Free Attractions

Explore DC’s museums, memorials and other attractions without breaking the bank. There are more than 100 free things to do in Washington, DC.

Fall in Washington, DC is full of free things to do, from festivals and foliage to celebrating Halloween and observing Veterans Day. The city features plenty of experiences perfect for the season, including the scenic and the spooky. Discover all of the ways you can have a memorable autumn...

Free Things to Do: Theater & Performing Arts in Washington, DC

There is no shortage of free theater in Washington, DC, from shows with no admission charge to events and concerts. Some of the city’s most prestigious venues offer free opportunities, including the Kennedy Center (most notably, its Millennium Stage), the National Theatre, Ford’s Theatre,...

Visiting the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, DC

A visit to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is to be transported to a trying time in American history, an era rife with economic depression and international conflict. The memorial, which honors the 32nd president of the United States, is composed of four “outdoor rooms” which represent each...

Visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC

Experiencing the Lincoln Memorial The grand Lincoln Memorial towers over the Reflecting Pool, anchoring the western end of the National Mall . The best way to approach the memorial is from the east, by the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial . This will put you at the edge of...

Visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC

What is the Korean War Veterans Memorial and where is it? The Korean War Veterans Memorial resides on the National Mall , southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool. All of its components, including its walls, stainless steel statues and Pool of Remembrance, are...

Visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC

What is the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and where is it? The National Museum of African Art is located on Independence Avenue SW on the National Mall . The museum possesses the largest publicly held collection of African art in the United States, with roughly 12,000 objects in total...

Fly High at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

All about the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Opened in 2003, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center serves as a partner facility to the National Air and Space Museum . The two locations together attract more than 8 million visits per year, making the National Air and Space complex the most...

Free Things to Do: Best of Washington, DC

The list of free things to do in DC is quite long, headlined by Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, the monuments and memorials and annual events and festivals. We’ve detailed some of the most popular activities here, so on your next family trip to DC, make sure you cross all of these...

Visiting the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC

What and where is the U.S. National Arboretum? The U.S. National Arboretum is located at 3501 New York Avenue NE in Washington, DC. The grounds are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year except Dec. 25. The Arboretum’s popular National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is open...

Which Attractions & Museums in Washington, DC Require Tickets?

Many of Washington, DC's major attractions are open to the public and do not require tickets, including the Smithsonian museums , the Smithsonian National Zoo , the National Gallery of Art , and the monuments and memorials on the National Mall . You can buy tickets for some of Washington, DC's most...