top of page

Explore with Intent

Not sure what to do during your free time abroad? You're not alone. Many students feel unsure where to go or worry about spending too much. This page offers free activities to help you make the most of your time outside the classroom. Whether you're looking for local spots to relax, cultural experiences, or ways to connect with others, you'll find ideas for exploring your host city with purpose and confidence.
​

Check out our social media for more ideas from past students!

​

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Free Activities in London

  • The Tide Elevated: public walkway with art along the Thames. North Greenwich 

  • Horizon 22: Free public viewing gallery offering panoramic views. Liverpool Street 

  • Spitalfields Koi Fishpond: Quiet koi pond tucked inside bustling Spitalfields Market. Liverpool Street 

  • Leadenhall Market: Covered Victorian market known for shopping, pubs, and Harry Potter scenes. Bank 

  • The Royal Exchange: Iconic neoclassical building now home to luxury shops and dining. Bank 

  • The Shad Thomas: Riverside street with cobbles, views, and historic warehouses. London Bridge 

  • The Scoop: Outdoor amphitheatre with free public events. London Bridge. Barbican 

  • Graffiti Tunnel at Leake Street: Legal graffiti zone made famous by Banksy. Waterloo 

  • Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden: Wild plants, lawn, view, kitchen, and bar. Waterloo 

  • Twinings Tea Shop: Historic tea shop &mini museum est. 1706. Temple 

  • Outernet: Digital entertainment plaza with screen experiences. Tottenham Court Road 

  • St. Martin's Courtyard: Stylish open-air shopping and dining. Covent Garden 

  • Seven Dials Market: Indoor street food hall with global cuisines. Covent Garden 

  • Woburn Walk: Picturesque Georgian-era pedestrian street with boutique shops. Euston 

  • Coal Drops Yard: Reimagined Victorian coal yard with shops and restaurants. King's Cross St. Pancras 

  • Mercato Mayfair: Upscale food market housed in beautifully repurposed church. Bond Street 

  • Battersea Power Station: Shops, bars, restaurants, entertainment, and historical spaces for locals and tourists. Battersea Power 

  • Natural History Museum Pocket Park: Small green space designed for urban biodiversity next to museum. South Kensington 

  • Portobello Road Market: Antiques, clothes, jewelry, food, and more. Notting Hill Gate 

  • St. Luke's Mews: Charming residential street often seen in films. Westbourne Park 

  • Little Venice: Picturesque canal area with cafés and narrowboats. Warwick Avenue 

donk.adisyn.london10 - adisyn donk.webp
Castillo.Rebecca.London4 - Rebecca.jpg

Free Museums in London

  • Ragged School Museum: In an old Victorian school, explores education and poverty in 19th-century East London. Mile End 

  • Museum of the Home: Explores domestic life in Britain from the 1600s to the present. Liverpool Street 

  • Museum of London: From prehistoric to present. Barbican 

  • Charterhouse: 1348s Historic complex from the Black Death era, now a museum and almshouse. Barbican 

  • Bank of England Museum: History of money, banking, and the UK economy. Bank 

  • Guildhall Art Gallery & Roman Amphitheatre: Hidden Roman amphitheater beneath historic art gallery. Bank 

  • Tate Modern: Contemporary and modern art. Blackfriars

  • Imperial War Museum: War history, Holocaust galleries, and personal stories. Lambeth North 

  • National Gallery: Western European paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries; includes Van Gogh, Da Vinci. Leicester Square 

  • Sir John Soane's Museum: Eclectic with art, antiquities, and architectural curiosities. Holborn 

  • Hunterian Museum (at Royal College of Surgeons): Fascinating and macabre anatomical specimens, surgical tools, and medical history. Holborn 

  • British Museum: World-famous art and antiquities, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies. Tottenham Court Road 

  • Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology: One of world's leading collections of ancient Egyptian objects. Euston 

  • Grant Museum of Zoology: Quirky natural history specimens, skeletons, preserved animals, and rare species. Euston 

  • Wellcome Collection: Science, medicine, and art blended with unusual and thought-provoking exhibits. Euston 

  • Wallace Collection: Hidden gem in historic townhouse featuring fine art, armor, and decorative arts. Bond Street 

  • Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A): Decorative arts, design, fashion, and architecture. South Kensington 

  • Natural History Museum: Dinosaurs, human evolution, Earth sciences. South Kensington 

  • Science Museum: Interactive exhibits, space exploration, and history of innovation. South Kensington 

  • National Army Museum: Exploring the British Army's history and global influence. Sloane Square 

Activities in Dublin

Special exhibits and tours require a fee. 

