Between summer camp, one million weddings and your spray tan upkeep (hey, self-care is essential), the warmer months have a way of racking up your credit card bill. But no sweat, there are plenty of gratis things to keep you and the whole fam busy from May (yeah, we start early here) to September. Here, the best 100 free ways to entertain yourself across all 50 states—and you, D.C.—in alphabetical order (Alabama to Wyoming).
Additional reporting from Alexandra Hough
1. Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Where: Birmingham, AL
Dates: Daily, check schedule
Admission is always free. It’s open 365 days a year from dusk till dawn, and it might just be the most beautiful respite in the city. Find a shady spot to cool down while reading that page-turner.
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2. Earthquake Park
Where: Anchorage, AK
Dates: Year-round
In 1969, this landmark completely changed when a 9.2 magnitude earthquake—the second strongest ever recorded—caused massive damage to Anchorage and the surrounding area. Today, its lookout point provides unreal views of Mt. Denali, and the grounds are perfect for a picnic.
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3. Flattop Mountain
Where: Anchorage, AK
Dates: Year-round, weather permitting
Dubbed the “quintessential day hike,” this three-mile round-trip path takes you through exotic wilderness and wildlife all the way up to a football field-sized summit with panoramic views. The trail to the summit is rocky and steep, but there are alternative loop trails for beginners or those with physical limitations.
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4. Winner Creek Trail
Where: Girdwood, AK
Dates: Year-round, weather permitting
This favorite vacation spot for locals offers a manageable six-mile hike that ends at a massive gorge with stunning views, which you can cross by wheeling yourself in a hand tram—yep!
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5. Phoenix Art Museum
Where: Phoenix, AZ
Dates: June 9 through June 10
Mark your cals: The museum that’s home to Gilbert Stuart’s famous George Washington portrait, Ansel Adams’s The Tetons and the Snake River and so much more, is offering free general admission and discounted special exhibition admission on the second weekend of each month. Entrance to the museum also includes exciting activities, scavenger hunts, live performances, story time, free tours and more.
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6. 10th Annual Rock the Canyon Art and Music Festival 2018
Where: Shonto Canyon, AZ
Dates: May 31 through June 2
Stop buy for a day of music, art, food and the beauty of the Shonto Canyon. Past musicians include Levi and the Plateros, Triple Shot Mustang and many more from all genres of music. Prepare to take home some turquoise jewelry.
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7. Arkansas Family and Community Ponds
Where: Various Arkansas locations
Dates: Check specific locations for times
Children under 16 get to fish free at any of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Family and Community Ponds. They are stocked with catfish and trout, so invite the fam over for a fish fry after you catch dinner.
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8. Fiesta Hermosa
Where: Hermosa Beach, CA
Dates: May 26 through 28 and August 31 through September 2
SoCal’s largest arts and crafts fair features approximately 300 artists plus two stages with live music. Its Kiddie Carnival, rife with pony rides, a petting zoo and face painters, makes this a family affair. Psst: Be sure to reel in some fish tacos prepared by Hermosa Beach lifeguards.
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9. Orange International Street Fair
Where: Old Town Orange, CA
Dates: September 1 through September 2
Since 1973, this annual Labor Day festival has named a theme and run with it. This year, it’s a “Taste of Tradition,” nodding to the 45 years of flavor as well as the customs (food, dance and music) from all cultures represented.
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10. Downtown L.A. Art Walk
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Dates: Second Thursday of every month
Tour guides, shmour guides. This self-guided excursion takes you to some of the more than 40 participating galleries, outdoor murals and street art locations, focusing on a new artist each month.
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11. Hot Air Balloon Rodeo
Where: Bald Eagle Lake, CO
Dates: July 14 through July 15
It may not be your first rodeo, but we’re guessing it will definitely be your first hot air balloon rodeo. Witness the balloons inflate and launch into the sky as you peruse the concurrent Art in the Park fest.
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12. Winter Park Chocolate Festival
Where: Winter Park, CO
Dates: June 15
Get your sampling on at this gathering of fine chocolates in the scenic mountains. We honestly couldn’t think of a better combo.
