If you're looking for an affordable vacation or things to do during in-between meetings, take a look at some of the fun, free and almost-free experiences that await you in DC.

Performances · Family-Fun · Musts for History Buffs · DC Outside · International DC · Economical Eats & Cheap Happy Hours ·African-American Experience · Arts & Culture · Around Town · GLBT-Friendly Freebies

PERFORMANCES

Check out the cool outdoor art as you enjoy smooth music during "Jazz in the Garden," a Friday evening outdoor concert series running through Oct. 3 in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, usually from 5-8:30 pm.
Take in a free performance at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage every evening at 6pm. This summer's lineup includes notable acts like Sweet Honey in the Rock, The U.S. Army Chorus, The Manhattan Transfer and many others.
Feel the beat of a local tradition: head to Meridian Hill Park on Sundays (weather-permitting) between 3 and 9pm to hear the famous drum circle, a fixture in the park for more than 40 years that brings together people together from all different backgrounds to hear drum beats and watch African dancing. For a hands-on experience, bring your own drum to join in.
Check out free, live music at the National Gallery of Art on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. Concerts feature choral, Afghan, opera music and more, and are held in the West Building (6th St. & Constitution Ave, NW entrance). Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 6pm. No entry after 6:30pm.
Enjoy the funky and inventive performances that will be staged in and around downtown DC during the two-and-a-half week Capital Fringe Festival (July 10-27), with most tickets priced at $15 or less.
Show your patriotic spirit with free military band performances, offered almost every night at memorials and other venues in and around the city. For example, every Tuesday through Labor Day the U.S. Navy Band performs at Navy Memorial Plaza at 8pm, while the U.S. Air Force Band performs at the Air Force Memorial on Wednesday and Friday evenings at 8pm.
Fly like an eagle to check out another free summertime music tradition, Sunset Serenades at the National Zoo. The concerts take place on Thursday evenings from June 26 through August 7 at 6:30pm. Music ranges from jazz and folk to blues and rock. Bring your own picnic, or visit the Zoo's Mane Restaurant to purchase snacks.
Rock out at Sounds in the Square, a free outdoor concert series where buttoned-up K Street professionals by day can let loose by night. It takes place at Farragut Square (Connecticut & K Sts, NW) on Thursday evenings in May and June.
Attend a concert against the beautiful green backdrop of Rock Creek Park. There's a full lineup of free concerts taking place this summer at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, including reggae and Latin nights, as well as dance and poetry performances.
Consider "Live! On Woodrow Wilson Plaza," a free summer performance series that takes place weekdays from 12-1:30pm and features music from salsa and strings to blues, hip-hop and swing. Tito Puente Jr. does a special July 4 performance, while famous DC musician Chuck Brown closes this year's series with an evening performance on September 26.

FAMILY-FUN FREEBIES

Watch the National Zoo's conservation efforts first-hand and pay a visit to Tai Shan, only the third panda to be born and thrive in the U.S.
See the stars in Rock Creek Park at the only planetarium operated by the National Park Service.
Explore an exhibition and create a related art project to take home through the Freer & Sackler Gallery's Imaginasia family programming.
See the National Mall with DC by Foot, a walking tour company that gives free, kid-friendly tours (gratuity recommended) infused with games, fun facts and trivia.
Take pictures with Fala, the famous presidential pooch, at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.
Make money (or see money made) with a free tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Explore the beautiful grounds of the National Cathedral, the sixth largest cathedral in the world, and then take a Gargoyle Tour ($5/ages 10+), and see how these whimsical creatures reflect history in stone. There's even one fashioned after Darth Vader.
Play pilot in a mock cockpit at America by Air, an exhibition on permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Walk among living butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Pavilion (Adults $6/Children $5). Tuesdays are free, but timed-entry tickets are required and are available at the Butterfly Pavilion box office beginning at 10am each Tuesday.
Feel the fire power with a spectacular display of fireworks on the National Mall on July 4.
Check out the latest performance at the Smithsonian's family-friendly Discovery Theater. Shows range from tap dance performances to puppet show workshops, and tickets are always under $10.
Let kids roam free at Friendship Park (aka Turtle Park), DC's most popular playground, located in the city's Van Ness neighborhood. Little ones love the huge sandbox (always full of toys), but the key summertime attraction is the "sprayground," offering kids much-needed cool downs on hot summer days.
Take a ride on DC ‘s clean and safe Metrorail system to give kids a taste of a train ride, and a break from the summer heat. Day Passes cost just $7.80 and the Metro travels all over the city.
Fly a kite next to the Washington Monument for a great family photo.
Go round and round on the Smithsonian Carousel, which operates seasonally on the National Mall across from the Arts and Industries Building. Rides cost just $2.50.

