10 FREE Things to Do in Washington DC

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It is always a great thing when one doesn’t have to pay to do something fun in the DC area. While not everything in this list is “fun” in a traditional sense (there are some serious mentions in this list), it’s awesome that all of these opportunities are open to the public and at no cost to their visitors. This list is quite the short list, but as a local, these are my favorite places to bring visitors. I don’t even mind visiting over and over. I encourage you to check out everything on this list and make the most of these 10 FREE Things to Do in DC.

1.) National Zoo – The Smithsonian National Zoological Park is such a great place to learn about different animals. The admission to the park is free, which I love! This zoo has animals like giant pandas, great cats, Asian elephants, and even amphibians. Our favorite is seeing the American Bison, such awesome and majestic creatures. Zoos can get quite expensive, so it is very nice to be able to get into the National Zoo at no cost. You can read more about the National Zoo in our list of 10 Things to Do in Washington DC with the Kids.

2.) Smithsonian Museums – There are so many awesome Smithsonian Museums in DC. There are around 19 total, including the zoo, and more to come. Some of the top Smithsonian Museums are the Arts and Industries Building, the Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, Air and Space Museum, and the African Art Museum. Each museum has collections and exhibitions that are totally worth seeing! The great thing about the Smithsonian Museums is that admission is free!

3.) Kennedy Center – This is Washington DC’s premier concert hall and they offer a free performance every evening at 6 P.M. What’s really cool about the Kennedy Center is that your kids get exposure to local artists that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to see. Each performance is different too. They have kids perform, take a look at some local jazz, watch a ballet and find yourself lost in other infectious melodies and performances. This is great for homeschoolers or even families who want to get out and experience the DC culture.

4.) Arlington Cemetery – An experience that is a must in Washington DC and that is also free is Arlington Cemetery. The Cemetery spans 624 acres, which is roughly the size of 472 football fields. The Cemetery is the resting place of more than 400,000 service members, If you’ve never been to Arlington Cemetery, it’s quite an experience. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sits on top of a hill overlooking Washington DC with a changing of the guard every hour (also every half hour from April to September). Be sure to take a look at the Eternal Flame at Arlington Cemetery represents what Mrs. Kennedy wanted for her husband after such a tragedy. During the president’s burial, the flame was lit and never goes out.

5.) Tour the White House – Wouldn’t it be awesome to tour the inside of the White House? Well, you can if you make a request to your local congressman. There are limited hours to tour the White House though. The official hours are 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It’s very cool to see what the inside of the White House looks like. Make sure you make your request months in advance!

6.)  Holocaust Memorial Museum – There is a daily cap for the Holocaust Memorial Museum, so you’ll want to get there early.  Keep in mind you can get a ticket for later in the day and come back. Don’t forget that this museum is not suitable for young kids. However, if your kids are old enough, there is some rich history to be learned here. While at the Holocaust Museum, you’ll learn about some of the darkest days in history. The murder of six million Jews is brought to life, although it’s not always a pleasant story, the outcome is a great story to be told. The museum does in incredible job of personalizing the story to their visitors. The museum is closed on Yon Kippur and Christmas Day.

7.) Tour the Pentagon – If you have kids who are obsessed with the Pentagon, or maybe your husband wants to go, you’ll love touring the Pentagon. Just make your reservations are done in advance. There’s nothing worse than wanting to see something cool like the Pentagon but you cannot get in. The Pentagon story began in 1941 and is still going strong today. In case you are wondering what the Pentagon is or does, it’s the headquarters of the US Department of Defense and it’s located in Washington DC. It was one of the building (in addition to the twin towers in NYC) hit by a plane during 9/11. There is a memorial garden on it’s lawn.

8.) Saturday Morning at the National Theatre – Saturdays are a great day to head up to the National Theatre. Every Saturday morning there is a series of free programs. These programs are meant to inspire through various types of performances. It’s recommended for kids ages 4-10, but everyone is welcome to attend! The performances are engaging, memorable and often have great storylines.

9.) Top of the Washington Monument – You can get a free pass to the top of the Washington Monument. You can get free tickets on a first come first serve basis or you can order your tickets online – if you have a scheduled day, I recommend grabbing one online. The Washington Monument was built in honor of the 1st POTUS (President of the United States), George Washington.

10.) DC Tours – Getting around DC is fun with DC Tours. This is where a licensed independent tour guide leads you around the Nation’s Capital and you pay at the end. You pay what you think the tour was worth or what you can afford at the end of the tour. The tours don’t stop with foot tours, they are also available via bike and bus and there are food and photography tours available. The segway tour is quite popular.

In case you need to get around DC, keep in mind the Metro is a ton of fun and very easy to navigate. Locals are more than willing to help but if they are looking at a tablet or on the phone – keep in mind this is a working town. They likely are going from one meeting to the next.

Need other methods of transportation? You can also use UBER. UBER is very common in DC and it’s actually easier to get an UBER ride over a cab, also it is cheaper. For larger parties (say 3 or more) UBER will be cheaper than the Metro. As a reminder, your first UBER ride is FREE with referral!

Take a look at the list of Washington, DC Travel Tips – What To Do OUTSIDE the District. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget the list of these Top 10 Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out the 10 Things to Do in Washington DC with the Kids – Pin to Pinterest.

