25 free things to do this summer in the Triangle
Do you need ideas for summer activities in the Raleigh area? Discover a wealth of free activities and events to enjoy this summer in the Triangle.
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Do you need ideas for summer activities in the Raleigh area?
Let me help you with that!
This article is all about things to do at home and free places in the community to visit this summer in the Triangle. The most money you'll spend is on gas unless you make other purchases.
1. Check Your Local Library
Find out what your local library has to offer! Sometimes registration is required, so be sure to sign up fast.
You can always stick around to read books and check out a few for home, too. If your children like to color, see if your library has coloring page print outs and crayons available.
2. Splash Pads / Spraygrounds
If you can't make it to a splash pad or sprayground, grab your water hose at home and create your own fun!
3. Pet Stores
It's free to look around and hang out with the animals. Local pet stores are a great place to see different species, learn about them, and even cuddle a few animals where allowed. This can be especially entertaining for younger children. Stores like PetCo and PetSmart have fish, reptiles and sometimes cats.
4. Arboretums and Botanical Gardens
Usually free to enter. You'll reap the benefits of fresh air and sunshine while checking out beautiful varieties of trees and plants. Take a stroll, then rest at their gazebos or picnic tables for snack breaks. Just remember to ''leave no trace!''
A few on our list for summer are:
5. Art Museums
I can't count the number of times art museums have come through for us. We often choose those that are free to enter. There are always a plethora of interesting pieces to see.
Give your local (free) art museums a chance. Be sure to also check their websites or inquire at the front desk about summer classes. Some of them may be open to attend without fees. A few we've visited:
6. Volunteer
Opportunities abound to lend your time to different causes. You can also join a group trash clean up at parks or by bodies of water (depending on your location). Feel free to do this as a family, too. You don't have to join a group to make your area cleaner.
Use these links to get you started:
7. Outdoor Concerts
Have you visited the website of your city or town? Check the Parks & Recreation section or events calendar for free community concerts and live music.
It can be a great way to meet new people or get together with friends and relatives. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and pack a full meal. If your area doesn't have this, a quick Google search should give you listings of nearby locations.
- Alamance County has outdoor events like the Musical Chairs Outdoor Concert Series that's free to attend.
- Saturdays in Saxapahaw
- List: Free summer concert series in the Triangle
8. Exercise Classes
Libraries and churches in my county have offered free exercise classes for adults and kids. Search websites like eventbrite.com for listings.
If you'd rather stay inside, Youtube is a great resource to find what you're looking for.
9. Sidewalk Chalk Play
Younger kids will often spend a bit of time doing this! We've taken our chalk to differing locations but it's an activity that can be done right at home. Create abstract masterpieces, choose themes, or make games out of it.
10. Movies In The Park
A LOT of parks host free movie events during the summer. Again, refer to your area's Parks & Recreation website or events calendar for dates/times. If you'd prefer another location, a ''movies in the park'' Google search will do.
11. Attend Local Festivals
I know this one can be tricky! It's hard to go to a festival and not make purchases. However, many are free to enter and that's the purpose of this article.
If your family really wants to attend but not spend, I suggest having meals and desserts ahead of time to avoid extreme food temptations. And bring snacks from home in case of emergencies.
12. Scenic Drives
Explore your area! A lengthy drive along country roads can be mood changing in the best ways. Whether singing along to your favorite music or sitting in silence enjoying the views, it's a good time. You may also come across something new or new-to-you.
13. Picnics
They can happen somewhere in the community or in your yard. You just prep, pack, and go. WRAL has great tips to help you plan yours!
14. Skate Parks
15. Walking Tours
A great way to get outside and learn something new about your area or a nearby location. There are paid guided tours, pay-what-you'd-like tours, and self-guided tours. Keeping with our ''free'' summer theme, choose the latter.
16. Scavenger Hunts and Geocaching
17. Backyard Camping
If sleeping outdoors isn't your idea of fun, make forts and camp out in your living room! Snacks, movies, crafts, & games should be all you'll need. And you can still read books by flashlight, too.
18. Mural Photoshoots
Not only have we found murals near us out of curiosity and happenstance, we've had fun photoshoots in front of them. It's a way to take unique, colorful pictures and spark creativity for projects, etc.
- Headed outdoors: Check out these Raleigh murals
- Take a mural tour through downtown Burlington
- Tandra Wilkerson: Exploring murals, shops and bar-arcade in Graham
- Kotis Street art
- Clues and codes: Cary mural hides 173 years of secrets to town's past
- New mural honors 'hidden figures' of Garner's Black history
- Apex mural artist blends classic looks with modern ideas
19. Visit Roadside Attractions
20. Readathons
Remember those library books I mentioned? Pull them out, turn off all devices, and have an afternoon/evening of reading. The timeframe will, of course, depend on ages and schedules.
My daughters and I used to take special trips to the library just for this. Then we'd pick-a-spot in the living room, spread out, and read our books together. We called this time our readathons. If your family already has unread books, now's the time to do it.
21. Historic Sites
22. History and Science Museums
Both are located in downtown Raleigh with FREE admission. Great places to spend the day!
23. Art On The Porch Or In The Park
Grab a blanket, all of your art supplies, coloring books, canvases, and head to the park... or your porch. You can turn on music and color/draw/paint the day away. My daughters still enjoy doing this!
24. Science Experiments
25. Rest and Relaxation
Remember, it costs nothing to simply rest and spend time together. Watching a movie just for fun or educational shows are great ways to hang out.
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