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Free Entertainment Options When You’re Stuck Indoors

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Free Entertainment Options While You're Stuck Indoors

This last year has completely changed how we interact with the world. With travel restrictions in place, social distancing measures still enforced, and many of us working remotely, we spend more time at home than ever before. Technology has made the transition manageable, but I am starved for social interaction and stimulation. However, thanks to this latest cold snap, it became dangerous to go outside. But we are social creatures, so we still need entertainment. If you are getting tired of surfing the net or watching reruns, here are some free entertainment options for you when you are stuck indoors.

Free Entertainment Options from Home

Reading Resources through Virtual Libraries

Reading has been one of my ever since I was a child. Books allow me to escape the mundane routine of daily life and experience new adventures from the comfort of my own bed. But, any bibliophile will tell you it is not cheap to keep up with the latest titles. Even if you find online deals, your shopping cart can easily exceed your budget. The good news is that libraries still exist and offer a wide variety of reading resources. Unfortunately, it is not always convenient to get there, especially if your city is experiencing extreme weather. Furthermore, they may not have the book you want on hand, meaning you will have to request it from another branch and wait for it to arrive.

However, our fellow book lovers have created vast online resources to bring you unlimited selections.  This dedicated blog is a place for bookworms to feed their addiction without breaking the bank. With 20 of the most convenient sites, you can safely and legally download books absolutely free! Since they add new titles every day, you have an endless source of reading material. If you are having difficulty choosing what to read next, the blog even offers a short quiz that will suggest new titles based on your current interests.

For those out there who never seem to have time to sit down and read, don’t fret. There are free entertainment options for you as well. There are dozens of mobile apps where you can access free audiobooks. You can still work down your reading list as you tackle other household tasks. The best part about free audiobooks is that they can bring your family together. Choose something that appeals to everyone, and make it a weekly activity you can all look forward to.

Virtual Tours of Museums and Galleries

One of the most fulfilling aspects of traveling has been immersing myself in other cultures. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like international travel restrictions will be changing any time soon. Even if you live in a large metropolis with top notch museums and galleries, many have restricted access and opening hours to suppress large crowds.

Luckily, the museum sector has adapted to find new ways for people to experience the arts. Many of the world’s most famous institutions now offer virtual tours and live events even while their doors remain open. Google Arts & Culture has partnered with more than 2,500 galleries and museums around the world so you can peruse the finest collections right from your couch. Whether you are interested in viewing the work of the European masters, the Egyptian collection housed in the British Museum, or the contemporary collection at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), they are only a few clicks away. These free virtual tours and viewings are a unique way for you to experience the fine arts.

Explore Space

There are also free entertainment options for those more inclined toward scientific pursuits. If you have your eyes on the skies, NASA has some fantastic resources if you want to explore astronomy and the celestial phenomena of deep space. With NASA at home, you are free to explore the solar system, tour their labs and facilities, and even access operations control centers. All you need is  a mobile device to begin uncovering the mysteries of the universe.

In addition to their library of satellite images, archived audio recordings, and videos of data collected from their satellites, the NASA Research Center hosts featured tours and events online. You can survey alien terrain, watch engineers test rocket engines, or follow along as astronauts conduct experiments on the space station. Their content is appropriate for scientists of all ages and is an excellent way to promote STEM education for children. Even if you are stuck indoors, you can still find virtual experiences that will take you out of this world.

Visit National Parks and Zoos

Those of us who love the outdoors are especially affected by the extreme weather keeping us confined to our homes. However, thanks to technology, you don’t need to go outside to enjoy nature. You can still traverse the majestic peaks, pristine forests, craggy canyons, and breathtaking beauty of America’s national parks with virtual tours. The National Park Foundation grants you access to the country’s most famous parks and heritage sites. You can learn the history and the importance of preserving our country’s natural resources for generations to come.

Animal lovers can also get there fill of wildlife without combating the elements or long lines. With their live streams, you can peacefully observe the animals in San Diego’s open-air habitats. Not only do you skip the crowds, but you also can view the exhibits at your own pace.

