- Great Travel Freebies and Deals in 10 Must-Visit Cities
- Seattle
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- New Orleans
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Washington, D.C.
- New York City
- Chicago
After more than a year of limited travel, stay-at-home directives and personal health worries, destinations are reopening and that’s welcome news for travelers eager to hit the road again.
Even if you saved up while waiting out the pandemic and are ready for some high-energy travel, you’ll probably still want to be careful with your spending. Fortunately, there are plenty of bargains available — some of them completely free.
From discounts on lodging and dining to lowered prices on tours and complimentary walking tours, travel could be more budget-friendly than it has been in a long time. We located promotions in 10 U.S. cities that might inspire you to start packing.
Great Travel Freebies and Deals in 10 Must-Visit Cities
Seattle
Seattle has grown from a regional hub into a cutting-edge, cosmopolitan destination. While the Space Needle and Pike Place Market remain signature sights, the Emerald City offers a lot more — and many opportunities for freebies and reduced-price activities.
Speaking of the Space Needle, combine your admission with the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit to take $10 off the ticket price. Remember to review the glass exhibit closure calendar when planning your visit.
The popular attraction program, Seattle Museum Month, is returning in 2022. Visitors staying at participating downtown hotels in February receive a pass that allows up to four people half-price admission to more than 30 museums including the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Museum of Pop Culture and The Museum of Flight.
If you’re organizing a holiday in the Pacific Northwest, Visit Seattle has gathered a range of hotel package deals. The Grand Hyatt Seattle’s Hyatt NightIn package offers early check-in and late check-out, a $100 credit for in-room dining or at Ruth’s Chris Steak House or Fire & Vine, 15% off room-service, and a bath bomb. Hyatt at Olive 8 has its own Hyatt NightIn package with champagne and a dozen oysters at TIDAL+, a $20 gift card to O8 Bagel Shop, and a $50 credit for Elaia Spa.
Another smart money-saver is a CityPASS. The Seattle CityPASS covers entry to the Seattle Aquarium and the Space Needle, plus additional attractions. The pass costs $104 for adults (13+) and $84 for kids, representing about a 46% saving versus purchasing separate tickets.
If rail travel interests you, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight Rail Experience offers a scenic way to visit two West Coast cities with an overnight trip along one of the nation’s most picturesque rail routes. The itinerary features two nights in Los Angeles, a daytime rail journey up the coast, and two nights in Seattle. It includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Los Angeles and a Seattle CityPASS.
San Francisco
Few urban destinations rival San Francisco’s charm, though it can be pricey. The good news: you can still enjoy the city without spending a small fortune.
Begin with major travel portals like Travelocity or Expedia; booking hotel and airfare together often yields big savings — sometimes effectively free flights. That strategy applies across the cities on this list.
The city’s official tourism site is another source of promotions. At SF Travel you’ll find bonuses like a free ice-skating ticket at Union Square when reserving a room at the Hyatt or Marriott. Other hotel deals include Villa Florence’s Welcome Back Package with a complimentary bottle of wine and up to 21% off the best rate. The Alton Hotel’s Escape to San Francisco promotion gives two complimentary cable-car tickets and a wine tasting for two at Bacchus Wine Bar in Russian Hill.
There are a number of discount attraction passes in San Francisco that reduce expenses. Options include the San Francisco CityPASS (save up to 44%), the C3 Pass (save up to 38%), Go San Francisco (save up to 58%), the San Francisco Sightseeing Pass (save up to 59%), and the Land & Sea Combo pass (save up to 18%).
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is more than the entertainment capital; over recent decades it’s become a top multicultural travel destination with diverse neighborhoods to explore, in addition to staples like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Santa Monica Pier, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
If your trip includes beach time, there are several ways to trim costs. The Georgian Hotel’s promotion takes 20% off when you reserve at least 21 days ahead. Nearby at Palihouse Santa Monica, you can receive a $20 daily dining credit for their lobby café and barista bar.
Hollywood remains a top draw, and staying at The Hollywood Roosevelt gives an authentic experience. Their California’s Calling package, available through Jan. 30, 2022, includes two welcome drinks, a daily $30 food and beverage credit, access to film nights, and complimentary yoga sessions.
