10Best

Who says travel has to cost a fortune? Some of the most memorable experiences can be had for little to nothing, says Jessica Cole, editor of the new book The Best Things in Life Are Free: The Ultimate Money- Saving Travel Guide ( Lonely Planet, $ 22.99).

Free or cheap travel experiences.

KAYAKING NEW YORK

Sure, you can find great views from skyscraper observation decks, but for a completely different vista of the city, it’s hard to beat the sight of it from the water. Several Big Apple boating clubs offer complimentary rides from spring through early fall. “You can get a free 20- minute paddle on the water with this milliondollar backdrop,” Cole says. Find details on club websites. licboathouse.org, manhattancommunityboathouse.org, downtownboathouse.org BAT EMERGENCE AUSTIN On summer and fall evenings, crowds gather near the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the world’s largest bat colony start its day. The one- million- plus Mexican freetail bats emerge from their roost underneath the bridge to dine on mosquitoes and other bugs. Some visitors even rent kayaks to watch from the water or order bat-themed cocktails from bars, “It’s a completely natural phenomenon, a free show for anyone to see,” Cole says. austintexas.org VIERNES CULTURALES/ CULTURAL FRIDAYS MIAMI Miami’s always- bustling historic Cuban neighborhood hosts a huge street party the last Friday of every month. “It takes over the heart of Little Havana and there’s loads going on, and it’s completely free,” Cole says. Highlights include street markets, dancing, food vendors and walking tours. viernesculturales.org FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE LAS VEGAS Even in a city known for flash, the hourly Viva Vision light show at Downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street Experience impresses. Projected on a video screen stretching 1,500 feet long and suspended 90 feet above a casino-lined pedestrian mall, the show is accompanied by music from bands like The Who, Heart and Imagine Dragons. “It’s a trippy light and sound show, a real exciting thing to do,” Cole says. vegasexperience.com IMPROVBOSTON CAMBRIDGE, MASS. For a mere five bucks, visitors can watch aspiring comics at a weekly Sunday night Comedy Jam. “People just turn up not knowing what to expect because the show isn’t written until you arrive,” Cole says. For just a few dollars more, the theater’s Mainstage show features more seasoned comedians. ImprovBoston.com NATIONAL ARCHIVES WASHINGTON While they may be some of the most famous documents in the world, you don’t need to pay a thing to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States and Bill of Rights. And that’s just the start. “There are loads of original records, from Lincoln’s telegrams to recordings from the Oval Office. It’s a real hub of amazing stuff,” Cole says. archives. gov MORE 10BEST TRAVEL. USATODAY. COM See lists for travel ideas online. SLOW ROLL DETROIT It costs just $ 10 to join this weekly Monday evening mass bicycle ride around Motor City. “It’s a slow, safe ride and a nice way to see a city. You’ll see something new and you might meet someone new,” Cole says. The fee covers registration and rides for a year, but the ride is free beyond that. slowroll. bike MARDI GRAS NEW ORLEANS The nation’s wildest party doesn’t cost a cent. In the month leading up to Fat Tuesday, parades wind their way through many city neighborhoods, and nearly all are family- friendly. “It’s on many people’s top to- do list. It’s amazing when you think about it: The whole spectacle is free,” Cole says. Gonola. com SATURDAY MARKET PORTLAND, ORE. While shopping isn’t free at Portland’s 43- year- old weekly market, you can still have a wonderful time without spending a dime. “There’s loads to see and plenty going on. There are buskers and great people- watching,” Cole says. Expect to find handmade items, along with plenty of food. The venue calls itself the largest continuously operating open- air arts and crafts market in the country. portlandsaturdaymarket.com GETTY CENTER LOS ANGELES The billion- dollar museum offers much more than art. “You’ve got amazing architecture and natural gardens that change along with the season, and you’ve got amazing views all the way across the L. A. basin,” Cole says. And the price? Free. Visitors arriving by car, though, do have to pay for parking, which costs up to $ 15. getty. edu

BONNIE FROGMA Several boating clubs offer free rides on waterways around New York for a unique look at the city.

PORTLAND OREGON VISITORS ASSOCIATION It may be hard to be at the Saturday Market in Portland, Ore., without spending money. But at least going there is free.