Rediscover Music

One of the most difficult aspects of this past year for me has been the inability to attend live music events. I love going to concerts and catching local acts on the weekend. Even though I can’t attend in person, many big names are hosting free events for their fans online. Even if the artists aren’t on your usual playlists, these virtual concerts are a great way to discover new music.

Another way to find new music is through the dozens of free music apps out there. Whether you tune in to a new station or check out new YouTube channels, you have an endless amount of platforms to explore. If you have enough free time on your hands, you can even attempt to learn how to play on your own. Plenty of accomplished musicians post free tutorials geared toward beginners. No matter what your musical tastes or interests, you can be sure there are free entertainment options online for you.

Free Entertainment Options to Fit Your Budget

Although we have had fewer entertainment outlets the last year, we can still access many of our favorite pastimes. Thanks to modern technology and the Internet, we are able to enjoy the things we love. The best news for our wallets is that most of these online events and tours don’t cost a dime. So next time you are looking for something to do, try something new and check out some of the free links.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.
Check out these helpful tools to help you save more. For investing advice, visit The Motley Fool.

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How to Play and Download a Free Super Bowl Squares Printable Chart

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printable super bowl squares

The 2021 Super Bowl is coming up soon. Two teams that don’t typically appear in the season’s biggest game are playing: Tampa Bay Buccaneers and The Kansas City Chiefs. As the game approaches, many people are beginning to play Super Bowl squares. If you’re not quite sure how to play but want to get an office pool started, here’s a step-by-step guide (plus free printable Super Bowl squares).

Step One: Print the Super Bowl Football Squares Chart

printable super bowl squares

First, print a 10 square by 10 square chart. Use this link to print your free Superbowl squares chart.

Step Two: Set a Price for the Value of the Squares

If you decide to make a friendly wager on the game, you need to determine how much each square on the chart will be worth. Each participant will need to pay this amount for each square they place their name in on the chart. The amount for each square is completely up to you – adjust it according to the group of people you’re playing the game with. Below are a few examples of amounts you could determine each square to be worth, and what the total pool for that amount would be.

  • 10 cent squares would create a total pool of $10.00
  • 25 cent squares would create a total pool of $25.00
  • 50 cent squares would create a total pool of $50.00
  • 1 dollar squares would create a total pool of $100.00
  • 2 dollar squares would create a total pool of $200.00
  • 5 dollar squares would create a total pool of $500.00
  • 10 dollar squares would create a total pool of $1000.00

If you don’t want to bet cash on the Super Bowl, you may consider giving away small prizes to the winning square holders. Typically, you’ll award these prizes after each quarter.

Step Three: Assign Squares

Next, you will need to fill in the 100 squares inside the chart. As long as it is easy to determine who has claimed which square, you can organize this any way you want. The most common way to do this is to have all those participating initial the square(s) they want for the game. You can also assign each participant a color and allow them to color in the squares they’d like to claim.

The number of squares each person gets depends on the number of people playing the game. If you have 10 people playing, each would pick 10 squares (5 people playing, each would pick 20 squares, and so on).

Step Four: Randomly Assign Numbers

Have people fill in their squares before assigning numbers. Then, assign numbers 0-9 on the top and side of the chart. It is more likely for the end score for either team will end in a 0, 3, or 7 than most other numbers. For this reason, you’ll want to assign the number after people have colored/initialed their squares to provide everyone with the same odds of winning.

Step Five: Decide How to Award Prizes

There are a wide variety of ways to award prizes. You can decide which is best for you and the group you’re playing with. Most games give out a small amount at the end of each quarter, with a bigger prize for the participant that has the winning square at the end of the game. Below you’ll find some of the different ways you can award the prize money. For those who are giving away predetermined prizes rather than money, you should also determine how these will be awarded.

Ways you can payout prize money for super bowl squares

Step Six: Determine the Winners

In order to determine the winner, you need to look at the last number of the score for each team. For example, if the score is Kansas City 14 and Tampa Bay 13 after the first quarter, you would look for the “4” column from the Chiefs side, and “3” column from the Buccaneers side. Once the two columns have been determined, you run the lines together until they meet at a square which is the winner. You follow the same process with the scores at half-time, the end of the third quarter, and the final score.

