While you're visiting any of America's beautiful states, it's handy to have some free activities in your back pocket to save money. From museums and galleries to the best of the USA's backyard, we've picked two great free attractions in every state and DC. So, wherever you are you'll find something to do that won't break the bank.

Click through the gallery to discover the best free places to visit and things to do across every US state and DC...

Recognized as the top gallery in the state, this artistic treasure trove holds over 27,000 items. It has been welcoming art lovers since 1885, with pieces ranging from Native American works to those hailing from all over Europe, Asia, and Africa. Make time to see the Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden in the upper plaza. A permanent exhibition, it spreads over 13,000 square feet (1,207sq m), the focus being a towering water feature designed by renowned American sculptor Elyn Zimmerman.

The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge stretches out for 35,000 acres, hugging the Tennessee River and providing permanent or temporary homes for some 295 species of bird. Thousands of sandhill cranes (pictured) nest here in winter, joined by geese, ducks, and other waterfowl. Strike out on one of the many hiking trails, keeping your eyes peeled for the resident wildlife – the short Wildlife Observation Trail is a great bet for animal lovers. 

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Close to the cities of Palmer and Wasilla, the Hatcher Pass is worth exploring to get some of the best views of the surrounding Talkeetna Mountains and to capture some of the adorable red huts that dot the landscape. If you’re traveling in summer, you can visit the Independence Mines or drive up to Summit Lake. During winter, Hatcher Pass comes to life with winter sports like sledging and skiing.

Denali may be Alaska's most famous peak, but Flattop Mountain is hailed as the most climbed pinnacle in the state. You'll need to pay a fee to get up close to the former, but the latter can be scaled free of charge, and it offers panoramic views of valleys and mighty peaks including Denali itself. The vertiginous trail is 1.5 miles (2.4km) to the top, but the vistas are more than worth the effort. (While it's free to climb the peak, there's around a $5 parking fee.)

For a good grounding in state history, head to the Capitol Museum in Phoenix. Memorabilia and informative exhibitions come together to chronicle Arizona's political and cultural past. Prized features include the restored house chamber and a display dedicated to USS Arizona, a battleship that was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. General admission is free, but some exhibitions may come with a price tag.

A stone's throw from downtown Phoenix, the much-visited Camelback Mountain rises 2,704 feet (824m) into the sky. The peak's proximity to the city, not to mention the epic views from its summit, makes it one of the most popular hikes in the area. Be prepared though: both the mountain's trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla, are strenuous and you'll need a good base level of fitness to complete them. Rest assured they're worth it though.

This shrine to American art has been in Bentonville since 2005. Big names here include Georgia O'Keefe and Andy Warhol, and there's also a cavernous library filled with over 50,000 reference books about art and design. The building is fit for purpose too: its unique design, with bold concrete blocks and a sloping copper roof, was the brainchild of leading Canadian architect Moshe Safdie.

The gargantuan Golden Gate Park, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2020, is actually 20% bigger than Central Park in New York, and it's got all the charm and attractions of its East Coast counterpart. Stroll through the entrance for free and drink in the park's lakes, landmark windmills, and its famed bison herd. The teetering Hamon Observation Tower is also free, offering 360° vistas from 144 feet (44m).

The perfect stop for book-loving visitors to the capital, the vast Library of Congress spreads itself over three buildings: the John Adams Building, the James Madison Memorial Building, and the Thomas Jefferson Building, all on the iconic Capitol Hill. The latter is the most impressive site of all, with intricate gilding, grand columns, arches, and frescoes. Then there's the books: the library holds over 39 million of them, as part of a collection of more than 167 million items, making it the largest library in the world. All three buildings are free to enter.

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Home to 150 restored aircraft, this is the largest naval aviation museum in the world. The complex tells America's history through flight, showcasing planes that were used in conflicts such as the Second World War and the Vietnam War. A moving photography exhibition pays tribute to prisoners of war, while the flight simulator is a family favorite (you'll need to pay for the latter). You can also make the most of the free guided tours that leave daily. Parking is free too. 

A tour of this National Historic Site in downtown Atlanta should begin at the visitors' center. Here a detailed exhibition will introduce you to the key milestones of King's life and the civil rights movement. Beyond this, you'll find a handful of dedicated landmarks, free to explore. Sights include the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was baptized and became co-pastor, and the activist's birthplace, which offers guided tours.

