by Bill Borden
Founder of ArizonaCircle.Com
Hang out at your local casino. Many offer free entertainment and there's no need to gamble unless you want to
Go for a daytrip. For more ideas visit our tourist attractions page
Take your children or grandchildren to the playground. Visit our kids section for more ideas
Take your kids or grandchildren to a McDonalds play area
Bicycling. Join a local bicycle club or go out on your own
Camping
Swimming
Play horseshoes or croquet
Call your friends and meet to play board games or cards
Call your friends and have a patio or pool party
Go to the library
Hang out at new and used book stores
Stroll around the mall and do some window shopping
Go for a walk
Join a local hiking group
If you just bought a new car, you can invite your friends for a ride
Take a drive to a nearby scenic park or lookout
Go fishing
Visit a museum
Go out for ice cream
Go to a nearby dollar theatre. Most now cost more than a dollar but they're cheaper than most theatres
Take your dog for a walk
Go for a picnic
Play tennis, basketball, badminton, volleyball or other sports at a nearby park
Surf the internet
Get together with friends for happy hour
Learn how to dance. Yes dancing can be a very cheap night out when you take group lessons. Tip: Group lessons can be inexpensive and even more fun than private lessons because you get to meet more people. Also if you're single taking group dance lessons affords you an opportunity to meet other singles interested in dancing. Usually no partner is required because in a group setting dancers take turns dancing with each other
Volunteer to work at your favorite charity
Meet friends for conversation at you local coffee shop. Call up people you haven't seen for a long time and get re-connected
Put a bird feeder in your back yard and enjoy watching the birds
Get in shape. Join a fitness or community center
Go to pet stores and visit with the animals
Adopt a pet and enjoy doing things together
Learn about astronomy and watch the stars.
Visit a hobby shop and consider a new hobby
Join a social club or a special interest group. Many are very inexpensive. It's a great way to make new friends. e.g. if you have a pet bird you can join your local bird club. If you love gardening, you can join a gardening club or meetup group, etc. If you live in Phoenix consider joining the Arizona Desert Botanical Gardens
Join a meetup group. Thousands to choose from depending on what you're interested in
Listen to live music at a local bar or nightclub
Go dancing. If you live in a large city, there may be nightclubs and dance studios that offer free lessons and/or dancing. In Phoenix prices range from free, $5 - $10, and up
Take the bus or light rail. If you drive all the time, it might be different and fun to take the bus. Bring a friend with you and notice all the things you didn't see before because you were driving
Take classes at your local community college. These classes are much cheaper than university courses
See what's happening at your local recreation center
Visit your city's website or Chamber of Commerce. Many of them have free community events, concerts, and other fun things to do than are often free
Check out the featured events on Arizona Circle. Many are free or low cost
Browse through our Arizona Guide for fun things to do
Go to a park and feed the birds
Have a small pot luck party at your house
Rent a movie, or borrow one from your local library for FREE, and watch it with your friends
Pretend like you're a tourist. Are there any places in your city where tourists go that you haven't been before? Go to your local visitor information center to get some ideas on what might be fun to do
Join internet communities such as facebook