h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello,

All of the museums run by the Federal Government as part of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC are always free. This include the Air and Space Museum, American History, National History, National Gallery of Art, and several other art museums, plus some other museums around the Mall. In addition, all National Park Sites across the USA are free. This can include large park areas (such as Yosemite or the Grand Canyon) or even smaller local attractions (such as Presidential Birthplaces, etc.) Still, I suppose there's no such thing as a completely free lunch, since these sites are funded by tax dollars.

In New York City, some museums have free days on more unpopular times or once a month. In addition, the Metropolitan Museum of Art only requests admission in the form of a suggested donation, so you could waltz in for free if you're feeling especially brazen.

Yours,
Jake

Hello,

But wait! There's more!

I suppose I should mention some of the highlights of the Smithsonian Institute. In their various museums they have such highlights as:
1. Original air and space craft (Air and Space Museum)
2. American history items including the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner
3. A large collection of dinosaur fossils and animal exhibits (Natural History).
4. Many notable gems and precious stones, incl. the Hope Diamond (also Natural History)
5. Several good classical art collections (National Gallery)
6. A few nice modern art collections (National Gallery, Hirshhorn)
7. Quiet galleries for African Art and Asian Art (the Sackler)
8. A nice zoo that includes two famous pandas (National Zoo)
Washington, DC has many other free attractions. It's mainly an effect of money flowing from the federal government. I'm not being a tourist board, but I have to mention it.

In New York City, there are also a few public art installations that are free (but not targeted for children). My personal favorite is the "Earth Room" located in Soho. It's an entire apartment space on the second floor of a building filled with dirt waist-high. It sounds strange, but the effect is incredibly impressive and serene. Unfortunately, it's closed during the summer, because mushrooms start growing there.

Yours,
Jake

Actually, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC requires a donation. They won't let you go in without a little pin during peak hours, but you can donate as little as 25 cents I would assume. Last time I went, I was going to donate $5 for myself, and my boyfriend was going to give something too, but the woman who rung us up gave me two entry pins for the $5.

A lot of museums have hours where it doesn't cost anything to get in. Wednsday or Friday afternoons, the hour before closing. I believe the MOMA in NYC has this feature. And this might not apply all the way, but the Bronx Zoo has free admission to the main zoo on Wednsdays. Lots of fun, especially if you can handle all the day-camps that decide to go.

A small correction - some National Parks are free.

Others charge a small admission fee.

Personally I refuse to pay to see part of my national heritage! I'm so angry about this that I won't write a Guide Entry on one of my favourite National Battlefields - Fort Necessity in southwestern Pennsylvania.

It's the site of the fort where the French and Indians defeated George Washington - the only time he surrendered in battle.

(though my daughters are nearing the age when I'll sacrifice my principles in order for them to see the place)

I went down to the Andersonville National Historic Site and National POW Museum in Andersonville, Georgia. It was free. The museum had exhibits from POW's throughout history. Most of it was from the Civil War on. There was also a driving tour of the area on tape that you could rent.

Camp Sumter, the notorius Civil War prison camp has been marked out, and part of it has been recontructed. There are also monmuents from various states to their soldiers who died in the camp. It also shows how both side got on without many people in POW camps for most of the war, but the Confederates wouldn't respect parole, and there were no more prisoner exchanges (but I digress).

Two of my favorite places come to mind. First the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, USA. This is the site where, in 1836, a small group of men held off General Santa Anna and a large portion of the Mexican army for several days. Although the site was eventually taken, it was a costly victory for the Mexicans and Santa Anna. Consequently, they were defeated in another battle shortly thereafter and Texas won its independence from Mexico.

The Museum itself is free and is open everyday except Christmas Eve and Christmas. It is located in downtown San Antonio so just head that way and follow the signs; you can't miss it. The Museums has many exhibits which teach the history of the Alamo from it's founding as a mission in 1716, through the battle of 1836, and all the way up to the present day. If you take the time to read the information, some of it in the form of actual letters or diaries from the people of the time, you can gain new insights into, and appreciation for, what it must have been like to live back in those days. This one is a definite MUST for the history buff! But you don't have to be a history nut to appreciate it.