Readers, are you participating in Super Bowl squares or any other Super Bowl game? Let us know your plans in the comment section below!

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How to Win Super Bowl Squares During the 2021 Game

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how to win Super Bowl squares

The big game is just around the corner. It won’t be long before you’re sitting in front of your TV watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs playing Super Bowl LV to see who becomes the 2021 champion. You may even have put a pool together for the game with money or alternate prizes for some added fun. Here’s how to win Super Bowl squares (or at least better your odds).

How Super Bowl Squares Work

If you participate in Super Bowl football squares pool and it’s done correctly, there really isn’t any way to better your odds of winning. This is because the numbers for the game will be randomly assigned after all of the spaces in the game have been filled. This will mean that nobody knows which numbers they have until after they have already chosen squares. This ensures that those who receive the most coveted spaces do so randomly.

how to win super bowl squares

How to Win Super Bowl Squares

The key is that there’s no way to better the odds if the game is set up correctly. The reason that many times it’s possible to better your odds is that often these games aren’t set up correctly. You can do this by understanding the odds of what number combinations are most likely to appear from past Super Bowls. By knowing the number combinations with the greatest chance of appearing, you can choose those slots giving you a distinct advantage over those who join the pool later or don’t understand that some squares are much more likely to win than others.

When football squares are set up correctly, all participants must choose their square (among the white squares from the image above) before the 0 – 9 numbers for both teams are written (the grey squares in the above image). The mistake that happens more often than it should is that the 0 – 9 numbers are filled in before people choose their squares. When this happens, you can choose squares that are much more likely to pay than those that aren’t because you know exactly where they are. Even if you know nothing about football, you have a good chance of winning by knowing the numbers most likely to appear. Here are the numbers you need to know:

The simple rule of thumb is that you want squares that have the numbers 0, 7, 3 and 4 in them and avoid squares that have the numbers 2 or 5 in them. If you have your choice, you want to pick one of the five following combinations:

  • 0-0
  • 7-0 (0-7)
  • 3-0 (0-3)
  • 7-3 (3-7)
  • 0-4 (4-0)

Looking at all the past Super Bowls, this is how often all the numbers have appeared: “0” has appeared 101 times (26.9%), “7” has appeared 78 times (20.7%), “3” has appeared 58 times (15.4%), “4” has appeared 39 times (10.4%), “6” has appeared 31 times (8.2%), “1” has appeared 23 times (6.1%), “9” has appeared 17 times (4.5%), “8” has appeared 10 times (2.7%), “5” has appeared 10 times (2.7%) and “2” has appeared 9 times (2.4%).

Take Note of This And Good Luck!

By understanding that the 0-0 square (or any of the others mentioned above) is much more likely to appear sometime during the game than the 2-2 square (or any other square not mentioned above), you can greatly increase the chance that you’ll win one of the prizes given away. It’s important to note that these are the odds, and that doesn’t mean the above numbers are guaranteed to win. They simply suggest that going by past Super Bowl games, which numbers are much more likely to appear and which aren’t.

With the above knowledge, you could take advantage of any game put together where the 0-9 numbers have already been written on the sheet before filling in your square(s) and increase the likelihood of winning. A better course of action, at least in my opinion, would be to point out the flaw in the way the game has been set up. The game can then be properly set up so that it’s random and nobody has an advantage over anyone else when the numbers are chosen.

Finally, for a handy printable Super Bowl squares chart, go here.

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20 Saving Money Quotes For 2021

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saving money quotes

Quotations, whether from famous people or accidentally uttered from the mouths of babes, provide a succinct description that captures our interest. As a result, it’s nice to collect quotations that we can refer back to again and again. Collected carefully, they remind us of the things that matter to us. If saving money is one of your goals for 2021, then you might want to choose a few of the saving money quotes below to copy out and place where you can see it regularly throughout your day. While it’s easy to find the most common quotes (“a penny saved is a penny earned”), we’ve tried to give you a range of different thoughts that can inspire you to look at saving money in new ways.