MUSTS FOR HISTORY BUFFS

Sit in the lobby of the Willard InterContinental Hotel to imagine history unfolding. The hotel is where Julia Ward Howe wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," where President Ulysses S. Grant popularized the term "lobbyist" and where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his renowned, "I Have a Dream" speech.
Have a heart-to-heart with Honest Abe at the Lincoln Memorial then walk along the Reflecting Pool to experience the solemn WWII Memorial.
See the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights at the National Archives, then stick around to research your own family's immigration records.
Obtain a Reader Identification Card and visit the Library of Congress' Main Reading Room, the principal point for gaining access to the Library's general collections of books and bound periodicals. While you're there, check out the Library's new and interactive elements, like the re-creation of Thomas Jefferson's original library.
Visit Arlington National Cemetery to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Watch history being made by sitting in on a ground-breaking Supreme Court ruling.
Trace the names of loved ones lost at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall, a place of deep reflection for many visitors.
Test your history knowledge at the National Portrait Gallery, where the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House is located.
See America's story told through stamps at the National Postal Museum. Then walk across the street to 100-year-old Union Station to get inspired by its beautiful architecture.
Get out into DC's neighborhoods to learn about history beyond the National Mall by experiencing Cultural Tourism DC's free self-guided walking trails. They are marked with illustrated signs revealing the stories behind Washington's historic neighborhoods.

DC OUTSIDE

Experience the serenity of the monuments by taking a jog at sunrise.
Make a power play and start a game of Frisbee on the National Mall, or a game of volleyball at one of the pits at Potomac Park.
Grab your hiking boots and trek your way down the C&O Canal Towpath, which traces the Potomac from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD.
Head to Gravelly Point, a park area off the George Washington Memorial Parkway, to watch the planes take off from Reagan National Airport.
Let DC's green space surprise you – grab a picnic basket and lounge on the grounds of the National Arboretum. While you're there, see the pillars from the original U.S. Capitol that was burned during the War of 1812.
Rent a two-person peddle boat for under $10 to explore the Tidal Basin by water.
Rarely travel without Fido? Bring him to Lincoln Park on pet-friendly Capitol Hill to make nice with the neighborhood's four-legged friends.
Rent a bike at Thompson Boat Center ($4/hour) and take a ride through Rock Creek Park.
Appreciate flower power at Tudor Place, where $2 gets you a self-guided garden tour.
Watch a movie under moonlight at Screen on the Green, a summer series of Monday night movies shown on the National Mall.

INTERNATIONAL DC

Get a taste of Little Rome with a visit to the myriad Roman Catholic institutions located in the Brookland neighborhood of DC, including the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Franciscan Monastery and Garden, Catholic University and the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.
Take pictures near the Chinatown Friendship arch at the corner of 7th & H Sts, NW, then head to Tony Cheng's for dim sum priced under $8.
Jump at the chance to pay as little as $5 to hear lectures at the Alliance Francaise de Washington and brush elbows with others who love European culture.
Head to 16th Street to tour the Mexican Cultural Institute, a neighborhood jewel in Columbia Heights, where you'll be inspired by the latest exhibition of visual art by Mexican artists (open Mon.-Fri. from 10 am-1 pm and 3 pm-6 pm).
Go to the Goethe Institut in Penn Quarter to learn all about German culture, and see the work of German artists in the gallery.

