New York City is an awesome town. There's a million & one things to do, sites to see, places to visit, food to eat...it's like a giant playground for both NYC natives & tourists alike. However, experiencing all that this city has to offer can really put a dent in your wallet. And, since we're in the midst of a recession, money's pretty tight these days.

So, you live in NYC (or visiting), the city that never sleeps, and you want to explore what this fabulous city has to offer....but you're strapped for cash? Well, never fear. I've compiled a short list of inexpensive ways you can enjoy this town ON A BUDGET. All it takes is being "in the know"...and you'll be having fun in no time!

#1. Ice skating in Bryant Park

The Lowdown: Admission to the skating rink is absolutely FREE. If you've got your own skates, great. If not, you can rent skates for $12. There are lockers available for you to place your shoes & valuables. Locks are available for $9. (HINT: Bring your own lock!) It'll cost you between $7-10 to check any large bags you may have. (HINT: Go shopping AFTER you skate!) Bryant Park is located on 42nd Street & 6th Avenue, easily accessible by taking the F train to the Bryant Park stop. For more info, head over to www.thepondatbryantpark.com.

#2. You've been cutting waaaaay back on going out so you can save some money, but you are seriously B-O-R-E-D, desperately need to go somewhere fun & don't want to end up a pauper. Well, CLUB FREE TIME may be your answer. For a tiny subscription fee ($2.95 for one month or $1.95 for one week), you can have full access to daily free & low-priced events all around NYC: tours, movie screenings, book readings, free concerts, etc. You'll never be bored again.

#3. Jump on the C train to Brooklyn, get off on Lafayette Avenue & head on over to the BAM Cafe. It's free to the public on Friday & Saturday nights. You can expect to hear a variety of artists & musical styles. Also check out the calendar to check out the free art exhibitions. Have fun!

#4. If you happen to be in Brooklyn on the FIRST Saturday of the month, definitely make your way over to the Brooklyn Museum. It's free to the public from 5-11 pm. Some exhibits may require tickets due to limited capacities, so definitely plan accordingly. There's also a dance party on the 4th floor from 9-11 pm. (I went once & had a blast. The crowd was a great mix of people & the music was awesome. I definitely recommend it!) If you're taking public transportation, you can take the 2 or 3 train to the Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum stop (see the subway map to plan your trip. If driving, directions are available. Also, after 5 pm, parking is a fabulously low $4, flat rate. (All other Saturdays, the Museum closes down at 6 pm.)

#5. This one is for the tourists (you will thank me & so will your pockets). The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a HUGE collection of art that spans 5,000 years & is simply breathtaking. I think admission is like $22 or something (hey, prices are rising everyday, you know). But it's a SUGGESTED donation...meaning you can pay whatever you want! Each time I go, I pay $1.00. (I've heard of people going as low as $0.25.) I suggest going early in the day so that you can see as many exhibits as possible, because The Met is tremendously huge. Take the 4, 5 or 6 train to 86th Street & walk west till you get to 5th Avenue. Oh, & wear comfortable walking shoes. (Trust me, you'll need them!)

#6. Did you know that the South Street Seaport Museum is FREE on the third Friday of every month? You can stop in after work or doing other "touristy" things from 6-8:45 pm. Pretty cool.

#7. While you're in downtown Manhattan, you may as well take a free boat trip across the boroughs if you want to snap pictures of the Statue of Liberty for free. Plenty of folks know about the Staten Island Ferry (easily accessible from the 1 train at South Ferry), but do you know about the Ikea Water Taxi? Located at Pier 11, it's an easy 20 minute ride to Red Hook, Brooklyn. Feel free to spend a couple of hours wandering around Ikea as well (it's a lot more fun than flipping through the catalog).

#8. Now, I know we're nearing winter, but save this one for warmer weather next year - Bryant Park has free concerts & movies during the summer months. This past summer they showcased young talented musicians from Juilliard (as well as other classical jazz ensembles) on Mondays, Tuesday & Wednesdays. To catch the movie, you'd need to bring a blanket & arrive around 5 pm to get a good seat on the grass. (Or you could just sit on one of the many chairs circling the park) Also keep an eye & ear out for free Broadway performances as well.

#9. Just because it's cold out doesn't mean you can't still head out to the Bronx Zoo. Admission is free on Wednesdays & there are many exhibits for you to pick from. HINT: Many people tend to go to the zoo on Wednesdays since it's free, so I'd suggest taking public transportation as opposed to driving, so that you're not stuck driving around looking for parking. Take the 2 or 5 train to E Tremont Av/Westfarm Sq. You can also catch the Q44 bus, it goes straight to the Zoo.