1. On Starting Saving Now, Intentionally

“DIG deep–get deliberate, inspired, and going.” – Brene Brown. Outline your exact intentions for saving money in 2021. Then make a step-by-step plan that can can keep you inspired. Then simply start!

2. On Limiting Instant Gratification

“Because money permits a constant stream of luxuries and indulgences, it can take away their savor, and by permitting instant gratification, money shortcuts the happiness of anticipation. Scrimping, saving, imagining, planning, hoping–these stages enlarge the happiness we feel.” – Gretchen Rubin. If you want to start saving money, it helps a lot to think about it as a pleasure or gift to yourself, rather than as a form of deprivation.

3. On Figuring Out Your Own Money Balance

“Fewer items does not make everyone happier; it’s about finding the balance of items that makes you feel the most comfortable — and the same thing applies to your wealth.” – Marie Kondo. You might want to find work that you love and also make a lot of money. While these things are not mutually exclusive, you have to find your own balance. What does saving money mean to you in comparison with other work and financial goals.

4. If You Had a Rough Financial Year in 2020

“Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed.” – Michelle Obama. Many people struggled to save money in 2020. It’s okay. Start 2021 with refreshed perspective and hunger to succeed.

5. If You Need to Refocus on Saving Money

“I’ve become convinced that our lives are shaped less by the mistakes we make than when we make them. There is less elasticity now. Less time to bounce back. And so I heed the urgent whisper and move with greater and greater deliberation.” – Dani Shapiro. If you’re starting 2021 feeling like things are all still the same as 2020, then you might be tempted to let the year slip away without financial focus. Don’t do it. Consider the need to save money as an urgent whisper that you must heed.

6. On Being Gentle With Yourself

“I think I could learn a little patience with myself if I took a view of myself that included concepts like dormancy (instead of laziness), seed planting (instead of just scattered), gestation (instead of doing-something-right-this-second).” – Julia Cameron. This is, again, about reframing things so that you can approach your money-saving goals with a positive mindset.

7. On Going Back to the Basics

“Before you can think out of the box, you have to start with a box.” – Twyla Tharp, who also said, “If you only do what you know and do it very, very well, chances are that you won’t fail. You’ll just stagnate, and your work will get less and less interesting, and that’s failure by erosion.” First, go back to the basics of budgeting, saving a certain percentage of your earnings, etc. Then when you’ve stabilized that part of your life, get creative about saving money.

8. On Doing What Works For You

“You do not have to be good./ You do not have to walk on your knees/ for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting./ You only have to let the soft animal of your body/ love what it loves.” – Mary Oliver. Saving money isn’t a chore. It’s an opportunity. But only if you figure out the ways to do it that really resonate with your own life and values. Don’t start with the hardest things; start with what you love. For example, if you value the environment, find ways to save energy at home, which will also save you money. And take the steps that are easiest first. They do make a difference.

9. On Having an Eye Towards the Future

“Accept that someday what pains you now will surely pain you less.” – Cheryl Strayed. This is good advice whether it’s for getting through a heartbreak or accepting some of the uncomfortable limitations of saving money. If you want to really tighten the purse strings, you might choose to let go of some of your favorite pastimes and other money-suckers. It will feel better tomorrow than it does today.

10. On Paying Yourself First and Treating Yourself After

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” – Warren Buffett. Back to those basics: pay yourself first. Set a savings goal. If you have some leftover, it’s okay to treat yourself, because you have met your goal.

A bonus related quote with a similar sentiment:

“We are not to judge thrift solely by the test of saving or spending.  If one spends what he should prudently save, that certainly is to be deplored.  But if one saves what he should prudently spend, that is not necessarily to be commended.  A wise balance between the two is the desired end.”  – Owen D. Young 

11. Practice Gratitude

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite,—only a sense of existence.” – Thoreau. The more you can focus on being thankful for the things that you have, the more likely you are to stick to your saving money goals. After all, you’re not going to spend on impulse buys if you’re satisfied with what you have.