ECONOMICAL EATS AND CHEAP HAPPY HOURS

The hand-written sign above the register in Ben's Chili Bowl says that loyal supporter Bill Cosby is the only customer who can eat for free. But you can still eat for cheap at this city staple, where the famous chili half smoke is just $4.95.
Head over to Julia's Empanadas, where a variety of hand-made, freshly-baked empanadas are served for less than $5.
Need to grab a bite but don't have time for a sit-down meal? Enter "On the Fly," a fleet of eco-friendly SmartKarts serving reasonably priced food from restaurants throughout the city. The "Kart" at 7th & F Streets, NW serves food from city favorite Rocklands Barbeque & Grill, and a pulled chicken sandwich is under $5.
PS 7's doesn't cut corners when it comes to after-work specials. The fine dining restaurant offers its beer of the day for $2.50, its red, white and sparkling wine of the day for just $4/glass and many small plates in the lounge for under $10.
The 100% wind-powered Austin Grill is a family-favorite offering Tex-Mex "grub" in a fun atmosphere. Kids eat for free on Tuesdays, while Fajitas-for-Two are just $20 every Monday.
Eat organic at Johnny's Half Shell, where James Beard award-winning chef Ann Cashion's mini-burgers and mini Asian tuna sandwiches are just $2.50 and her fried oysters and gumbo are $6 each during happy hour.
Watch the chef make noodles in the window of Chinatown Express before ordering a big bowl for yourself for under $5.
Less than $10 will get you falafel and twice-fried fries until 4am on weekends at Amsterdam Falafelshop. They even offer a choice of wheat or white pitas, and they don't use spoons, forks or plates in an effort to reduce waste.
Mix with the interns and young professionals that work on Capitol Hill at The Hawk and Dove, where you can feast on free snacks between 4 and 7pm, and domestic drafts for $1.95.
Even sushi has a happy hour in DC. Try Café Asia, where Nigiri is $1/piece and maki rolls are discounted. Also try Lotus Lounge, where beer, wine, sushi rolls and dumplings are just $5 during happy hour Tuesday through Saturday.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Stand in the footsteps of great abolitionist Frederick Douglass at Cedar Hill, his recently renovated former home. While there, take in a great aerial view of the city. Tours are just $1.50/person. Make a reservation by clicking here or call 1-877-444-6777.
Spend an inspiring moment at Freedom Plaza, across the street from the Willard InterContinental Hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his famous, "I Have a Dream Speech." Then head over to the Lincoln Memorial to stand in the spot where he delivered it.
Explore Cultural Tourism DC's African American Heritage Trail to learn about lesser-known sites of significance to DC's black history. Consider the house in LeDroit Park where accomplished poet and writer Paul Lawrence Dunbar lived after his marriage to wife Alice in 1898, or The True Reformer Building on U Street, an architectural testament to black economic development. Completed in 1903, it was conceived, financed, designed, built and patronized by African Americans.
Stroll through the U Street Corridor to reflect on yesterday's Black Broadway and see the venues (like Bohemian Caverns) that played host to musical performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and more. While you're there, stop at the African-American Civil War Memorial.
Have breakfast at Busboys & Poets on a Sunday morning, or visit any Tuesday night at 9pm to hear spoken word at the venue's open mic night.
Experience history through visual art at the Howard University Gallery of Art. Located on campus, the Gallery's African American Art Collection is free, and one of the most comprehensive representations of black artists in existence.
Consider a cupcake ($3/each) from Cake Love, a black-owned bakery on U Street with an owner that gave up a successful career in law and replaced it with one in baking.
Feel the city's soul power at any of DC's many nightspots that offer entry free of charge, including Marvin (inspired by Marvin Gaye), Zola, OYA or Tabaq Bistro.
Attend a Sunday morning church service at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, the national church of the AME denomination.
A taste for soul food should lead you to Oohhs and Aahhs near Howard University, where you can get a soulful meal of ribs with house-made barbeque sauce, macaroni and cheese and collard greens for under $10.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Head to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to recognizing the work of women artists, on Free Community Sundays, the first Sunday of each month.
Visit The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle, America's first museum of modern art, where the permanent collection is free of charge (contributions welcome).
Follow Georgetown's cobblestone streets to Old Stone House, a National Park Service site and the last pre-Revolutionary building standing in Washington, DC on its original foundation.
View French paintings of modest size but high-quality in the National Gallery of Art's permanent exhibition, Small French Paintings, on view on the ground level of NGA's East Building.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the preservation of art in the Lunder Conservation Center. It's the first art conservation facility allowing the public permanent access to views of essential conservation work. There you'll see staff from the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum hard at work through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Take a free docent-led tour at one of DC's many museums and other cultural institutions, including the National Archives, the National Air and Space Museum, the Washington National Cathedral and many more. Before you go, make sure to check the website of each venue for specific details.
DC is a celebratory city with many festivals taking place throughout the year. Check Washington.org's event calendar for the latest information on the DC's most popular festivals, full of activities and free-of-charge to attend including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the DC Caribbean Carnival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and more.
See a show for a reasonable price by taking advantage of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's "Pay-what-you-can," seats, offered for the first two performances of every main stage production. Tickets (two-per-person) are sold at the theatre 90 minutes prior to showtime.
Take a walk off the beaten path and visit the National Geographic Museum to check out its free exhibitions that highlight international cultures and natural wonders.
Dance your way to Lucky Bar in Dupont Circle on Monday nights, where free salsa lessons are offered at 8pm. Then practice the moves with your partner until last call.