 

  • Dollymount Strand: Take a seaside stroll on this sandy beach, part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Clontarf

  • Poolbeg Lighthouse: Enjoy panoramic views of Dublin Bay on this scenic pier walk. Poolbeg Peninsula 

  • Irishtown Nature Park: Enjoy tranquil walking trails in this reclaimed urban green space. Irishtown 

  • Trinity College: Wander the historic campus where literary greats like Oscar Wilde once studied. City Centre 

  • Ha'penny Bridge: Snap photos on this iconic 19th-century cast-iron pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey. City Centre 

  • Buskers on Grafton Street: Enjoy live street performances from musicians and artists in Dublin's bustling shopping district. City Centre 

  • St. Stephen's Green: Unwind in this central park featuring gardens, a lake, and historical monuments. City Centre 

  • Love Lane in Crampton Court: Stroll through this alley adorned with tiles featuring quotes about love and heartbreak. Temple Bar 

  • Temple Bar's street art: Discover vibrant murals and installations in Dublin's cultural quarter. Temple Bar

  • Indigo Sessions at The Workman's Club: Discover emerging musical talent at this free monthly showcase. Temple Bar 

  • Dubh Linn Garden behind Dublin Castle: Find peace in this hidden garden featuring Celtic knot designs. City Centre 

  • Garden of Remembrance: Reflect in this memorial garden dedicated to those who gave their lives for Irish freedom. Parnell Square 

  • Hungry Tree at King's Inns: See a bench being enveloped by a tree in this quirky natural phenomenon. Henrietta Street 

  • Traditional music session at The Cobblestone: Experience authentic Irish music in this renowned Smithfield pub. Smithfield 

  • Phoenix Park: Explore one of Europe's largest city parks, home to wild deer and the President's residence. Dublin 8 

Bridge.webp
dublin-4945217_1280.webp

Free Museums in Dublin

Special exhibits and tours require a fee.

​

  • Hugh Lane Gallery: Modern and contemporary art, including Francis Bacon's preserved studio. Parnell Square 

  • The LAB Gallery: Experimental art space supporting emerging Irish artists. Foley Street 

  • National Photographic Archive: Rotating exhibitions of historical photographs from National Library. Temple Bar 

  • National Museum of Ireland Natural History ("Dead Zoo"): Quirky and nostalgic, 19th-century taxidermy. Merrion Street 

  • National Gallery of Ireland: European and Irish art, including works by Caravaggio and Jack B. Yeats. Merrion Square 

  • Irish Traditional Music Archive: Interactive archive of music, recordings, and instruments. Merrion Square 

  • Royal Hibernian Academy: Contemporary visual arts gallery with rotating exhibits. Ely Place 

  • National Museum of Ireland Archaeology: Viking artifacts, bog bodies, and the famous Tara Brooch. Kildare Street 

  • Chester Beatty Library: Rare manuscripts, Islamic texts, and East Asian scrolls-globally unique. Dublin Castle 

  • Garda Museum & Archives: History of policing in Ireland. Dublin Castle 

  • National Print Museum: Working letterpress machines and typography history in a former barracks. Beggars Bush 

  • National Museum of Ireland: Decorative Arts & History Military history, fashion, and decorative objects in a former barracks. Collins 

  • Irish Jewish Museum: Explores Ireland's Jewish heritage in a former synagogue. Portobello 

  • Irish Museum of Modern Art: Contemporary art in a beautiful historic hospital building. Kilmainham 

  • Pearse Museum: Home of Patrick Pearse, leader of the 1916 Rising, with a scenic park. St. Enda's Park, Rathfarnham 

  • Glasnevin Cemetery: Largest cemetery of Ireland with notable individuals buried, est. 1832. Finglas Road ​

Free Activities in Edinburgh

Special exhibits and tours require a fee.