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13. Westport Observatory
Where: Westport, CT
Dates: Wednesdays
From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., this volunteer run nonprofit opens its doors so the public can have a look into the skies. Count your lucky stars for summer nights like these.
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14. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Where: Milton, DE
Dates: Daily, check schedule
Tours of the brewery are first come, first serve and always free. So set 60 minutes aside to walk the brewery, nab some free samples and stick around for a brat and a pint.
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15. Bethany Beach Free Concert Series
Where: Bethany Beach, DE
Dates: June 8 through September 2
The lineup at this free concert series on the Delaware coast is too long to even begin listing—there are more than 12 concerts in June alone.
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16. Lakeridge Winery Music Series
Where: Claremont, FL
Dates: Every Saturday in July
Saturdays in July at this winery mean live music on the outdoor stage and solo acts upstairs in the Wine & Cheese Bar. And if you need a break from bopping your head, there are complimentary winery tours and tastings. Cheers.
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17. Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
Where: Atlanta, GA
Dates: July 28
If we didn’t have you at “ice cream,” this delicious day in Piedmont Park ironically also includes yoga, Falun Dafa exercises as well as double Dutch and Hula-Hoop competitions. That is, of course, after you indulge in the whole ice cream eating thing.
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18. Summer Shade Festival
Where: Atlanta, GA
Dates: August 25 through 26
This Grant Park fest bids adieu to summer by going all out with a 5K Run, food trucks, craft beer, kids’ zone, art and live music.
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19. Stockbridge Food Truck Tasty Tuesdays
Where: Stockbridge, GA
Dates: Tuesdays, June through August
Step outside your Taco Tuesday mind-set, because each Tuesday in this town means a new food theme. Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs to chill out while you eat.
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20. Prince Lot Hula Festival
Where: Honolulu, HI
Dates: July 21 through 22
The largest non-competitive free hula event returns to Iolani Palace for the 44th year. Amid the impressive hula groups, there will also be a Hawaiian-themed craft fair, cultural demonstrations and more.
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21. The Boise Greenbelt
Where: Boise, ID
Dates: Daily, check schedule
The 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt is one of the city’s most beloved parks for getting a taste of wildlife and nature. So hike, bicycle, kayak or even fish along this fave summer spot.
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22. Chicago Blues Festival
Where: Chicago, IL
Dates: June 8 to June 10
The largest free blues festival in the world has been a renowned destination for living legends and music lovers alike. Three days and four stages in the “Blues Capital of the World”? Plan accordingly.
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23. Ribfest Chicago
Where: Chicago, IL
Dates: June 8 to June 10
Ribs and rock and roll is the mantra at this annual celebration of music and meat. This summer, the music line-up includes Ra Ra Riot, The Weeks and Waco Brothers. While there is no entrance fee, there is a suggested donation of $10.
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24. Hot Dog Fest
Where: Chicago, IL
Dates: August 10 through 12
If barbecues or ballparks are your happy place, then the Chicago Hot Dog Fest is right up your alley. This event put on by the Chicago History Museum spotlights the Windy City’s love affair with the hot dog and hosts the city’s top hot dog vendors. Come hungry.
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25. Newfields
Where: Indianapolis, IN
Dates: Daily, check schedule
Where modern art meets nature. Explore the 152-acre cultural campus, which includes woods, meadows, wetlands and a lake, on top of exciting art exhibits. Guided tours of the park are also available on Saturdays, seasonally. Newfields members and kids under five have free admission.
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26. Des Moines Arts Festival
Where: Des Moines, IA
Dates: June 22 through 24
Make sure to visit Western Gateway Park for demonstrations, exhibits, film festivals, live music and so much more.
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27. Summer in the City
Where: Des Moines, IA
Dates: May 12, June 9, July 14 and August 11
This four-part Saturday afternoon concert series brings culturally diverse music to the heartland. Good Park, Stewart Square Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Greenwood Park will all host the concerts.
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28. Keeper of the Plains
Where: Wichita, KS
Dates: Daily
The impressive 44-foot-tall steel sculpture by Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin stands at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers. Surrounding the statue are fire pits, known as the Rings of Fire, which are lit once a night around sunset.