And while there it would probably be a shame if you didn't take a stroll down the Riverwalk. This is right across the street from the Alamo. It is a very interesting bazaar of shops and eateries located along an offshoot of the San Antonio river. Well worth your time.



The second place that comes to mind is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. An impressive monument to the explorers, frontiersman, and pioneers who opened up the continent for settlers. Many people do not realize that included in the monument, underground at its base is the Museum of Westward Expansion. Admission is free.

This museum is not large - you can see most, if not all of it in only a couple of hours - but has a nice collection of exhibits and old western artifacts. My particular favorite is the extensive display chronicaling the Lewis and Clark expedition which set out to find a northwest water passage through the continent. Using the log of the expedition itself you follow the highs and the lows, the joy and the despair of the explorers as if you were there with them. Again, a MUST see for the history buff, and for the average, everyday Joe as well.

And while there, it is possible to ride to the top of the Arch for a fee. I am not currently aware of what that cost is, but if you are cost-concious, skipping the ride is no great loss in my opinion. While there is some small thrill to being at the top, 600 feet high,(completely enclosed by the way, not outside), the viewing windows are quite small, though they do offer a nice panoramic view of the city of St. Louis. Bur really no different than looking out the window of a tall building.

One other plus; if you visit during the spring or summer months, save the cost of eating out by bringing a picnic lunch. The Gateway Arch sits in the middle of some very nicely landscaped park land. The sun shining and the Arch reflecting off the pond makes for a nice setting to throw down a blanket and relax while eating, and some very impressive photo opportunities as well.

The National Museum of the American Indian in NYC (belongs to the Smithsonian) is also free.
Location: 1 Bowling Green, Manhattan
How to each: Exit Subway at South Ferry, then take a 3 minute walk.
Expect to see: Indian clothing, weaponry, kid's cradles&toys, household utilities etc, but only few history refs.
Children's activities: some show-cases feature drawers with items which may be taken out and played with (un-organised)

Chicago area museum free days...
Monday-Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, Chicago Historical Society
Tuesday-Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Swedish American Museum (second Tuesday of the month), Terra Museum of American Art
Wednesday-Clarke House Museum, The Field Museum, Glessner House Museum
Thursday-Chicago Children's Museum, 5 - 8 p.m., Museum of Science and Industry
Friday-Spertus Museum
Sunday-DuSable Museum of African American History, Terra Museum of American Art(first Sunday of the month)

And Chicago museums that are free everyday...
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Public Library, Martin D'Arcy Museum of Art, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Museum of Broadcast Communications, The Museum of Contemporary Photography, The Oriental Institute, Smart Museum of Art

Ah, and let's not forget about all the FREE ways to get to a lot of those FREE days at museums! The City of Chicago runs a great free trolley service that stops at (or near) several museums and other Chicago attractions. Trolleys normally run every 20-30 minutes. Frequency tends to be higher Memorial Day through Labor Day (tourist season). Several routes have stops at various El Train stations, too.

Metra/Navy Pier & Navy Pier Trolley - Navy Pier, Chicago Children's Museum, shopping on North Michigan Avenue and State Street (Metra/Navy Pier serves Chicago Northwestern [Ogilvie Transportation Center] and Union Stations, as well)

Lincoln Park Trolley - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo (one of few remaining free municipal zoos in the country), Chicago Historical Society

Metra/Museum Campus Trolley - Chicago Public Library, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, State Street shopping (Also serves Metra Ogilvie, Union, and LaSalle Stations)

Michigan Avenue Trolley - Water Tower, Museum of Contemporary Art, Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago Cultural Center & Museum of Broadcast Communications, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography (at Columbia College Chicago, my school!), Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Michigan Avenue Shopping

A Trolley System Map is available at the City of Chicago web site:

[url removed by moderator]

Shows equipment used for advanced quackery
Toddlers won't find entertainment there, but older children might.

see http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A539084 (and also Peer Review at http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/F48874&thread=118879)

Oops, I violated the house rule of "Do not post URLs in Conversations." I humbly apologise! (Be patient with me, I just returned to the H2G2 community after a 2 year absence.) I've put the Chicago Free Trolley System Map in my guide, so if you're interested, go here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A571024