​

  • Arthur's Seat: Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park for panoramic views. Holyrood Park 

  • St. Giles' Cathedral: A working church founded in the 1120s, known for its distinctive crown steeple. High Street 

  • Princes Street Gardens: Peaceful retreat with views of Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument. Princes Street 

  • The Meadows: Popular green space near the University of Edinburgh, ideal for picnics and sports. Melville Drive 

  • The Stand Comedy Club: Improv shows featuring local comedians every Sunday lunchtime. York Place 

  • Mansfield Traquair Centre: Often called "Scotland's Sistine Chapel," showcasing stunning murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair. Mansfield Place 

  • Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: Home to over 13,000 plant species. Inverleith Row 

  • Circus Lane: A picturesque, cobbled street lined with quaint houses and flowers. Stockbridge 

  • Dean Village: Historic village offering charming architecture and riverside views, near city center. Dean Path 

  • Water of Leith Walkway: Scenic 12-mile path following the river, including Dean Village.

  • Gorgie City Farm: A community-run urban farm where you can meet animals like pigs, goats, and chickens. Gorgie Road

  • Edinburgh's Wild West: A quirky alleyway in Morningside featuring facades resembling an old American frontier town. Springvalley Gardens 

  • Corstorphine Hil:l Offers woodland walks and panoramic views, along with the historic Clermiston Tower. Corstorphine 

  • Cramond Island: Accessible during low tide via a causeway, featuring WWII bunkers and offering a unique adventure. Cramond 

  • Castlelaw Hill Fort Trail: Located in the Pentland Hills, this trail leads to an Iron Age fort with scenic views. Castle Knowe 

circus-lane-in-edinburgh.webp
IMG_1102.webp

Free Museum in Edinburgh

Special exhibits and tours require a fee. 

​

  • Scottish Poetry Library A tranquil space dedicated to Scottish poetry in English, Scots, and Gaelic. Canongate 

  • The People's Story Museum Explores the lives of Edinburgh's working-class citizens from the 18th century to today. Canongate 

  • Museum of Edinburgh Delves into the city's history with artifacts like the National Covenant and local crafts. Canongate 

  • Museum of Childhood Offers a nostalgic journey through childhood with a vast collection of toys and games. Royal Mile 

  • The Writers' Museum Celebrates Scotland's literary giants with personal items, manuscripts, and portraits. Lawnmarket 

  • Museum on the Mound Explores the history of money and banking in Scotland with interactive exhibits. The Mound 

  • Scottish National Gallery Houses an impressive collection of fine art, featuring works by Titian, Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh. The Mound 

  • Scottish National Portrait Gallery Showcases portraits of notable Scots, from Mary Queen of Scots to contemporary figures. Queen Street 

  • City Art Centre Hosts rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary Scottish art across multiple floors. Market Street

  • Dovecot Studios A contemporary tapestry studio and gallery housed in a converted Victorian swimming pool. Infirmary Street 

  • Talbot Rice Gallery Features rotating exhibitions that often engage with pressing social and political themes. South Bridge 

  • St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall, housing historical musical instruments. Niddry Street 

  • Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments Diversity of instruments; music history and instrument development. Bristo Square 

  • Anatomical Museum at University of Edinburgh Collection of anatomical specimens, including skeleton of notorious murderer. Teviot Place 

  • National Museum of Scotland Scottish history to science and technology, with highlights like Dolly the sheep. Chambers Street 

  • Mansfield Traquair Centre Often dubbed 'Edinburgh's Sistine Chapel,' this former church boasts breathtaking murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair. Mansfield Place 

Free Activities in Australia

Special exhibits and tours require a fee. 