#10. Want to indulge in a little technology? Then definitely head over to the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, located at 56th Street & Madison Avenue. Engage yourself in certain Playstation 3 games, create your own movie trailer & watch it play back onscreen, or explore the process of making music.

By now, your calendar ought to be packed with fun & inexpensive activities for you to do for weeks to come. Don't let the recession get you down - go out there & have some fun!

Friday, November 21

The Downtown Holiday Winter Lights Committee will flip the switch on Main Street and Court Square on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 5:00pm. You can park your car at the North End Terminal and take the trolley down Main Street to view the lights and decorations, then, stop at Court Square for caroling and hot cocoa. Don’t forget to dress warmly for this outdoor event. FREE to attend.

Friday, November 28

Another must-see event Downtown will be Memphis’ Annual Holiday Parade on the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 28, 2008. The Parade will take place on South Main beginning at 5 pm and will march north on Main Street from St. Paul to Huling. Come out and join families from Memphis and the surrounding areas; cheer on marching bands, entertainers and local celebrities. You will want to bundle up and cuddle up for these festivities. FREE to attend.

On the same day, you will want to get to South Main early for shopping and enjoy various in-store activities, sponsored by the district’s merchants, for your family, which will include face painting and magic shows. During this time FM100 and WRVR 104.5 The River will have their Make-A-Wish fundraiser. FREE to attend.

Trolley services will be suspended to the South Main area from 3 to 7 pm, but, MATA is offering 25 cent shuttles from Main Street at Peabody Place to the South Main Arts District. But, you will want to stick around for the South Main Trolley Jolly Night, to enjoy music, entertainment, and egg nog as holiday parties line Main Street.

Wednesday, December 3

On Wednesday, December 3, you will want to head to University of Memphis, as the Rudi Scheidt School of Music celebrates the holiday season with it’s annual holiday concert. Performances will be given by ensembles and soloists from throughout the School of Music. This event will start at 12:30 pm in the Harris Music Building, located on 3775 Central Avenue. Ample parking is available across from the UofM campus on Central. FREE to attend.

Sunday, December 7

The Bartlett Area Chorus will present a FREE concert of Christmas and holiday music in the banquet hall of the Bartlett Station Municipal Center (new Bartlett library). Bring the family out on Sunday, December 7th, at 3:00 pm. Get in the mood for the holidays as this ensemble of 30+ voices sings music old and new, traditional and contemporary. The featured guest singers will be the Honors Chorale from Shadowlawn Middle School. The Bartlett Station Municipal Center is located at 5868 Stage Road in Bartlett, Tennessee. Parking is plentiful and free. FREE to attend.

Friday, December 12 - Sunday, December 14

Germantown Baptist Church will host a three day event to celebrate the Christmas and holiday season; beginning on Friday, December 12 at 6 pm. Everyone in the family will want to come enjoy a wide range of festivities throughout the campus, which will include, a program by the Germantown Baptist Church Choir and Orchestra. The children will particularly enjoy the Living Nativity and Bethlehem Village. Parking is available on the church parking lot. Germantown Baptist Church is locate at 9450 Poplar Avenue in Germantown, Tennessee. Coming from the Memphis area just travel east on Poplar Avenue. FREE to attend.

Sunday, December 14

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art will present a festival of Lights from 4 - 6 pm. There will be something for the whole family during this annual celebration of the holiday season. You and the children can take a carriage ride throughout Overton Park, take pictures with Santa, create your own masterpieces and munch on a variety of sweets. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is located in Overton Park. You can access the parking lots from Poplar Avenue and East Parkway. FREE to attend.

Breath of Life Christian Center will present an evening of celebration with a Christmas play from 6 pm - 8 pm. Breath of Life is located at 3795 Frayser-Raleigh Road in Memphis. Plenty of parking is available on the church’s lot. FREE to attend.

Whether you are riding upon carriage or lifting your voice in song; these events will be unforgettable to you and your loved ones. You can find more festive events and activities to help celebrate the holidays at the ArtsMemphis website.

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA

Yes, I know, I've told you about this bizarre mansion before.  However, if you are looking for a great way to spend Halloween, how about trying out the flashlight tour of the mansion on the night of Halloween?  They take you on a tour of the mansion with no lights but the ones in your hand! The house is creepy enough during the daylight hours, can you hndle it at night in the dark?  Stick around after the tour or arrive early for some fun festivities in the courtyard as well.

