Stretch travel dollars with freebies
Recently, the Mark Twain Home and Museum in Hannibal, Mo., announced it has dropped admission fees for its residents to generate more visitors during this tough economy. While other visitors will still pay the $4–$9 museum admission, a great way to make the travel budget stretch is to find destinations that offer plenty of quality, free attractions. Here are a few ideas for your consideration.
St. Louis is a great destination city with plenty of attractions that do not charge admission. Many–including the zoo, science center, art museum and history museum–are in the city’s storied urban space, Forest Park. The iconic brewer, Anheuser-Busch on Pestalozzi Street, still offers free tours, and participants 21 and older can sample product in the hospitality area. For visitor information, call (800) 325-7962.
In Kansas City, there are more than 30 free activities throughout the metro area. Popular stops include the Hallmark Visitor Center, Crown Center, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. The Midwest’s largest specialty brewer, Boulevard Brewing, also offers free tours Wednesday–Sunday. Product samples are offered to those 21 and older. For visitor information, call (800) 767-7700.
The state’s third-largest city, Springfield, has interesting–and free– attractions for families on a budget.
Bass Pro Outdoor World has plenty of exhibits to look at inside the huge store for all things outdoors. The trick is telling the kids “no, you can’t have that.” Moving on.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield has fabulous Civil War history and the Battle of Springfield driving tour is free. The National Cemetery is a sobering stop as visitors remember those who died in three Civil War battles held in the area.
The newly expanded Springfield Museum of Art has a fine collection of 19th–21st century American art and is worth visiting.
Catch a Springfield Cardinals game at Hammons Field this summer. Children 3 and younger get in for free, and tickets start at about $6 for paying customers.
Plenty of trails and green space also allow for biking and enjoying the outdoors. To save money on lodging, there’s a great KOA campground just minutes from these attractions. On May 8 and 9, pay for Friday and stay Saturday for free.
For more information, call the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 678-8767 or click on www.springfieldmo.org.
Farther south is the entertainment mecca of Branson. Admittedly, most visitors here come for the music shows, family attractions, theme parks, golf and lake recreation. The costs can add up quickly. A money-saving strategy is to balance all the man-made fun by enjoying the natural beauty this park of the Ozarks offers. Check out Table Rock Lake State Park off state Highway 165. Take along a picnic and spend the day swimming, fishing, hiking or biking. There are campsites here as well.
The Dewey Short Visitor Center at the south end of Table Rock Dam has three films about eagles, Lewis and Clark, and “Taming of the Riviera Blanche.” Table Rock Lakeshore Trail runs for two miles between the visitor center and the state park’s marina and provides scenic vistas while walking or biking.
For more local history, stop by the Branson Hall of Fame and Museum in the Branson Mall on West Highway 76. The evolution of Branson’s entertainment industry also is explored here.
When taking in the popular attractions, remember Silver Dollar City has a policy for guests who arrive after 3 p.m.–they get in the next day free. Kids under 3 are always admitted free.
And some music shows allow children under 12 to be admitted free. Ask at the box office of the show you’d like to see.
For more ideas, visit www.explorebranson.com or call the convention and visitors bureau at (417) 334-4084.
Even one of the country’s biggest cities, Chicago, throws a few crumbs to the cost-conscious crowd. There is no admission to the Lincoln Park Zoo or the park conservatory, Millennium Park, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Garfield Park Conservatory. Navy Pier charges no admission, but once there, you will likely spend money.
Many of the city’s larger museums also offer free admission days. The Field Museum of Natural History is free on the second Monday of each month. In town on the first Monday of the month? No problem. You can see the Chicago Children’s Museum. The venerable Art Institute of Chicago is free Thursdays from 5–8 p.m. Contact the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and Museum of Science and Industry to see which of the 52 free days they will offer visitors.
No matter what city you plan to visit, it usually pays off to do some homework before your trip. Web sites often have coupons or specials, and don’t forget about discounts available to you through the Show Your Card & Save program. Click here for details. In these tough times, you have to do a little work before you can have some fun.
Travel insurance covers job loss
In challenging economic times, protecting yourself financially is more important than ever, including when it comes to travel planning.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 11 million Americans are unemployed, and more job loss is expected in 2009. AAA’s Travel Protection Plan, available through Access America, pays trip cancellation and interruption benefits for many covered reasons including termination. Members are reimbursed up to 100 percent of their prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, with maximum coverage up to $20,000 if they have to cancel a trip because they’ve lost their job through no fault of their own.
The only requirement is that members must have worked for the same employer for at least three continuous years before the termination, which must occur after the effective date of coverage. Trip interruption coverage will also reimburse them for the unused, non-refundable portion of their trip and for any added costs to return home due to a covered reason.
Contact your AAA Travel Agent for details. List of offices to serve you
