Travel Fun $10 Activities
“Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is Love - enjoy it.”
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Is your next destination picked out now you only need the funds?
I would find a deal on airfare or a hotel and book it with zero idea how I’d afford the entire trip.
My motto was, if I saw a good deal on flights or hotels, book it and figure the rest out later.
It worked, sort of.
The second I exited the airport, typical tourist-me kicked in with all the expensive tourist traps and overpriced food.
Constantly overspending my so-called budget, I’m using the term loosely here, stalking my credit card apps the whole trip to see how much more I could get away with spending.
Not my best moment.
Sound familiar?
Okay, you’re probably not as distracted by bright and sparkly tourist souvenirs as my kids and I, yet the urge to forget about future bills at that moment is real stuff.
I had to find another way to enjoy our trip without overspending.
Here’s what I discovered. Twenty budget-friendly (family-friendly) activities that cost around $10 or less per person.
You can plan these into your next trip’s budget.
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20 Activities for $10 or less
Arcade -
Yes, that’s correct; arcades still exist, in fact, there are 6,705 Arcade, Food & Entertainment Complexes in the US as of 2023.
You can find smaller Arcades in the back of a pizzeria, bowling alley, or Barcades (bar arcades).
If you want to get a bit fancy and more expensive, find a Dave & Busters.
It has more game options than an average arcade and includes a sports bar and grille restaurant.
Boardwalk, Hiking & Trails -
Living in a major tourist city like Miami Beach, FL, I’m always surprised how little tourists know about our five-mile long island.
I’ve helped them find walkable shopping, given directions to our best scenic parks, and recommended local happy hour restaurants along the boardwalk.
As a fellow traveler, I feel it’s my duty to our community.
If you are going on a hike, I recommend checking out REI’s blog on the best hiking apps from Starry Walk to Peak Visor.
There is always a place to walk and explore your destination.
Be sure to ask the locals for recommendations.
Farmer’s Market -
What is a Farmer’s Market?
According to Farmer’s Market Coalition,
“A farmers market is a public and recurring assembly of farmers or their representatives selling the food that they produced directly to consumers.
Farmers markets facilitate personal connections and bonds of mutual benefits between farmers, shoppers, and communities.
By cutting out middlemen, farmers receive more our food dollars and shoppers receive the freshest and most flavorful food in their area and local economies prosper.”
Many markets also offer crafts, plants and flowers, live music, and entertainment.
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Museums -
Most cities have a free museum option, with many others offering discounted days.
For example, the Smithsonian Museums in DC and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles are free entry.
Check for a list of free museums on Trip Advisor for your destination or do a quick Google search.
If you have kids, the Children’s Museum isn’t free however it offers free days throughout the month. It’s worth looking into.
Bowling -
Bowling can cost from $6-$15 per person depending on location, shoe and lane rentals could be an added cost.
To maximize the savings, go during the weekday or check on Groupon for extra discounts.
Bike / Scooter Rental -
Rent a bike for an hour and explore the area while getting some exercise.
Imagine biking down the seaside boardwalk, through Central Park, or on a trail surrounded by trees.
Tone your legs and do something great for your heart while enjoying the scene.
Drive-in Movies / Movies at Sunset -
During the summer many communities offer a movie series in the park.
If movies in the park aren’t available, then check online for a local drive-in theater or catch a matinee in the theater.
The first showings are usually discounted.
Henna Tattoo and Face Painting -
Henna is a sign of happiness and pleasure in many cultures, including India.
This is one of those activities that kids love.
Thinking about getting a tattoo? Try it out with henna first.
Face Painting follows where the kids go, possibly a Farmer’s Market, street fair, beach town, or even a mall.
Kayak / Paddle Boat Rental -
If you are looking for a full-body workout and quality time on the water, then these rentable activities could suit you.
The best deals are usually on a discount app like Groupon.
If not, prices are around $20 an hour (varies) for a two-person kayak.
Picnic -
Pack lunch and a blanket and explore a park or beach.
Do some research on the best places to picnic in your destination as all parks aren’t built the same.
Swimming at community pool (or hotel) -
Spend a day or two hanging out by the pool getting sun.
This is a great time to read, relax, have a cocktail, and catch up on calls with your friends.
Sweets Factory
Chocolate, candy, caramel apples, fudge, homemade cookies - who doesn’t love picking out a treat?
I can’t stay away from the old-fashioned shops with the smell of freshly baked cookies and bars of fresh chocolate fudge displayed in the window. Yummy.
Ice cream Parlor-
Are you familiar with the saying, I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream?
From Gelato to milkshake shops to frozen yogurt to ice cream stores, it is always a good time to have ice cream, time for a fact: ice cream has physiological and psychological effects that improve our moods.
The Pier + fishing -
Piers offer offshore access oftentimes, with oceanside recreation.
Piers can offer fishing pole rentals and bait to try a hand at catching dinner, and others around the U.S. cities house carnivals like Santa Monica Pier and Seattle.
New York City and San Francisco have multiple piers with plenty of entertainment, like a golfing range, restaurants, bars, and shops, and you may find an Arcade.
Ice Skating / Roller Skating -
If the weather is not cooperating with your plans, indoor skating can give you exercise and fun, a throwback activity to lace up the boots and wobble out to the rink while grabbing onto the wall for dear life as an adult it's humbling, but the nostalgia makes it all worth it.
Most rinks have special days that offer discounts or free entry.
Train or Metro ride to a monument or park -
If this sounds very touristy, it is, there’s a good reason why it attracts tourists: it gives you a glimpse into the history and culture of your destination.
When I traveled solo to San Jose, Costa Rica (more on that trip in another blog), my friend recommended visiting the Jade Museum, so I went, although museums are not my first pick of entertainment.
I had a great experience and learned about the history of Costa Rica and its people and fun facts like jade is a resource in the area, and the cattle live along the hilltops.
Campfire or Barbeque -
S’mores of where that came from, please :).
Bad jokes are always welcome at a family barbeque, right?
Are you ready to slap meat on the grill and enjoy the outdoors; the barbeque aesthetics go great with music, playing games, or telling bad jokes.
Check for the best local parks and beaches that allow them.
Beach day -
You deserve a relaxing day at the beach.
On a windy day pack a kite and pack the snacks tight; for a calm ocean day, paddle ball and football provide hours of exercise and entertainment for those who prefer not to lay and soak in the sun.
Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Street Fair -
Street Fairs are outdoor public events that enliven city streets with food and other goods and services like shops, art, and music.
It can be a seasonal event or a weekly one.
Check with the locals on where to find one.
Karaoke -
Do you have a karaoke song?
If not, take it from vocal coach Ken Tamplin; not all songs rate the same for Karaoke.
To get a list of the best beginner songs like “Shake It Off,” read Ken’s blog, Easiest Karaoke Songs to Sing.
The list represents songs from the oldies, classics, and pop.
Karaoke can be fun even if you don’t get up to sing, support the stage, or go to the bathroom and wait until the out of tune novice is finished jk :).
That’s 20 Activities under $10 a person.
I’ve done most of these with the family, and we had a great time, or at least a memory to laugh at later.
Here’s a tip from personal experience: don’t bike the entire Central Park loop without training for at least a month - if you’re bringing kids (that was a rough one).
Oh, and get ice cream wherever you go.
Note each city’s prices vary.
I used Miami as a price point since it’s expensive and comparable to other major US cities.
Cheers to your Happy Travels and a Happy Wallet!
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