The American Museum Of Natural History, New York

This one is a fun event for the whole family.  You can dress up and trick-or-treat through the halls of the museum at night.  Kids will have fun seeing their favorite characters wandering the museum as well as participating in Halloween craft projects and listening to live performances.

Walt Disney World

Go celebrate with your favorite Disney Cahracters at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!  Kids can dress up in costume, watch the parade and fireworks, as well as trick or treat in various areas of the park.

Fort Knox, Maine

Check out this years festivities at Fright At The Fort where you will be led through the halls of Fort Knox where indescribable things lurk in the shadows, creating screams of fright. Not recommended for children under age 12.

Six Flags Fright Fest

This one is taking place through the month of October at any Six Flags theme park.  During the day there is fun for the whole family, trick-or-treating, facepainting and more.  At night there are more frightening happenings geared for the adults with raoming monsters and rides decorated just for Halloween.

Other than these places, you can check out any haunted houses and frightful events going on in your area.  The most important thing is to get out there and have fun!  Got something exciting going on in your hometown? I would love to hear about it! Post your favorite Halloween celebration in the comments section here!

The Rideau Canal

In winter, a skate or walk on the Rideau Canal is a must. The Rideau Canal is the longest outdoor skating rink in the world, and the Winterlude Festival turns it into a fairytale on ice. In summer, take a lazy stroll to the locks, and visit the Canal Museum.

Ottawa Theatre

If theater is your thing, go to the National Arts Centre, just west of the Rideau Canal. The Arts Centre is the Grand Duchess of theater in Ottawa, and hosts dance, music and international theater events such as the smash "Wicked" and the popular comedy "Beer". From the intimate Fourth Stage to the splendor of Southam Hall, the National Arts Centre has theater shows to suit your tastes.

For an artsy flair, go immediately east of the Rideau Centre, to Arts Court. The stone heritage building was once the Ottawa Courthouse. Arts Court is home to arts groups, modern art galleries, and a theater. The Arts Court Theatre runs popular art and music events all year. The 2008 fall lineup includes the Animation Festival, Le Groupe Dance Lab, and the original musical comedy, "Making Necrophiliac".

Arts Court also features a progressive artist-run gallery and performance space, in the basement.

The Ottawa Jail

Right next door to Arts Court is the old Ottawa jail and gallows. Condemned prisoners could walk from the courthouse, straight to the hanging! The jail is now a hostel, and offers tours for the brave. Many claim it's haunted. Death row is sure to send shivers down your spine.

The Ottawa Byward Market

The historic Byward Market runs for several blocks, just north of Rideau Street. Restaurants, bars, shops and buskers abound. Seasonal fresh vegetables, maple syrup, arts and crafts are available from the outdoor vendors. In the evening, many bars and venues have live entertainment. In summer, the Market parties every night!

The Rideau Centre

For mall shopping and window-gazing, visit the Rideau Centre on the south side of Rideau Street, at Sussex. Sussex Avenue runs north, between the Byward Market and the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Behind the Chateau Laurier, you can stroll among the flowers in Major's Hill Park, until you arrive at the National Art Gallery.

The National Art Gallery

The Gallery has free admission on Thursdays, from 4-9pm, and half-price admission on Sundays. It houses a vast collection of Canadian and world art, from ancient to modern. From there, it's a ten-minute walk over the picturesque Interprovincial Bridge, to the National Museum of Civilization. As you cross the bridge, you enter the province of Quebec. Bienvenue!

The Museum of Civilization

The Museum of Civilization features special exhibits, along with its permanent collection. For children, educational activities run throughout the day. Arrive early for IMAX Theatre shows -- there's always a lineup. Have a coffee on the Museum's cafe patio, overlooking the Ottawa River. Like the National Gallery, the Museum is free on Thursdays after four, and half-price on Sundays.

Trolley Tours, Bus Tours and Boat Tours

There's no shortage of Ottawa tours. You can even take a Harley motorcycle tour! Popular tours include Paul's Boat Tours, along the Rideau Canal; double-decker bus tours, heritage trolley tours, or a trip into the Ottawa River on an amphibious bus. The Haunted Walk offers a walking tour of Ottawa's spookiest places.

Parliament Hill

You can't miss Parliament Hill! The Peace Tower, with its immense clock, is visible from most of downtown Ottawa. Tour the seat of government in Canada. Watch the Changing of The Guard, every day at 9:45 am. Parliament Hill also features the RCMP Musical Ride. The Parliament Buildings are rich in art and political heritage, and are a striking example of neo-Gothic architecture.

