1. If you're down and out in Boston you can always take advantage of some of its free museums. These include the USS Constitution Museum dedicated to the celebrated ship and the Massachusetts State House where you can walk onto the chamber floors.

2. The ferry from Downtown Boston to Boston Harbor's islands may cost $10 ($12 Thurs-Sun), but entrance to the islands themselves is free. Make your way out and you can traipse the trails of Bumpkin Island, stroll along the pier on Peddocks Island, or walk through the woods on Lovells Island. Ferries operate between May and October.

3. You can save yourself a few dollars by embarking on free guided walks of the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail. National Park Service Rangers offer free tours of both walks so make sure to take advantage of them. For info on where and when tours depart, check out www.nps.gov.

4. Make sure to visit Harvard University, America’s most famous college. Located in the Cambridge district north of the Charles River, you can easily imagine what it would be like to study there as you walk the grounds. Incidentally, its three art museums are free until noon on Saturdays.

5. Situated side by side in downtown Boston, Boston Common and Public Garden are two of America's most beautiful parks. They are the perfect place to while away an afternoon, watching the world go by along with the extremely tame squirrels. Established in 1634, Boston Common is Boston's oldest public park while the Public Garden dates back to the 19th century.