By Lori Gillespie | [email protected]

Salt Lake City is full of freebies; you just have to know where to look. Below is a list of four things you can do in one day that won’t cost you a dime. All are kid friendly and located within 4 miles of each other. Free parking is available at all locations, but walking will get a little exercise.

Fort Douglas Museum 

Located on the University of Utah Campus, 32 Potter Street, the Fort Douglas Museum is home to a plethora of military history and artifacts. This unassuming building is filled will beautiful and educational exhibits. The exhibits tell about the history of the fort as well as other historical events in which the military units from Utah participated. The staff hand is very knowledgeable and can answer any question you may have about the history or the exhibits. Outside, there are cannons, helicopters and tanks. It is possible to have your picture taken next to a Sherman Tank (which is pretty cool). Throughout the year the museum hosts a number of events, which, over the years, have included Cemetery Walks, Memorial Day events and Fort Douglas Days. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Donations are welcome.  https://www.fortdouglas.org/

Olympic Cauldron

Sitting at the gates of Rice-Eccles Stadium is the 2002 Olympic Cauldron. Built for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, the cauldron is positioned majestically where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics took place. While there is not much to do at the cauldron plaza, it is a site to behold up close. The caldron is located at 451 South 1400 East.

Gilgal Garden

Tucked in a residential neighborhood just off two busy intersections is Gilgal Garden, 749 East 500 South. It’s a quiet park—you wouldn’t see it unless you were looking for it – and it is filled with sculptures, quote plaques and flowers. On a recent visit, it was filled with young kids exploring the grounds. Gilgal Garden was created by Thomas Battersby Child, Jr. in 1945. It passed through many hands over the years but was opened to the public in 2000. It is a hidden gem and a must see for yourself place. Gilgal Gardens is open daily all summer long from 8 a.m. to  8 p.m.  http://gilgalgarden.org/

Artesian Well

After a visit to Gilgal, you may be thirsty. A stop at the Artesian Well, 800 South 500 East might be in order. People from all over the valley stop at the well year round. They fill up all kinds of bottles and take it home to drink throughout the week. The water is clean, coming from deep in the ground, and it’s tested regularly to make sure it stays that way. The water tastes fresh and cool. Make sure to bring your refillable bottle. More information about the well and the testing that is done on the water can be found at http://www.slcgov.com/artesianwells.

Chase House Museum of Utah Folk Arts

The final stop on this freebie trek is Chase House in Liberty Park, located right in the middle, to the east of the tennis courts and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and in the summer until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.) The building that the museum occupies was built in 1856 by Isaac Chase. Later that century, the farm the house was built on became Liberty Park, but the house remained. It now houses a collection of Utah folk art and hosts events and workshops and special exhibits. Information about all the events going on at the Chase House Museum of Utah Folk Arts can be found at its website: https://heritage.utah.gov/arts-and-museums/arts-and-museums-special/chasehome.