Summer travel '09: Freebies across the USA
— -- Even in hard times, everyone deserves fun in the sun. To kick off the summer travel season, USA TODAY's Travel staff tracked down free events and attractions in every state (and the District of Columbia).
Alabama
Local luminaries show off their sweet home Alabama in 30-plus communities Saturdays in June via walking tours of historic districts. Convening at courthouse squares, public libraries, city halls and the like, the hour-long tours are punctuated with personal reminiscences. 800-252-2262; alabama.travel— Jayne Clark
Alaska
Even if you aren't feeling flush, a visit to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway is especially rewarding this year, thanks to a new donation of memorabilia. A portion of the Rapuzzi Collection — an estimated 450,000 historical objects from the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 — are on display at the park's visitor center and museum. Ranger-led walks through town also are available. 907-983-2921, nps.gov/klgo— Chris Gray Faust
Arizona
The Sonoran Desert skies are among the best for stargazing — which is why the world's largest collection of optical research telescopes is housed at Kitt Peak National Observatory, 56 miles southwest of Tucson on the Tohono O'odham Reservation. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the visitor center has self-guided walking tours and downloadable audio tours. 520-318-8726, noao.edu/kpno— Chris Gray Faust
Arkansas
Who knew Arkansas had its own wine country? For that matter, who knew Arkansas had a Paris? Both lie in the bucolic Arkansas River Valley, northwest of Little Rock, where four wineries on Highway 186 South — Mount Bethel, Post Familie Winery, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and Chateau Aux Arc — offer free tours and tastings. Nearby in Paris, Cowie Wine Cellars harbors the Arkansas Historic Wine Museum. 800-628-8725, arkansas.com— Jayne Clark
California
Nothing says endless summer more than a concert on the beach. From June 19-Sept. 4, Santa Cruz will host Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach at the bandstand near the boardwalk. The lineup is heavy on the '80s, with acts such as The Fixx, Loverboy and Scandal on tap. Two shows nightly. 831-423-5590, beachboardwalk.com— Chris Gray Faust
Colorado
There's a real-life Jurassic Park at Dinosaur Ridge, where visitors can view fossils and bones from ancient creatures such as allosaurus, apatosaurus and stegosaurus. In Morrison, about 20 miles from Denver, the National Natural Landmark has a visitor center and free trail maps. 303-697-3466, dinoridge.org— Chris Gray Faust
Connecticut
In New Haven, home to Yale University, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas features hundreds of performances and discussions on everything from civil liberties to Slavic Soul, a blend of "fiery Balkan brass and hip-grinding American soul." About 80% of the doings, which extend June 13-27, are free. 888-278-4332, artidea.org—Laura Bly
Delaware
Located in a restored World War II hangar, the Dover Air Mobility Command Museum on Dover Air Force Base is dedicated to airlift and air refueling history. It features a variety of artifacts and vintage aircraft, including a C-47A that flew during the 1944 D-Day invasion, and junior pilots age 10 and up can take the controls of a free flight simulator. 302-677-5938; amcmuseum.org— Laura Bly
Florida
Unleash your inner Top Gun at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. The world's largest naval aviation museum sports 150 restored military aircraft. Free options include guided museum tours, outdoor trolley tours and the chance to get your hands on the controls (via the cockpit trainers) of an F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder and more. Plus, the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron rehearses here most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. 850-452-3604, navalaviationmuseum.org— Jayne Clark
Georgia
They may be turning 25 this year, but the Cabbage Patch Kids haven't aged a day since creating a frenzy at toy stores nationwide when they were first mass-marketed in 1983-84. About 120 million "adoptions" later, a new BabyLand General Hospital in Cleveland, 1½ hours north of Atlanta, is due this fall. (Meanwhile, the original birthing center nearby remains open.) The tours may be free, but the kids aren't. Some of the original soft-sculpture babes have been "re-adopted" for up to $50,000. 706-865-2171,cabbagepatchkids.com.— Jayne Clark
Hawaii
Honolulu's revitalized Chinatown not only provides a glimpse into Oahu's multi-culti heritage, it's a hotbed of hip galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Check out the scene at the neighborhood's First Friday, when artists open their doors from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and musicians often play. firstfridayhawaii.com— Chris Gray Faust
Idaho
There's something for both ski bums and literature lovers at the Ketchum Ski & Heritage Museum. One building is dedicated to ski history in Sun Valley, including ski fashion and a display on Gretchen Fraser, the first American skier to win an Olympic gold medal. The other has an exhibit on Ernest Hemingway, a frequent valley visitor who lived there permanently from 1958 until his 1961 suicide. The museum, which is closed most of May, reopens for the summer May 30. 208-726-8118, ksvhistoricalsociety.org— Chris Gray Faust
Illinois
Honest, visitors to Springfield can see the former home of Abraham Lincoln in the 200th year since his birth without spending a penny. The modest two-story structure is a National Historic Site run by the National Park Service. Springfield is packed with Lincoln attractions, including a library and the late president's onetime law office. The Illinois capital plans a year of bicentennial celebration. 800-545-7300; visit-springfieldillinois.com— Kitty Bean Yancey
Indiana
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, which once charged admission, has expanded and now is free (save for special touring exhibits). Among its many attractions: a permanent collection of more than 54,000 works including African, American, Asian and European pieces and Impressionist and contemporary art. Also gratis are rambles on its 152-acre grounds, including the former home of a member of the Lilly pharmaceutical family, which is also free.317-920-2660; imamuseum.org— Kitty Bean Yancey
Iowa
Folk in Butler County in north central Iowa near Allison have pieced together a self-guided quilt driving tour that passes by more than two dozen patterns painted on barns and farm buildings. 319-267-2858; butlercountyiowa.com/barnquilts.html— Kitty Bean Yancey
Kansas
Through the last Sunday in October, park rangers give daily tours of a little ranch house on the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region and talk about its flora, fauna and Native American history. Visitors can cover six miles on a bus free, or hoof it on nature trails. 620-273-8494; nps.gov/tapr— Kitty Bean Yancey