Life: Free and frugal fun in Orange County

Life: Free and frugal fun in O.C. free, admission, see, tuesdays, kids - OCRegister.com: "Free and frugal fun in O.C."
Free and frugal fun in O.C.
A list of "Kids Eat Free" nights, free admissions, and other frugal fun.
By CYNTHIA RUPE
The Orange County Register
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Times are tough, and families are pinching pennies now more than ever. No need to cut all the fun "extras" out this summer, though. Believe it or not, there is lots of "free and frugal" fun to be had in Orange County.
To help make your search easier, we drafted this list of local "frugals and freebies" – from "Kids Eat Free" nights at local restaurants to free admission at local museums (great for mom's night out).
This isn't an exhaustive listing by any means, and we'll be adding items as we find them. We'd also love your help, so if you know of a "frugal or freebie" find in your area, please e-mail us at or add it to the comments below.
Food
Ruby's– Kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entrée.
IHOP – Kids eat free with purchase of an adult entrée. Offer and night vary by location.
Denny's– Kids eat free on Tuesdays from 4-10 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée. Some locations also offer Saturdays.
Norm's– Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-10 p.m. (Santa Ana); Mondays from 2-10 p.m. (Orange, Anaheim, Costa Mesa); Tuesdays from 2-10 p.m. (Huntington Beach).
Go Roma, The District in Tustin – Kids ages 10 and under eat free after 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday with an adult meal purchase of a minimum of $6.
Fun
Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach – Free admission on the third Thursday of the month. (Regular price: $10 adults).
The Irvine Museum, Irvine – Free admission and parking.
Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach – Free admission from 5-9 p.m. the first Thursday of the month.
Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton – Free admission.
Bowers Museum, Santa Ana – Free admission on Friday nights for up to 100 visitors on the hour at 4, 5, 6, and 7 p.m. Museum closes at 8 p.m. Free admission for Santa Ana residents (with valid ID) on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of the month.
Picture Show at MainPlace, Santa Ana (Westfield MainPlace Mall) – Discount movie theater. $1.75 admission, $1 on Tuesdays.
Starplex Woodbridge 5, Irvine – Discount movie theater. Matinee $1.50 (before 6 p.m.), Evening Shows $2 (after 6 p.m.), Tuesdays $1 (all day). Cash only.
Starplex Movies 7, La Mirada – Discount movie theater. Matinee $1.50 (before 6 p.m.), Evening Shows $2 (after 6 p.m.), Tuesdays $1 (all day). Cash only.
Adventure City, Anaheim – Discount theme park. $13.95 adult or child admission, includes all rides, shows and attractions.
Hobby City, Anaheim – Toy museum and shops. Adjacent to Adventure City. Free admission.