Looking to take it outside? This list of Outdoor Activities in DC is perfect for adventures. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Washington DC with the Kids

{10 Things to Do with the Kids in DC}

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If you have kids and live in the DC area, it only makes sense to get out there and explore what this awesome city has to offer. Whether you’re new to this area or just want to get out and re-explore the nation’s capital with your kiddos, here are 10 things to do with kids in DC.

Hello Bei Bei! The Smithsonian Zoo debuted their newest 5 month old Panda bear today! #pandastory #beibei

A post shared by Ashley Recio Langston (@frugalcouponliving) on Jan 16, 2016 at 1:12pm PST

1.) The National Zoo – One of our favorite things to do in the DC area with our kids is the National Zoo. This 163-acre zoological park is in the heart of Washington, D.C. They are home to 2,000 individual animals. Open to the public 364 days a year, it is free to visit but does cost to park. Try public transportation as both the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stops are within walking distance of the Zoo.

2.) National Air and Space Museum – If your kids love to learn there are two National Air and Space Museums. There is one on the mall (the area of DC where most Smithsonian Museums are located) and one out near the Dulles airport (our favorite) in Virginia. The museums maintain the world’s largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts. Take a look at Wright Flyer, Apollo 11, the Space Shuttle Discovery, and more! No matter which location you’re close to, you can check it out!

3.) National Museum of Natural History – We are huge history buffs around here, so going to the National Museum of Natural History is a no-brainer. If you’ve never been to this museum before, it’s focused on everything from bones to mammals to mummies to Human Origins. The African Elephant the exhibit most recognizable but also check out the live butterfly pavilion, Tarantula feedings, the biggest blue diamond in the world, and a Live Coral Reef.

4.) International Spy Museum – Feeling like James Bond? This is one of the most fun museums in the DC area and kids love it. There are tons of exhibitions, experiences, and educational programs to dive into. The mission of this museum is to explore the craft, practice, history, and contemporary role of espionage. It is really neat how each museum has special details for children to make the visit engaging and exciting.

5.) National Mall – Don’t be confused, this is not a place for shopping. The mall is a park in the art of the District where you can see dozens of museums, monuments, and the White House. Walk from the Capital, down the large row of  Smithsonian Museums, past the Washington Monument, glimpse the White House, pass the WWII Memorial, see the beautiful Reflecting Pool and finish at the LIncoln Memorial – a great spot to catch the sunset! Although it’s called a “mall”, your brain will be the only thing receiving new inventory as it is a rich place for exploring.

6.) A National’s Game – “Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd…” Whether you’re a fan of baseball or not, going to a National’s Game is a must for any bucket list. You might even feel like a local!

Finally braving the city after the large rush of inauguration visitors. Today’s trip is to the Natural History Museum to visit Q?rious Microscope Lab. You can view dinosaur bones, insects, minerals, animals and so much more…. any idea what that yellow eye staring back at us is? It’s the lesser bird-of-paradise.

A post shared by Ashley Recio Langston (@frugalcouponliving) on Jan 28, 2017 at 9:46am PST

7.) The Spark Lab located in the National Museum of American History – We visit the Spark Lab at least once a month if not more often. It is a great place for my girls, ages 6 and 7, to try hands on experiments with the knowledge and supervision of some pretty smart volunteers. It also brings a love and passion for science and technology, something I love having instilled at such young ages. While you are in the American History Museum, be sure to see the Flag that Inspired the Star-Spangled Banner. Also take a look at The Natural History Museum and go to their hidden gem, Q?rious Microsope Lab.

8.) U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing – This is such a cool place for kids to visit in the DC area. Of course it’s unique because it’s not every day kids can see where currency is made and engraved. Whether you’re visiting or live in the DC area, you have got to check out this place. I visited as a young kid and it is the place I remember most!

A lot of history is being uncovered by these two girls at the Newseum in DC…. did you use your Bank of America card for a FREE museum entrance today? @newseum #bankofamerica #museumsonus #newseum #dc

A post shared by Ashley Recio Langston (@frugalcouponliving) on Aug 2, 2015 at 11:50am PDT

9.) Newseum – This kid friendly DC attraction is best for older kids as it features dramatic pictures and stories that made the national news. Exhibits include 9/11, the Vietnam War, and a section of gripping Pulitzer Prize winning photos. Bank of America cardholders can get free admittance the first weekend of the month. You can also buy tickets online to save 15%.

10.) The National Harbor – This awesome place to visit is located in the District in Maryland. I suggest going toward the end of the day, it is a great place to watch the sun set and grab a bite. You can literally shop, dine, play, and stay at The National Harbor. We love the Gaylord National.  Seasonally, both ICE (winter) and movies and the park (summer) are great. Recently, they have added a casino, MGM National Harbor.  You do have to travel a little to get to it. The best way is by car, try UBER and get your first ride free!

Since moving to DC, we have been able to experience so many places, full of rich history. We love learning and exploring, so DC is the perfect place for us. Have you ever visited any of these 10 places for kids in DC? I’d love to hear your experience!

Take a look at the list of Washington, DC Travel Tips – What To Do OUTSIDE the District. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget the List of 10 Free Things to Do in Washington DC. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out this list of these Top 10 Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Pin to Pinterest.

Looking to take it outside? This list of Outdoor Activities in DC is perfect for adventures. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.