Sometimes, to find great free things to do with the kids, all you have to do is ask.

For years, I had driven by the Gilsland Farm Audubon Center off Route 1 in Falmouth and just assumed there was a fee to use it. Or at least you had to be an Audubon member, I figured.

About a year ago, I asked somebody who goes there to bird watch what the fee was. Zero, she told me. And it's true. Anybody can stroll the hiking trails and explore the 65-acre sanctuary for free, seven days a week.

You can watch the tide come in, and watch seabirds flying over the Presumpscot River estuary.

And there's a little visitor's center with kid-friendly exhibits, was well as binoculars for the children to use.

So when you're looking for a beautiful, easy hike with the kids some day, give Gilsland a try.

And remember the lesson in all this: Always ask if it's free.

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