Skint City London

Skint City Guides: The Free and Cheap Guide for Frugal Travelers

By Max Milano

"The best things in life are free", so the famous saying goes, and whoever penned it was probably thinking about London. No other European capital can compete with the myriad of free and cheap things to do and see in London. For that reason, the SkintCity team has compiled this handy guide to the best free and cheap stuff to do in London.

Getting there and away

Getting to your destination is often the biggest expense of a day trip or weekend getaway. Savvy frugal travelers know to check online for National Express Coaches coupon codes and promotions, or you can use this handy low coach fare finder. 

I recommend taking advantage of British Rail’s Cheap Day Returns tickets. These tickets offer big savings when the outbound and return journey occurs on the same day (plus you also save on accommodation). Another advantage of using British Rail is that you’ll save a ton on petrol (and the environment), and of course parking (no, you don’t want to pay for parking in London, it’s just not frugal!) Use this handy cheap rail fare finder instead. 

Getting Around London The Cheap Way

London’s Black Cabs may be iconic, but best avoided by frugal travelers. Fortunately London’s Zone 1 and 2, where most of the fun stuff is located, is compact enough to explore either on foot, by public transportation, or on the popular “Boris Bikes” (Barkleys Cycle Hire). 

Frugal tip: Plan all your bike rides to be under half an hour and they will be free! That way you will only pay the £2 access fee for the day.

Think of the bikes as an eco-friendly taxi and use them to get from point A to B. Having access to the bike’s docking stations is another convenient way to save on buying or carrying bike locks.

If it’s raining and not a good day to bike or walk (this is London after all), get a Day Anytime Travelcard (Zone 1 & 2 £ 8.80 Pounds) valid on all underground trains and buses within your fare area.  You can get an off peak Travelcard and save £1.50 (you must travel after 9.30 am, but you’re on holiday anyway). 

Now for the Free Stuff

So you’ve finally arrived in London, armed with your Travelcard or Cycle Hire. Where should you go? How about starting with the free stuff? Here’s our top five free London destinations. You can visit in any order, and remember to keep your biking time under 30 minutes to get it for free (fortunately all these locations are located close enough to each other so that walking or biking under 30 minutes is very easy).

London’s Top Five Free Attractions

1-The British Museum

The Granddaddy of free London. You can easily spend a whole day at the British museum. Don’t miss the famous Rosetta Stone, the mummies in the Egyptian room, and the amazing Assyrian sculptures and Balawat Gates. Admission is free. 

2- The National Gallery

The National’s Gallery main entrance right on Trafalgar Square is well worth the price of admission, which is totally free.  Go inside and admire the impressionist masters, included Van Goth, Monet and other masterpieces.  

3- The Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert offers the world’s the largest collection decorative arts and design, showcasing 5,000 years of art, from ancient times to the present day. Its location near the Royal Albert Hall and Hide Park, offer a nice opportunity for riding your bike in the park and photo ops at Kensinton Gardens (also free). Admission to the Victoria and Albert permanent collections is free. 

4- The Changing of the Guard

Check out the schedule for this tradition occurring in several locations in and around Buckingham Palace. In August (2013) it occurs on even days (ie 2, 4, 6, etc.) Free. 

5- Palace of Westminster

Not only does Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament offer great photo opportunities, you can actually attend debates for free by queuing up to the visitor’s gallery of the House of Commons.

For a complete listing of free things to do in London check out this list from TimeOut.

Skint City Chicago

Free and Cheap things to do in Chicago for Tourists and Locals

By Max Milano (Skint City Correspondent)

Compared to London, Washington DC and New York, Chicago lags behind when it comes to free (or almost free) museums. It doesn’t mean that it lacks great museums, far from it, it’s just that they are on the expensive side (with no ‘pay what you want’ option like in New York). But that doesn’t mean free options aren’t available, you just have to do your homework to enjoy the amazing freebies that the windy city has to offer.

Chicago Top 10 Free Year Round Attractions

Chicago boasts many free seasonal festivals and events, but they may not happen when you are in town (as most of them are clustered around the summer months). So the SkintCity team has compiled the top 10 free things to do in Chicago all year around, and you will be glad to know that they are world class and not to be missed (and best of all; always free).