You can also find free museum admission in Los Angeles. Institutions that are always free include The Getty Center, the Getty Villa, the California Science Center, and The Broad. Some museums have specific free days each month, for example the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) offers free admission on the second Tuesday every month.
Although public transit is expanding, Los Angeles remains car-centric. Renting a vehicle is often recommended to visit many attractions. With rental rates reportedly up 70% from 2019, consider peer-to-peer platforms like Turo as an alternative. They operate like an Airbnb for cars and have a loyalty program that can earn you a free bonus day, while many hosts provide discounts for week-long bookings.
Las Vegas
Casinos and hotels are eager to bring visitors back to Las Vegas, offering steep reductions on rooms, dining, shows and activities.
Joining a casino loyalty program is one of the easiest ways to score complimentary perks in Las Vegas. These programs track your play and convert points into discounted stays — sometimes even free nights — free meals and drinks, and marked-down show tickets.
Wynn Rewards members can save up to 30% on rooms, while Platinum tier members receive $100 spa credit, a $150 birthday dinner credit, and two passes to Wynn Master Class events. Caesars Rewards provides members access to exclusive room rates (sometimes as low as $10/night), dining discounts, and retail credits. MGM Resorts’ M life Rewards offer up to 20% off bookings and chances to earn free rooms, meal credits and gaming incentives.
Shows draw many visitors and you can often find free or reduced-price tickets. Discount kiosks like Tix4Tonight along the Strip sell same-day show tickets at significant markdowns.
Explore more free and low-cost activities around Las Vegas, both on and off the Strip.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Smaller than many cities on this list, Santa Fe is ideal for art enthusiasts wanting a more rustic escape. Situated in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, the city is famed for Pueblo-style architecture and a thriving arts scene.
The city’s visitor bureau is promoting 10% off a food tour through February 2022 — a budget-friendly way to sample the local flavors. If sweets are your thing, La Fonda on the Plaza’s Chocolate Tour package includes luxury lodging for two, complimentary tickets to the Chocolate Walking Tour and the Discovery Walking Tour, free breakfast, and a copy of JoAnne Dodgson’s Spirit of Chocolate.
La Fonda also lists packages that bundle complimentary tickets to local events, such as the Winter Indian Market package and the Billy the Kid package. The El Dorado Hotel & Spa runs a Return to Travel promotion offering 20% off stays when you use the code RETURN2TRAVEL at booking.
If you plan to visit multiple state museums, consider the New Mexico Culture Pass, purchasable at any state museum or historic site. Good for a year, it grants access to 11 participating museums around New Mexico.
Santa Fe’s compact layout makes walking between historic sights easy. Take free walking tours with Santa Fe Footprints that cover the Plaza, local architecture, Pueblo Indian history, The Atomic Secret, The Miracle Stairway, The Cathedral of St. Francis, local museums, and more.
New Orleans
New Orleans feels like a trip abroad with its jazz, legendary cuisine, and Creole traditions concentrated in a walkable Gulf Coast city. Free jazz is often available in the French Quarter thanks to street performers on nearly every corner.
Nola Tour Guy runs free walking tours of the French Quarter, the Garden District and historic cemeteries — guides typically accept tips.
Amtrak’s New Orleans Ultimate Getaway is an affordable entry point to the city. Starting at $269 for a three-day package, it includes hotel accommodations, dinner at a favored local restaurant, a New Orleans Pass, and your pick of tours.
Select from centrally located hotels such as the Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter, Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome, or the Hotel Monteleone. The two-day New Orleans Pass offers admission to attractions like the San Francisco Plantation House, Mardi Gras World, the National WWII Museum, and a Creole cooking demo. You’ll also choose between a Swamp and Bayou Tour, a Steamboat Natchez jazz cruise, or an Oak Alley Plantation visit.
Many New Orleans hotels are promoting special packages through the end of 2021, including Loew’s Romance in the Big Easy package which features a nightly $35 food and beverage credit, in-room prosecco and chocolate-covered strawberries. Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown offers a Coffee Krewe package that includes a $10 PJ’s or Starbucks gift card, and a Creole Cuisine Dine Around Town package with a $50 dining gift card.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a charming historic city that may not have the volume of attractions found in larger metros, but it remains a major draw. Much of Charleston’s charm comes from its architecture and antebellum history, making it a prime spot for complimentary walking tours offered by WalknTours.
