Hooray! You are celebrating another year around the sun. Happy birthday! We wish you all the best and many happy years ahead.
These past few years have been challenging for many, and it is only fair that you have a good time on your special day.
Are you worried that having fun on your birthday might cost a lot of money?
It doesn't have to be that way. You can be smart with how you enjoy this special day and have a lot of fun for little cost.
There are multiple places to go on your birthday that will give you a thrill on a budget or, better still, for free. This article will explore some options to keep you from missing out on birthday fun because of costs.
What are the best places to go on your birthday?
Deciding on the best place to celebrate your birthday will depend on what feels special to you. Whether that’s your kids making you a cup of coffee in bed or some alone time at a spa, everyone has their preferred way of celebrating birthdays.
But some choices cost more than others. And many of us find our options limited by the amount of money we're willing and able to spend.
However, despite challenges of costs, 89% of Americans still feel it's important to celebrate birthdays, and 85% feel special when someone puts a lot of effort into that celebration.
So, if you want to celebrate but need a wallet-friendly option, what should you do?
First, figure out the things you love to do and consider how you could make them feel extra special on your birthday. Luckily, the internet has loads of information on great places to visit and things to do to help you celebrate.
Once you’ve decided, platforms like CouponFollow are a great starting point if you’re looking for birthday freebies or discounts. We’ve got hundreds of deals lined up, whether you’re looking for a birthday adventure, an experience to share with your family, or a fancy restaurant meal deal with your spouse.
Let’s take a look at some of the top places you can spend your birthday that are either cheap or offer special birthday discounts.
Top places to go on your birthday
Here are a couple of budget-conscious places to visit on your birthday.
Outdoor spaces
Nature is beautiful, and what better way to spend your birthday than enjoying some time outside? Most of the beautiful views that the great outdoors have to offer are accessible for free or at a small fee.
You can visit any natural site near you and enjoy fun outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, or camping on this special day. Examples of natural venues that you can visit are parks, forests, picnic sites, and beaches.
Plus, there are more than 400 federal parks (including national parks and monuments) in the United States that offer fee-free days across the year. Many others are free all the time.
You can also visit a simple picnic site and enjoy a special meal outdoors on your birthday. Here are some famous ones to help inspire you:
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Alabama is a great 67.5-acre space that’s home to more than 30 gardens and multiple other attractions. You can visit this space with friends and family and spend your day enjoying amazing views.
Central Park in New York City is another amazing site that gives the perfect urban escape. Visit a local market, pack up your picnic basket, and take a stroll through the park to find a nice place to enjoy your birthday with friends or family.
If you want to spice up a picnic with the beach experience, Point Dume in California is a great choice. On a clear day, you will enjoy views of Santa Monica Bay, the North Malibu coast, or, if you are lucky, a few California gray whales.
The listed options are just a few, as all states have lots of natural venues. Most of them have places you can buy food or drink, but it is cheaper to bring your own. Maybe you can even go on a cheap road trip and visit more than one.
Restaurants and eateries
If nature and beautiful sceneries are not your cup of tea, you can find a restaurant that will offer a birthday gift near you. Start by finding free food coupons for your birthday, as many restaurants offer freebies or discounts for you on your special day.
Here are some examples of special deals you can take advantage of:
- Seasons 52 gives free dessert as a birthday treat. Just let a waiter know it’s your big day, and they’ll let you choose one.
- Denny’s Diner will give you a free grand slam if you can show proof that it’s your birthday.
- Cracker Barrel gives a free dessert and accompanying song on your birthday.
Some businesses give out birthday rewards through their loyalty programs:
- Cold Stone Creamery offers free ice cream for two through its My Cold Stone Club loyalty program.
- Farmer Boys gives out a “birthday surprise” to its Very Important Farmer Club members. In addition, you’ll get a $5 reward if you are signing up for the first time.
- GODIVA gives out a free chocolate birthday package through its rewards program.
- Morton’s Steakhouse offers a free dessert and a $25 birthday reward. You have to be a Landry’s Select Club member to redeem these freebies.
- Starbucks Rewards program members get a free drink or food item of their choice for their birthday.
While the gifts each of these restaurants and businesses give out are small, they can really add up when stacked on each other. You could spend your birthday hopping from place to place to make the most out of your big day and get as many freebies as possible.
Entertainment spots
Beyond food and outdoor spaces, there are plenty of different perks you can enjoy at popular entertainment spots. These places vary widely, so look for those that spark your interest.
Walt Disney World is the largest amusement park in the United States. They do not offer free admission or reservations on birthdays, but multiple places within the theme park offer freebies that you can enjoy as you get immersed in the whole experience.
Make sure you get the free birthday celebration buttons. This will make you eligible for freebies at different stores and make workers aware that you’re celebrating your birthday — and who knows, they may do you a favor like bump you up to the front of a line or allow you to sit in the front row of your favorite ride.
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Here are some other businesses that offer birthday perks:
Vacation getaways
Vacations are at the top end of the budget spectrum and will cost a lot more than most of the activities mentioned above — even on your birthday. However, if you love to travel, then there are ways you can leverage perks and discounts on your birthday to help bring costs down.
A few airlines offer perks to people celebrating their birthdays. Alaska Airlines gives up to a 5% discount for you and a friend.
Southwest Airlines won't offer a discount on travel tickets but will make your birthday fun from the sky. Enjoy free complimentary drinks and other celebrations while traveling with them.
Lufthansa Airlines has fantastic birthday discounts for members of its Star Alliance partners. Members who celebrate birthdays enjoy double reward points per mile, complimentary drinks, and room upgrades on any of their accommodation partners.
Delta Airlines will send an email with various discounts on vacations booked through Delta Vacations.
When staying over at a hotel, mention that it is your birthday, and you could score a birthday perk, like a complimentary dessert or free room upgrade. Many hotels have these available, especially for members of their loyalty programs, and staff can unlock them at their own discretion.
Look for third-party vacation companies that offer birthday perks as well. An example is Destination Hotels, which gives 20% discounts for any booking made through their platform for people celebrating birthdays.
If you want some more tips for how you can get a bargain on a great experience for you and your partner, check out these amazing Valentine’s Deals and coupons.
Conclusion
Many companies offer perks for people celebrating birthdays, and with proper research, you'll be spoiled for choice. Some of these benefits are not obvious, and you have to put in the effort to discover and enjoy them.
Whether it’s a vacation getaway or a visit to your favorite restaurant, there are plenty of great places to go on your birthday.
And if you want to save some money on your special day, CouponFollow is a great platform that aggregates countless deals and coupons. And, not all of them are birthday specific — you can unlock discounts year-round.
Visit CouponFollow to get discounts at all your favorite businesses.