Free (or almost free) things to do around campus

How to have a fun weekend while staying on a budget

If there is one trope about college kids that we all know, it is that money is scarce for us. Most of the time it is spent on tuition, rent, groceries, textbooks, or other household items. Though in the midst of us learning how to budget and “adult,” we (or at least I) want to have some fun! Finding budget-friendly options for fun is a must.

Here some places that I have visited that were free or nearly free. Each of the prices below does not include transportation costs, and with the rising gas prices, I know that this could be a factor. St. Paul does have a bus system that is easily navigatable, though if you want to drive, just know that you might need to factor that into your overall weekend budget. With that being said, let's check out these free options!

Como Zoo and Conservatory

First up is Como Zoo, located about ten minutes by drive from campus. My friends and I went here about a month ago and it was delightful. Most of it was inside, as the weather was too cold for the animals. Visitors walked on the path outside to each different indoor enclosure. There weren’t very many people this time of year, which made it feel like we had the zoo to ourselves. Before going, you will need to reserve a time slot to enter the zoo online and show the attendant your bar code before going into the zoo.

Here are some students’ thoughts:

“The animals were adorable! One of the monkeys had a baby and it was so cute seeing them together. I would highly recommend visiting the zoo soon!” -Sofia Osterlund ‘25 (Fashion Design)

“I love the zoo! I haven't been in a few months, but it's still one of my favorite places to visit. I'd definitely recommend it for a date spot.” -Victoria Klesk ‘23 (English)

MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art)

This is one of my favorite things to do in the city and it is free! MIA has a huge collection spread out on three floors in downtown Minneapolis. It is ab0ut ten minutes from campus. One thing to note is the parking can be tricky, but if you go on Sunday parking is free on many of the side streets surrounding the museum.

About MIA, students said:

“I've been to MIA a few times and it was wonderful! I would recommend going however one should keep in mind that it is huge and if you want to fully experience and see everything it'll take more than one day. My favorite pieces were the little perfume jars. There's a whole wall of them and they are all so unique and fun!” -Osterlund

“It was very calming and quiet (also free which is wonderful!). There's a wide variety of art, so you will probably be able to find something in your style. I love the immersive rooms where you can step into a time period or culture!” Kait Morgan-Rallis ‘25 (Psychology)

*Try and see if you can find this (Hint: It’s on the second floor)*

Half Price Books

If you are looking for some book therapy or just a calming place to do some homework, Half Price Books is the place to go! This two-story bookstore is filled with unique treasures and a lovely atmosphere. There is always music playing and great deals if you have some cash to spare. I found books for $1-2 and many bestsellers were not quite half price, but were around $10-12 dollars!

“This place is great! I loved the welcoming atmosphere. I was able to spend hours on the floor exploring all the old unique books they have there. Their prices are exceptional, super reasonable, if anything the books are under priced.” -Osterlund

“I love the records here (kinda pricy, but fun to look at). The books are a really good price, especially down in the basement. They also have a wide range of genres, as well as CD and DVDs.” -Morgan-Rallis

“I love the basement. They have their clearance books down there. I found many classics for super cheap. I bought Pride and Prejudice for about $3.” -Klesk

Thrift Stores!

While I would not call myself a thrifter, I love to pursue a thrift store and find something that seems to have been made (and priced) for me. I asked some of my friends what they thought of places around here and where they would or would not go.

Goodwill (With a Grain of Salt)
- “I mostly go to Goodwill and second-hand stores so those can get a little more on the pricey side. I do like Goodwill for price point on some things.” -Klesk
- “I've gone to a few around the cities, the only one in St. Paul I've been to was a Goodwill and although it was huge it was pretty disappointing. I didn't find anything exceptional and the line to check out was incredibly long.” -Osterlund
Turn Style Consignment:
- “I've gone to Turn Style Consignment in the village, which is decently well priced. They tend to have nicer clothes there, so the prices reflect that, but you can still find under $10 or $5.” -Morgan-Rallis
Encore Consignment Boutique
- I went here a few weeks ago and was surprised with the size and variety with what they had. Price here was higher than others places that I have gone to, but it was all in good condition.

I hope you found my list of fun and mostly free things to do around campus helpful.