What are the best free or cheap entertainment options?
Best free and cheap entertainment includes a public library card (free books, movies, museum passes, and streaming via Kanopy and Hoopla), free museum and zoo days, free outdoor concerts and movies in summer, national parks ($80 annual pass), and free streaming services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Freevee. Community calendars, Meetup groups, and Eventbrite free filters surface dozens of weekly free events. Most households can replace $100-$300 monthly paid entertainment with these options.
In This Guide:
1. Mine Your Local Library
Public libraries offer far more than books: free DVDs, audiobooks, ebooks, video games, museum passes, free streaming via Kanopy and Hoopla, free online courses, 3D printers, and tool lending. The Brooklyn Public Library and dozens of other systems offer free Culture Passes to museums, gardens, and historic sites. Many libraries now offer Librarycard+ perks like free or discounted admission to state parks, zoos, and aquariums. The average household spends $50-$100 monthly on books, movies, and streaming; a library card replaces most of that. Use Libby for free ebooks and audiobooks from your phone, including current bestsellers withholds typically under 2-4 weeks.
- Get a free library card online or in person
- Download Libby for ebooks and audiobooks
- Stream free movies on Kanopy and Hoopla
- Reserve free museum and zoo passes
- Borrow video games and DVDs instead of buying
- Many libraries loan free museum, zoo, and state park passes.
2. Hit Free Museum Days, Parks, and Events
Most major museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish days monthly or weekly. The Smithsonian museums in DC are free every day. Bank of America gives free museum admission on the first weekend of each month for cardholders at 200+ cultural institutions. National parks cost $30 per vehicle for 7 days, or buy the $80 annual America the Beautiful pass covering all 400+ parks; seniors 62+ get a lifetime pass for $80, and 4th graders get a free family pass. Free outdoor concerts and movies run in most cities June-August. Check your city's parks department, Eventbrite (filter by free), and Meetup.com for thousands of free weekly events including hiking, board games, language exchanges, and volunteering.
- Search for free museum days in your city
- Buy the $80 annual national parks pass
- Check Bank of America free museum weekends
- Browse Eventbrite filtered to free events
- Join Meetup groups for hiking, games, and volunteering
- The $80 annual parks pass covers 400+ national parks and federal lands.
3. Free Streaming, Reading, and Music
Free ad-supported streaming services include Tubi (12,000+ movies and shows), Pluto TV (250+ live channels), Amazon Freevee, YouTube, and Crackle. Spotify and Pandora offer free ad-supported music. Podcasts cover virtually every interest free. YouTube channels like CrashCourse, Khan Academy, and TED-Ed provide free education. Public domain books at Project Gutenberg and the Internet Archive include 70,000+ free classics. Local colleges host free lectures, concerts, and theater. Many churches host free concerts and community events regardless of faith. Trade services with friends: pet sitting, home repair, tutoring, and cooking lessons in exchange for what you offer.
- Stream free movies on Tubi and Pluto TV
- Listen to free Spotify and podcasts
- Take free courses on Khan Academy and Coursera
- Read public domain books at Project Gutenberg
- Attend free lectures and concerts at local colleges
- Tubi and Pluto TV offer 12,000+ free movies and shows.
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