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29. Lexington Free Friday Flicks
Where: Lexington, KY
Dates: Fridays in June
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a movie in Jacobson Park. But leave the iPads at home; you can entertain the kids pre-movie with games and a petting zoo.
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30. Louisville Greek Fest
Where: Louisville, KY
Dates: June 1 through 2
Have your gyro and eat it, too at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of food, culture and music. You’ll probably want to leave room for some baklava.
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31. Valley View Ferry
Where: Lexington, KY
Dates: Daily
Remember how you had to ford the river while playing Oregon Trail? Well, now you can do it for real…kinda…by taking passage over the Kentucky River with this famous ’lil ferry. It was founded in 1780 (aka before Kentucky was even part of the Union). See? History can be fun (especially when it’s free).
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32. The Kentucky Dam
Where: Livingston and Marshall counties, KY
Dates: Daily
Not only is the reservoir—which stretches for 184 miles across Kentucky and Tennessee—the largest in the eastern U.S., but it’s also home to a beautiful beach area and bike path and river traffic providing a scenic backdrop.
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33. New Orleans Oyster Festival
Where: New Orleans, LA
Dates: June 2 through 3
This fest puts the Louisiana Gulf Oyster in the limelight with vendors selling everything from oyster jewelry, apparel, prints and of course, food from the best seafood restaurants in New Orleans. And because it’s NOLA, you can expect some pretty great music to boot.
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34. Arts in the Park
Where: Belfast, ME
Dates: July 7 through 8
Come for the highly respected fine arts and crafts festival, stay for the freshly grilled food and gorgeous Midcoast Maine views of sailboats and dinghies. Ah, doesn’t the air seem fresher already?
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35. Vegan SoulFest
Where: Baltimore, MD
Dates: August 25
Curious what all this plant-based diet fuss is about? This free event is for you (and of course converted vegans). Learn about (and taste) new vegan foods and listen to live music and guest speakers.
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36. The Boston Freedom Trail
Where: Boston, MA
Dates: Anytime
The 2.5-mile red-lined route leads travelers to 16 historically significant sites—including the site of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere’s House and the Bunker Hill Monument. It’s a great way to spend the day—especially for any of you Bostonians who have yet to actually complete the path.
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37. Boston Seafood Festival
Where: Boston, MA
Dates: August 5
Did someone say “lobstah”? Our mouths are already watering for the all-day lobster bake tent. This seafood industry party brings in vendors, chefs and entertainers every year whose mission is to promote the historical importance of seafood in New England. Us? We’re just hoping to win the oyster-shucking contest.
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38. River Festival
Where: Dorcester, MA
Dates: July 14
If you haven’t celebrated the Neponset River enough this year, this festival is for you. Grab a kayak or canoe to explore the natural salt marshes and wetlands and its diverse ecosystem. And of course, there will be food vendors and music. (Bring a blanket for a picnic.)
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39. Arts Fest Beverly
Where: Beverly, MA
Dates: June 16
Visit this outdoor juried art festival running through the main thoroughfares in downtown Beverly (Cabot and Rantoul streets). The over 150 artists, crafters and vintage vendors are a demonstration of the town’s commitment to arts and culture and working artists.
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40. Sam Adams Brewery Tour
Where: Boston, MA
Dates: Year-long (check hours)
This free (with a suggested $2 donation) tour of the famous brewery will instill all the history of Samuel Adams you could possibly need. Oh, and the whole taste-testing thing where you can sample malts and a few of the award-winning beers. Better yet, hang out at the beer garden once you’re finished.
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41. Ann Arbor Street Art Fair
Where: Ann Arbor, MI
Dates: July 19 through 22
With school (University of Michigan) out for the summer, Ann Arbor transforms into an artsy haven for people who may or may not be beyond their college years. Walk through campus mingling with artists and checking out unique crafts, musical and street performances, demonstrations, hands-on art activities and street painting.
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42. Michigan Lighthouse Tour
Where: Multiple locations, MI
Dates: Daily
With over 3,200 miles of shoreline, Michigan is surprisingly home to more lighthouses than any other state (take that, Cali). Enjoy the breathtaking views of the lighthouses that lie scattered along the shoreline and, of course, take an Insta or two.