12. More on Gratitude

Because it will truly make a difference in your approach to saving money.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” — Oprah Winfrey

13. On Accepting Your Present Reality

“To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is. – Thích Nhất Hạnh. It’s all too easy to let yourself get really overwhelmed with negative thoughts about the trials and tribulations of saving money. Alternatively, you can overestimate how great things will be “tomorrow.” Instead, start right where you are today. Do an honest assessment of your finances and see where you’re at with saving money right now.

14. More on Mindfulness

“Look past your thoughts, so you may drink the pure nectar of This Moment.” – Rumi. Being in the present means practicing mindfulness. This can help greatly as we accept our present reality for what it is. There is something wonderful happening right now if you pay attention.

15. On Accepting The Ups and Downs

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” Jon Kabat-Zinn. 2020 showed us that there are going to be unexpected things in our lives. We can save and plan and plot out our financial futures. And we should. But things might change on us. And that’s okay. We can figure this out.

16. On Starting Over

“That’s life: starting over, one breath at a time.” – Sharon Salzberg. No matter what your savings and financial goals were in 2020, you’re not there anymore. Start today. Where are you in 2021?

17. On Being Generous

“When we have plenty of money or blankets, we give them away to other chiefs and people, and by and by they return them with interest, and our hearts feel good. Our way of giving is our bank.”  – Chief Maquinna, Nootka. Saving money is an important personal goal. But don’t let it become so much your focus that you fail to be generous in the times when it is appropriate to do so.

18. More on Generosity

“That’s what I consider true generosity: You give your all and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.” — Simone de Beauvoir

19. Getting Clear About Your Saving Goals

“The goal of an emergency fund is to bail you from going to jail while your savings account is about buying you more options. The role of investing is to give you more time freedom.”  ― David Angway

20. Know Your Beliefs, So That You Can Live By Your Values

“Your beliefs become your thoughts / Your thoughts become your words / Your words become your actions / Your actions become your habits / Your habits become your values / Your values become your destiny.”
― Gandhi

What are your beliefs about saving money? Do the inner work to figure out your beliefs so that your thoughts, words, actions, habits, and values can align with them.

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If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started. If you want to be able to customize your blog on your own domain and need hosting service, we recommend trying BlueHost. They offer powerful hosting services for $3.95/month!

Free Things to Do in Des Moines, Iowa

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Free Things to Do in Des Moines Iowa

When you think of Iowa, you make think of the corn belt, but Iowa has an abundance of museums and culture.  Whether you live in Iowa or are visiting for a few days, you’ll find there are plenty of free things to do in Des Moines, Iowa.  Many of these activities are family friendly.  In addition, if you exhaust the free options, there are also several impressive low-cost things to do in the area.

Free Things to Do in Des Moines, Iowa

The following seven sites are free and provide hours of entertainment.

State Historical Museum of Iowa

The State Historical Museum of Iowa, which is open Tuesday – Friday, is free to visitors and offers so many things to do!

For Families

The museum offers many exhibits, collections, and programs that enrich visitors’ understanding of Iowa’s history before and after the settlers arrived.  Currently, some exhibits include Iowa and the Civil War and Hollywood in the Heartland, just to name a few.

For Kids

If you have kids, be sure to sign them up for Goldie’s Kids’ Club.  The program is free for kids 12 and under and introduces them to various aspects of Iowa culture and history.  In addition, throughout the year, they will receive newsletters, exclusive invitations to events at the museum, and a card during their birthday month.

Iowa State Capitol

The Iowa State Capitol building, with its gold dome, is hard to miss, and why would you want to?  Open Monday-Saturday, you can schedule a free tour with a guide, or you can show up for a free self-guided tour as your schedule permits.

Carnegie Library Museum

The Carnegie Library Museum is located 40 minutes outside Des Moines, Iowa in Perry, Iowa.  This library was first built in 1904 thanks to a Carnegie grant.  Now, it remains a functional library.  However, it’s decorated like it was in 1910, so the library also serves as a museum.

