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.

10 Reasons to Visit the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC

Washington, DC and the surrounding area are home to numerous national parks , but the city also offers the United States Botanic Garden (100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001), a living plant museum that informs one million-plus visitors per year of the importance of plants to not just human...

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 National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC

What and where is the National Gallery of Art? The National Gallery of Art and its gorgeous Sculpture Garden (which features an ice rink in the winter time) are located on Constitution Avenue NW between 3rd and 9th Streets NW. Through its East and West Buildings, the museum preserves, collects and...

Visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC

Wander through three centuries of American art The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC is one of the largest and most expansive collections of American art in the world. The museum’s two locations, the main building in Penn Quarter and the Renwick Gallery located next to the White...

Visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC

What is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and where is it? The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall pays tribute to the brave members of the U.S. Armed Forces who fought in the Vietnam War and were killed or missing in action. The memorial consists of three separate parts: The Three Soldiers...

Visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC

What and where is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum? The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is located on the National Mall , just south of Independence Avenue SW, between 14th Street and Raoul Wallenberg Place SW. Its official address is 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC...

Why You Should Experience ‘Pulse’ at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is a Mexican artist that sees the intersection of technology and art as a pathway to human connection. Lozano-Hemmer was once a chemist, so the biometric nature of his fascinating Pulse exhibit at the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is no surprise. The...

Free Things to Do: Museums in Washington, DC

Washington, DC is filled with free museums, from Smithsonians including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum, to art-filled museums like the Freer|Sackler Galleries and the National Gallery of Art...

Visiting the Marine Corps War Memorial

Please note that there is limited access to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial through spring 2018 while it undergoes a major renovation . During the renovation, the memorial will be surrounded by scaffolding and the loop road and memorial parking will be closed. Pedestrians still have access to...

Free Things to Do: Summer in Washington, DC

As you plan your family trip to DC, we’re here to remind you of all the free things to do this summer in the District. From July 4th fireworks and holiday concerts to special events like the Memorial Day parade, summer in Washington, DC makes for an unforgettable time, and it doesn’t have to hurt...