Free to See Washington D.C.

Washington D.C., our nation's capitol, is full of many things that are free to see.

If you are looking for an outdoor stroll, check out the Landmarks along The National Mall and Washington D.C. Monuments:

• The Jefferson Memorial
• The Lincoln Memorial
• World War II Memorial
• Korean War Memorial
• Vietnam Memorial Wall
• Grant Memorial
• the Washington Monument
• and the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Or how about the Smithsonian's National Zoo!  Set on 163 acres, the zoo features 2,000 animals of 400 different species and is open 364 days a year!  And did I mention, admission is FREE!

Any visit to Washington D.C. would be amiss, without a trip to The Smithsonian Institution.  The complex includes 19 museums and galleries, all of which offer free admission.  Don't forget to visit The Smithsonian Gardens, while you're there.

A number of Washington D.C.'s other attractions are also free to see:

• The White House
• National Archives
• Library of Congress
• Arlington National Cemetery
• The National Portrait Gallery
• National Postal Museum
• The Old Stone House in Rock Creek Park
• National Air and Space Museum
• Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens 

If you enjoy theater and the arts, a few places in D.C. offer free entertainment:

• The Kennedy Center - free performances every evening at 6 o'clock
• The National Theatre - free family-oriented shows Saturday mornings
• National Art Gallery - free gallery admission and concerts Sundays at 6:30pm
• George Washington University's Orchestra - free concerts
• The Phillips Collection Modern Art Museum - free admission Tues - Fri

Meridian Park has a thirteen-basin cascade fountain and a number of finely crafted statues and memorials.  In addition, it is the home of the famous drum circle every Sunday from 3 to 9 pm.

Ford's Theatre and the Petersen House offer free admission as well, however, you'll need to plan your visit in advance as they do require a timed entry ticket.

Washington DC has a number of free festivals throughout the year, including:

• the National Cherry Blossom Festival
• the Source Festival
• and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Visit Washington DC's Visitor Resource Center to find what's free to see during your visit!

Check out the Washington Metro for transportation costs.  It may be cheaper to put a Smartrip card into your travel budget, rather than paying for parking and taxi fares.


View Free Travel Washington D.C. in a larger map


Take note, if you are planning a trip to Washington DC, expect to spend a lot of time, or to take more than one trip if you would like to see all there is to see.  One could easily spend a full day in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, alone!