Have fun, frugally Here's how you can go out without cleaning out your wallet

Kim Hone-McMahan

Jun. 26, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Life can't be all work and no play. Yet having fun can sometimes be expensive. For instance, a movie, popcorn and a drink can set a couple back $27 or more. Add dinner, and it's a pricey night out. That's why we're offering you, as part of our Reclaim the Dream series, some alternatives. It's not meant to be an all-inclusive list, but rather ideas to get you thinking about options that are designed to give you, and your pocketbook, a little relief.

Something to keep in mind: Discounted tickets can be found through places like Acme Fresh Markets. To learn more, visit http://www.acmestores.com/marketing/acme_card_benefits.html.

Now, on with the fun. Since we were already talking about it, let's start with movies.

MOVIES

--Rolling Acres Cinema, 2400 Romig Road, Akron, charges less for first-run flicks. At six bucks a ticket for movies after 6 p.m., watching here could save a couple about $5.50 for tickets. If you are 62 or older, you could save even more. Senior citizens and children 12 and younger pay $4. To find out what's on the screen, call 330-745-1600 or visit http://www.rollingacrescinema.net.

--Cinemark Movies 10, 6284 Dressler Road N.W., Jackson Township, shows second-run films. Evening tickets Sunday through Thursday cost $1.25. On Friday and Saturday, the price goes up to $2.25. Matinees are cheaper, and senior citizens can get in for 75 cents all day Monday. For information, call 330-497-1222 or visit http://www.cinemark.com.

--Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N., offers kids' movies for a buck on Tuesdays through Aug. 5. All other non-first-run movies are $5. The theater's hot-line number is 330-454-8171 or visit http://www.cantonpalacetheatre.org.

--Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, offers free movies most Thursdays at 5 or 6:30 p.m. Parking is free in the deck at High and Market streets after 6 p.m. To find out more, call 330-643-9000 or visit http://www.akronlibrary.org/events/movies.html.

--This year is the 75th anniversary of the drive-in movie. Opening in June 1937, Akron's Starlight was one of the first 10 drive-ins in the nation. Where once they were plentiful around the country, today, only a few are in operation. So, before they all ascend to the great screen in the sky, visit one of the area's three remaining outdoor theaters this summer. In addition to a taste of nostalgia, you'll be treated to double features of first-run movies. Take a few friends and save money. The going rate per car is $16. Before going, check whether the theater is open.

Blue-Sky Drive-In, 959 Broad St., Wadsworth. To find out what's showing, call 330-334-1809 or visit http://www.blueskydrive-in.com.

Magic City Drive-In, 5602 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Barberton. For information, call 330-825-4333 or visit http://www.magiccitydrive-in.com.

Midway Twin Drive-In is on state Route 59, a half-mile east of Kent. For movies, call 330-296-9829 or visit http:// www.funflick.com.

TOURS

There are several places in the area that offer tours. Some are free; others charge a minimal fee. Either way, it's different from a movie or going out for a bite to eat. Here are a few to consider.

--Harry London Candies Inc. (NASDAQ:ICON) , 5353 Lauby Road, Green. Exit Interstate 77 at the Akron-Canton Airport.

It's a mouthwatering tour ($3 for adults and $2 for youngsters 3 to 18; free for children younger than 2) high above the production floor. Both small and large groups are welcome.

Guided tour hours through June are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and are by reservation only. Friday tours resume on July 11, which may be a better option, since production may not be running during the tours this month.

For tour information and reservations, contact the tour department 800-321-0444, Ext. 119, or http://www.harrylondon.com.

--Dr. Bob's home, 855 Ardmore Ave., Akron.

It's the place where Alcoholics Anonymous began in 1935. The son and daughter of Dr. Bob personally redesigned the home, which was restored to its original condition about 24 years ago, to look as they remembered it when they were children.

Visitors walk through the rooms in which the earliest AA members stayed. There's also a half-hour video on how AA was started.

Admission to the home, open every day except Christmas from noon to 3 p.m., is free. For information, call 330-864-1935.

--Red Run Bison and Horse Farm, 9143 Coal Bank Road, Chippewa Township near Marshallville.

More than 150 head of buffalo live on the 250-acre Red Run Farm. The farm is also home to a beautiful, gentle breed of horses, the Kentucky mountain pleasure horse. Group tours only. For costs, times and other information, call 330-855-1394.

--The best time to visit a hospital is when you don't have to be there.Ravenna's Robinson Memorial Hospital, 6847 N. Chestnut St. in Portage County, is open to tours for groups of eight or more.

Visit the cardiac rehabilitation unit and surgery and emergency rooms.

For reservations for the free tour, call 330-297-2581.

--Want to check out the operations of a daily newspaper? Free 60- to 90-minute tours of the Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., are held at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Groups should call in advance -- 330-996-3391.

Be prepared for lots of steps. Kids younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Open-toe shoes and strollers are not permitted.

