Cheap Checklist
Fly into Cinemark Theatres for super fun and super savings. Through Aug. 31, the theater chain is hosting Marvel Studios Week, showing 11 of the studio’s biggest superhero blockbusters on its supersize, wall-to-wall XD screen, including films with Captain America, Thor, The Avengers, Iron Man and Guardians of the Galaxy. Even better, no super powers necessary to save money — tickets are just $5 each per film. The films play Friday through Wednesday at 1, 4, 7 and 10 p.m. and on Thursday at 1 and 4 p.m. The film fest plays at Century Aurora (14300 E. Alameda Ave.) and Century 16 Bel Mar (464 S. Teller St., Lakewood). Plus, attendees get super $2 and $3 concession specials. cinemark.com/marvel-xdweek
ART OF THE DEAL
There’s a good reason the Affordable Arts Festival is called the Black Friday of art sales. Every piece of art is priced at $100 or less. Bargain hunters line up early for the outdoor event on Aug. 27
Eat Arapahoe Community College (5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton). More than 150 Colorado and national artists sell their works in a variety of mediums, from watercolors and glass to sculpture and jewelry. Don’t let the low prices fool you. This is fine art, not junk, with some pieces originally priced at $2,000 or more. Gates open at 9 a.m., but for the best deals we suggest arriving well before. Live music starts at 7 a.m., with a coffee cart for early patrons. Admission is $10; children 12 and under free. affordableartsfestival.com
DESSERT TIME
Everyone can enjoy a pie break with a price break at Village Inn. Through Aug. 31, the restaurant is offering a HapPie Hour. From 2 to 5 p.m. every day, get a slice of pie and Coca-Cola beverage for just $3.49. (The offer is not valid with Free Pie Wednesday.) With more than 15 fruit and cream pies on the menu, you’re sure to find one to satisfy your sweet tooth, including this month’s featured pie, Peach Lattice. villageinn.com
EBLIZZARD WARNING
Dairy Queen is celebrating the end of summer with sweet savings. Through Sept. 3, get a buy-one-get-one Blizzard Treat for 99 cents. Grab a spoon and dig into the limited-time Triple Truffle, fan-favorite Oreo or any of the other flavor combos on the menu. It’s not often the ice cream shop offers a deal on the popular creamy concoction, so nab this one before it melts away. dairyqueen.com
CULTURE CLUB
This fall, expand your mind, not your wallet. On Sept. 23, Smithsonian Museum Day Live! offers free admission to 17 museums throughout Colorado. (In fact, hundreds of museums across the U.S. are opening their doors for the event.) We’re giving you the heads up now because reservations opened Aug. 25. Passes are limited and often go fast. Each is good for free entry for two people. Among the participating museums are Byers-Evans House Museum, History Colorado Center, Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys and the Denver Firefighters Museum. There’s a limit one pass per household, so, if you’re planning on going as a group, register for additional tickets via friends and family. smithsonianmag.com/museumday
PLEASE TOUCH!
Put your imagination in gear and go. Kids can climb on and explore more than 20 vehicles for free at Touch-A-Truck on Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Suburban Ice Arena (6580 S. Vine St., Centennial). The arena’s parking lot will be filled with all sorts of hot wheels including a fire engine, sheriff’s car, dump truck, ambulance, Zamboni, bucket truck, electric car and more. The South Suburban Fun Van also offers games and fitness equipment for the kiddos.