 

​SYDNEY

  • North Head Sanctuary, Manly: Coastal parklands with dramatic cliffs, native bushwalks, historic military fortifications and great views back across the harbour to Sydney. Circular Quay to Manly Wharf

  • ​Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: A lush, historic garden by the harbour offering sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and lots of lawns to relax. Circular Quay

  • Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge: A free and iconic way to experience harbour views and the scale of Sydney’s skyline, without doing the paid bridge-climb. Circular Quay

  • The Rocks: Cobblestone lanes, heritage buildings, harbour-front views, weekend markets and lots of street-life to absorb in a historic neighbourhood. Circular Quay

  • Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: A scenic clifftop walking trail linking several beaches, headlands, parks and viewpoints in a roughly 6-kilometre stretch. Bondi Junction

  • Centennial Park: A large green space not far from the city for picnics, ponds, gardens, bike or walk paths, and relaxation away from the city bustle. Centennial Park

  • ​Hyde Park: Historic Sydney park in the city centre with shaded trees, memorials, fountains and a relaxed environment for walking and sitting. St James

 

CAIRNS 

  • Esplanade Boardwalk Scenic 2.5 km coastal walk featuring public art, fitness stations, and ocean views. Cairns City 

  • Fitness Classes at Fogarty Park Yoga, Zumba, or beach volleyball sessions offered weekly. Cairns City 

  • Cairns Night Markets Evening market with local crafts, food stalls, and a lively atmosphere. Cairns City 

  • Rusty's Markets Vibrant weekend market offering fresh produce, local delicacies, and live music. Cairns City 

  • Jack Barnes Mangrove Boardwalk Elevated walkway through mangrove forests, ideal for birdwatching and nature walks. Cairns North 

  • Mount Whitfield Conservation Park Hiking trails with panoramic city views. Edge Hill 

  • Crystal Cascades Secluded freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls nestled in the rainforest. Redlynch 

​

CANBERRA

  • ​ANZAC Parade Walk: A memorial ceremonial route stretching from the War Memorial down Anzac Parade, lined with memorials. Fairborn Ave

  • Parliament of Australia: The home of the Australian federal legislature, set in iconic architecture on Capital Hill. Parliament House

  • Mount Ainslie Lookout: A scenic hilltop vantage point offering panoramic views over Canberra and surrounds. Limestone Ave

  • Lake Burley Griffin: An artificial lake at the heart of Canberra, surrounded by parks, paths, and cultural sites. Commonwealth Ave

  • Commonwealth Park: A major riverside park often used for events, walks, and gardens along the lake. Commonwealth Ave

  • Australian National Botanic Gardens: A living collection of Australia’s native plants, set in naturalistic garden landscapes. Clunies Ross Street

  • National Arboretum Canberra: A large site of themed woodlands, gardens, and lookouts showcasing thousands of trees. Arboretum Visitor Centre

  • Old Bus Depot Markets: A weekend artisan market housed in a historical bus depot in Kingston. Wentworth Ave

  • Canberra Glassworks: A working glass art studio and gallery in Kingston’s waterfront precinct. Wentworth Ave

 

MELBOURNE 

  • Fitzroy Gardens Ornamental lakes, fountains, and the historic Cook's Cottage. East Melbourne

  • Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Serene landscapes, walking trails, and diverse plant collections. South Yarra 

  • Shrine of Remembrance War memorial with panoramic views of the city skyline. Southbank 

  • City Circle Tram (Route 35) Free heritage tram providing a loop around Melbourne's central attractions. Melbourne CBD 

  • Birrarung Marr Park Urban park along Yarra River showcasing Indigenous art and cultural installations. Melbourne CBD 

  • AC/DC Lane Laneway dedicated to the rock band AC/DC, adorned with music-themed street art. Melbourne CBD 

  • Queen Victoria Market Historic open-air market bustling with food, crafts, and souvenirs. Melbourne CBD 

  • Hosier Lane Street Art Iconic laneway renowned for ever-changing display of vibrant street art. Melbourne CBD 

  • Docklands Public Art Walk Self-guided tour featuring contemporary sculptures and installations along the waterfront. Docklands 

20250524_021303_DE4CFA.webp
Melbourne_Museum.webp

Free Museums in Australia

Special exhibits and tours require a fee. 

