When the final school bell rings, the hunt for summer fun officially begins, and in Denver, you don’t have to spend a dime to make it memorable. Thanks to SCFD-funded free days, community access programs, and a handful of always-free gems, there are plenty of ways to soak up culture, science, and fresh air all summer long. Here’s your cheat sheet to some of the best free days and destinations to add to your calendar.

• Clyfford Still Museum: Free admission is on June 14, July 26, and September 19. It’s encouraged to reserve your free tickets in advance, and online registration opens about one week prior to each free day. The museum houses the vast majority of artist Clyfford Still’s work and is a hidden gem for modern art lovers.
• Denver Art Museum: Free general admission days are scheduled for June 9, July 14, and August 1. These SCFD-supported days are popular, so arriving early is key. 
• Denver Botanic Gardens: Upcoming free days for York Street and Chatfield Farms are June 9, July 1, and August 25.  Tickets are needed in advance with no onsite tickets available once sold out. The first floor of the Freyer-Newman Center at York Street is always free admission to the public with no reservation required. 
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: General admission will be free on June 19, August 24, and September 1 – with no tickets needed, walk up anytime! However, tickets are required if you want to visit any of the temporary exhibitions or the planetarium.   
• Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: Free days are not available this summer; however, looking ahead, there are free days slated for November 11, 14, and 22, with tickets being released about two weeks prior to each day.
• Four Mile Historic Park: Dedicated to preserving Colorado’s history as well as to creating new stories through educational programs, general admission is free on the fourth Friday of each month, including June 26, July 24, and August 28.
• Plains Conservation Center: This Aurora-based location, which gives a glimpse into Colorado’s prairie ecosystem and pioneer life, is offering free days on June 11, July 11, and August 20. Each day has a different educational theme, and advance registration is required. 
• Library Adventure Pass: With a Denver Public Library card, you can reserve free passes to attractions such as the Butterfly Pavilion, the Buffalo Bill Museum, and the Denver Firefighters Museum. All passes can be reserved once per month, except for the Denver Botanic Gardens, which is limited to twice per year.

A little planning goes a long way with these free days; some require reservations, and many fill up fast. But with this lineup, your summer calendar can be packed with art, culture, and adventure…no ticket required.