1-    Lincoln Park Zoo

In the same tradition as venerable city zoos like the Central Park Zoo, but much bigger; Lincoln Park Zoo makes you forget that you’re still in the city. Its animal enclosures are very well maintained and expertly curated. The Safari themed African enclosure is a joy, with a pigmy hippo habitat behind glass that allows underwater viewing of hippo bath time.  Zebras, rhinos, giraffes, a polar bear and numerous large cats make up the magnificent collection of animals on display. The ape house, featuring a large family of gorillas and chimps is a highlight. You can reach the Lincoln Park Zoo by public transportation, or simply take a nice walk along the lake, northbound from the Magnificent Mile until you reach the zoo.

2-    Chicago Botanical Gardens

This one is not in the city proper, but well worth the trek north. The Botanial Gardens themselves are free, but they have a hefty parking fee (around $20 per car). To save on parking, take the Metra train from Ogilvie Transportation Center located in the south loop. Metra offers a $7 weekend pass, for unlimited rides on their trains. Get off at Glencoe Metra station (about a 45 minute walk to the Botanical Gardens, but you can bring your Chicago Divvy Bike on the Metra). Alternatively, if you drive up from Chicago, you can park for free in one of several shopping malls located along the Skokie Valley road, and then take a 15 minute stroll along Lake Cook road to reach the park entrance. Once inside, you will be transported to a beautiful world of Japanese and English gardens, roaring waterfalls, romantic islands on a lake and gorgeous fruit trees. Well worth it.

3-    ‘The Bean’ at Millennium Park and Buckingham Fountain

Perhaps one of Chicago’s most famous landmarks, ‘The Bean’ is always free and always fun (especially when you walk under it).  This cloudlike sculpture, part giant bean, part cloud, and part funfair mirror, is what great urban art should be all about. After the bean, head over to the nearby Buckingham Fountain, for views of the lake and gorgeous jets of water (when in season).

4-    Lincoln Park Conservatory

Located on the same grounds as the Lincoln Park Zoo, this conservatory is the perfect all season day trip. Under its Victorian glass ceiling, you will find many exotic tropical plants that will take you to faraway places like Hawaii and Australia.

5-    Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory is located in Chicago’s West side, easily reachable by the ‘L’ train (Green Line). It’s one of the largest conservatories in the United States. Locals refer to it as “landscape art under glass."  The Conservatory contains a number of exotic plant exhibits from around the world, including some ferns that are over 300 years old.

6-    Navy Pier: Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

Many visitors to this famous Chicago landmark don’t know about this free exhibit. The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows features many early 20th century glass windows by Tiffany and others that adorned several homes of the more well to do Chicagoans of yesteryear. 

7-    Chicago Cultural Center

Right across from the famous Bean, this former public library with a gorgeous stained glass cupola, now features several exhibits and art shows featuring many local and international artists. Its large class windows overlook the Bean, for that perfect photo opp.

8-    Lake Michigan Beachfront

The lake is one of Chicago’s most beautiful features. Start on Oak Street Beach (directly across from the Drake Hotel) and head north to the Lake Avenue Beach breakwater (it features a small lighthouse). The view of Chicago’s world famous skyline is absolutely breathtaking from there.

9-    Free Walking Tours

Chicago offers many options for free walking tours. You can check out the Windy City Explorer’s website for their neighborhood tours, or go to the City of Chicago website to download several do it yourself walking tours.

10-  Chicago Water Tower: City Gallery and Public Library at the Chicago Visitor Center

The Chicago Water Tower is one of Chicago’s most famous landmarks. Most visitors take pictures of it, but very few venture inside to check out the City Gallery and its rotating exhibits. Granted, it’s very small, but the guard will tell you the history of the Tower and its role during the Chicago fire. Then head across the street to the Water Works building to the Chicago Visitor Center (where you can buy a Chicago City pass for discounted entry to all of the City’s museums).  The Water Works building also features a Chicago Public Library annex, where local residents can take out or drop off their Chicago Library books. The Water Works building also offers a Theatre, plus a quiet corner with plush chairs to rest and read, away from the bustle of the Magnificent Mile.