Wednesday, April 28, 2010

What cha doing this Summer??

Last year I posted about our fantastic free summer and what we did....So, I am now going over my ideas for this year...

Swimming, $25.00 for the entire summer with the State Park Pass. We have 2 favorite park ponds...we may try a few others, depending on the cost of gas. This pass if for one vechile, no matter who is in the car.
Father's Day Concert, Free with State Park Pass. Each year we pack a blanket and head to the State Park and enjoy a Ken Lonniquist Concert. My kids love it.
Hiking, Free with State Park Pass
Fishing in Trout Pond, Free with State Park Pass
Library, Summer Library Program, FREE. Kids get to do events, read for prizes and enjoy free movies.
SummerFest, I have 2 free tickets from a summer fest survey
Bowling, Signed up for Kids Play Free program and each child gets 2 free games a DAY!
Family Fun Night in Town, Our Local Park and Rec brings music and events free for families on Thursday night. So, there is several events planned there. Concerts, Animal Shows, Big Rigs, Etc.
Chicago Natural History Museum, Free with our family membership. We got a great deal on the family membership this year. So, this is the year we focus on museums. This will cost us gas. We will pack our own food and drinks.
EAA Flight Museum, again from our family pass, we can stay overnight at some family's home and bring food. So, cost of gas is our only expense.
Wisconsin Dells???? Don't know yet
Camping, camping is not free, but with the State Park Sticker we can camp cheaply and have great family time.
Henry Villa Zoo, Located in Madison Wisconsin. Admission is Free, Parking is Free and it's right on the lake so we can pack a lunch and have a wonderful picnic!! We love doing this and do it almost every summer!
Milwaukee Brewers Game,  Free tickets with the Com'on Back deal. $5.00 for shipping and handling. Parking ( if we don't find it for free) and the cost of gas. We will bring food with us.
6 Flags Great America, Free tickets for the kids from the reading program, buy one get one free ticket discount coupon. We would pay for the one ticket on the BOGO, gas to get there and I am hoping for the Coke Rewards deals like last year. That covered dinner for all of us. We will wait and see on that!

This list is not finished, but it gives you an idea of how much Wisconsin has to offer for free. Many of these events I find by reading websites and our local newspaper.  Last year, The Wisconsin Historical Society had free Musueum Mondays. We are waiting to hear that announcement again. Also, I understand that the EAA and the Chicago Museum are not completely free, but we got such a good deal on that and it will be included this year. Also Wisconsin Dells, depends on what happens. Last year we got lucky and got tickets. I think this year may be more difficult because people are aware of the different giveaways and coupons. We will see.  Also, understand that Free Days at any event are more busy. People are taking advantage of the offer. So plan accordingly.

What Free options do you have in your area?

1 comment:

Nick, Amber & Aaron said...

I grew up near Madison, and went to Vilas Zoo ALL the time. My husband & I still go when we're in town. And the nice thing to know is that Vilas will never charge, because the family who started it wanted it to always be free!

There are tons of free things to do in downtown Madison - never a dull moment! Have fun!!

Frugalmommie as been on WITI FoxNews6 Television Milwaukee, WTMJ620 Radio, Several local newspapers, The Wisconsin State Journal, and is in a feature article in All You Magazine in the April 2009 edition.