It's amazing how my activity partner knows all about where to go for free events, entertainment and food. Nice restaurant's presentations with meal included, grand opening receptions with food, indoor concerts, etc. He's been active doing this for years.
You don't have to spend money, if you know where the free stuff takes place.

Art galleries and museums in Dublin are usually free. And great stuff to see there as well.

I bet the no tell motel is not free.

I wanna join

There are always "free" things to do but they really aren't free. Somebody is paying for them just not you. Even something as simple as going to the park is not really free, somebody is paying for it to be there and maintained.

As the crude rule of economics says "there is no free lunch in the world"

The people that are in charge and PAY still Welcome a crowd to Every event.

Free can be good.

People watching is free and it can be fun. There are a lot of strange people out there. It's entertaining.

But it is not entertaining, if you don't like to be watched

I agree with you cat.. If I have an appointment somewhere I often go early to people watch.. or if I'm shopping I'll take time out to have a coffee and watch the world walk by. I wonder what they all do and where they are going. Then I see two people together and wonder how they got together. But girl/female watching is what I enjoy having been alone for 20 years.. ah well. a guy can dream I guess.

I sit on Main Street and there are many different people to meet.

On people watching...

I notice people while I am waiting for my dr appointment.
I watch how they interact with each other and what they are distracted about.
Most of the younger than me are addicted to their phones.
They sit and play on their phones while the world goes by unnoticed.

Most in my age group will sit and watch anything that is on the televison.
Doesn't matter what it is and the react to the commercials in strange ways.
Most of the elderly are focused on themselves and the person they are with. Of all groups, these people seem to be aware of their surroundings.

Personally, its entertaining as hell because I look for the one woman that is looking for me but she doesn't seem to exist.
The only time I get any eye contact is when someone looks up from their phone or away from the telly and those people are looking for approval or a similar response.

I have never been approached by someone just wanting to chat to make the time go by.

On the free activities...

I look for free activities in my area because I am on fixed income.
It doesn't mean I automatically dismiss activities that are not free but the free stuff to do is monetarily preferred.

There are boatloads of things to do with someone that cost nothing.
If the focus is on having fun or doing something with someone special, free is superior.

My area has a lot of public activities year round. You can spend noney while participating but it actually costs nothing to attend.
You can go to a flea market just to look around and have a ball if you enjoy the people you are with.