Crown Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for over 225,000 individuals, but some of its famous graves include that of Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the United States, and Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks. It is also home to several species of tree and a sanctuary for wildlife. Its stretch over 555 acres makes it the third-largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States. Many of its mausoleums, monuments, and memorials were designed by renowned architects, landscape designers, and sculptors.

Another great place in the Bluegrass State to sample whiskey is the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, designated a National Historic Landmark. Come by for the complimentary Trace Tour, which chronicles the history of this legendary distillery and also offers the chance to wander through barrel-packed warehouses. True spirit nerds should alternatively opt for the Hard Hat Tour (also free), which gets into the details of the bourbon-making process. All tours come with a tasting too.

Now a designated marine sanctuary, this eerie tangle of abandoned ships is dubbed the largest shipwreck fleet in the Western Hemisphere. The vessels date to the First World War, when hundreds of wooden steamships were built – the ships, which were poorly constructed in haste, ultimately never made it to war in any capacity, and were eventually deserted in Mallows Bay. Today they remain, haunting and decaying, a habitat for osprey and a fascinating attraction for kayakers in the bay.

See stunning photos of the world's most spectacular shipwrecks here

It's completely free to wander down this street in Motor City's East Side and drink in the weird and wonderful works by artist Tyree Guyton. Guyton, who is often spotted tending to his curious creations, embodies the saying 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. He warps sculptures and scenes from materials that have been found and visitors can expect to see houses emblazoned with polka dots, rainbow-faced clocks and structures made from dolls, stuffed animals, shoes, and car parts.

Yes, there is an entire museum dedicated to SPAM in the southeastern Minnesota town of Austin. The institution is a loud, proud celebration of the canned meat, which was first invented back in the 1930s. You'll learn all about the history of SPAM, including its key role in the diets of troops during the Second World War, and pore over a huge store of SPAM memorabilia. Free guided tours are available over the weekend and upon request.

This Missouri park is a favorite with nature-loving locals, who come for its rugged hiking trails, scenic campgrounds, and abundant birdlife. The highlight, though, is the shut-ins for which the park is named: rock-carved pools perfect for swimming or a quick splash on a warm afternoon. If you don't fancy a dip, the park's boardwalk still offers great views of this natural swimming spot. 

A former dump got an impressive makeover in the 1930s when a Lincoln landfill site was transformed into the Sunken Gardens (then known as the 'Rock Garden.') Today the beautiful expanse supports some 30,000 plants annually, with the artfully arranged blooms tailored to a specific theme each year. A favorite spot is the Healing Garden, with its white flowers intended to bring peace and serenity.

The southwest has little shortage of haunting ghost towns, and this creaking abandoned settlement in southern Nevada is a great example. The mining town of Rhyolite mushroomed in the early 20th century and was soon complete with shops, a jail, an impressive bank building, and homes for the workers. By 1916, though, the town had been deserted, and today crumbling remnants are all that remain. Step back in time and take a wander between the structures: the train depot and the mercantile are particularly impressive.

One of New England's largest outdoor sculpture parks, this arty site spreads across 140 acres. Miles of hiking trails join up more than 100 avant-garde sculptures, all the brainchild of engineer Paul Andres and lauded sculptor John Weidman. Pick up a map and delve into the forest: it's totally free to explore, though a donation is always appreciated. 

Reopening after a renovation in May 2024 (although the gardens are available year-round to roam), the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was originally used by 17th-century whalers and is now a cultural landmark and museum. Sitting pretty on the southwest shore of the inlet in Cape May County, this historic building has been a part of the National Register of Historic Places since September 20, 1977. Take a stroll and enjoy some sea air.

No trip to the Big Apple is complete without visiting the green heart of the city. Central Park covers 843 acres of Manhattan and is free for the public to enjoy all year round. As well as the grounds themselves there are regular (free) open-air shows and even some complimentary guided tours put on by the Central Park Conservancy.

"The Topiary Park is a landscape of a painting of a landscape." That's how this garden gallery was described by its creator, local sculptor James T. Mason. It's dotted with all manner of leafy creations and is intended to be a recreation of the painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat. Orient yourself in the visitor center before heading out to explore Mason's green-fingered work. 

