If you're looking to save a bit of cash this summer but still get out of the house and do something fun, the solution may be as close as your local college, university, or community college. Many schools sponsor community events where all-comers are welcome to visit for a specific event, or free and public seminars and guest lectures where anyone with an interest can attend. Best of all, these events are usually completely free.
I remember that a number of seminars from my alma mater—especially after-hours ones where anyone brave enough to try and find parking on campus—were open to the public and leading researchers would discuss their latest findings or give a talk on a particular subject. Every year we also had an open-campus day (shown above, actually) where all of the school's departments would set up activities for visitors, give tours, and host free all-day events. Over at The Simple Dollar, they point out that most colleges and universities also sponsor these types of community events for the public, whether it's to show off their latest research in a field or just engage the community with live music, food, or student-run social events.
Once you've found the closest schools in your area, check out their event calendar to learn more—it's usually on their front page, and often includes everything from open houses, festivals, lectures, and even student plays, recitals, concerts, and more. Even if the event you're interested in isn't free, it's usually open to the public and worth the few dollars you'll pay to see a full orchestra play or the campus theater department perform. Do you still visit your alma mater or a school nearby for entertainment? Any other tips for affordable after-hours fun that's easy to find? Share your tips in the comments below.
See What Your Local College or University Has To Offer | The Simple Dollar
Photo by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.