AROUND TOWN

Stroll up Massachusetts Avenue to get a first-hand look at the beautiful architecture of embassies from around the world.
Everyone knows that Washington, DC is the United States' "seat of power," but did you know that it's also home to the world's biggest seat? The "Big Chair," in Anacostia happens to be the world's largest. Make sure to check it out - it's free to visit, and serves as a gathering spot for the Anacostia neighborhood.
For a great and inspiring aerial view of the city (without the wait you'll find at the Washington Monument), visit the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Take advantage of DC's ample green space and pick a place to picnic with friends or family. The National Arboretum, Rock Creek Park, the grounds of the Carter Barron Ampitheatre and the National Mall all offer space perfect for a powerful picnic against the backdrop of the country's capital city.
Buy Grandstand seats for a Washington Nationals game for just $5 and cheer on the team in the brand new, "green" ballpark (1/person, day of game purchases only).
Have a power lunch for less at Old Ebbitt Grill, the oldest restaurant in DC. There, guests can enjoy raw bar items for less than $10 each since they're 50% off during Oyster Happy Hour, Mon.-Thurs. from 3-6pm and 11pm-1am.
Visit Eastern Market on weekend mornings to browse the work of local artisans and sample farm-fresh produce and concoctions.
Make a late-night stop at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café in Dupont Circle to browse conversation-starting titles, grab a $6 smoothie pint and hear free live music Wednesday through Saturday nights.
Take in the splendor of the Robert & Arlene Kogod Courtyard inside the Reynolds Center (which houses the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum). When you're done, walk just a few steps to see the latest exhibition on display at each of the Center's free museums, which stay open until 7 pm nightly.
Visit the 100-year-old Union Station to find out why its beautiful architecture and special events make it more than just a train station.

GLBT-FRIENDLY FREEBIES

Make sure your voice is on-key for the Monday night Showtunes Sing-a-Long at JR's Bar and Grill. Entry is free, and pints are just $3 from 9pm-closing.
Browse Lambda Rising, a bookstore on Connecticut Avenue serving the gay community since 1974, for an incredible selection of GLBT titles. Check the store's event calendar for information on free author appearances and special events.
Catch some rays on a sunny day at East Potomac or Meridian Hill Park.
Grab your cowboy boots and hat and head to Remingtons, where line dancing lessons are just $5/person. And for a taste of how the professionals do it, visit the bar at 10pm on the third Friday of the month to see the DC Cowboys (an all-male group of line dancers) kick-up their heels during a high-energy performance.
Get your dose of history with a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to learn about the dangers of unchecked hatred. While you're there, pay special attention to the section that addresses the Nazis' persecution of homosexuals.
Don't want to stray from your workout routine while in DC? Join D.C. Front Runners, a running, walking and social club that meets at 9:30am every Saturday at 23rd & P Sts for a brisk walk, or 10am for a fun run followed by socializing.
Check out DC Eagle on Friday nights, where if you're shirtless, you get to shoot pool for free on Saturdays from 4-8pm.
Hang with a predominantly African-American crowd at The Fireplace, where Wednesdays means .50 cent rail drinks and domestic beer all day and night.
Check out Homo Hotel Happy Hour the third Thursday of each month, where gays take over a different hotel bar each month. Admission is free.
Grab some friends and watch a sporting event at Nellie's, DC's first gay sports bar.