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43. Minnesota Soda Festival
Where: Spring Lake Park, MN
Dates: August 4
With over 150 craft sodas to try (yes, apparently it’s a thing), you will be plenty busy at the Blue Sun Soda shop. Try to make time for a tour of the Whistler Soda bottling factory.
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44. Food Truck Festival
Where: Minneapolis, Anoka and St. Paul, MN
Dates: June 24, July 21 and August 18 (respectively)
The Twin Cities apparently get triple the fun with three renditions of this food truck fest. Admission is free, as is the live music. But prepare to empty thine wallets for some crispy pork belly and green papaya salad (as a first course, duh).
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45. Bands on the Boulevard
Where: St. Paul, MN
Dates: Every Tuesday in July
Duck out of work to make the 6:30 p.m. starting time (you can get there whenever, though) for this free music series. Make sure you don’t forget your fave checkered blanket to set up shop on the History Center lawn.
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46. Music and Movies in the Park
Where: Minneapolis, MN
Dates: Check calendar for listing through late August
This mobile program takes place Monday through Saturday evenings and travels to more than 30 parks throughout the summer. Try to catch it. (It’s easy; just check out the website.)
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47. Stone Arch Bridge Festival
Where: Minneapolis, MN
Dates: June 15 through 17
Need Father’s Day plans? Head to this festival for live music, a car show and beer sampler. (We told you it was perfect for Dad.)
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48. Relax on Front Beach
Where: Ocean Springs, MS
Dates: Daily, check hours
This laid-back, white sand and calm waters respite is the perfect way to waste a day in the Mississippi Gulf Coast. But if you can’t sit still, there are volleyball nets for public use as well as a walking/running path along the shore (that in-line skaters love).
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49. Ocean Springs Fresh Market
Where: Ocean Springs, MS
Dates: Saturdays
Start off your Saturday, rain or shine, at this fresh market organized with the goal of bringing a friendly face back to the food we consume. We’ll take four tomatoes, please.
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50. Visit the City Market
Where: Kansas City, MO
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays
The region’s largest farmers’ market is located at the City Market on weekends, year-round. But things really pop come summer, with more than 150 vendors selling plants, fruits, veggies, herbs, fresh baked goods and so much more.
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51. First Fridays
Where: Kansas City, MO
Dates: First Friday of each month
Smooth jazz bands, breakdancers and food trucks gather in the Crossroads Art District the first Friday of each month, kicking off the weekend in delightful way.
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52. Kauffman Memorial Garden
Where: Kansas City, MO
Dates: Daily, call to confirm hours
This tranquil sanctuary in the heart of Kansas is home to over 7,000 plants and several beautiful water features (as well as a secret garden). Get your mindfulness on here this summer.
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53. Visit Forest Park
Where: St. Louis, MO
Dates: Daily, check hours
After its $100M restoration, the conservatory park—larger than NYC’s Central Park—is a treasure of St. Louis with wonderful places to rest and restore. Find a cozy spot to take it all in, like at the Emerson Grand Basin, the Boathouse and the Jewel Box.
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54. Drinking Horse Mountain
Where: Bozeman, MT
Dates: Year-long, weather permitting
This 2.5-mile round-trip trail can be icy in the winter, so summer’s the perfect time to dust off the hiking boots. Best yet, dogs can go off-leash. Oh, and the views are pretty great, too.
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55. Music on Main
Where: Bozeman, MT
Dates: Thursdays, late June to mid-August
The folks in this great college town know how to turn out for a block party come summer. Complete with kids’ activities, live music and numerous food vendors, those Montana summer nights are starting to sound pretty dreamy.
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56. Omaha Summer Arts Festival
Where: Omaha, NE
Dates: June 8 through 10
Grab your old band mates and put on those cut-offs: There will be free concerts all weekend long at the 44th year of this great festival. Other perks: 135 juried artists and a hands-on children’s fair.
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57. The Sunken Gardens
Where: Lincoln, NE
Dates: Daily
Don’t worry, they sound way more foreboding than they are. The Sunken Gardens feature an annual floral display made of over 30,000 individual plants (and you know that that LEGO battleship was hard). This year’s theme is “Sun Salutations,” so make sure you catch a glimpse.
