Best Things Are Free – Beautiful World Beautiful Life

If you know anything about me, I am all about maximizing my money and spend – so anything free is even better. And unlike the Beatles, I will take the best free things in life AND the money =)

Free Resources

Beyond free: Earning cashback

One of the easiest ways to make your money work for you is using a shopping portal to earn cashback and Rakuten is my go-to there. Plus if you’re new, you can earn $50! Here’s all the info on Rakuten including on the referral.

Travel Better For FREE

No cost alternatives to paid ways to make the airport experience smoother. For both departures (US and international airports) and international arrivals to US airports!!

My Fave 8 Travel Apps

How I keep myself organized with travels (planning and during a trip) + make trips smoother/more enjoyable plus how I keep an eye on loyalty miles/points with these 8 apps

Free Activities/Places To Visit

Europe

Germany – Berlin

Berlin, DE: Reichstag Building

A must see of any Berlin itinerary – here’s my complete guide to the sweeping views over the city, eco-friendly architecture, and Reichstag / Bundestag history.

Norway – Ålesund

Aksla Viewpoint

The absolute best viewpoint of Ålesund and the area is free as long as you can manage taking the 418 stairs to get to it! Here’s my in depth guide on the viewpoint (including alternative ways to reach the top)

North America

USA – National Parks

Free Days (Waived Admission*!)

One of the US’s greatest feats was the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Visit this or any of the other 63 national parks with free admission* – here’s what you need to know for changes made in 2026! *Especially important for non-US citizens =/

USA – Colorado

Free Summer Activities – Colorado

Here are the free events, activities and waived admission (to museums and more) dates as well as free concerts happening around Colorado – check out the list organized by date!

USA – Colorado

2026 Free Concert Series Guide

I absolutely LOVE living in Colorado and this makes me <3 this state even more. I had no idea that so many places hosted free concert series and all over the state: Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, Aurora through the Front Range and many through the mountains – sorted by day of the week/location with linked to detailed posts on each concert series

USA – Colorado

Colorado Free Days

While there are often many free events and activities occurring throughout the state, there are many specific dates throughout the year where admission is waived to the zoo, museums and more! Find dates and more info here

USA – Colorado

Denver, CO: Levitt Pavillon

2026 Summer Free Concert

Building community, one free concert at a time. A truly free experience as there are no fees to get into the free shows, you are able to bring food and drink and there’s free parking available! – read about it here

USA – Colorado

Denver, CO: Discounted Broadway, Theater, Cabaret Shows at DCPA

While not free, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts runs discounted tickets sales to shows for as low as $25 – April 7 Sale info

And read about the other ways that you can get discounted tickets to DCPA shows here!

FREE BOTANIC GARDENS

I absolutely adore botanical gardens and try to visit them whenever I am visiting an area – there are a surprising number of free ones around the world. I have yet to write up about posts about most of the locales (and may never do with how far behind in post I am) but wanted to make you aware of them in case you also fancy visiting them =) The interesting thing is how most of these botanical gardens are in some of the priciest locales to visit!

Denmark, Copenhagen – the University of Copenhagen Botanical Garden is a 10-hectare beautiful oasis in the heart of Copenhagen, inviting peace and immersion in the world of nature. The Botanical Garden is also part of the Natural History Museum Denmark and hosts various exhibitions and activities throughout the year. Admission is only charged for enter the Palmer House. Learn more
Iceland, Akureyri: One of the most Northernmost gardens in the world and is located only 50 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle! Very serene and especially picturesque with glimpses of Eyjafjörður in the background. There’s also a phenomenal cafe (Lyst) on site! Here’s what my morning visit here was like
Iceland, Reykjavík: It’s possible to have a low cost half day in the Icelandic capital: take the public bus and visit the Botanic Garden (there is no admission fee for the gardens). A five minute walk away is the city’s largest public geothermal pool: Laugardalslaug with a 50 meter outdoor pool, outdoor children’s pool and paddling pool, two water-slides, numerous hot tubs, steam bath, and mini golf course.
- The 24-Hour / 48-Hour /72-Hour Reykjavík City Card INCLUDES unlimited Strætó bus travel within Reykjavík capital area (does not include Bus #55 to KEF) PLUS entry to 17 museum/activities PLUS access to the 8 geothermal pools in the city.
USA, Colorado, Steamboat Springs – Yampa River Botanic Park is a free, serene garden with a diverse plant collection and community events with low cost events such as Yoga on the Green. Learn more
USA, Colorado, Vail – Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: Discover the world’s highest botanical garden (at 8200 ft) nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Vail, Colorado with over 3000 alpine plant species. Free to visit. Learn more