Entertaining visitors on a budget
You get a call from an old friend who's passing through. Maybe they have a family. Of course they want to see you, and spend some time visiting. Here's some ideas of how to entertain without breaking the bank.
State and National Parks
If hiking is a shared interest, there are probably local trails you can take in parks, wilderness areas, even a walk along the "main drag" through town. Depending on where you live, there may be a state or national park with tourist attractions such as waterfalls, interesting rock formations, or canyons. A picnic or potluck at a local park can be just as much of an adventure.
Everyday attractions
What are your favorite places around town? A favorite coffee shop perhaps, bookstore, restaurant? Often when visiting friends, it's not so much about what there is to see as what the locals think is interesting. Don't be shy about sharing your everyday hangouts with your guests.
Check the calendar
Look in the newspaper to see what events are going on around the area that you might not know about. Many communities have a local "art day" where galleries are free or discounted. There might be a neighborhood festival a couple miles away. Also check your local library, bulletin boards, and websites like Craigslist for events.
The best thing to remember when entertaining is it's not all about showing off the family/neighborhood/city/area. It's about spending quality time with your guests. Anything they and you both enjoy is worth doing together when they are visiting.
