6 Free Things to Do in Washington DC
Washington DC is secretly one of the best budget cities in the country. Hotels are expensive, sure, and so is dinner. But the things you actually come to see? Almost all of them are free.
In this guide
That’s not a few small extras, either. The world’s biggest museum complex, the monuments, the Capitol, a huge library and a famous zoo all cost nothing. Here are six free things to do in Washington DC, with a few tips to get the most out of them.
1. Walk the monuments at night
The monuments on the National Mall are open 24 hours, and they’re free. You can see them during the day, of course, but they’re at their best at night, when they’re lit up, the crowds thin out and it’s cooler in summer.
Start at the Washington Monument, then walk to the World War II Memorial and down the Reflecting Pool to the Lincoln Memorial. Climb the steps and look back. It’s a classic for a reason. Then loop around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the FDR Memorial. The full loop is about four miles, so wear good shoes or rent a bike.
2. Visit the Smithsonian museums
The Smithsonian runs 21 museums and the National Zoo, and every single one is free. Most are right on the National Mall, a short walk from each other. You could spend a week here and not see everything.
The big ones are the National Museum of Natural History (dinosaurs and the Hope Diamond), the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which is outstanding and needs free timed passes. Don’t miss the National Gallery of Art, which is also free, though it’s technically not part of the Smithsonian. Real aviation fans should head out to the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport, home to the Space Shuttle Discovery. Entry is free there too, but parking isn’t.
3. Tour the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, and its Thomas Jefferson Building might be the most beautiful building in DC. The Great Hall is covered in marble, mosaics and gold leaf. It’s jaw-dropping.
Entry is free, but you’ll need a free timed pass, which you can book online. Look down into the Main Reading Room from the balcony, see Thomas Jefferson’s library and the giant Gutenberg Bible. It’s right behind the Capitol, and a tunnel connects the two buildings, so you can combine them easily.
4. Tour the US Capitol
Tours of the US Capitol are free and take about an hour. They start at the Capitol Visitor Center, take you through the crypt and into the Rotunda, with its huge painted dome, and to the old Senate and House chambers in the original building.
Book ahead online, especially in spring and summer, when slots fill up. You can also contact your representative or senator’s office for a staff-led tour, which can be more personal. If Congress is in session, you can watch from the galleries, but you’ll need a separate pass from your representative’s office. International visitors can get one at the visitor center.
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5. Visit Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery sits just across the Potomac, a short Metro ride away. It’s free to visit and very moving. Rows and rows of white headstones stretch over rolling green hills, and more than 400,000 people are buried here.
Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It happens every hour, and every half hour in summer, and it’s incredibly precise. Visit John F. Kennedy’s grave, with its eternal flame, and walk up to Arlington House for one of the best views over Washington. It’s a big place, so wear comfortable shoes, and be respectful. Funerals happen here every day.
6. Catch a free show and explore Georgetown
The Kennedy Center has a free performance every single day on its Millennium Stage, usually at 6 p.m. It might be jazz, a dance group or a choir. No ticket needed, just show up. Afterward, go up to the roof terrace for a free view over the Potomac at sunset.
From there, walk 20 minutes into Georgetown, DC’s oldest neighborhood. Wander the cobbled streets, past colorful row houses, and walk along the C&O Canal towpath. Window shopping on M Street is free, even if the shops aren’t.
A few more free extras
The National Zoo is free and home to giant pandas again. The US Botanic Garden, next to the Capitol, is a lovely free greenhouse. The National Archives, where you can see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, is free too. In spring, the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin are the best free show in town.
How to save money on everything else
Use the Metro, which is clean and easy, instead of taxis. Pack snacks, because museum cafés are pricey. Stay in Arlington or near a Metro stop outside downtown for cheaper hotels. And go in the off-season, from November to February, when prices drop and lines shrink.
A simple free day in DC
Here’s how to string it together. Start at the Capitol with a morning tour, then take the tunnel to the Library of Congress. Have lunch from a food truck on the Mall, which is cheaper than any museum café. Spend the afternoon at one or two Smithsonian museums. Don’t try to do more. Museum fatigue is real.
Head to the Kennedy Center for the free 6 p.m. show, then walk the monuments after dark. You’ll have seen the best of the city and spent nothing but your Metro fare and a sandwich.
Common questions
Are the Smithsonian museums really free?
Yes. All 21 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are free.
Do you need tickets for the Library of Congress?
You need a free timed pass, which you can book online.
Can you tour the White House?
Yes, for free, but you have to request it through your member of Congress, often months ahead.
Is the Capitol tour free?
Yes. Book ahead on the Capitol Visitor Center website.
When is the best time to see the monuments?
At night, when they’re lit up and the crowds are smaller.