​

SYDNEY​

  • ​Australian Museum: A major museum of natural history and anthropology, with free general admission to all its permanent galleries. St.James or Museum

  • Chau Chak Wing Museum (University of Sydney): A museum that consolidates huge collections of antiquities (ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt), natural history, art, and more, under one roof. Footbridge

  • Australian National Maritime Museum: Explores Australia’s maritime history via permanent galleries which are free to enter (though some ship-vessel exhibits / special features may cost extra). Darling Harbour

  • The Rocks Discovery Museum: A small but rich museum tracing the Indigenous history, early European settlement, and port heritage of The Rocks area. Circular Quay

  • Justice & Police Museum: Located in a historic set of buildings, this museum features law, policing, and forensics history in NSW, with free general access (for permanent/some core displays). Circular Quay

  • Museum of Sydney: This museum tells the story of Sydney’s colonial beginnings, First Nations history, and evolving city-life in its site on the former Government House site. Circular Quay

​

CAIRNS 

  • Cairns Art Gallery: Contemporary and traditional art, including Indigenous works. Cairns City 

  • Cairns Museum: Region's history and culture. Cairns City 

  • Cairns Esplanade Lagoon: Public swimming area with art installations and historical displays. Cairns City 

  • KickArts: Contemporary Arts Visual arts. Cairns City 

  • UnderArt Gallery: Local contemporary art and jewelry. Cairns City 

  • The Court House Gallery: Rotating art exhibitions in historic building. Cairns City 

  • Cominos House: Historic house hosting community art and cultural events; free during exhibitions. Cairns North 

  • Cairns Botanic Gardens: Tropical plants and art exhibitions. Edge Hill 

  • Tanks Arts Centre: Art and performance space in converted WWII fuel tanks. Edge Hill 

​

CANBERRA

  • ​National Museum of Australia: A comprehensive museum of Australia’s history, culture, Indigenous heritage and environment, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits exploring nation-shaping stories.​ Lennox Crossing

  • National Gallery of Australia (NGA):​ Australia’s leading visual arts museum, with a huge collection of Australian, Indigenous, international and modern art, plus a Sculpture Garden by Lake Burley Griffin. Parkes Place

  • Canberra Museum & Gallery (CMAG): A local museum in Civic dedicated to Canberra’s social history, community art, and visual culture, including rotating local-artist exhibitions. Civic/City Interchange

  • ​Australian War Memorial: Australia’s national memorial and museum dedicated to honoring its armed forces and those who died in conflict. Fairbairn Ave

  • Royal Australian Mint: Where Australia’s coins are manufactured, offering free onsite parking and free factory tours to see coins being made and learn about numismatics. Deakin

  • National Library of Australia: The country’s major library, with “Treasures Gallery” featuring free exhibitions of historical manuscripts, maps, photography and other national archives. King Edward Terrace

 

MELBOURNE 

  • Melbourne Museum: Natural and cultural history; largest museum in southern hemisphere. Carlton 

  • Scienceworks: Interactive exhibits in a historic pumping station. Spotswood 

  • Australian Centre for the Moving Image: Explores film, television, video games, and digital culture. Federation Square 

  • The lan Potter Centre: NGV Australia Showcases art, including Indigenous works. Federation Square 

  • Koorie Heritage Trust: Aboriginal culture and history through art and artifacts. Federation Square 

  • State Library Victoria: Historic library featuring exhibitions and Ned Kelly's armor. Melbourne CBD 

  • RMIT Gallery: Contemporary art and design exhibitions by local and international artists. Melbourne CBD 

  • Old Treasury Building: Museum detailing Melbourne's gold rush history. East Melbourne 

  • Fire Services Museum of Victoria: Displays firefighting artifacts and memorabilia in a historic fire station. East Melbourne 

  • Buxton Contemporary: Art from the Michael Buxton Collection. Southbank 

  • Australian Music Vault: Celebrates music history with memorabilia and interactive exhibits. Southbank 

bottom of page