United States United States Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Itineraries Getaways All United States Top Ten Free Attractions and Things to Do in the Southeast U.S. Budget Friendly Vacation Destinations By Sheridan Alexander Sheridan Alexander Twitter Sheridan Alexander is a travel writer specializing in tourism, restaurant reviews, hotel information, travel tips, and special events in the southeastern United States. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/26/19 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email The Southeast U.S. is generally a budget friendly destination with an abundance of reasonably priced accommodations and sightseeing options. Visitors can find hundreds and hundreds of interesting, fun and free things to do, including some of the region's top attractions. My top ten picks for the best of the best free attractions and free things to do in the Southeast include: 01 of 10 Free Fun at the Beach Cape Hatteras National Seashore; Photo Credit: Courtesy of George Alexander With over 2500 miles of coastline stretching from Virginia to Louisiana, the Southeast U.S. is one of the top beach destinations in the world. And, with good planning, going to the beach doesn't have to cost a dime.Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks has 70 miles of often uncrowded wilderness beaches and free parking. At Virginia Beach, spend the day on the beach, stroll the boardwalk and enjoy free seasonal entertainment. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk offers a new free attraction to the lively and popular free beaches of the Grand Strand. For more beaches, see:Related Articles and Information: Southeast US Beaches About.com Florida Travel About.com Miami Travel 02 of 10 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mount Le Conte, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Photo Credit: The National Park Service View Map Address United States Get directions Phone +1 865-436-1200 Web Visit website Tennessee and North CarolinaWelcoming eight to ten million annual visitors, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Located along the North Carolina and Tennessee border, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the only major national parks that does not charge an entrance fee. Related Articles and Information: Where to See Spring Wildflowers Fall Foliage - Typical Peak Periods in North Carolina Fall Foliage - Typical Peak Periods in Tennessee 03 of 10 Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Birth Home at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site; Photo: The National Park Service View Map Address 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312-1504, USA Get directions Phone +1 404-331-5190 Web Visit website Atlanta, GeorgiaDrawing visitors from the around world, this memorial complex was established to preserve the places where Dr. King was born, worked, worshiped and is buried. Several facilities, which are operated in partnership by the National Park Service, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center, provide the opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. King and to explore his life's work and legacy. Admission, parking, and ranger tours are free.Related Articles and Information: Getting Around Atlanta Georgia Airports 04 of 10 The Blue Ridge Parkway The beautiful and iconic Blue Ridge Parkway; Photo Credit: The Virginia Tourism Corporation View Map Address Blue Ridge Pkwy, United States Get directions Virginia and North CarolinaThe Blue Ridge Parkway traverses 469 miles along the high crests of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Designed as a recreational scenic roadway, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit of the U.S. National Park System. Related Articles and Information: See the Spring Mountain Wildflowers Fall Foliage - Typical Peak Periods in Virginia Virginia - More Top Free Attractions and Things to Do Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Savannah's Landmark Historic District Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah; Photo Credit: Courtesy of George Alexander View Map Address Historic District - North, Savannah, GA 31401, USA Get directions Savannah, GeorgiaThe Historic District of Savannah, encompassing an area of 2.5 square miles, is the largest registered urban National Historic Landmark District in the United States. While most of the historic museum homes charge admission for interior tours, visitors can explore the magnificent exterior architecture, lovely garden squares, ornate fountains and more via convenient and easy self-guided walking, bike and driving tours without spending a dime. Related Articles and Information: Photos of Savannah Savannah's Waving Girl Statue 06 of 10 The Appalachian Trail Wildflowers bordering the A.T. - Photo: Kathryn Case, Appalachian Trail Conservancy The iconic Appalachian Trail (A.T.) extends more than 2,175 miles between the southern terminus at Springer Mountain in Georgia and the northern terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine. Touching 14 states, the A.T. is the longest marked footpath in the United States.Approximately 1010 miles of the A.T. pass through five southeastern states: Georgia - 75 miles; North Carolina - 88 miles; Tennessee - 293 miles; Virginia - 550 miles; West Virginia - 4 miles. Permits and fees are not required to walk on the trail, although some areas require camping permits. Even a relatively short hike may require a bit of planning. For essential information and planning tips, visit: National Park Service 07 of 10 North Carolina Museums of Natural Sciences, Art and History North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; Photo Credit: NC Division of Tourism / Bill Russ View Map Address 11 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601-1029, USA Get directions Phone +1 919-707-9800 Web Visit website Raleigh, North CarolinaAdmission is free at these museums, although cover charges for special exhibits may apply. NC Museum of Natural Sciences - The largest museum of its kind in the region, this museum offers four floors of exhibits. See the world's most complete Acrocanthosaurus dinosaur, the Living Conservatory and more. NC Museum of Art - This premier museum features a collection of over 5,000 objects spanning 5,000 years to the present. An expansion, completed in 2010, features day-lit galleries, sculpture gardens and more. (Opens April 24, 2010) NC Museum of History - History exhibits explore the state's military history, decorative arts, sports and more. Craft demonstrations, concerts and family events are scheduled regularly. 08 of 10 Arlington National Cemetery Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images View Map Address Arlington, VA, USA Get directions Phone +1 877-907-8585 Web Visit website Arlington, Virginia - Located within the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery receives more than four million visitors each year. Whether paying tribute to a lost loved one or taking a journey through history, a visit to the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery is an interesting, powerful and memorable experience. There is no admission fee to visit the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. There is, however, an hourly charge to park in the Visitor Center parking area. Related Articles and Information: Nearby Monuments and Memorials Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Centennial Olympic Park Centennial Olympic Park's Fountain of Rings; Photo Credit: Georgia Dept of Economic Development View Map Address 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA Get directions Phone +1 404-223-4412 Web Visit website Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the only Southern city, and one of only a handful of U.S. cities, to host the Olympic Games. Originally developed for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park was later redesigned for daily public use. A popular 21-acre oasis for visitors and residents alike, the Park is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta across from the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. Related Articles and Information: Atlanta for the Holidays Getting Around Atlanta Georgia Airports 10 of 10 The World's Longest Yardsale World's Longest Yardsale roadside vendors; Photo Credit: The Fentress County Chamber of Commerce The World's Longest Yardsale stretches over 650 miles and has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of bargain hunting road trippers each August. Attending the event is free and offers great browsing opportunities, as well as some free entertainment and many regional attractions. Granted, most visitors are tempted to purchase at least a few treasures, which, of course, are not free. However, for a unique experience with plenty of free fun along the way, the World's Longest Yardsale is a standout event. Related Article: Average August Weather in Tennessee Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit