Free Things To Do In Fresno CA, the largest city in the Central Valley has plenty of free things to do to keep even the most discerning traveler happy.
36 Fun & Best Things To Do In Fresno CA (California)
It’s a great place to spend a few days, and it’s just a short drive from some of California’s biggest cities and Sequoia National Park. In Fresno, these are the best free activities.
33 List Of FREE Things To Do In Fresno CA Today
1. Walk around downtown
Fresno’s most beautiful park, lush and verdant, is the ideal place to cool off in the summer heat. Woodward Park is the perfect place to unwind for free, whether you’re into picnics, wildlife, or just taking in the scenery.
Time to take a break and enjoy the sights around you. There is a teahouse and more than 100 bonsai plants in the Shinzen Friendship Garden. The San Joaquin River can also be found in the park’s boundaries.. You won’t find a better free activity.
2. Roeding Park
If you’re looking for somewhere to relax on a warm day, Roeding Park is a wonderful option. In San Francisco, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, which is located within the park grounds, charges visitors admission.
However, there is a large lake and a number of smaller ponds, as well as groves of cedar, ash, pine, and redwood trees to be seen in addition to the wetlands. Make a day of it at Roeding Park by bringing a picnic and taking advantage of the tennis courts and horseshoe pits.
3. Saint John’s Cathedral
Saint John’s Cathedral, one of Fresno’s best free things to do is a visit to this Gothic-Romanesque cathedral, designed by Thomas Bermingham and completed in 1902. There are two square tower districts, each with a spire, that surround the red-brick building’s exterior. The interior features ornate ceilings and stained-glass windows.
The avenue of the saints, which is flanked by numerous stone statues, is a striking feature of the building. It’s open to the public every day and is free to visit, but it’s a good idea to check the service times before you arrive.
4. Old Fresno Water Tower
This water tower, a well-known landmark of historic Fresno, first provided water to the city in 1894 but hasn’t done so since 1963. The Fresno Arts Council Water Tower is now a cultural hotspot.
At 109 feet (33 meters), you won’t be able to miss it. In addition to housing exhibits on local history and art, the castle-shaped water tower also houses a gift shop with items made by San Diego’s own local artists and artisans.
5. Oh Wow Nickel Arcade
Playing an arcade game at this vintage location will cost you a single nickel, so it’s not completely free. Skeeball and pinball are also included in the selection of games.
A rainy afternoon at the Oh Wow Nickel Arcade in Fresno, California, is the perfect opportunity to play penny-pinching arcade games. By achieving a new high score, you can relive your childhood (or the childhood you never had). You can grab a soda and a joystick and join us.
6. Shizen Japanese Garden
The Shinzen Japanese Garden was established as a token of friendship between Fresno, California, and Kochi, Japan’s Sister City. Events like the Shinzen Cultural Faire and the Spring Blossom Festival are held there each year.
7. Forestiere Underground Gardens
It is located in Fresno, California, and is known as the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Succulents, beautiful flowers, and fruit trees adorn the subterranean rooms and passages that welcome visitors. Many of the trees in the park are over a century old.
8. Woodward Park
Woodward Park, named for Ralph Woodward, is a 300-acre park that includes a lake and a bird sanctuary named after the benefactor. Children’s playgrounds, dog parks, picnic areas, and five miles of multi-purpose trails are all available at the park.
9. Meux Home Museum
Visitors to the Meux Home Museum can learn about Fresno’s history during the Victorian era. Tours of the home’s various rooms, including the Master Bedroom and the Parlor, are available at the location.
10. Kearney Mansion Museum
In addition to being a Fresno landmark, the Kearney Mansion Museum is an excellent example of French renaissance architecture. The museum now owns both houses on the property and welcomes visitors.
11. Kings River Expeditions
Whitewater rafting trips of all lengths are available through Kings River Expeditions. Night camping is required in the latter case, either in the base camp or other specially designated places.
12. Fresno Art Museum
Additionally, the Fresno Art Museum houses two permanent collections devoted to the pre-Columbian civilization. Adult and children’s programs are available daily, as are special event spaces like the galleries and the auditorium.
13. Fresno Art Galleries
An art gallery in Fresno, California, is a place for artists to display their work, and it serves as a permanent studio for a small group of artists. Among the works on display here are paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
14. Aerosports Trampoline Park
Visitors to Aerosports Trampoline Park can enjoy a new and exciting way of exercising and having fun. The trampoline park has a dodgeball area, a foam pit, and a lot of other fun activities for visitors to participate in.
15. Edwards Fresno Stadium Cinemas
Moviegoers at Edwards Fresno Stadium Cinemas can catch the latest releases on digital projection in IMAX theaters. With every purchase, members of Regal Cinemas’ reward program can accrue points that can be used to redeem free tickets.
16. William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center
The William Saroyan Theatre Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center is an opulent, luxurious, and spacious venue that can accommodate up to 2351 people. Concerts and other events are held in the theater’s lounge, which has a bar and catering services.
17. AMF Sierra Lanes
AMF Sierra Lanes is a non-smoking bowling alley with 48 lanes that hosts open bowling, league bowling, and private parties. Billiards, a bar for adults, karaoke, video games, arcades, and a variety of food are all available at the facility.
18. Dynamic Bowling Industries
Dynamic Bowling Industries, a pro shop inside Rodeo Lanes bowling alley, offers a wide range of goods and services to bowlers. Among the offerings are bowling ball sales and drilling, as well as surface management and coaching.
20. Clovis Old Town Trail
The Clovis Old Town Trail is a paved path that leads visitors to the city’s major attractions. Depending on the season, the trail is surrounded by a variety of wildflowers and other native plants.
21. Old Town Clovis
You can find everything from antique shops to boutiques to gift stores to salons to day spas in the four-block stretch of Old Town Clovis. Markets and other events are also held there.
22. Gettysburg Park
Clovis’ Gettysburg Park has three separate play areas for children, each with its own play structures and equipment. There are also barbecue grills in the park’s picnic areas.
23. Railroad Park
There are open grass areas, closed circuit cameras, two playgrounds, and a seating area in the Railroad Park community. Baseball, soccer, and Frisbee can all be played on the grass field.
24. Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society
The Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society has a museum with a permanent exhibit of photographs and Native American artifacts in order to preserve the history of the region. An American veterans’ section contains artifacts dating from World War I to the Persian Gulf War.
25. Buchanan Softball Complex
The Buchanan Softball Complex has five softball fields, each with a set of bleachers on both the home and away sides, making it ideal for both recreational and competitive play. There are trash cans and a paved walkway at the facility.
26. Millview Park
Millview Park, a six-acre green space in Batavia, is part of the Batavia Park District. In addition to the basketball court and picnic shelter, the park has a fully accessible playground.
27. Miracle Skate
There are both open skate sessions and private parties and events held at Miracle Skate. There is a snack bar and a full-service skate shop on site, and there are numerous family-friendly events held throughout the year.
28. Lacey Park
Lacey Park is a neighborhood park with standard park amenities. Many open grass areas and a basketball court are available for children to play, and a park shelter can be rented for private events.
29. Ford Hill Skate Park
Skateboarding enthusiasts can enjoy the Ford Hill Skate Park from sunrise to sunset every day of the week. Bikes are not permitted in the park, but in-line skaters and skateboarders are welcome.
30. Hanford Carnegie Museum
Visitors to the Hanford Carnegie Museum can take a look around at the site where the Carnegie Library once stood. The museum has historical exhibits and educational programs, as well as a wide range of special events.
31. Metro 4 Cinema
The most recent Hollywood releases are shown at Metro 4 Cinema, a local movie theater. Many of the theater’s amenities include rentals, concessions, and matinee ticket specials.
32. Taoist Temple Museum & Gift Shop
It’s an authentic temple with a worship room, sleeping quarters, and wooden sculptures that’s only open on the first Saturday of each month. This temple frequently hosts street fairs, festivals, and other events.
33. Coe Park
Coe Park is one of Hanford’s five public parks. The area is ideal for families, as it has picnic pavilions with shade, a water splash pad, a large playground, and plenty of open space for sports.
Other Activities to do in Fresno:
- With Kids
- Indoor Things to Do in Fresno
- Cheaps things to do
- Hidden Gems in Fresno
- Best Hotels in Fresno CA
- Cheap Hotels
- Best Museums
- Best Hiking Trails
- Best Shopping In Fresno
FAQs Free Things To Do In Fresno CA
Is Fresno California worth visiting?
Fresno, California’s fifth-largest city, has a lot to offer visitors and residents alike in the way of free things to do. A lot of tourists think that downtown Fresno is a great place to spend a few days away from home.
What is Fresno known for?
More than one-and-a-half-million acres of the world’s top-producing farmland can be found here. Over 10,000 hotel rooms and a wide variety of state-of-the-art sporting and meeting facilities can be found in downtown Fresno County.
Is Fresno a fun place to live?
Living in Fresno, California, you’ll never be bored. In addition to a vibrant cultural arts scene with numerous art galleries and museums, the city hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year.
