Best Free Attraction (2024) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards (2024)

No charge to experience these amazing spots

Best Free Attraction(2024)
June 26, 2024

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Photo courtesy of Independence National Historical Park

No. 10:

Independence National Historical Park - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Enjoy a visit to Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, where you can learn aboutthe history of the American Revolution and the nation's founding.It includes iconic landmarks, such as Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, as well as the Liberty Bell.

Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Port Authority

No. 9:

Freedom Trail - Boston, Massachusetts

Starting at the Boston Common, but easily picked up at any point along the way, the Freedom Trail offers historical insight into the city and its surroundings. Easy to hop on and off, the Freedom Trail weaves throughout the city and highlights some of Boston's most special places, including Park Street Church, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, and the USS Constitution.

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Photo courtesy of WerksMedia // Getty Images

No. 8:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina and Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, and there are many free things to do within this massive, preserved space that spans the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Cades Cove is one of its most popular places to visit with its abundant wildlife and historical buildings. Biking and hiking trails lead to scenic marvels across the Smokies, and picnic pavilions and campsites can be found throughout much of the park.

Photo courtesy of National Infantry Museum

No. 7:

National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center - Columbus, Georgia

At the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center, guests start their visit by walking through "The Last 100 Yards" exhibit that depicts significant battles throughout the Infantry's history. Beyond that, the Infantry's history is divided into galleries covering different eras, from the Revolutionary War through today.

Photo courtesy of JC Raulston Arboretum

No. 6:

JC Raulston Arboretum - Raleigh, North Carolina

The JC Raulston Arboretum welcomes visitors to come stroll through the grounds, learning about flora on display that's specifically adapted for use throughout the Southeast. Visitors can also take part in the many events and educational programming offered to explore more about gardening and plants.

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Photo courtesy of Don White // Getty Images

No. 5:

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, California

Easily recognizable to many people as the symbol of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge is a historically significant suspension bridge across the Golden Gate, the strait that connects the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It’s between Golden Gate National Recreational Area and Golden Gate Park — both great for outdoors lovers — and no visit to the Golden City is complete without crossing the bridge.

Photo courtesy of United States Mint

No. 4:

U.S. Mint Philadelphia - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, visitors can learn the history of the nation's coins through a 45-minute, self-guided tour. During the tour, you can see the first coining press from 1792, meet Peter the Mint Eagle (a real bald eagle!), and watch the coining operations in progress.

Photo courtesy of Cape May Zoo

No. 3:

Cape May County Park & Zoo - Cape May Court House, New Jersey

At Cape May County Park and Zoo, you can check out your favorite animals including giraffes, zebras, lemurs, and many more. Check out the zoo's calendar for a full schedule of year-round events to enhance your visit. Both admission and parking are free.

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See Also

West Virginia Fairs and Festivals, Craft Shows, Art Fairs, Events

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Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

No. 2:

TECO Manatee Viewing Center - Apollo Beach, Florida

Situated in Apollo Beach, Florida, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center is a protected marine sanctuary that offers visitors the rare opportunity to see manatees up close. You can also enjoy beautiful butterfly gardens, an impressive observation tower, a boardwalk, and walking trails. The park is open seasonally, from November to April.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Edwards, Loggerhead Marinelife Center

No. 1:

Loggerhead Marinelife Center - Juno Beach, Florida

Situated in Juno Beach, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation, and it’s free and open to the public each day. Since the goal is to rescue and return wildlife to their natural habitats, the number of resident sea turtles will vary when people visit. Additionally, there are plenty of other sea creatures to observe, and volunteers are helpful and willing to answer questions from visitors.

Cheryl Rodewig

Cheryl Rodewig

Cheryl Rodewig is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel. When she’s not planning her next trip — preferably to a waterfall or garden — she’s putting her MBA to use crafting marketing stories for brands. You can read her words in Thrillist, AARP, USA Today, Insider, The Guardian, and all overcherylrodewig.com. She loves it when people reach out onTwitterand sometimesInstagram.

Imani Bashir

Imani Bashir

Imani Bashir is a travel journalist who has lived in five countries across four continents. Her work has been in major magazines and focuses on destinations, culture, family, and accommodations.

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrainedwanderlust and has visited 45 countriesand counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written forInsider,Fodor'sTravel,Yahoo,theHuffingtonPost, theWashingtonPost,ViatorandReviewedamong many other publications.Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantageof everything the region has to offer.Jamie can be reached atjamiesmithwrites@gmail.comandcan be found onTwitter,InstagramandTikTok.

Larissa Milne

Larissa Milne

Larissa Milne has been traveling the world full-time with her husband Michael since 2011 in search of historic and quirky spots around the world and to date has visited nearly 80 countries and all 50 states. She's passionate about food and can often be found seeking out local flavors at a destination--whether it's a fancy restaurant, local market or the best hot dog stand.Learn more about the Milnes' global adventures on their award-winning travel blog, Changes In Longitudeand their recommendations on Arizona at Arizona Journey.

Melissa Curtin

Melissa Curtin

Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has documented her globetrotting adventures for over a decade. AConnecticut girl madly in love with California, her work has appeared in Lonely Planet, LA Weekly, Canadian Traveler, AAA, Roadtrippers, JohnnyJet, Travel Awaits, and many southern California print publications.Melissa is always on the hunt for the best local bites and destinations with few tourists, splittingher non-travel time between Malibu and Palm Springs with her husband and ever-growing collection of plants.Traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea sparked Melissa's desire for learning about other cultures. As a 20+ year educator and new travel advisor with Fora, she inspires others to reach their goals and pursue their travel dreams. Some of her recent favorite jauntsinclude a Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy with her mom, truffle hunting in Tuscany, and eating her way through Florence.Get to know the Best of L.A. and California by checking out her websiteLaLaScoop.comor following the @lalascoop on Instagram.

Skye Rodgers

Skye Rodgers

Skye Rodgers is a seasoned travel writer who fell in love with Tampa, Florida over a decade ago and has since made it her home base. Originally from Canada, Skye traded snowy winters for sunny beaches and now enjoys sharing her adventures with readers worldwide. Whether she's uncovering hidden gems in Tampa Bay or jetting off to exotic destinations, Skye's passion for exploration shines through in her engaging travel narratives. Follow her journeys and discover the best of Tampa and beyond on her Facebook page @BestofTampa.

Wendy O'Dea

Wendy O'Dea

Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O'Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic, there's not much about California she doesn't love.You cantrack her gallivanting wayson Instagram via @WendyTravels .

10Best Editors

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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