Free is a beautiful word in this single gal’s vocabulary and Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, is indeed, a gorgeous day for my budget. It’s National Public Lands Day AND Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day Live! which means free admission into national parks and select museums. If you’re looking to save on your budget yet not sacrifice a quality experience, Sept. 26 is the day for exploration whether you’re traveling away from home or playing tourist in your backyard.
Visit a National Park Free on National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to volunteer in some of the country’s most beloved lands including beaches, gardens and parks. It’s also a day where five agencies which manage federal lands waive entrance fees, including the National Park Service. Learn more in my post about the 2015 National Public Lands Day.
Soak Up Culture During Smithsonian’s Museum Day Live!
Up to 1,300 museums representing all 50 states are expected to participate in this year’s Museum Day Live! by offering free museum admission in the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington D.C.-based facilities. You’ll need to download your ticket in advance and each ticket is valid for the ticket holder and one guest. Learn more in my post about the 2015 Smithsonian’s Museum Day Live!
My Tips for Making the Most of this Day
Map It! Every American lives within 100 miles of a National Park Service unit and with about 1,300 museums participating in Museum Day Live!, you may be able to take a walk in the woods then admire a new art installation in one day.
Download It! If attending Museum Day Live!, download and bring your ticket with you to your museum of choice. Although the ticket is valid for two people, if you’re like me, it’s totally acceptable to fly solo that day. Heck, if by chance you arrive at the museum and someone is about ready to pay for admission, invite them in with you. They’re most likely a third-wheel with another party and they don’t need to hang out with you, but I’m betting you’ll feel pretty good. I’ve done this before, not necessarily for Museum Day Live!, but in other instances when a ticket was valid for two people.
Plan! Arrive early and pack your patience to the park and/or museum. FREE typically brings out the masses.
Give! Free is free but if you have the chance and care spare it, drop a buck or two in the museum donation box or make a purchase in park or museum-run gift shop. The everyday admission into a national park is still a bargain and every penny helps parks and museums. Give what you can.
Share the Love! If your friends and family enjoy doing free things, let them know about Museum Day Live! and National Public Lands Day and make it a family outing, girlfriends’ day out or guys’ getaway.
Other upcoming free days in 2015…
Bank of America’s Museums on Us
Bank of America has the Museums on Us program the first weekend of the month and BOA cardholders receive free admission into participating cultural institutions and museums.
Next Free Entrance Day into National Parks is Veterans Day
Nov. 11, 2015 is the final free entrance day of the year for the National Park Service.
According to the National Park Service 281 of the U.S.’s 408 national parks never charge an entrance fee.
