique. And if you don't mind getting a little wet, go all the way up behind the falls, which have carved an arch-shaped passage in the rock behind the right-most cascade.

Amicalola Falls

Best for stairmaster fiends

Tennessee has Fall Creek Falls, Oregon has Multnomah Falls, Washington has Snoqualmie Falls and Georgia has Amicalola, the tallest cascade in the state.

Just north of Dawsonville, Amicalola Falls State Park not only boasts a 729-ft waterfall but also a beloved lodge, restaurant and conference center, along with plenty of campsites and hiking trails. It's also famous for a spur that connects to the Appalachian Trail and makes for a convenient, bucolic drop-off point.

Get a close-up look at the falls on one of several trails ranging from .3 miles long to just over two. The shortest is the West Ridge Trail, an ADA-accessible path that leads to the middle of the cascade and connects to two other options – seeing Amicalola from above and below.

From here, there are 604 steps up to a viewing platform where you can see the falls from halfway up. Connect to the East Ridge Trail, which runs from the Visitor Center parking lot to the top of the falls, for the longest possible loop. Or you can take the New Appalachian Approach Trail to the bottom of the falls – or another eight miles to the AT's southern terminus at Springer Mountain.

Tallulah Gorge

Best hike for photographers

In the far northeastern corner of Georgia, about an hour and forty minutes from Atlanta or three from Chattanooga, Tallulah Gorge is one of the state's Seven Natural Wonders. See its best features up close on the gorgeous but strenuous Hurricane Falls Trail Loop, which shows off some of Georgia's prettiest waterfalls, including L'Eau d'Or, Tempesta, and Hurricane.

In just three miles round trip, hikers can follow the rim of this water-carved gorge, then descend to its bottom, and even cross a magical suspension bridge that looks like it's straight out of Indiana Jones or Romancing the Stone. No, those movies weren't filmed here, but several scenes from Deliverance were.

There are 10 overlooks total along the Hurricane Loop – along with over a thousand heart-pounding stairs that will leave your quads shaking.

Anna Ruby Falls

Best hike for all abilities

Tucked away in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests near charming Helen, Georgia, Anna Ruby Falls is easily accessible for hikers of all abilities. The .15 mile Lion's Eye Trail is punctuated with signage in braille about the surrounding landscape, as well as a handrail to guide visitors with visual impairments.

There is also a half-mile paved trail from the parking lot to a pair of viewing decks suitable for those at modest activity levels, including families. However, this approach trail may not be considered genuinely accessible for hikers using mobility aids because it encounters moderate inclines at a few points.

For a longer hike, try the Smith Creek Trail, a nine-mile round trip trek through Unicoi State Park that ends in Anna Ruby Falls and follows a path once blazed by early gold miners.

Cloudland Canyon

Best hike for experienced hikers

Cloudland Canyon was formed millions of years ago where Sitton Gulch Creek cuts through the western edge of Lookout Mountain. It's full of lovely hiking trails and camping spots and is easily accessible from Chattanooga and Atlanta.

However, one of the best vantage points is the West Rim Loop trail, a nearly five-mile, moderate-to-challenging hike. It takes trekkers up out of the gorge to the edge of the canyon, through stands of rhododendron and classic Cumberland boulder fields, with plenty of overlooks gazing down on views begging to be Instagrammed. It's easy to turn this day hike into an overnight, too, since this trail passes both the Yurt Village, the park's cottages and its campgrounds.

Combine the West Rim Loop with the Waterfalls trail to see Cloudland's famous Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls, a strenuous hike to the base of the gorge and back that only covers 1.8 miles but also involves climbing back up 600 stairs.

Len Foote Hike Inn

Best hike for backpackers / glampers

If you like the idea of backpacking, but not so much the part where you schlep your days worth of food, water, shelter and emergency supplies deep into the backcountry only to sleep on the ground, you want to try this famous hike that's somewhere in between backpacking and glamping.

True to the name, you can only reach this iconic sustainable lodge in the Chattahoochee National Forest via a five-mile hike that typically takes anywhere from two to four hours and is only moderately challenging.

Once you arrive, you'll be greeted with rustic hospitality in the form of 20 private bunk rooms, hot showers, family-style meals, a library stocked with board games and puzzles, and cozy spots to curl up in an Adirondack chair and take it all in.

Some hikers chose to pair a multi-night stay at the Len Foote Hike with a trek to Springer Mountain, almost nine miles away round trip.

Providence Canyon

Best hike for geology fans

Here's the red dirt Georgia is so famous for – only it's eroded into an eerie canyon that looks as though it dropped from Utah into the otherwise soft, flat landscape of the southeast.

Unsustainable farming practices over a century ago are responsible for the Peach State's "Little Grand Canyon," but today, it's a fun destination for outdoor enthusiasts in southern Georgia who like a little uphill in their hike.