In the basement, you can see the court room, which served as Perry’s court room for a decade at the turn of the century.  Throughout the rest of the library, visitors will find pictures and collections from Iowa’s history.  The Carnegie Library Museum is open Tuesday – Friday with limited hours on Saturday.

Iowa Gold Star Military Museum

The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum is located in Johnston, Iowa, less than 20 minutes outside of Des Moines, Iowa.  This museum, which is open Monday-Friday and limited hours on Saturday, has exhibits on nine different wars the United States participated in as well as an exhibit on the Iowa State Patrol.

Visiting this museum is likely to take a few hours.  Kids and adults alike will enjoy the tanks, guns, and realistic displays, including one of a World War I trench.

Historic Swanson House and Clive Depot

Located in Clive, Iowa, 15 minutes from Des Moines, the Historic Swanson House and Clive Depot transport you back in time 100 years.  In 1911, Mrs. Swanson was left a widow with five young children to raise.  She moved from the farm to Clive and created a general store.  Her family lived upstairs.  The general store closed in 1929, and Mrs. Swanson and her youngest daughter, Mildred, lived there the rest of their lives.  When Mildred died, she donated the house, and the historical society turned it back into a general store.  Now, you can experience what that time was like.

In addition, there is a historic caboose nearby that children can play on.

John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Free Things to Do in Des Moines Iowa
Photo by Ian Kirkland on Unsplash

Get out and enjoy nature at the 4.4-acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park.  This park is filled with artwork by 25 celebrated artists.  The park is open from sunrise to midnight.  You can request a tour, but make sure to do so at least three weeks in advance.  You can also simply enjoy an audio tour which is available online or by calling a number.

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates

Located in the former Des Plaines Public Library, the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates is focused on Iowa’s role in feeding the world.  The museum especially focuses on the late Norman Bourlag and other scientists who played an important role in trying to stop world hunger.

This museum only has guided tours on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so make sure to plan in advance.

Book Flights Now Using These Platforms

Before you continue reading about the many free and low-cost things you can do in Des Moines, Iowa, here are flight booking platforms you might want to use when you decide on your next trip.  We have compiled top three for you.

PlatformsFees and Minimum:Best for:
ExpediaFree sign-upDiscounted flights
Booking.comFree sign-upCheap flights
E-dreamsFree sign-upOnline travel agency

 

Low-Cost Things to Do in Des Moines, Iowa

There are plenty of free things to do in Des Moines, Iowa, but if you’ll be there for more than a few days and have a bit of extra cash, you may want to also try some of these low-cost things to do.

Iowa Hall of Pride

The Iowa Hall of Pride is an interactive museum that shares all things good about Iowa.  In particular, there is an exhibit on 30 famous Iowans including George Washington Carver, Mamie Eisenhower, and Donna Reed, to name a few.  Kids generally really enjoy this museum because it is interactive.  Plan to be here at least a few hours.  This museum is free to students in K-12, $10 for adults, and $7 for seniors ages 65 and older.

Terrace Hill

Terrace Hill is the historic governor’s mansion and is available for tour for a reasonable price of $5 for adults, $2 for ages 6 to 12, and free for children $5 and under.  Tours are available at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and must be made 48 hours in advance.

On the guided tour, visitors will see the carriage house, first floor of the residence, and the historic gardens.  Tours last approximately one hour.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of free museums, parks, and government buildings in Des Moines, Iowa to keep you entertained without spending a penny.  If you’ll be in the area for a longer time, there are also fun things to see that are reasonably priced.

Whether you’re from Des Moines or have visited there recently, what other attractions would you add to this list?

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Free things to do Indianapolis, Indiana

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Free Things to do in Indianapolis

If you and your family are preparing for the summer and looking for free things to do in Indianapolis, then we have some tips for you. Indiana is known for the Indy 500, other major sporting events, and its rich American history. But it is also a major center for free cultural and recreational events. There are many free things to do in Indianapolis.