This riverfront park is a source of great pride for Tulsa residents. Work began in 2014 and now it stretches over almost 100 acres, complete with the giant Chapman Adventure Playground (pictured) and Land of the River Giants for the kids, and the peaceful Sky Garden with its ginkgo trees and rainbow flowers. Swing by Williams Lodge for a cup of coffee at a cafe or to cozy up in the lounge. If you're traveling with a four-legged friend the park is now offering Wednesday and Sunday Dog Play Days.

The mammoth rock carvings of Mount Rushmore attract millions of visitors per year, and entry to the park is free. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln have peered out from this cliff face since 1941, each selected for their great impact on America's history and progression. The Presidential Trail, circling the monument, offers great views.

There's a reason Nashville is touted as Music City: you're never far away from the sound of country or blues or rock 'n' roll, and nowhere is this truer than along neon-drenched Lower Broadway. Though you'll probably want to buy a beer, there's no cover charge for the bars and honky tonks along this fabled street, where you'll find live music every night. If you don't want to spend a single dollar, wandering along the boulevard, listening to the music pouring from the venues, is completely free.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the borders of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. Thanks to its diverse plant and animal life, plus the beauty of the ancient mountains it's named for, it is often ranked as America's most visited national park. A popular part of the park is Cades Cove, a valley with some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing including white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, groundhogs, and skunks. Entry is free although you will have to pay to park a vehicle.

This mission in San Antonio is famous as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Here Texans clashed with invading Mexicans during the Texas revolution, in a cross swords that would last almost two weeks. Today it's a preserved historic site and education center, bringing to life this pivotal battle, and remains one of the most-visited attractions in the state.

Vermont's top attraction remains the great outdoors and vast swaths of it can be enjoyed for free. Natural wonders abound here, and this waterfall in Stowe is one of the prettiest. Rushing over great hunks of mossy rock, it's among the largest in the state, with a total drop of 85 feet (26m). It's reached via a gentle woodland hike which forks: hikers can either go left up a steeper climb or to the right to follow the outer edge of the river to the base of the falls.

A haven for contemporary art, this gallery opened in 1952. It began as a small private collection owned by local businessman Charles Frye and his wife before it was gifted to the city. The founding collection remains and is a great tribute to German art in particular, but today fresh, rotating exhibitions join it, including those celebrating modern local artists. Once you're finished here, the (free to enter) Pike Place Market is an easy walk away.

Beautiful North Cascades, with its lakes, glaciers, mountains, and dense forestland, is one of the most underrated sites in the national park system and among the 10 least visited national parks. When you consider the fact that the park is entirely free, this fact becomes all the more mystifying. You can experience this unspoiled wilderness on myriad trails, which range from straightforward hikes (such as the Bridge Creek Trail) to much more strenuous and challenging undertakings (including the Sourdough Mountain Trail). Pictured is Diablo Lake, in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.

With its bold rotunda and elegant whitewashed facade, this is one of America's most beautiful capitol buildings. The architect, Ohio native Cass Gilbert, also worked on some of the nation's earliest skyscrapers, including New York City's Woolworth Building. It holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, and free tours of its interior can be arranged.

This intriguing museum belongs to the University of Wisconsin but remains dedicated to educating the public. With roots dating right back to 1848, the museum has gathered more than 120,000 specimens, including an impressive store of dinosaur fossils. Self-guided tours are free, but if you want an expert to show you around, you'll need to pay $3.

To really get to grips with Wyoming, you'll need to venture outdoors, and this site is both a natural and historic wonder. Castle Gardens, in the state's center, is famed for its petroglyphs, detailed rock art, and carvings thought to date back to around AD 1000. The ones you'll find here mostly depict armed warriors. It's a somewhat rocky and remote drive out here, but it's free to explore and worth it for such a wholesome dose of history.

This stunning refuge sprawls over 24,700 acres, close to Grand Teton National Park, and its meadows provide a habitat for wintering elk each year. The site was established in the early 19th century after rapid development affected the migratory routes of the Jackson Elk Herd, and today that herd numbers up to 11,000, although typically it's around 7,000. Beyond the elk themselves, you'll get fantastic views of the Teton Range and may also spot bison, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and bighorn sheep. 

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