The Perimeter Loop Trail is only two miles long with just 252 ft of elevation gain, is rated easy to moderate, and offers views down into canyons 1-5. If you want a longer hike, you can combine the Perimeter Loop with the Canyon Loop to see canyons 6-9. For a gnarlier outing that's both strenuous and technical, the backcountry trail is a seven-mile loop that leads to primitive campsites and offers views of additional canyons.

The Appalachian Trail

Best hike for section hikers

Only 78 miles of the Appalachian Trail's 2,200 miles span are in Georgia, but they're pretty essential miles, connecting to the thru-hikes southern terminus. They're also incredibly scenic, spiking up and down some truly stunning summits like Springer Mountain, Blood Mountain, and Tray Mountain.

You can hike the AT state by state, of course. But you can also break up Georgia's portion into a series of enjoyable day hikes or shorter backpacking trips between major landmarks like Woody Gap, Slaughter Mountain, Neels Gap, Gooch Mountain, Tesnatee Gap, and Hogpen Gap. If you want to pick up a map and some advice, it's hard to beat chatting with the experts at Mountain Crossings, a well-regarded outfitter whose parking lot is a meeting point for both thru-hikers and leather-clad bikers.

You may also like:

The 10 best day trips from Atlanta
A good weekend is not hard to find in Flannery O’Connor’s hometown
How to road trip the Southeastern US on a budget

This article was originally published in April 2021 and updated in September 2021.

Say hello to autumn on these 10 Georgia hikes 

New Orleans is a good value-for-money city, and not just because the drinks are cheap. The city that gave the USA carnival season is itself a sort of perpetual carnival, a place where spectacle and showmanship are constantly on offer to even the casual visitor – and it's all free.

Here are 20 free things to do in New Orleans.

Fête to the early morning at Mardi Gras

Few cities are as defined by an event the way Mardi Gras defines New Orleans. The holiday, which hits in February or March depending on the year, has been called the greatest free show on Earth, and it's an explosion of color, costumes and revelry. Despite the cliches, the annual celebration is actually largely aimed at families. The two-and-a-half weeks preceding Mardi Gras are known as Carnival and are similarly packed with parades and street performances.

First time Mardi Gras: top tips for New Orleans' biggest party

Meander through the woods at City Park

While New Orleans’ City Park is not actually managed by the city, it is still free and open to the public. Visitors can expect to find ancient live oak trees with Spanish moss beards, slow waterways, Greek-style pavilions, and walking trails that meander through woods and wetlands.

Marvel at the architecture at Royal Street

A stroll down Royal Street is a stroll through the heart of the French Quarter, minus the booze-soaked bacchanalia of adjacent Bourbon Street. Various blocks expose visitors to some of the city’s finest Caribbean-style architecture. Travel tip: the sectioned-off area that's chockablock of street performers becomes pedestrian-only in the middle of the day.

Embrace your Southern Gothic side at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

New Orleans is famed for its necropolis-style cemeteries, filled with raised mausoleums that keep local corpses from washing away during the city’s fabled rainstorms. Lafayette, located in the Garden District and packed with creeping vines, gnarled tree roots and faded statuary, is one of the most pathos-drenched examples of the local Gothic cemetery genre.

Editor's Note: The cemetery is currently closed to the public while repairs and improvements are being made. Call or visit the website to check for details.

When to go to New Orleans

Groove to the music at Louis Armstrong Park

Usually just called “ Armstrong Park ” by locals, this park, adjacent to the Treme and French Quarter, was once the site of Congo Square, the place where enslaved African were allowed to perform their Old World music. The performances laid the foundation for the development of all the sonic genres New Orleans has helped give the world. Today, the park is home to sculptures and walkways and often hosts free festivals and concerts throughout the year.

Get artsy at Sydney & Wanda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Some 90 sculptures by world-renowned artists pepper a series of shady walking trails that web over two lagoons and through a living forest of magnolia and live oak trees. The Besthoff Sculpture Garden is a beloved gem and fixture of the local arts scene and represents one of the city’s best marriages of public art and outdoors activity. Admission is free.

Dive into the bizarre at Palace Market

On Frenchmen Street – itself a notable gratis attraction – you’ll find this art market, a sort of bizarre bazaar of some of this city’s funkiest creatives. “Art market” is a broad brush, and in this case includes weird t-shirts, idiosyncratic crafts, handmade jewelry and the occasional jacket detailing/bedazzling. Located next to the similar, just-a-skooch-smaller, Art Garden market.

Hit the streets with New Orleans' Second Line

A second line is a New Orleans street parade, led by a local brass band and followed by hundreds of citizens carrying on because life is short so why not listen to some good music? While weddings and even conventions throw small second lines, the real deal parades that occur in Treme and Central City – both largely Black neighborhoods – have deep community significance. Second lines generally occur on Sundays outside of summer; schedules can be found on the website of local radio station WWOZ.

