The best things in life are free, and this list is no exception to the rule. Here are our nine favorite ways to spend a beautiful spring or summer day in the Queen City without spending a dime!

1. Food Truck Tuesdays (Larkin Square)

Take a day off from your cooking schedule every Tuesday from now through early October. While you do have to pay for whatever dishes you want to try from the trucks, the live entertainment and atmosphere is totally free! And really... can you put a price on not having to do the dishes on a Tuesday night?

2. Cherry Blossom Festival (1 Museum Court)

Breaking news: The Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival starts THIS weekend, April 29th and runs through May 6th! Head to the Japanese Gardens (one of our most favorite places in the city) for this free festival and enjoy the blooming blossoms that surround the Buffalo History Museum!

3. Shakespeare in the Park (Delaware Park)

Bring your lawn chair and head to Delaware Park Tuesdays through Sundays starting in June for Shakespeare in the Park. 2017 productions include The Merry Wives of Windsor and Macbeth.

4. Canalside Wellness Activities (Canalside)

Get your yoga on at Canalside this summer with their wellness activities. The exercises and events change throughout the summer months. Check the full schedule here.

5. Slow Roll Buffalo

Hit the pavement with Slow Roll Buffalo every Monday night at 5:30! Slow Roll gathers a large crowd of bicyclists for leisurely rides through various parts of the city.

6. M&T Summer Plaza Series (M&T Plaza)

If you work downtown, the M&T Plaza is a great place to spend your lunch break - especially during the Summer Plaza Series. Listen to live music and take a breather from the 9-5.

7. Downtown Buffalo Country Market (Main Street)

Mark your calendar for Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer for the Downtown Buffalo Country Market on Main Street. This market serves up everything from fresh flowers and produce to delicious homemade donuts. While you do have to pay for your market finds, it's completely free to browse!

8. Canalside Free Summer Concerts (Canalside)

Each summer, Canalside offers a selection of free summer concerts for your listening pleasure! This year's schedule hasn't been released yet, but keep checking back to here for more!

9. ChalkFest (Main Street)

ChalkFest Buffalo is a free, family-friendly festival featuring chalk art from talented local artists. The event will be held on August 5-6 this summer. This year's theme is "Once Upon a Time..." and if previous years are any indication, you really will feel like you've stepped into a fairytale with this impressive artwork!

Talk is cheap, but that's totally fine with us! Share your favorite freebie outdoor activities in and around Buffalo in the comments!