Free Things to do in Indianapolis

Whether you live locally in Indianapolis or are planning a visit, there are many interesting, family-themed free events to check out.

Here is a list of free things to do in Indianapolis to check out.



Indianapolis Artsgarden

The Indianapolis Artsgarden is a glass-enclosed events facility, and it is an attached extension of the Circle Centre Mall.

In fact, if you were visually looking for the Indianapolis Artsgarden from afar, you wouldn’t be able to miss it even if you tried.

From afar, the Indianapolis Artsgarden resembles an empty, building-sized snow globe structure that was set on the street between buildings.

It is seven-stories tall and was actually designed as a kind of sky-bridge and structure hybrid.

The Indianapolis Artsgarden is nestled on a concrete base and fully suspended about 17-feet over the street-level intersection at Illinois and Washington streets.

The Indianapolis Artsgarden is a facility host to over 250 free arts, public events, and performance-related activities. These various activities include:

  • Film showings
  • Festivals
  • Art, culture, dance, and music performances
  • Storytelling events
  • Visual art exhibits
  • Lectures
  • Speeches
  • Fairs

The Cultural Concierge, which is housed inside of the Indianapolis Artsgarden, is a centralized data source for all events occurring within the city. There, you can get ticket information, free maps, and visitor guides.

Even if there are no scheduled events occurring at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, you will find it to be a peaceful location to hang out during a break between exploring Indianapolis.

This place should be on your list of free things to do in Indianapolis.


Free Concerts in the Summer

You and your family can take advantage of free large-scale “Pops,” concerts performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis and Indy Parks.

Pops-themed concerts are free concerts where orchestras and bands mainly perform classical, jazz, patriotic, operatic, and famous film score songs for public enjoyment.

Most Pops concerts are performed in the summer and during federal holidays in the summer.

Pops concerts performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis and Indy Parks usually start at 7 PM sharp. Free parking is also available at these events.

The renowned Indianapolis Concerts on the Canal are performed through the summer months on Thursday nights. These Pops concerts are performed on Thursday nights from 6 PM to 8 PM.

There are no formal seating arrangements at these Pops concert events. So, be ready to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating on the grass, and be sure to arrive early to claim good viewing spots.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is arguably the largest children’s museum of its kind in the world.

Admission is always free for children under the age of 2. However, during certain holidays throughout the year, admission is free for entire families.

Admission is free for entire families at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis during the following holidays:

  • Christmas Eve
  • Fiesta Familia
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • President’s Day

If you go to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on the first Thursday of any month, then you will get a $5 admission discount from 4 PM to 8 PM.

Parking is always free too. One of the best free things to do in Indianapolis you can enjoy.

The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art

The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art is the only museum in Indianapolis that is dedicated to displaying the works of local, emerging, and famous contemporary artists.

It is open to the public for the viewing of pre-scheduled art exhibitions from 9AM to 7PM. And of course, admission is always free.

Keep in mind that the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art closes between exhibition displays and to set up for the next exhibition.

The gallery exhibitions at the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art are rotated every 8-weeks. Local Indianapolis curators develop gallery showcases featuring the works of local, regional, and occasionally national artists.

Always be sure to check ahead for exhibition schedules and dates before arriving so you don’t meet a “closed,” sign.

Nearby parking is free on Sundays.

The Indiana State Police Museum

The Indiana State Police Museum of Indianapolis was founded in 1933. This museum exists to preserve and showcase the history chronological activities of the Indiana State Police from 1933 to the current day.

On display at the museum are rare artifacts like early 20th-century police uniforms, crime artifacts related to the Brady Gang and John Dillinger, and a one-of-a-kind 1938 Chevy police vehicle.

If you make advance reservations, the professional staff at the Indiana State Police Museum will arrange a free guided group tour to explain exhibits and answer your questions.

Admission is free to the public Tuesday to Friday between 9 AM to 3 PM.

Free Things to do in Indianapolis Conclusion

There are too many free things to do in Indianapolis to list here. Check online and plan your excursion well in advance.

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