Apr 10
29
On Tuesday, I was on a field trip for work (more on that tomorrow). On the way back, we stopped at the Royal Gorge in Cañon City, CO. The Royal Gorge is a giant canyon with a suspension bridge crossing 955ft above the Arkansas River. It was the highest bridge in the world until 2001, and is still the highest bridge in North America. It is technically labeled a theme park because of various attractions that are at the Royal Gorge.
While the Royal Gorge is neat and all, it costs $25 per adult to cross the bridge. Yes, $25 to drive across a bridge. Per person.
Luckily for us, my boss is a very smart person. He knew about a picnic area down the road a ways, and so we drove to it and then hiked a short distance to the rim of the Gorge. From our vantage point, you had a great view of the bridge itself (which you wouldn’t get being on the bridge), and also around the curve of the river (which you can’t see from the bridge at all). It was a perfect Spring Day, and we just sat, enjoying the light breeze, sunlight and view – with no annoying tourists jabbering away. And best of all, it was free!
So how do we apply this lesson to our lives?
Well, we need to remember that touristy places can charge an arm and a leg to visit. And sometimes, they are right. There are some sights that there is no way to see unless you pay to enter the park. But then there are places where your experience is nearly the same, without the expense. This is especially the case with natural wonders. About 10 years ago I was staying in Southern Utah in January, and a bunch of us drove to the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Northern Rim is closed in the winter (or was back then), but we got pretty close to the park, parked, and spent a few hours watching endangered eagles fly around while enjoying the scenery. 
The point is that there are often ways to enjoy touristy places without the expense, if you are willing to think outside the box a bit. (But please, do not break the law – No trespassing means ”Do Not Enter” - Otherwise you may end up winning an all expenses paid trip to the local jail!) Next time you are planning a trip, spend a little extra time looking at maps, or googling your location – you may be surprised what you will find.
Question: Do you know of any “back doors” to get into exciting spots?
Michelle, I found that sometimes being at the tourist location doesn’t provide the photo opts or views that they claim. My wife and I have gone to various locations and we like to get of the ‘beaten path’ and discover hidden beauty… and its free! Looking forward to hearing about the field trip!
Mark
Direct Selling Advice, Leveraging Relationships for Long-term Profit
Great advice when you want to stay within budget or have a more tourist-free view or tour!
So often in Rome, tourists are here for so short a time, that they don’t have time to plan for the free things or just to walk down the narrow cobble-stoned streets, except as they rush from one tourist spot to another…. It’s a bit sad, but I understand how tight their schedules are….
Eileen
Mixing Romance, Feet & ESL lessons
Enjoy Being Online here!
I always try to keep a list of beautiful places to see for free. That way when I have friends visit, I can show them around and it idoesn’t cost me an arm and a leg. Great advice Michelle.
Tim Van Milligan, helping you Make Money Online, God’s Way!
I used to live in Chicago and friends and family were always coming to visit. I developed quite a list of free places to go to “see the city”. Also, music venues with no cover charge and amazing restuarants that were reasonably priced, great neighborhoods that were fun to walk in, etc. It just takes a little “looking around”.
Sonya Lenzo
http://www.yourchanceforromance.com
I love going to beautiful places to see all the creations that the earth has to offer. There are so many places as I drive that I will just pull over walk around and admire this earth.
This is great advice on how to see tourist attractions for free.
Really like the benefit of not being crammed in to some of the places with all the other people there.
Michael
The Success Secrets
In Vegas it’s hard to find touristy things to do for free, since it’s all about the money here. Great Post!
Hi Michelle,
I am so appreciative of all the photos you took Thank you for sharing those with us. $25 per person? This is like the old drive in theatres? gimme a break.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Boomer Dating Expert
This is a great example of thinking outside the box. and allowing the opportunity for a family or person on a budget to enjoy attractions and tourist traps without getting trapped.
Jen B
The Harwood Group – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fears, and Anxiety
SO true, there are plenty of great tourist sites and parks etc that have numerous vistas that they can be observed from.. Find a free vantage point and save the bucks.
Seize the Day,
Rob
Simple Family Survival Tips For Disasters and Emergencies
We live near the Mississippi River and there’s a park there that charges an entry fee for driving in there. Lucky for us, we’re able to walk there and not pay the drive-in fee. Our part of the river is not nearly as exciting as the Royal Gorge but it’s nice being by the water and watching the water rush over the dam. And fishing is fun there too.
Peggy Larson
Quilting – Colors and Fun!
Usually when there is a cool place to go that is natural the areas outside the boundaries are just as nice if not better. I know of a few places where tourists love to go but just around the corner is less crowded and less advertised.
Scott Sylvan Bell
Now go implement!
Michelle,
This is a great tip. There is no way I’d pay money to cross that bridge! I’d have an anxiety attack before I go halfway across.
Are there any good guides one can find at the library for cities and states that have good free tourist information?
One of my favorite things to do when friends come to Seattle is to take them to see the Fremont Troll.
Sabrina Peterson, NASM CPT,CES
Corrective Exercise for Every Body
Thanks for the great information. I have never heard of this bridge. Looks like a beautiful area. When you think about $25.00 is not that much especially if its the only time you may ever get to take the trip across. I spent $29.00 at a college baseball game Friday night just on myself. Most of it on food.
Mike
Safety Is Everyones Business
There are lots of rip-offs in this world, but it seems like there are just as many workarounds if you look hard enough. Thanks for the tip.
Steve Chambers
Body Language Expert
Wow, sounds like you got a great deal! You saw much more AND you paid nothing! Great tip.
Families with children really need tips like these. It’s so expensive to do anything these days. Admission is expensive enough, but when you need to buy food and kids want a sovenier (sp?) forget it, you leave with empty pockets.
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Nanny Services, and Nanny agencies
I don’t know any back doors..but I have to say this looks like a fun trip..with great pictures.
Your local bike shop or sporting good store would have lots of advise for what’s in your area and would probably have a load of advise for the free stuff.
Shane
Hypnosis – Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Life -
One of the things I enjoy most is learning about the istory and geology of a historic place.
I like to talk about it and it is good to have some coonversation topics like biology and plants in the area as well and then go and take some pictures.
michael
http://datingguruhq.com