Take in the history of Jackson Square

The beating heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square fronts the gorgeous St Louis Cathedral, perhaps the most iconic building in New Orleans, plus the historic Pontalba apartment buildings, the Cabildo, a state history museum, and the Presbytere – a museum dedicated to Mardi Gras and Hurricane Katrina. This pedestrian-only area is constantly (like 24 hours!) filled with street performers, tarot card readers, artists and general non-stop pageantry.

Tour St Augustine Church

St Augustine is the oldest Black Catholic church in the country and occupies a lovely tree-lined corner of the Treme neighborhood and a vitally important position in Black American history. The congregation explicitly preaches for civil rights and social justice and is the site of the moving sculpture, the “Tomb of the Unknown Slave”.

Enjoy views of the Mississippi River at Crescent Park

Many visitors to New Orleans are surprised at how tough it can be to spot the Mississippi River, given that said river is so integral to the city’s identity. But this isn’t the case at Crescent Park, which runs alongside the banks of the famed river adjacent to the candy-colored charm of neighborhoods like Faubourg Marigny and Bywater.

Make good decisions on Bourbon Street

The most (in)famous street in New Orleans is a multi-block procession of neon, bars, strip clubs, bachelor/ette parties, drinks the color of a Lisa Frank binder and bad decisions. At least, that’s Bourbon closer to Canal St. The other side of Bourbon is a little more low-key, aimed at LGBTQIA+ travelers around St Philip St, and turning residential as one approaches Esplanade Ave.

Support the local arts scene

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation puts on several free festivals and concerts throughout the year. The music department at the University of New Orleans also has an impressive lineup of shows that are free and open to the public.

There are also plenty of musical acts on the street and in local bars, but these aren’t really free: locals pride themselves on being good tippers, and if a tip hat or jar gets passed around, you should always kick in some money.

Shop til you drop on Magazine Street

If you like shopping, historic buildings, or both, take a walk down Magazine Street. The roughly six miles of city blocks offer up the best shops, galleries, restaurants and bars in New Orleans. It’s popular with all ages; some blocks seem to cater more towards students, while others are aimed at families.

Be memorized by the stunning St Charles Avenue

Few people can cross the length of St Charles Avenue without having to pick their jaw up off of the floor. This is classic overgrown, lush and fecund New Orleans: a wide avenue, cut through by a charming streetcar (technically not free, but at $3 for an all-day pass, it’s pretty close), flanked on either side by enormous live oak trees and some of the South’s most stately mansions.

Relax by the Bayou St John

Once an actual bayou (a body of very slow-moving water), Bayou St John used to form a natural watery highway throughout the marshy membrane of historic New Orleans. Now, this waterway is a pretty body of water plunked directly in the middle of the city. It’s surrounded by small grassy walkways and forms a pleasant natural cooling agent on hot days (of which there are many…).

Pop in to the live music clubs on Frenchmen Street

While Frenchmen can feel as busy as Bourbon on the weekends, it’s still well worth a visit; this is the best concentration of live music clubs in the city. Stroll around after 6pm on any given evening (even during the week), and you’ll hear music somewhere that will inevitably pull you in.

Check out the Arts Market of New Orleans

Every fourth Sunday of the month, the Arts Council of New Orleans puts on this excellent juried arts market at Palmer Park, located just off of Carrollton Ave. There you’ll find a showcasing of some of the city’s local creative talent, as well as kid-friendly music and activities.

Explore the French-Creole mansions on Esplanade Avenue

Most visitors to New Orleans have heard of Bourbon St and St Charles Avenue is at least world-famous in photos, but it’s the rare tourist who mentions Esplanade Ave. That’s telling because this is an absolutely stunning street, lined with French-Creole style mansions and cut through by a bicycle lane that extends all the way from the French Quarter to the fields of City Park.

Go green at Audubon Park

Although Audubon is smaller than City Park, it's also filled with live oak trees and Spanish moss and is flanked by some of the city’s most impressive mansions and handsome neighborhoods.

You might also like:

Offbeat Louisana: quirky things to do in the Bayou State
The best dive bars in New Orleans
Where to find New Orleans' authentic art and culture

This article was originally published in August 2019 and updated in September 2021.

20 free things to do in New Orleans to keep the good times going 

With the year-round temperate weather and plethora of nearby green spaces, Bay Area locals love their time outdoors. That’s especially the case in San Jose since it’s further inland and thus not as susceptible to fog and the chillier weather up north. The aspect that’s most impressive about San Jose parks though is how they make you feel miles away from the city while still being within a densely populated area. Whether you want to get away from it all or come together with friends on a beautiful day in nature, these are the best parks in San Jose, California.

