Be a Hometown Tourist this Summer For Free (or Really Cheap)

When you're planning your trips and vacations this summer, don't forget there's plenty to see within a 30-minute drive of Oakdale ... and since you're local, you can take advantage of free nights and discounts at many area attractions.

Here are some ways to save money on museums and attractions:

• Use a Macy’s Adventure Pass. In this fantastic program, you use your metro public library card to “check out” two free admissions to 18 museums and cultural centers, suitable for a wide variety of ages and interests. The choices range from the eclectic, such as the Firefighter’s Hall and Museum or the Bakken Museum, to the better-known Minnesota Zoo or the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. There are certain guidelines that must be followed, and some restrictions apply. Check out their website for more information on how the program works.
• Go to the Walker Art Center on Target Free Thursday Nights. On Thursday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., Target sponsors free gallery admission to the Walker Art Center.  The nationally recognized Walker, on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, hosts a wide variety of exhibitions in media including painting, sculpture and portraits.  Taking in some fascinating art and then taking a stroll through the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a perfect way to spend a summer evening.  Find out more at www.walkerart.org.
• Stop by the Minnesota Children’s Museum on Target Free Third Sundays. Target also sponsors this event, at Minnesota’s premier museum for babies, toddlers and young children.  The Minnesota Children's Museum, located in the heart of downtown St. Paul, is a kid-friendly, hands-on museum suitable for infants through 10-year-olds.  Click here for more information including limits on how many people are admitted.
• Visit the Minnesota History Center on Tuesday nights. On Tuesday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. receive free admission to this unique museum/history center. The Minnesota History Center, near downtown St. Paul and the State Capitol, is a popular destination for both field trips and family trips for a good reason: kids really enjoy it, but so do adults! The focus is Minnesota history, such as the Minnesota 150 exhibit, showcasing the 150 coolest things about our state. Other exhibits include one dedicated to Minnesota’s “theater of seasons” ranging from ice fishing to tornadoes, and Grainland, where kids can burn off some extra energy by becoming a piece of grain in a giant grain elevator. For more information go to www.minnesotahistorycenter.org.    
• Tour the Minnesota State Capitol. If the Minnesota History Center gets you inspired to learn more about the state's history, check out Minnesota’s State Capitol Building. In addition to offering free tours during the week and on weekends, they offer specialty tours for a reasonable fee, such as the popular Civil War Tour, and Shadows and Spirits of the State Capitol. There are also guidebooks available for $2 for self-guided tours of the building and the war memorials on the grounds. See your tax dollars at work, click here for more information.