Are you looking for FREE things to do in Washington, DC? We’ve got you covered!
Washington, DC, is such a popular family travel destination. There are so many things to do in the city that we’ve visited multiple times as a family. And we still haven’t seen it all!
One of the reasons we love to visit Washington, DC is because there are so many FREE museums and other attractions in the city.
And many of the places are kid-friendly, making Washington, DC, a perfect destination for a weekend getaway or even a fun place to visit over spring break.
Thankfully, there are so many FREE things to do in Washington, DC, it makes for an affordable family getaway.
The guide below shares many of the FREE things to do in Washington, DC, and some that are relatively inexpensive. Let’s dive in!
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30 FREE Things to Do in Washington, DC
There are plenty of FREE things to do in Washington, DC, even things that don’t include the Smithsonian Museums. Of course, this list has them included because they are amazing!
The list below contains all of the free stuff to in DC. However, some places require advance reservations. The list below will note if you need to obtain tickets or reservation ahead of time which will help you plan how to spend your days in DC.
Free National Park and Historic Sites
- Washington Monument – To go inside the Washington Monument, you must make advanced reservations online that cost $1 per ticket. If you are able to snag same-day walk-up ticket, those are FREE.
- National Mall Memorials and Monuments – These include the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the WWII Memorials, and all of the others along the mall. No reservations required
- Old Post Office Tower – No advanced reservations required.
- Arlington National Cemetery – No advanced reservations required. You can walk around and visit everything in Arlington National Cemetery for FREE. However, is you want to take the tram tour, there is a fee for that. And if you’re driving to Arlington Cemetery, you’ll have to pay for parking.
Science Museums
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Advanced reservations required at time of publication. And although not technically in Washington, DC, the Udvar-Hazy Center location in Virginia is also FREE and requires reservations.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – No advanced reservation required at this time
- Planet Word Museum – Advanced reservations required
History Museums
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – Advanced reservations are required.
- National Museum of the American Indian – No advanced reservations required. You can also visit the Manhattan location for FREE on your next trip to New York City.
- National Museum of American History – No advanced reservations required.
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – Advanced reservations are required.
Art Museums
- Hirshhorn Museum – No advanced reservation required for general admission. However, special exhibits may require reservations.
- National Portrait Gallery – No advanced reservations required.
- Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art – No advanced reservations required.
- National Museum of African Art – No advanced reservations required
- Freer Gallery of Art – No advanced reservations required.
- Smithsonian American Art Museum – No advanced reservations required.
Other Free Museums in Washington, DC
- Anacostia Community Museum – No advanced reservations required.
- Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum – No advanced reservations required.
- National Archives Museum – No advanced reservations required.
- The White House Visitor Center – No advanced reservations required.
Zoo & Gardens
- National Zoo – Advanced reservations are required. It is FREE to enter the National Zoo, but if you are driving, you must reserve paid-parking in advance of your visit.
- Smithsonian Gardens – No advanced reservations required.
- United States Botanic Garden – No advanced reservations required.
- National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden – No advanced reservations required.
- U.S. National Arboretum – No advanced reservations required.
- Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden – No advanced reservations required.
Federal Building Tours
- US Capitol Building – Advanced reservations required (no tours on weekends/holidays)
- Supreme Court Building – No advanced reservations required. Building is closed when court is in session, weekends, and holidays.
- Library of Congress – Advanced reservations required.
Where to Stay in Washington, DC
Most of the FREE things to do in Washington, DC, are near the National Mall, though a few are close to the White House or a short drive away. You’ll want to stay in a hotel in those areas for the most convenience.
However, staying in Washington, DC, can be expensive. You can usually save some money by staying at a hotel in Alexandria, VA, or Arlington, VA. Whichever hotel you choose, pick one near the Metro. It’ll make it easier to get in and out of the city.
We’ve stayed at the following hotels and have had a good experience at each:
- Hampton Inn Washington, D.C./White House: Nice hotel with FREE hot breakfast. Walking distance to the White House and a 15-minute walk to National Mall.
- Hyatt Place Washington Dc/White House: Nice hotel with FREE hot breakfast. Larger rooms make it great for families. Walking distance to the White House and a 15-minute walk to National Mall.
- Embassy Suites Alexandria Old Town: Beautiful hotel with FREE made-to-order hot breakfast. Across from the Metro and a 20-minute ride into Washington, DC.
Getting Around Washington, DC
Walking
To keep your visit to Washington, DC, on a budget, walking is the way to go! Overall, Washington, DC, is pretty walkable as most monuments and FREE museums visitors want to see are along the National Mall.
However, the size of the National Mall can be deceiving. Those attractions seem closer to each other than they actually are. To give you an idea of how big the National Mall is, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building is almost 2.5 miles.
DC Metro
The Washington DC Metro is also an easy way to get around town. There are several stops both on (Smithsonian) and near (L’Enfant and Federal Triangle) the National Mall. There is also a stop dedicated to the Arlington National Cemetery.
Every rider five years old and up needs a SmartTrip card. As of publication, you can use a physical card or add them to your Apple Wallet.
The Metro offers unlimited use 1, 3, and 7-day passes, or you can pay per trip. Use their trip planner to determine fares and what option would be best for you.
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are another easy way to get around Washington, DC, without spending too much money. Riders must use the company’s app to pay for the scooter and will pay per minute. The rate depends on the time of day and the scooters’ demand.
Companies that have permits for dockless scooters in DC for 2023-2024 are Lime, Lyft, Spin, and VeoRide.
Driving
A car is an easy way to get around DC, so having your vehicle nearby might be more convenient. Paid street parking is available along the National Mall near the monuments and museum. Parking time is typically limited to two-three hours.
Having your car available to drive to the National Zoo or the National Arboretum is also handy. If you drive to the zoo, you’ll need pre-paid reserved parking ahead of time.
Plan Your Trip to Washington, DC
Now that you know about all of the FREE things to do in Washington, DC, it’s time to plan your getaway. Check out these 2, 3, and 5-day itineraries to get your started.
And if you’re staying longer than a weekend, consider visiting Alexandria, which is a short Metro ride away.
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