Mini Road Trips and Other Cheap or Free Spring Activities

Spring has officially sprung, and with it a whole host of free or cheap activities. When you can spend more time outdoors, you can do more things for free. It's just science.

Here are five ideas for free or cheap ways to take advantage of the spring weather.

State and Regional Parks

I cannot stress this one enough, people. State or regional parks are free or extremely cheap to get into, and they're beautiful. You can plan a picnic, go for a day-long hike, and even camp at some of them. (There's usually an extra fee for camping, but it's nominal.) Check out this handy list of all state parks in the United States.

Mini-Road Trip with Friends

Yes, gas is extremely expensive right now. However, you can still take a mini-road trip for cheap if you plan right. Bring as many friends as possible, choose a destination within 2-3 hours of your location, and split the cost of gas. Be sure to pack the lunch, snacks, and beverages in a cooler, and spend the day sightseeing in a place you've never been before. Choose a destination that's enjoyable to just walk around (rather than a place whose main attraction is jet skiing on diamonds), so you can spend little to no money while you're there. If you live in southern California, you can drive out to see the wild poppies in Antelope Valley, which are in bloom for the next few weeks.

Local Art Events

Many cities have artwalks, during which you can walk through local galleries, see street performers, and usually enjoy cheap specials at restaurants in the area. Artwalks are huge social events, and are a lot of fun. If your city doesn't have one, look for other art festivals or shows- they're always going on, and they're usually free.

Stargazing

Stargazing is fun and free, at least until corporations find a way to privatize stars. Just gather up your friends or family, and head to a spot that's ripe for gazing. Observatories are ideal, for obvious reasons. Some of them, like Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, even have free "star parties," during which amateur astronomers bring telescopes for everyone to look through. Check this list of observatories in the United States to find one in your area. If you'd prefer to go rogue, consider purchasing a star map or downloading a stargazing app to maximize your star-based fun. Star Walk is very highly rated and costs $2.99 in the app store. You can also check Stardate's helpful list of weekly stargazing tips.

DIY Backyard / Park Projects

For a optimal fun/cost ratio, build your own kite! Check out Lifehacker's list of 5 different options for DIY kites, then head to the park to make fun of people with store-bought kites. For another ultra-cheap DIY project, make bubble wands out of wire hangers. I recommend making them enormous for maximum enjoyment.

What are your favorite cheap springtime activities?