Kelley Park

Best park for sightseeing

Frequented by families, joggers, dog-walkers, locals on their lunch break and tourists exploring the various sights within its leafy confines, if there’s one park to see in San Jose, it’s Kelley Park. Spanning 172 acres, this is not only one of the largest urban parks in the area, it’s the most versatile; bringing together the best aspects of city parks in one scenic space.

Don’t miss Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, History Park, Trolley Barn and the Japanese Friendship Garden, which is a peaceful oasis complete with bright orange koi in the pond. Spend time taking it all in or simply find a quiet corner to relax and enjoy a break from the city.

Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Best park for hiking and history

Step back in time on the trails at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, where you can hike past remnants of what was once the richest mercury mining operation in California in the 1840s. From rusted relics to closed-off “Quicksilver” mines, it’s a unique way to get a glimpse of Santa Clara Valley’s mining past, all to the backdrop of oak woodland, rolling hills and open meadows.

Head to the more rugged southern end of the park for uncrowded trails and solitude. On sunny, clear days, take in the sparkling Guadalupe Reservoir and views of Mount Hamilton, Sierra Azul and the Valley. There’s no potable water at the park so bring plenty with you.

Emma Prusch Farm Park

Best park for toddlers and school-aged kids

When you arrive at Emma Prusch Farm Park, you’ll be welcomed by the chickens and peacocks that roam free at this peaceful 47-acre space. It’s the perfect introduction to what lies ahead: animal encounters, educational experiences and sustainable agricultural practices.

Bring the whole family to experience this agricultural haven in the middle of a busy urban area, all thanks to Emma Prusch, who donated half of her dairy farm to the city in the 1960s. Spend a day walking around the community garden, fruit orchard and the largest barn in San Jose. Hop on a hay wagon ride and have a picnic while kids run around in the wide-open spaces and playgrounds around the park. If you have more time in the area, sign up for one of the classes, such as beekeeping, animal care, or basic gardening. There is also a fall music festival and a summer camp for kids.

Alum Rock Park

Best parks for a picnic

As the oldest municipal park in San Jose, Alum Rock Park’s history is one of convenient relaxation and rejuvenation. In the early 20th century, it was a bustling natural health spa with mineral springs, a swimming pool, tea garden and dance hall.  There might not be as much soaking and dancing these days, but it’s still one of the most popular parks to visit in San Jose for a peaceful, leafy paradise within the city.

Nestled in the quiet foothills of the Diablo Range, enjoy a picnic here in the spring. The weather isn’t too hot yet and bright orange poppies make an appearance to level up the scenery. As a protected wildlife sanctuary, it’s also a great place for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Keep your eyes peeled for black-tailed deer, brush rabbits and quail that call this park home.

Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

Best park for photography

This massive 1611-acre park is all about panoramic valley views and wildlife, making it the perfect spot for sunset strolls and various types of photography. Come here at golden hour to take in the orange and yellow hues, made even more vibrant in the spring when California poppies are in bloom. With just 10 miles of trails, you don’t have to walk far to get some of the best views in San Jose.

Vasona Lake County Park

Best park for socializing

Located just outside of San Jose, Vasona Lake County Park makes this list because of its manicured beauty and large, open spaces that are ideal for hosting birthday parties and get-togethers on sunny days. There’s a lot to see and do at this vast 152-acre park, but an activity that can’t be missed is renting paddle boats on the glistening Vasona Reservoir during the spring and summer.

Other park features include the Viola Anderson Native Plant Trail and scenic Los Gatos Creek Trail that cuts through the park and heads all the way back up to San Jose. If you have little ones, take them to Oak Meadow Park next door where they can ride the historic carousel and kid-sized steam train.

Hellyer County Park

Best park for dogs

With how dog-friendly the Bay Area is, there are a lot of dog parks to choose from in San Jose. The dog park at Hellyer County Park, however, is one of the best.

There’s a huge section of real grass, dog toys galore, shaded areas, responsible owners, water buckets and a freshwater source to keep your dogs hydrated and happy. Avoid the after-work crowd that comes during the week from 6-8 pm if you want a calmer experience.

You might also like:
Let the sunshine in with a visit to the best beaches near San Jose
The 16 best California road trips
How to get around California

All Stories

Cancún on a budget: the best free (and almost free!) things to do in party city

Everything's better in Austin: top experiences in the Texan sunshine

Cut-price California: the best free things to do in the Golden State

Toronto's top attractions have it all: culture, sports and delicious dining

Explore Alaska on the the cheap with these 10 epic experiences

Tips and tricks to keep in mind on your visit to Toronto

Say hello to autumn on these 10 Georgia hikes

20 free things to do in New Orleans to keep the good times going

These San Jose city parks feel miles away city hustle

Featured in Best in Travel 2021

Virginia

USA

Region

Antigua & Barbuda

Caribbean

Country

Rwanda

Africa

Country

Wellington

New Zealand

City