The Restoration Hotel offers a variety of experience bundles. Food lovers can try the A Taste of the South package, which includes a two-night stay, a $100 credit to The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits, two spots on a culinary tour, and free breakfast. If shopping is your focus, the Shop & Stroll Package bundles a 15% discount at The Mercantile, a Restoration tote bag, and a $100 Visa gift card for King Street boutiques.
Charleston’s tourism site compiles hotel offers and groups them into Cuisine Packages, Family Packages, and Beach Packages. For a historical southern tour, Amtrak’s six-day package includes sightseeing in Charleston and Magnolia Plantation, a hop-on, hop-off tour of Savannah, and a scenic cruise in Savannah.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. calls itself the “Capital of Free” for good reason. It’s one of the most inspiring U.S. destinations and many major attractions offer year-round free admission.
Among the no-cost institutions are the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Castle, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, The National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Archives, and the U.S. Botanic Garden.
The D.C. tourism office maintains a deals page listing exclusive offers, freebies and discounts. Biking around the city is a great option, and you can get up to 20% off full-day rentals from Unlimited Biking. If you prefer guided rides, Unlimited Biking is also offering 20% off their guided tours.
Who says freebies can’t be tasty? At Cava Libre, order tapas on Thursdays from 5–6pm and enjoy complimentary Spanish sparkling Cava.
The tourism site highlights hotel specials too, such as Generator Washington, DC’s We Are Back group reopening rates starting at $99 with free WiFi. The Washington Marriott at Metro Center’s Grab, Go, Explore! offer encourages Metro use by including take-home items like an insulated picnic tote, snacks, water bottles and a city tour map.
New York City
Recent gentrification has made Manhattan pricey, but Brooklyn and Queens have emerged as destinations unto themselves, offering more affordable options.
The city’s tourism portal lists deals where you can find perks like a free glass of wine with dinner, up to 55% off Liberty Cruise fares, 15% off Carnegie Hall merchandise, or BOGO offers at the Alice Austen House. To tour Central Park by bike, you can save up to 50% on hourly bicycle rentals.
Because hotels in New York are often expensive, finding a lodging deal is crucial. Hotels typically reward advance planning and extended stays with steep discounts and extra free nights for longer bookings. The Marriott Vacation Club Pulse in Manhattan gives 10% off a three-night stay, rising to 15% for four nights and 20% for five nights or more.
Programs like Marriott Bonvoy Escapes provide another avenue for savings. New deals appear weekly with discounts up to 25% for members and 20% for non-members.
Bundling flights and hotels via online travel agencies remains a reliable method for getting good prices.
The Met is one of America’s premier museums and through year-end admission to the main building and The Met Cloisters is pay-as-you-wish. The Intrepid Museum is offering 20% off general admission, and family passes to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum are available for $82.
Chicago
From Lake Michigan’s shoreline to Willis Tower’s observation deck, Chicago offers attractions that appeal to both big spenders and budget travelers.
Start your search for discounts on Choose Chicago, the official tourism site, where you’ll find special offers on museum admissions, meal credits and discounted tours.
Through the site you can get 20% off an Adventure Quest, a three-hour scavenger-hunt-style city tour modeled on The Amazing Race.
Find savings on the public Ugly Buildings Tour with Tours with Mike to experience a different perspective on the city’s famed architecture.
While not Broadway, Chicago’s theatre scene is vibrant and Hot Tix sells discounted tickets, including half-price options at various venues.
Chicago dining is world-class and there are many ways to save. Artango Bar & Steakhouse offers 20% off dinner Sunday–Thursday, and Kinzie Chophouse discounts wine bottles by 50% on select nights when you order two entrees. Check dining deals from Lettuce Entertain You as well.
The Chicago CityPASS bundles attractions like Skydeck Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. Along with those three, you select two more from options such as the Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO, or the Art Institute of Chicago — saving about 50% compared with paying full price for individual admission to five sites.
