Breathtaking Sights Around the World You Can See for Free (Once the Pandemic Is Over)

As winter drags on, you might be dreaming of a relaxing vacation somewhere with cool waters, sandy beaches and breathtaking vistas. Unfortunately, many of the world’s most beautiful sights are also among the most expensive to visit. And even those sites that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to see are currently unaccessible due to the pandemic that continues to rage around us.

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That doesn’t mean you can’t plan for the future, though. While few people have the funds to afford that oceanside resort in the Bahamas, there’s plenty of stunning scenery you can enjoy without emptying your bank account.

Click through to check out all the natural beauty you can see for free once it’s safe to travel again.

Last updated: Dec. 21, 2020

1. The Bixby Creek Bridge

Located in California along the Big Sur coast, Bixby Bridge offers canyon and ocean views from a height of 260 feet. The site is free to visit — and photograph — though road closures mean that it’s currently only accessible from the north.

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2. The Getty Center

Perhaps one of the neatest and most affordable things to do in Los Angeles is visit the Getty Center, where you’ll find spectacular art and architecture. Located atop a hill and offering gorgeous views of the city, the museum is open every day of the week except Monday. Admission is free, and parking costs $20 or $15 after 3 p.m.

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3. The Baltimore Museum of Art

General admission to the BMA is free, but some special exhibitions have entry fees. Don’t miss the Janet and Alan Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden and the Ryda and Robert H. Levi Sculpture Garden, located just outside the museum.

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4. The Alamo

A must-see San Antonio destination, The Alamo is a monument to the pivotal battle of the Texas Revolution. Discover exhibits on the Revolution and take a tour of the battlefield. The Alamo helps make San Antonio a cheap travel destination you’ll actually want to visit.

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5. The U.S. Capitol Building

Stop by the U.S. Capitol, seat of the Senate and House of Representatives. The historic building has undergone numerous architectural changes since President George Washington set the first cornerstone in 1793, but it is still a sight worth beholding.

6. Canyon Road

Stroll through more than 100 galleries, boutiques and restaurants along Canyon Road. This half-mile-long historic district is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

7. The Manhattan Skyline

Go for a sunset stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge for beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline. The walk across the bridge is just over a mile long.

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8. Niagara Falls at Night

Head to Ontario, Canada, and walk along the parkway at night to see the majestic falls illuminated by a rainbow of light.

9. The Kensington High Street Roof Gardens

Based on the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, this London site consists of three magnificent gardens. See a wide array of English plants and flowers and Mediterranean trees.

10. The Golden Gate Bridge

Visit Battery Spencer for the best view of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, which is one of the most popular U.S. tourist attractions. You can also take in the city from this vantage point.

11. Mount Rushmore

See American presidents carved in stone at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota. Parking is just $11 for cars, RVs and motorcycles.

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12. The Gaylord Opryland Resort

Visit this spectacular hotel, located just a short walk from the Grand Ole Opry. One of the most lavish resorts in Nashville, it features nine acres of indoor gardens and waterfalls.

13. St. Peter’s Basilica

This iconic church in Vatican City is one of the holiest Catholic sites in the world. Visit to see breathtaking artwork, including Michelangelo’s Pieta.

14. The Freedom Trail

This 2.5-mile trail in Boston will lead you past 16 historically significant sites and teach you about the rich history of the American Revolution.

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15. Navy Pier

Don’t miss out on this Windy City must-see. A historic pier that has been transformed into an entertainment destination, Chicago’s Navy Pier sees 9.3 million visitors annually. Some individual attractions have fees, but there’s no charge to walk the pier.

16. Monhegan Island

Absorb the one-of-a-kind view from the rocky cliffs of Maine’s Monhegan Island, a 1-square-mile island beloved for its wild beauty. Admission is free, but round-trip ferry service from New Harbor costs around $38 per adult.

17. The View Over Kotor

Skip the popular path from Old Town, which costs 3 euros, and depart via the North Gate. Walk across two bridges and turn right to find the original — and free — path to the Castle of San Giovanni. According to Sarah Pavlovic, publisher of the Montenegro Pulse, this alternate path offers a much easier hike along with the same beautiful views of the Bay of Kotor.

18. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

Cross the bridge and climb the 241 steps to the top of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe — a must-see attraction in Spain’s Basque Country. When you reach the church, ring the bell three times and make a wish.

19. Piazzale Michelangelo

Discover a view of one of the world’s most beautiful cities — Florence, Italy — from Piazzale Michelangelo. The structure was designed in 1869 by architect Giuseppe Poggi.

20. The Gateway of India

An 83-foot arch overlooking Mumbai Harbor, the Gateway of India marks the country’s main port. Constructed in 1924, it’s now a popular spot for tourists, food vendors and photographers.

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About the Author

Autumn Rose

Autumn Rose is a Baltimore-based writer with experience as a reporter, ghostwriter, and copywriter businesses nationwide. She launched her career as a local newspaper reporter and since then her work has been published in national journals, regional magazines, local papers, and countless online media outlets and blogs.

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