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58. Go Behind the Scenes at Cirque du Soleil
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Dates: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Here’s a tip: Instead of buying a pricey ticket to the show iteself, take up the MGM Grand’s offer for a peek behind the curtain of it’s production of KA.
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59. Blue Ocean Discovery Center
Where: Hampton Beach, NH
Dates: Daily
OK, so it’s not exactly free, but it is exactly $1 for anyone over the age of two. That’s basically free. Here, you can make friends with local marine invertebrates and algae and get an up close and personal take with the special touch tank. You can even participate in beach cleanup.
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60. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Where: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
When: Daily, weather permitting
Whether you want to sunbathe, people watch or, hell, adopt that dog you’ve been talking about getting, the action doesn’t stop at this boardwalk. And lucky for you, there are tons of free activities, to boot.
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61. Atlantic City Food Truck Festival
Where: Atlantic City, NJ
Dates: June 23 through 24
Sure, AC is for boardwalks and betting, but the Claridge Hotel is changing things up in the historic town with a festival made completely of food trucks. Bring an appetite.
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62. Balloons Over Angel Fire
Where: Angel Fire, NM
Dates: June 15 through 17
At 8,600 feet elevation you probably didn’t think you could get any higher. That’s what hot air balloons are for, though. The mass ascension is certainly a sight to see. But there’s also plenty to keep busy with as the balloons soar above (art and wine festival, live music, farmers’ market and more). And if you want a bit of height yourself, opt for a chairlift ride.
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63. First Friday ARTScrawl
Where: Albuquerque, NM
Dates: The first Friday of the month
This citywide tour of galleries featuring works from local and nationally recognized artists is the perfect way to spend a crisp summer night. The organization provides a listing of participating member galleries with details about their current shows, so you can map out your own custom tour.
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64. SummerFest
Where: Albuquerque, NM
Dates: June 9, July 21, August 4 and August 18
This series of free community events features live music, children's activities, climbing walls, a craft beer garden, food trucks and vendors. Previous national headliners include The Wailers, Morris Day and the Time, Wynonna & the Big Noise, Arrested Development and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic.
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65. Shakespeare in the Park
Where: New York City, NY
Dates: May 29 to August 19
Nothing beats a warm midsummer night watching the pros at the outdoor Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This season’s festival, produced by the Public Theater, will be showing Othello (May 29 to June 24) and the musical adaptation of Twelfth Night (July 17 to August 19). You can get tickets by putting your name in the lottery.
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66. SummerStage
Where: New York City, NY
Dates: June 2 through September 27
New York's largest free summer concert series means that 18 parks around the boroughs offer gratis programming. Some noteworthy performances include the Bowie Symphonic (June 9), Talib Kweli (June 30) and Oh Wonder (July 9).
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67. Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Where: New York City, NY
Dates: Mondays, June 18 through August 20
Manhattanites know how to take the worst day of the week, Monday, and make it so much more enjoyable: grab a blanket, bring some food (and wine, duh) and enjoy a classic under the stars in Bryant Park. This one’s also known as the perfect date night.
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68. Forest Hills Festival of the Arts
Where: Queens, NY
Dates: June 10
If you live in New York City and haven’t visited the suburban enclave of Queens, filled with Tudor mansions and tree-lined streets, this is the time to go to explore the local food, arts, crafts, rides, antiques and live music.
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69. Taste of Charlotte
Where: Charlotte, NC
Dates: June 8 through 10
This three-day festival really offers a “taste” of the southern city with over 100 samples from area restaurants along with live music and entertainment.
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70. Prairie Fire Pottery Tour
Where: Beach, ND
Dates: Mondays through Saturdays
The studio and showroom of potter Tama Smith is right on Main Street in downtown Beach. But the secret is to ask for a tour of the studio and kiln room.
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71. Warehouse District Street Festival
Where: Cleveland, OH
Dates: August dates TBD
The “Warehouse District” even sounds cool. So make sure you head to this event to take in the art, street performers, live entertainment, children’s activities and assortment of food options provided by local vendors.