Tourist Info

The Capital Infocentre at 90 Wellington St (www.capcan.ca), is directly opposite Parliament Hill, and has a wealth of tourist information, facts and tips. From Rideau Street, follow Rideau west past the Chateau Laurier, where it turns into Wellington.

For nightlife and entertainment, pick up a copy of the free local paper, the Ottawa Xpress.

Language

In Ottawa, services are available in both French and English. Quebec is officially French-speaking, but all services are available in English. Many residents speak English and French.

Enjoy your visit to Ottawa, Canada!

Go and look at the superstition mountains and get an idea for yourself. In addition, there is a place located right by the mountain and that is called ghost town. There are thousands of people that visit the ghost town every year. The Superstition Mountains is the second most visited mountain in Arizona. There are many things to do in the area. There is apache junction there are attractions there to visit things from those that have gone mining have displayed. It's a really nice place to go and look at sometime as a family.

Chicago Children's Museum

Call or visit the web site for hours and events. The price for adults and children is $8, senior is $7. On the first Monday of every month, the museum is free of charge for children 15 years of age and under. Thursday night is designated to Kraft Free Family Night, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and it is free for everyone. Current event features Curious George, and offer many activities for your youngsters.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of natural Science has an IMAX theatre, butterfly center, planetarium, observatory, and insect zoo. Call or visit the web site for hours and prices since there are different prices for different parts of the museum. You can also order your tickets online. A current exhibit of frogs has been extended through January 6 since it is so popular.

Museum of Science, Boston

The Boston Museum offers planetarium, 3-D theatre, IMAX theatre, butterfly garden, laser shows, and special exhibits. You can buy tickets online or over the phone or at the museum. Call or visit the web site for hours. The museum also offers a special camp-in program through Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, where children stay overnight for an entertaining, educational, and interactive way. You can go online to see many virtual exhibits.

Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium

Visit the museum online or call for special events. The price is $20 for adults, $13 for children from 3 to 12 years of age, $18 for seniors and students with identifications. This price includes admission to all museum galleries, planetarium shows, and wildlife center. The Dinosaurs of China is currently on the special exhibit. The Miami Museum also offers Camp-Ins for group to stay overnight, and immerse yourself in science activities. Make sure you check for special time and day through out each month.

Exploratorium, San Francisco

General tickets are $14 for adults, $9 for children 4 to 12 years of age, $11 for seniors and students with identifications. Current exhibit is Glowing worms. The Exploratorium of San Francisco offers tools for teaching, resources, and archives. The Tactile Dorm is an interactive excursion where your sense of touch is your only guide. The ticket for Tactile Dorm is $17 for 7 years of age and up; this includes general admission. Call or check web site for hours.

If you don't see your local museum in this article, please find it in your city. There is always something to do or marvel at the museum large collections. Your little ones will enjoy, learn, and amaze at different cultures and the wide world around them.

Many museums offer activities day, or special presentations. Call your local museum for special events before you go.

The Carnival is bringing back the old times, a strange and fascinating atmosphere of odd elegant aristocrats that are dancing or singing and drinking from a cup, a rich expensive red wine - the kings luxurious atmosphere is all around and as a tourist, the first impression - if you didn't come prepared for this event - is that you are out of place, and it seems that you just stepped into a time capsule and went back in time - times of king and queens and young princes with red dresses and flowers in their blond hair - times of legends are all around you.

The main place for the event is "San Marco Piazza" the most vast area in Venice, where every year the Carnival is starting. The idea started from around 1162, when Venice being a small republic but a strong republic was victorious against Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia.

The event contains music, ballet, theater, circus and all the arts that are dear to people's hearts, but some events where lost in time as it was the "Bull Race" - that was probably a very dangerous event in the short streets, bridges and canals of Venice.

The Carnival is having a special " Venice Day" that is the most important part of Carnival. On this day the best performances will delight the participants and will culminate with the famous "Maries F?te" an event that is followed by a grand concert from the best 18th century music traditions, and will end traditionally with the Band of Venice to close a truly Venetian day.

The Mask is a symbol of the Carnival - symbol of the liberty spirit of Venice from old century's. Without an known Identity, everyone could seduce anyone, so social classes were abolished during the carnival, making the art of seduction more exciting, allowing infidelity and the mixing of the social classes. This Carnival was forbidden from 1930 by Mussolini and started again in 1979, today being a industry that is growing because if the Carnival.

The entire city of Venice, islands, peninsula, and mainland will be disguised and animated by masked faces, popular music, and dance and a unique experience that is revealing a world long vanished that is brought back in a celebration of color, music and fully colored festivities. Come and join the Carnival! It's time for you to party!