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Washington, D.C. might be the best city in the country for a cheap trip. Most of its world-class museums cost nothing to enter, the monuments are open to everyone, and you can tour the Capitol and the Library of Congress for free. If you can keep your flight and hotel costs in check, you can fill a whole week without buying a single admission ticket.
Free museums
1. The Smithsonian museums
The Smithsonian Institution runs a long list of museums in D.C., and general admission is free at all of them. Most sit along the National Mall, so you can walk from one to the next. A few favorites:
- National Museum of Natural History: dinosaurs, the Hope Diamond and the huge African elephant in the rotunda.
- National Museum of American History: the original Star-Spangled Banner, presidential artifacts and pop culture treasures.
- National Air and Space Museum: famous aircraft and spacecraft on the Mall, with a much larger collection at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture: one of the most moving museums in the country. Free timed passes are often needed, so plan ahead.
- National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Some museums use free timed-entry passes at busy times, and opening hours change, so check each museum's website before you go.
2. National Gallery of Art
Not part of the Smithsonian, but just as free. The West Building holds European masterpieces, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas, and the East Building focuses on modern art. The outdoor Sculpture Garden is a nice place to rest your feet.
3. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Admission is free, but the permanent exhibition can require a timed pass in busy seasons. It is a powerful, serious visit, so give it a few hours.
4. Library of Congress
The Thomas Jefferson Building is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, with its painted ceilings and the Main Reading Room viewed from an overlook. Entry is free, and timed passes may be required.
Monuments and memorials
5. Walk the National Mall
The National Mall stretches about two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Walking it end to end is the classic D.C. day, and every monument along the way is free.
6. Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool
Climb the steps, read the Gettysburg Address carved into the wall, and look back down the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument. Visit at night, when it is lit up and much quieter.
7. Washington Monument
You can admire it from anywhere on the Mall for free. Going up to the observation level requires a ticket. Tickets are limited, so reserve online in advance if you want the view.
8. World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans Memorials
These three memorials sit close together near the Reflecting Pool. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, with more than 58,000 names, is especially moving.
9. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Tidal Basin
The Tidal Basin loop takes you past the MLK Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. In spring, usually late March to early April, the famous cherry blossoms line the water. It is beautiful and very crowded, so go early in the morning.
10. The White House from the outside
Public tours of the White House have to be requested through your member of Congress well in advance, but anyone can see the north side from Lafayette Square and the south side from the Ellipse.
Government in action
11. Tour the U.S. Capitol
Free guided tours start at the Capitol Visitor Center. Book a time online ahead of your trip, especially in spring and summer. You can also ask your senator or representative's office about gallery passes to watch Congress in session.
12. Visit the Supreme Court
When the Court is not in session, you can visit parts of the building and hear free courtroom lectures on some days. Schedules vary, so check before you go.
13. National Archives
See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. Entry is free, and lines can be long in summer.
Outdoors and neighborhoods
14. Smithsonian's National Zoo
The zoo in Rock Creek Park is free and famous for its giant pandas. Free entry passes are sometimes required, so check the zoo's website.
15. Arlington National Cemetery
Just across the river in Virginia, the cemetery is free to enter. Watch the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and visit the Kennedy gravesites. It is a short Metro ride from downtown.
16. Georgetown
Stroll the brick sidewalks, the C&O Canal towpath and the waterfront park along the Potomac. Window shopping is free, and the cupcakes are optional.
17. Rock Creek Park
A huge wooded park in the middle of the city, with hiking and biking trails. It feels far from the monuments even though it is close by.
18. Eastern Market
A historic market on Capitol Hill. Weekends bring outdoor vendors selling art, crafts and produce, and browsing costs nothing.
Free entertainment
19. Free shows at the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center has a long tradition of free performances, and the terrace has great views over the Potomac. Check the calendar for what is on during your visit.
20. Seasonal events
D.C. hosts many free events: the National Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, Fourth of July fireworks on the Mall, and the National Christmas Tree in December. Dates change every year, so check before you plan around them.
How to keep a D.C. trip cheap
Getting there
D.C. has three airports: Reagan National (DCA) close to downtown, Dulles (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington (BWI). Compare all three, because one is often cheaper than the others for your dates. See live fares on routes like New York to Washington, D.C., Chicago to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta to Washington, D.C.. For the cheapest days to book, read our guide to the cheapest day to fly.
Where to stay
Hotels near the Mall and downtown are the most expensive. Staying a few Metro stops out, or across the river in Arlington, can save money while keeping you close to the sights. Compare neighborhoods on our Washington, D.C. hotels map.
Getting around
You do not need a car. The Metro covers most sights, and the Mall itself is best seen on foot. If you plan day trips to Mount Vernon or Shenandoah, a rental car for a day or two can make sense. A pre-booked airport transfer is handy if you land late.
When to go
Spring and fall bring the most pleasant weather. Summer is hot and humid and busy with school groups, and winter is quieter, with lower hotel prices outside the holidays. For more ideas, see our list of things to do in Washington, D.C. and, if you are heading to New York too, free things to do in New York.
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Frequently asked questions
- Are the Smithsonian museums really free?
- Yes. General admission is free at all Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Some of the most popular ones use free timed-entry passes at busy times, so check their websites before you go.
- Is the U.S. Capitol tour free?
- Yes. Guided tours of the Capitol are free. Book a time online in advance, especially in spring and summer, or ask your senator or representative's office for help.
- Is the National Zoo in D.C. free?
- Yes, the Smithsonian's National Zoo is free to visit. Free entry passes are sometimes required, so check the zoo's website before your visit.
- How many days do you need in Washington, D.C.?
- Three to four days lets you see the main monuments, a few Smithsonian museums and the Capitol without rushing. Add a day for Arlington, Georgetown or a day trip.