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72. One SeaGate Concert Series
Where: Toledo, OH
Dates: June through August
If your nights and weekends are packed, then this is the outdoor event for you. Take a break between 11:30 to 1:30 from June through August to enjoy yourself a lunch with a side of free music and scenery, steps away from the Maumee River. No more sad desk lunches here (at least for the summer).
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73. CincItalia
Where: Cincinnati, OH
Dates: June 1 through 3
Revel in all things Italian—food, wine and music—at this weekend-long celebration filled with cooking demonstrations, games, rides for kids, raffles and more. But the best part might be the Friday night Carnevale only open to adults. Pass the vino.
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74. The Great Salt Plains
Where: Jet, OK
Dates: Daily, weather permitting
Between April and October, you can dig for selenite crystals in the salt flats of the Salt Plain National Wildlife refuge. Beats going to the gift shop, right?
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75. Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Where: Portland, OR
Dates: Thursdays through Saturdays
ICYMI: Portland’s industrial heritage is deeply entwined with its many different railroads. See for yourself at this super-neat facility that hosts a variety of vintage passenger cars, diesel locomotives and other rolling stock.
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76. Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
Where: Portland, OR
Dates: Daily
Search the couch cushions for change and have your kids count up their babysitting money—we’re heading to the arcade. This wonderful throwback venue operates over 60 classic games and 27 pinball machines, an ode to video gaming’s “golden age.” Or, leave the kids at home and come hang for free comedy shows, trivia nights and Rock Band Karaoke.
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77. Urban Beach Party
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 23
The Urban Beach Party amid the gardens and trees of Eastern State Penitentiary Park also has the distinction of being right next to the historic prison where Al Capone served time. So get your history fix, and then take in the outdoor summer party with games, food and drink and live music.
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78. Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Dates: May 19
Dozens of restaurants set up shop around Rittenhouse Square to serve up samples of early summer fare. Beyond the eats, there’s also lots of live music, culinary demonstrations, fashion shows and more.
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79. Manayunk Arts Festival
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 23 through 24
It’s the 29th season of the Tri-State area’s largest outdoor-juried art festival. Approximately 300 local and nationally known artists and crafters will take over Main Street so that 200,000 collectors, buyers and designers can go to town on photography, jewelry, paintings and more.
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80. Providence Children’s Museum
Where: Providence, RI
Dates: Certain Fridays
This hands-on museum for children and their families that explore arts, history and science is a perfect mix of learning and fun to keep little minds active during summer break. And MetLife Family Fridays means admission is free (starting at 5 p.m.).
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81. Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library
Where: Greenville, SC
Dates: Saturdays
It’s located in the original house where Joe lived and died—OK, maybe it was dismantled in 2006, moved three miles and reassembled on Field Street in the historic West End of Greenville, but you get the idea. The house number is 356 to commemorate Joe’s lifetime batting average of .356, the third highest in baseball history after Ty Cobb and Rogers Hornsby.
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82. Mount Rushmore
Where: Keystone, SD
Dates: Daily, check schedule
If you haven’t seen these presidents’ faces carved into the side of a mountain, you’re completely missing out on some quality American history. Summer’s the time to go. So hop in a car and bring your camera. (While there’s no admission fee, there is a $10 parking fee.)
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83. Walk the Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Where: Memphis, TN
Dates: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon
Set your alarm to get the most out of this wonderful fine art museum and public garden. The Dixon’s impressive permanent collection is complemented by its 17-acre campus, pulling double duty as a gorgeous public garden that includes formal spaces, woodland tracts and cutting gardens.
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84. Trailer Food Tuesdays
Where: Austin, TX
Dates: June 19, July 17, and August 7
Austin practically invented food trucks, so it’s no surprise that there’s an entire event revolving around savory eats and tasty sweets made in the back of an automobile. The event also features family-friendly attractions like lawn games and live music.
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85. Unplugged at the Grove
Where: Austin, TX
Dates: Every Thursday through August 23
Twenty-three consecutive weeks of live music and food under the clear, warm skies of Austin, Texas? To that we say: “Clear skies, full stomachs, can’t lose.”
