6 Family Outings That Cost Less Than Going to the Movies
Instead of splurging on 90 minutes of entertainment, treat the family to these unique (and affordable) adventures
Check out miles of coastline from the peak of Myrtle Beach’s 187-foot-tall SkyWheel. Photo credit: Visit Myrtle Beach.
We all love family night at the movies, but when you add up the costs—tickets, online convenience fees, popcorn, candy and drinks—a trip to see the latest blockbuster can easily set a family of four back upwards of $50. The next time you’re looking for things to do on a budget, why not swap a seat at the big screen for some real-life action and adventure? We went scouting in six of our favorite family-friendly destinations to uncover unique adventures and inexpensive things to do for less than the price of film night.
Ride the wheel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
High-octane Myrtle Beach puts on a show for visitors of all ages, whether you go for the sun and sand or fresh seafood and family-friendly festivals. Sports fans can score tickets to a Myrtle Beach Pelicans home game (from $9) and let kids under 12 run the bases after the game with the team’s two mascots, Splash and Deuce. As the sun sets, spend the evening strolling the 1.2-mile, restaurant-lined Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and end with a spin on the enormous SkyWheel (kids tickets are $9; adults, $14). On Pawley’s Island (a 45-minute drive south), join the locals at Captain John’s Seafood Grill (sandwiches start at $5) or eat some of the best barbecue near the beach at Pop Pop’s Pit BBQ (family platters start at $20).
Get artsy in Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina’s bohemian enclave in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a strollable playground for lovers of food, art and nature. Take the kids and tour the converted warehouses of the River Arts District along the French Broad River. Everyone’s sure to love the live glass-blowing demos at the North Carolina Glass Center and rides on the open-air, red trolley that runs through the mile-long neighborhood every 15 minutes (free during studio hours of 10 am-6 pm). Treat the kids to classic barbecue with a twist at Buxton Hall Barbecue (sandwiches start at $6; kids meals at $4) then get in line for dessert at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge on South Pack Square (cakes start at $6; cookies at $2.25).
Take a train ride in Houston, Texas
All aboard for creative fun at the Children’s Museum of Houston.
As Texas’ largest city, Houston offers award-winning cultural centers, big green spaces and eclectic dining options. The trick is packing it all into one trip. In the cooler months, explore the 445 acres of Hermann Park and ride the small train ($3.50 per person) and paddleboats on McGovern Lake ($10 for 30 minutes). When you need to escape the heat, hit the Children’s Museum of Houston ($12 per person; free on Family Night each Thursday) for the indoor-outdoor EcoStation and the pint-sized kid metropolis Kidtropolis.
Stroll the streets for great eats in Columbus, Ohio
Follow the blooms to The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio, one of the nation’s largest independent bookstores. Photo credit: Fenstermacher Photography
Walking is the key to uncovering the best of Columbus. Start in the highly photogenic German Village. You can roam past beautifully restored 19th-century brick houses along Beck and Deshler streets on your way to a kid-friendly meal of brats and pretzel nuggets at Schmidt’s (meals start at $8.50). Don’t leave the village without a turn through Bookloft, one of the largest independent bookstores in the U.S., which features more than 30 rooms and a children’s wing. Visit the Riffe Gallery to see a showcase of some of Ohio’s best artists (entry is free), then reward your smallest gallery goers with a visit to North Market, Columbus’ largest public market, where they can sample sweet treats from Destination Donuts or Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
Enjoy the outdoors in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin and its 1,200-acre arboretum, where you and the kids can walk through tallgrass prairies, savannas, wetlands and forests—spotting wildlife like groundhogs, deer and owls along the way. Hit the trails between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., or join one of the many group events, like bulb planting and naturalist-led hikes (there’s no fee, but registration is required.) If you have young kids in tow, check out the Madison Children’s Museum ($8 per person) and get your hands dirty in the Art Studio before taking in the view from the rooftop deck.
Experience animal encounters in Denver, Colorado
Look into the eyes of an Amur tiger at The Edge, an immersive exhibit at the Denver Zoo.
Start your trip in the Mile High City at the Denver Zoo (general admission tickets are $12 for kids and $17 for adults) and see the world’s animals in a single day, from encounters with Sumatran orangutans, grizzly bears and frilled lizards in the morning to photo ops with warthogs, mandrills and Asian elephants before sunset. Or, head just outside the city to Genesee Park (admission is free) for a peek at wild elk and buffalo herds on 2,400 pristine acres. For a very different escape to nature, drive 15 miles west to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, the world-famous concert venue where drive-through sightseers and weekend workout enthusiasts are welcome at no cost.
Ready to travel? Visit Myrtle Beach, Asheville, Houston, Columbus, Madison, Denver.
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