CLEVELAND -- High food, gas and airfare prices have a lot of families staying close to home Fourth of July weekend.

But you can still have family fun over the weekend without spending a lot of money.

The first ever Red, White and Zoo weekend at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo features special discounts and patriotic animal activities.

On Friday, wear red white or blue and get $2 off admission. Tickets are also buy one, get one free for the Touch stingrays and shark exhibit.

The first 2,000 children to enter the zoo on the Fourth will receive a free flag.

At Cedar Point in Sandusky, if you present a valid military ID you can get two tickets for the price of one. Also, the park has combines an all-you-can-eat picnic with admission so you don't have to worry about buying your meals.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Metroparks also offer free holiday fun.

For a trip back in time, climb aboard the Voyageur canoes in the Hinckley reservation, paddle a kayak at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve, or hike or bike at the Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park.

You can also try the new butterfly garden at the French Creek Reservation Nature Center.

For a small admission, check out never-before-seen items at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The museum is bringing artifacts out of the vault to be featured in a new exhibit.

And of course, watching fireworks is also a cheap source of fun. Check out the full list of community fireworks displays here.