Free Things to Do in Washington, D.C.
Explore the Nation's Capital Without Spending A Penny
Apr 21, 2009
There are several free-of-charge options available in Washington, D.C. including the Smithsonian museums, the United States Capitol, the White House, and the national monuments. Listed below are a few of the free places D.C. has to offer.
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Tour passes are handed out daily, or passes can be booked in advance by contacting your Senator or Representative. Tours typically include a view of the rotunda, old Senate chamber, and Columbus doors. The House and Senate galleries can be viewed when either body is in session.
The White House
Tours of the White House are free to the public, but require a pass that can sometimes take up to six months to acquire. Passes can be received by contacting a Member of Congress. Tours can include a visit to the Oval Office, Lincoln Bedroom, and the infamous West Wing. Additionally, garden tours can be booked to view the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the Children's Garden, and the South Lawn.
National Museum of American History (Smithsonian)
The National Museum of American History features three floors of artifacts and exhibitions showcasing American culture and history. Objects include everything from a Kermit the Frog puppet to tools from the Industrial Revolution. A kid-friendly museum, children will enjoy visiting the Spark! Lab where kids can learn about science by performing experiments. Exhibitions change often, so additional visits to the museum are never boring.
National Zoological Park
The National Zoological Park is completely free and guaranteed to please the children. Known for their giant pandas, the zoo also houses elephants, lions, tigers, Komodo dragons, and a variety of birds and monkeys. Just make sure to drink plenty of fluids if you visit during the summertime as there are few shady areas to take refuge under during the humid D.C. summers.
Lincoln Memorial
Honoring the president who united the nation and ultimately ended slavery, the Lincoln Memorial has become an iconic image of Washington, D.C. Besides the statue itself, the memorial also features inscriptions of two of Abraham Lincoln's most famous speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address. In addition, Martin Luther King, Jr. also delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech here in 1963.
U.S. Botanic Garden
The botanic garden showcases a myriad of beautiful plants such as tulips, orchids, and lilies. Plants are seen in several different rooms each with their own climate. The U.S. Botanic Garden strives to protect and preserve plants, and features plants up to 150 million years old.
D.C. has often received a bad rap as being an overpriced city. Nevertheless, many of the capital's most famous attractions are free to visitors. As just one of these attractions can take an entire day to explore, visitors can enjoy the city endlessly without having to worry about the price of admission fees.
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