From 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, weather permitting (check the museum’s Facebook page to make sure skies are clear enough for the star party), you can stargaze on a state-of-the art, computer -guided telescope, take telescope assisted photos with your smartphone, and learn the major star, constellation, planet, and moon positions, how to read a star map, and more—all for free.

Friday, Nov. 24, is the opening day of ArtSpace’s Annual Model Train Show featuring the Tinplate Trackers O-Gauge Model Train Clubmodel train show in Round Rock, and it's free. Anyone with a penchant for miniatures, dioramas, or (hey, Curbed readers!) architectural models will be a natural fan of the little worlds created by the sometimes very serious hobbyists of the model train scene—many of whom are fascinating in their own right.

Austin is loaded with many natural parks and other outdoor options for getting away from the Black Friday hordes. We chose St. Edward’s Park for its peacefulness, views, and options for different levels of runners and hikers—plus, it’s dog-friendly. For those who prefer a long walk rather than “hiking,” there are, of course several lovely parks and trails in the central city. Pick the one that’s right for you, get off the couch, and go!

The Ransom Center Galleries are always free (donations encouraged), but if you visit on Friday at noon, you’ll get a docent tour thrown in. The galleries will be also open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and it’s a great chance to see Ed Ruscha: Archaeology and Romance, the first major exhibition drawn from the Ransom Center’s Edward Ruscha Papers and Art Collection.

Santa returns to the Terrace at the Long Center to talk to the kids and take free photos (available for download later) in front of that drop-dead gorgeous Austin backdrop. There will be other family-friendly activities, entertainment, and treats as well. The event is weather-permitting, so check the Long Center’s social media if you have doubts before you head out.

We're mapping the Spratx HQ here, but really FreeArtFriday—when artists make art, leave it in a secure location, drop clues on Instagram about its whereabouts, and then the discover Instagrams his/her finding (and gets free art!) takes place all over town. Check their website for more detailed instructions.

Get on your bikes and ride! When it comes to bike trails in and around town, we have an embarrassment of riches. The Veloway Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park is a great place to start, though. It was built in the early 1990s and was the first facility of its kind in the United States: 23-foot-wide, 3.1-mile-long (5K) bicycle tract that traverses the natural terrain, the project was partially funded by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant and brings visitors from all over the world.