Free Activities During National Travel and Tourism Week

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "It's not revolutionary, but a small Moleskine notebook is my one travel must-have. It's great for noting things you want to remember and it takes up hardly any space in your bag."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Japan. I'd love to take a month off and visit the cities, temples, and countryside. I'm fascinated by the country's juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern ambitions."

Travel Motto: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window."

See recent posts by Carl Unger

It’s National Travel and Tourism Week. What does that mean? Well, aside from being an annual event to draw attention and appreciation to the nation’s travel industry (special thanks to President Reagan, who established the week in 1983), it means you can get stuff for free!

AOL Travel has a guide to finding free activities and deals in the Northeast, South, West, and Midwest. The “Editor’s Picks” of free activities include:

Northeast: The Liberty Bell; a weekly art festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts; and Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
South: Bat-watching in Austin, Texas; Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Chincoteague, Virginia, home to herds of wild ponies; Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick, Maryland
West: The Sundial Bridge in Redding, California; the Scottsdale Artwalk in Scottsdale, Arizona; and the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon
Midwest: The Minneapolis Institute of Art; Millennium Park in Chicago; and Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve in Strong City, Kansas

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