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86. Houston Fajita Festival
Where: Houston, TX
Dates: July 28
It’s the third annual celebration of Mexican culture, food, drink and entertainment at this day-long event. And in case you were wondering, there will, of course, be a taco and jalapeño-eating contest. So prep your taste buds.
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87. Starlight Music Series
Where: College Station, TX
Dates: Certain Saturdays May through June
This outdoor concert series at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater features bands representing a variety of styles and genres, a car show, duck derby and, most important, a fajita cook-off.
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88. Dallas Yoga Fest
Where: Southfork Ranch, TX
Dates: June 16
Yogis flock here to get their namaste on, where they can also learn about the science of yoga as well as related and complementary health fields. The event-filled day includes yoga sessions, meditations, kids programs, workshops, health seminars and speakers. Ommmm.
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89. Riverfest
Where: Bandera, TX
Dates: June 30
Wear your swimsuit and bring your tube (you have one, right?), because you don't want to miss the opportunity to float the day away in one of the cleanest, clearest rivers in Texas.
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90. Salt Lake City’s Splash Pads
Where: Salt Lake City, UT
Dates: Daily
Forget the rat race for a pool chair. Take the kids to one of Salt Lake’s public spaces, like The Gateway or City Creek Center. They now come equipped with splash pads, aka the magical fountains that keep children enthralled and cool for hours on end.
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91. Green Mountain Coffee Visitor Center & Café
Where: Waterbury, VT
Dates: Daily
It’s time to meet your maker. Or at least the maker of the coffee you drink at the office every day. Taste some free samples and explore the world of coffee at this adorably restored train station and visitors’ center.
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92. Potomac River Festival
Where: Virginia Beach, VA
Dates: June 6 through 10
Kick off the weekend a couple days in advance at the carnival with games and rides. Make sure you don’t miss the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire/Rescue Parade.
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93. Seattle Food Festival
Where: Seattle, WA
Dates: July 7 through 8
Good luck choosing between the 150 food trucks and booths. Chill in the beer garden and dance off the calories to the live music before heading back for seconds.
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94. Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival
Where: Seattle, WA
Dates: July 14 through 15
Channel your inner theater kid and head to one of SOFT’s three stages to see any of the 16 performances produced by ten local companies.
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95. Shoreline Arts Festival
Where: Shoreline, WA
Dates: June 23 through 24
With juried art and photography exhibits, food truck courts, hands-on art for kids and a mainstage featuring regional performers, you’ll have to plan your day wisely to fit everything in. (Definitely make time to peruse the Artist Marketplace to find some new home decor.)
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96. Comcast Xfinity Outdoor Film Festival
Where: Washington, D.C.
Dates: August 23 through 26
Don’t let the overtly branded name of the festival steer you away. This Strathmore fest means four nights of free films benefiting the National Institutes of Health Children’s Charities. The lineup this season is pretty fierce, too: Coco, Black Panther, The Lion King and Wonder Woman.
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97. New River Gorge Bridge
Where: Fayette County, WV
Dates: Daily
One of the highest vehicular bridges in the world (third in the U.S.), its creation lessened travel time from 45 minutes to 45 seconds to get from one side of the gorge to the other. If you want an official place to take in the monument, there’s a visitor center on the northern end of the bridge with scenic overlooks and a staircase that can take you down into the gorge itself.
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98. Jazz in the Park
Where: Milwaukee, WI
Dates: Every Thursday staring May 31
Hit up Cathedral Square Park from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays this summer to add some soul to your daily schedule. We have no idea what the “Jazz Orgy” opening up the schedule is, but we definitely think you should go to it.
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99. Miller Brewery Tour
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: Monday through Saturday, check schedules for changes
This indoor/outdoor 60-minute guided walking tour seamlessly blends the rich history of Miller Brewing Co. with the modern technology of today’s brewing process. Rumor has it you get three beers and pretzels. Not bad.
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100. Wyoming Road Trip
Where: Various Wyoming locations
Dates: Anytime
Who needs an expensive travel agent when you can download the Wyoming digital guide to take you through The Rocky Mountains and the High Plains? Answer: You don’t! With over 20 scenic byways that explore the state's most beautiful landscapes, it will certainly be a summer to remember.
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