Days out on a budget

[Funky Fairy]

Having a family day out can be really expensive.
We've had a really nice day out and apart from fuel in the car we haven't spent a penny.

We drove into London this morning and parked up near Harrods. Off street parking is free on Sundays.
We visited the Science Museum and the Natural History (free entry) and I packed us a packed lunch.
There's a really good pinic area at the top of the Science Museum. It was really quiet, dimmed lights and stuff for the kids to play on too. Fab!! Then we wandered around Harrods for a bit and drove home.

It's so rare that you can go out and not spend a thing and have such a great time.

[AnnaB]

It sounds wonderful Lisa...! Awesome that you were able to do such fun things without spending money...! I know lots of museums in Stockholm had certain days with free entrance before, but I'm not sure if they still do. It's been too long since we did something like that!

[DeniseM]

Sounds like fun Lisa!
We do things that are fun and free all the time in Missoula. The downtown area is right on the river and we live close to bike anywhere in the city. If you drive just 25 minutes you can be in the middle of no where for camping, hiking, swimming in lakes or rivers. All low budget activities. Thank goodness!

[donnab]

what a wonderful day that sounds like!!

[KarenP]

Love that! One of our best vacations was when the kids and I tagged along on one of my husbands business trips. It was to Washington DC and all the monuments / Smithsonians were free! so fun.....we're big hikers so those are always great activities too and the kids like to do it so that helps!

[happydays525]

That's so awesome! We're lucky too with having lots of hiking trails around, lakes for swimming and ice skating and a quaint and fun downtown where we are. We have a great library too that has loads of programs for the family and kids as well as some nature centers that offer services and programs as well. Thankfully we all like outdoorsy activities! Sounds like you had a wonderful day today Lisa!

[Fnyz]

since I live in a small town (in sweden) we only have one place were the parking costs, so almost all parking is free :-D

but we only have one museum but it is also free everyday so it isnt so bad

[MandyK]

Lisa that sounds like so much fun!

[Asil]

Sounds like a perfect day! And in my old neighbourhood!
Love the free museums in the UK, such a great way to share the treasures with the public!

And packed lunch is so cosy! Thank you for sharing! A great way to spend quality time together as a family!!

[flapjack]

I read this thread with interest as we're going to take the girls to the Museums soon too. And maybe, just maybe... have a cheeky stop off at the Hummingbird Bakery.

[Funky Fairy]

Where's the bakery Laura?

We love it up by the museums.
I still find it hard to believe as we feel very coutrified where we live, but on a clear traffic day such as a Sunday, it takes 40mins to be there. It still feels like 'all the way to London' though.
But cost almost £50 for us all to go by train. (about $80)
Which is why we drive and park for free on a Sunday.