--See the beauty of the Cuyahoga River on board the Front Runner III and Cuyahoga Cruiser pontoon boats. The hourlong sightseeing trips begin at the North Pier Boardwalk of Falls River Square (north of the fountain). The tour features a historical narrative of the river and information about vegetation and forestry along the banks. The handicap-accessible boats travel under five bridges.

Now through July 13, the trips run from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. From July 14 through Aug. 22, the tours run from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Beginning Aug. 23 and running through Oct. 5, the tours will be on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Rates are $5 for those 18 to 59, $4 for 7 to 17 and free for folks 60 and older or 6 and younger. Tickets for each trip are sold to the first 14 people in line before departure.

To make reservations for a charter group tour, call 330-971-8225.

MISHMASH OF FUN

--Akron Zoo (http://www.akronzoo.org), 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron.

You can save a chunk of change if you go as a group. Admission is usually $9 for adults and $5.50 for ages 2-14, but if you take a gang of 15 or more, everyone pays just $4 apiece. To receive this ticket discount, your group must order and pay for your tickets two weeks before your visit. You will also receive one free adult ticket for every five prepaid children's tickets.

Call 330-375-2550, Ext. 7246, for group tickets. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

--After monkeying it up at the zoo, a bit of culture might be just what the kids need. Admission for children 12 and younger who visit the Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., is free. Adults pay $7, with discounts for students and senior citizens.

The museum features more than 12,000 square feet of gallery space dedicated to the display of its collection, which focuses on art produced since 1850. On the first Tuesday of each month, individual admission to the collection is free for all ages.

If you're a regular rider of the Metro RTA, you may qualify for a $2 discount off the regular $7 adult admission price.

More information is available by calling 330-376-9185 or visiting http://www.akronartmuseum.org.

--Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market, 1289 Edison St. N.W., is a great place to get rid of some of your old -- uh, treasures. For as little as $10, you can rent a 12-foot-wide-by-30-foot-deep vendor's spot. Or if you're looking to do a little shopping, admission is free.

The flea market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The July 4 special sale runs July 3-5. Thousands of buyers are expected. Tip: Stop in early. Vendors and shoppers will be out as early as 6 a.m.

For information, visit http://www.hartvillefleamarket.com.

--If it's a "take my breath away" site you're after, don't miss the Balloon Classic Invitational at Kent State University's Stark campus, 6000 Frank Road N.W. in Jackson Township next month. It is part of the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities.

More than 70 giant hot-air balloons will take flight at 6:30 p.m. July 25; 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. July 26 and 6:30 a.m. July 27. The free event is, of course, dependent on weather conditions.

Parking is available at lots along Frank Road for $5 after 3 p.m.

There are lots of inexpensive or free events during the HOF celebration. Another includes the nationally televised Timken Grand Parade at 8 a.m. Aug. 2 in downtown Canton.

The parade showcases the current class of enshrinees and a large contingent of returning hall of famers, balloons, floats, marching bands and more. For information about the parade and other HOF events, visit http://www.profootballhoffestival.com.

--So think you might like to learn to dance? With the popularity of television shows like Dancing With the Stars, the thought might be on your mind more often these days. Not only is it fun and inexpensive, but it's also a great way to lose a few extra pounds.

To find spots where you can take lessons for everything from the jitterbug to hip-hop, take a look at Enjoy's A Chance to Dance list. For instance, Poetry in Motion Dance Class in Akron offers dance instruction for five bucks. Or if country line dancing is your thing, lessons are offered at Cuyahoga Falls' Quirk Cultural Center, also for $5.

--Need a place to cool off this summer? How about indoor ice skating at the Center Ice Sports Arena, 8319 Port Jackson Ave. N.W., near the Akron-Canton Airport. There are figure skating, hockey and learn-to-skate programs. It's open to the public. Call 330-966-0169 for open skate times. Open skating is $5 for adults and $4 for children. Noon open skating on Monday, Wednesday and Friday is $3.50.

For information, visit http://www.centericesports.net.

--You don't have to drive to Cleveland to watch professional baseball. The Akron Aeros play at Canal Park, 300 S. Main St., where reserved bleacher seats are $9 for fans older than 12. Those 12 or younger and older than 60 get in for $7.

On Tuesdays, buy one adult ticket and get another free. Buy one and get one free also applies to hot dogs and popcorn.

Check out Orbit's Kids Club at http://www.akronaeros.com/index.php and get free admission to five games.

--Stadium seating for the Akron Racers, a women's fast-pitch professional softball team whose home is Firestone Stadium, 1575 Firestone Parkway, Akron, is $7. To learn more about the team or check out the schedule, visit http://akronracers.org.

--Perhaps there's no other inexpensive outing in our area that says "Akron" more than the All-American Soap Box Derby, 789 Derby Downs Drive, Akron. The opening ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. July 26. Tickets for the 71st derby are $5. Bring a canned food item and get your buddy in free. To check out the derby site, visit http://allamericansoapboxderby.com.

Kim Hone-McMahan can be reached at 330-996-3742 or kmcmahan@thebeaconjournal.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0006-26260793