Most fun you could have on 20 bucks

[annsteere]

If you had $20 for fun/pleasure, how would you spend it?

I'm looking affordable spice in a frugal lifestyle. What would be the most bang for YOUR fun buck?

 

[walkdmc]

Will this be a solo venture...or will you have a willing participant in the "fun"?

And do you drink alcohol, or have any reason to avoid sugary desserts?

I have to run but sharing a dessert or two drinks in a swanky hotel bar are fun. Bowling is usually pretty cheap too.

Also, check Groupon and Living Social to see if they have any entertainment deals.

 

[Kay1]

We like to drive (just a few miles) to the Gulf and picnic on the beach. We pass by Little Caesers and grab a pizza ($5) and bring our own soda and water. There are also some beach bars where we could grab a single drink with the money left over.

Just a cheapo summer activity for my son and I. Have fun whatever you do.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I would go out to the western part of Virginia and go all day tubing and pack a picnic

http://www.newriverjunction.com/Tubing.html

 

[marie1203]

I got out with my friend to girls night out in the melting pot $20 get you cheese, chocolate and 2 drinks!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Bowling

 

[smkiya]

I found a thread about Geocaching on the Community Board. I mentioned it to dh and dd and they want to give it a try. It sounds like so much fun, and if you have access to a gps it seems like the biggest expense is gas. Depending on where you do your hunts, that could be nominal. I'm still learning about it though so Google it or search the DIS.

 

[hrarcham]

Check out your local library. Membership is free and the ones here in Massachusetts often offer FREE museum, zoo, state park, or attraction passes. Why not take in a little culture? Along with a picnic lunch (maybe some wine & cheeses) and you will have an excellent day!

 

[2TxAgs]

I've made $20 last an hour or so in the casino a couple of times. I only go once, maybe twice a year, and only take in $20, but it's totally a blast for me to pull the arms on the slot machines (not push the buttons, that's too quick and takes away from the anticipation).

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

One of our regular trips... Pack a picnic and drive to Newport, RI. Go kite flying at Bretton Point, walk around town and get gelatto.

Another good deal, lawn seats at Tanglewood in Lenox, Ma. Prices vary, one of the most expensive is James Taylor and the Boston Pops for $21. Free parking and you can bring in a picnic. You should see what people set-up! Literally I have seen people eating lobster bisque out of fine china. People start eating/drinking in the parking lot while waiting for the gates to open, then the pre-concert eating/drinking continues once you set-up your area until dark, and the concert starts. It is like tailgating with an orchestra-lol.

 

[shortbun]

Meh, I can have as much fun for free as I can on $20. Perhaps even more. A weekend with my husband, sleeping in, doing some gardening, watching a favorite old movie, listening to good music, sleeping in and having coffee together while reading Sunday morning. Having great conversation with friends over coffee on my front porch. Taking a long walk in the spring and noticing all the blooming, chirping, listening and smelling...
All Free.

 

[shelwoj]

I found a thread about Geocaching on the Community Board. I mentioned it to dh and dd and they want to give it a try. It sounds like so much fun, and if you have access to a gps it seems like the biggest expense is gas. Depending on where you do your hunts, that could be nominal. I'm still learning about it though so Google it or search the DIS.

I was going to say geocaching. We've been doing this for years and it's so much fun! We've even combined biking with geocaching. Download geocaches on a local bike trail, toss the bikes on the back of the vehicle, take a few snacks and hunt for geocaches. A day spent together, outdoors and healthy, not to mention fun.

Since geocaching usually involves hiking (we like the woods) make sure you're prepared. Bug spray, sunscreen, water, snack, bandaids etc and a fully charged cell phone. Always be aware of your surroundings (on one trip we came across a rattle snake sunning itself ).

 

[mrodgers]

I've made $20 last an hour or so in the casino a couple of times. I only go once, maybe twice a year, and only take in $20, but it's totally a blast for me to pull the arms on the slot machines (not push the buttons, that's too quick and takes away from the anticipation).

An hour? I've only gone to a casino once, I was at the mercy of the party I was with (evening entertainment during a work trip.) I fed $20 into a machine and 3 minutes later turned around and said, "Well, that's my $20, I'm done." I was stuck for hours watching the guy who drove us fork thousands into machines.

 

[lizabu]

I know at the Costco here in Canada you can get a "night out" pass for around $20 which gives you 2 movie tickets, 1 large popcorn and 2 drinks at cineplex movie theatres. I love going to the movies.

 

[Planogirl]

If you decide to do something on your own, I like to see a movie during matinee time, get a Starbucks afterward and browse in Half Price Books for a while. I end up staying under $20.

 

[NYEmomma]

The zoo!

DD, DH & me all love the animals (we went rather frequently even before DD came around) and it entertains us all day. We pack a lunch & parking is free.

We've got an annual pass to our local zoo, so now it's even cheaper (especially considering I got the pass for 50% off on Groupon... $39 for a year full of fun for the whole family!).

 

[EKW]

I would take my boys to open swimming at our city's indoor water resort ($8) where they could swim for up to 5 hours, then we'd stop by Dairy Queen for dipped cones ($6), and finally stop by Papa Murphy's for a cheapie pizza ($6)to take home and bake. On the way, we'd stop by the library to pick up a movie to watch after dinner...followed by a rousing game of Clue!

 

[Tygerlilly]

The zoo is a great suggestion!

The Ice Skaing rink here is $2 to skate and $2 for skate rentals, so for $4 ice skating is tons of fun!

Pack a lunch and head out to the nearest lake or park! Picnicks are fun and cheap, plus what kid doesn't love to go to the park? Plus you can make a "treasure hunt" and have them check off things they see. Reward with ice cream cones after!

 

[ArielsMommy]

Catch a ball game. Here the major league team has upper deck tickets starting at $9 each for most games. On Friday nights they even have drink specials for under $10.

eta: We also have several minor league teams in the area that are even cheaper, but I refuse to go to see the Threshers since 2008.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I know I already posted but my close second would be to go to a local park around here (Williamsburg, VA) where they rent kayaks for $2 an hour (and I believe $1 for every additional hour). I have a kayak now but I used to go there frequently with my friends and just tool around the huge lake (which didn't allow motorized boats, making it even nicer) for hardly any money.