10 Best FREE Things to Do in Washington DC

Visiting Washington DC is great for travelers on a budget because there are so many fun things that are completely free. Between the monuments, museums, and big federal sites, these are ten of the best free things to do in DC.

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[markreichlin]

I love to take friends/family to see the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery. It is free for you to walk the cemetery. It is about a 20 minute walk up hill to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also see President Kennedy's grave. Also drive next door to Arlington and see the Marine Corp Memorial which has a great view of DC.
I like to combine the U.S. Capital tour with the Library of Congress tour the same day in the winter. You can check your coat at the Capital for the day. The Capital has a very nice cafeteria. I park at Union Station parking garage and it is about a 15 minute walk to the Capital.
Also the Postal museum is right beside Union Station and is very interesting.
Everything is free except the parking and food.

[beatthefilibuster]

Thank you so much Rob. Am going to DC this summer for precollege at GWU and I wanted things to do in the weekends. And the fact that these are free is even better.

[evancortez]

another free place are parks and cathedrals, sometimes at lunch I like to hang out at Lafayette park in front of the White House or if I need some peace and quiet I go to St. Matthew's Cathedral, great architecture inside

[m.tracikleine]

I go to Washington DC once a year at the end of the year and for New Year's and I love going to the American history museum, the national gallery of art, the zoo and eastern markets. I also love watching planes at Reagan national airport. I could sit there for hours.

[brendalabere]

Thank you so much, very helpful and well done .

[hothotheat]

On a pleasant day, pack some grub and have a picnic on the National Mall. Find a nice vantage point for DCA and plane spot.

[fpwest]

I lived in DC in the mid 90s. I love sitting in Einstien's lap, and biking from Alexandria through Rock Creek Park.

[lorismith]

I was not prepared for the awesomeness of the Library of Congress. I hadn't planned on seeing it, but did go after my Capital tour. It was breathtaking. I agree that the monuments are the most special things to see in. DC.

[Betcaligarcia]

I love DC - I love hanging out in the Adams Morgan area !

[TheDorseylgnc]

We went on a congressional staffer led tour in 2018. The biggest bonus I saw from getting a staffer tour is that they are much smaller groups than the visitor center led tours. Content may be better from the Visitor Center docents depending on how dedicated the staffers are that you are wind up with on a staff led tour.

[lisavoorhees]

You are absolutely right about the Library of Congress—gorgeous and definitely underrated

[kivrinsagchannel]

I love DC thank you for the useful hacks they made my school trip go smoothly my favorite was the national Mall

[peterhedberg]

Thank you for an exelent and informative tour yesterday evening. I had a great time.

[GratiaCountryman]

If you’re willing to go to Brookland-CUA Metro, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is on the campus of the Catholic University of America, next to McMahon Hall. It’s gorgeous. I also love the National Cathedral.

[Bigrobnisee]

Did the Capitol, LOC, Old P.O. Tower, AA Museum, Lincoln, Washington, WWII, MLK, and The Vietnam Memorials, as well as the Ford Theater (free technically, $3 surcharge for tics thru third party) along with Arlington National and Pentagon (u forgot those, though not technically in DC, still free) in April. Enjoyed all.

[DevinMyles]

When I lived in Arlington I new a certain spot in a certain wall to jump over…. Great video series, I always tell people to check out the videos if they are going to D.C.

[michelle.]

You are amazing, you cover everything! Congrats God bless you.

[pdxaviation]

My favorite free thing is Ford's Theater/Peterson House

[MercenaryTX]

So much to do so little time. Psyched for our trip. This week we should know if we get White House tour tickets. Those are free, but of course need to be lucky to get them.

[boatlover]

I grew up in the area and travel widely. I truly don't know of anywhere else you can do so many great things for free! Though not in DC, I'd add Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial to the list. Both are a short Metro ride away.