There is a misunderstanding in the general public that to go on vacation you have to spend a whole lot of money. What many don’t realize is that some of the best places in the country to visit are absolutely free of admittance fees. On top of this, there are plenty of places that charge less than the price of a McDonald’s value meal for a whole day’s worth of fun. Lodging can be pretty inexpensive if you know what you are doing. The following are a few fantastic places to visit on the cheap, and a few tips on getting the full experience when your pocketbook is nearing empty.
Let’s be honest with ourselves: When stressed out, we tend to waste money on junk food, alcohol, unnecessary clothing and other empty fillers to make us feel better. These options only settle the nerves for a short period of time. Travel can be done on the cheap, and the benefits are far reaching.
- -Allows you to “get away” from your daily stresses.
- -Reconnect with nature or society
- -Broaden your horizons to make yourself a well-rounded, educated individual
I don’t think I could ever finish that list, but enough of the work stuff. Time for pictures of beautiful places to go while spending very little.
This is the beginning in a series I will be publishing about getting away on a budget. Many of the most amazing places you can go to are free, or next-to-free. I will also offer tips on lodging on a budget, the best times of the year to see these places, and more.
Crystals and gems, the part of geology everyone can appreciate, have many facets to enhance their beauty and attract those who will cherish them for a lifetime. Life itself is a crystal, constantly growing with more sparkling facets everyday. Travel is an easy way to add facets to your own life, enhancing it with culture, knowledge, and an involvement in the greater place that is the universe. We all play our part, and each facet we add makes the world a brighter place.
The Smithsonian Institution
If you live in the Washington D.C. area you probably already know this, but for those of you that don’t: These museums are FREE to the public. A network of 19 (yes, count them, 19!) museums and the National Zoo, it would take weeks to go through every one of them and experience everything they have to offer. There is a museum for everyone. I am partial to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (as any geologist would) but I am also a huge fan of the National Zoo, where they care for a breeding population of Giant Pandas, Lions, and just about every zoo animal you can think of. I just visited the National Zoo a couple weeks ago, and was able to see the pandas, an entire gorilla family (baby included), a lion pride with cubs chasing their father around the enclosure, and many more. I learned a lot about animals, even saw some I never knew existed. The Natural History Museum is full of amazing exhibits and friendly staff. What else does the Smithsonian offer? Visit the Smithsonian Institution’s website by clicking HERE. You can find a museum or two or twelve to visit and be happy to know the admission cost: $0!
The architecture of the Smithsonian Institution’s buildings, alone, is worth the trip.
Gypsum flowers are very delicate, and this one was particularly beautiful. They grow naturally in many caves around the world. I have been in many caves, but I have not yet seen one in a cave yet. I hope to sometime in the future.
This was a mineral I had never seen before. I have started a blue mineral collection, and someday I hope to acquire one of these. This specimen was particularly beautiful.
The guards here are all smiles. They are very pleasant to be around, and seem to truly enjoy their job. This guard asked if I was going to take his picture and smiled for me. Every one of the guards at the Smithsonian seems to be in high spirits. Usually you have to pay a lot of money to go to a museum or any other attraction where you get such wonderful service. Not here: It’s FREE!
The Hope Diamond is world famous, and to get a look at the gem you often have to wait your turn in line. Currently it is in a temporary setting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic donation. For more information, click HERE.
Along with the permanent collections, there are many seasonal exhibits that are offered every few years, or even decades. If you have visited the museum before, you can see new exhibits every month or so. It was honestly some miraculous coincidence that the orchid exhibit was going on when I visited this year for Spring break. I have 5 Phalenopsis orchids, and have had many more that I care for. This was a real treat to see.
Another seasonal exhibit, these are ACTUAL human bones. I was able to pick them up with my own hands, and with information that I learned at the Smithsonian, identify the sex of the human these bones belonged to by the sciatic notch. Pretty cool, right? Just call me Temperence Brennan.
One of the Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo. March 2011 I love these fluffy black and white bears.
Pandas like to sleep, so he hides his eyes from the sun. The Smithsonian National Zoo, March 2011. 
Part of the Lion pride at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. March 2011 Look at all those cubs!!! And the Dad was roaming around too, the cubs periodically enticing him to play with them.
A Poison Dart Frog, Blue, in the Amazon exhibit at the Smithsonain National Zoo in Washington D.C. March 2011
That must have been a fantastic trip to go on!!!! Im jealous!!!
That must have been an exciting trip!!! I am so jealous! 😉