C.R.A.F.T. is about creating really awesome free things, and I love to create vacations almost as much as I love to DIY. You have to buy plane tickets, food, and sleep some where, but daily activities don’t have to break the bank! Although, Andy and I have camped in a minivan at the Grand Canyon. Washington, DC has a ridiculous amount of fun, free things to do!
29 Free Things to do in Washington, DC
1-19. Smithsonian museums
20. National Zoo
21. Walking Tours of DC
There are 9 walking tours to choose from. Check the schedule because some happen daily while others happen weekly. Here is what the website says about the price, “This tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it’s done. A name-your-own-price tour is a tour for anyone’s budget.”
22. See how money is made
You can literally watch millions of dollars being printed for free at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)! The ticket booth, located at Raoul Wallenburg Place (formerly 15th Street, SW), opens at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and closes when all tickets have been distributed for the day. Be sure to check the website for peak times and seasons.
23. Play in the field at the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is closed until spring 2019 to modernize the elevator. When it opens back up you can throw a frisbee, throw a football, have a picnic, fly a kite, or take silly pictures in the field.
24. The White House
The White House is walking distance to the Washington Monument and National Mall. Be sure to check out the front and the back side of the White House. If you want to see the inside, you have to request a tour through a member of congress and all tours are free of charge. See the details here. This is actually the back of the White House. (I feel like this is always the view on tv?)
Also, Lafayette square is directly in front of the White House and has really tame squirrels that are fairly entertaining. You know I like squirrels.
25. Memorials
According to Wikipedia, there are 179 monuments and memorials in Washington DC. Here are 5 don’t miss memorials.
26. Cherry Bloom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival happens every year to remember the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan. Today the festival takes place over 4 weekends and welcomes more than 1.5 million people.
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27. Visit the National Archives
The National Archives is open 7 days a week from 10am- 5:30pm and admission is always free. You can view the original Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence!
28. Tour the U.S. Capitol
Advanced reservations are recommended, but not required. To schedule a free tour, you need to create an account and reserve your spot online.
29. Old Post Office Clock Tower Tour
Have you been to DC? Did you know ALL of the Smithsonian museums are free! That was such an exciting surprise! Check out 50+ cities on the Creating Really Awesome Free trips series!
Comments & Reviews
Wow, I knew the museums were free, but the zoo is free too? That’s awesome. Though I’m sure they probably make up for the free admission by marking up the prices of food and drinks inside, but I suppose that means we’d just have to bring our own 😉
My family and I just got back from a trip to DC. We also went to the Smithsonian of Natural History. They have a section called Q?rius that is a total hands on science lab for kids and adults! It is fantastic! Check it out:
https://qrius.si.edu/
Don’t forget the Penny coins- a great cheap souvenir!
On my last trip to Maryland, we took a day to see some of the Smithsonian Museums we missed on our last trip. Being from Ohio, I got chills standing next to the original Wright Flyer. It's amazing that little plane started it all.
The Spy Museum isn't free, but it's fun for kids and adults. The best part of the trip was seeing the Korean Monument at night. It adds a lot to an already moving memorial.
I live about half an hour from DC and I think you've seen more of it that I have! lol Eventually we'll get to all of those museums. The zoo is great, but it's an all day thing. I'm glad you had a good visit!
Next time you go, you have to find the Albert Einstein monument which is a little hidden but a gem! If you stand on the North Star and talk to Albert it is in stereo!
I would love for you to write a post about Portland…that is one city I'd love to visit 🙂
I'm not a DC pro… I was just going with what I saw in a weekend 🙂 I'm sorry I forgot the Vietnam Memorial… I will definitely check it out on my next trip to DC, hopefully when it is not so cold 🙂
I love DC! We used to live in Maryland so I feel lucky to have seen so much of the capitol. If you do decide to host a month of really awesome free trips I'd be happy to write one about Portland, Ore. 🙂
Um, you forgot the Vietnam Memorial. There's tons more to do for free, as well. 6 pm concerts at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage are free, there's hiking on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath, Arlington Nat'l Cemetery, checking out the fish market, exploring neighborhoods like Georgetown and Eastern Market…
I actually live in DC (actually right outside of the city but I work in the city). The free museums are awesome. Yep, the zoo is free…just pay for parking…or take the metro and walk!
The Cherry Blossom Festival is a must. They are so gorgeous!
Looks like you had a great time on your trip.
We just moved to the DC area last spring, and I was surprised about the free museums as well. I was really hoping to see the cherry blossom festival this year since we missed it last year due to the move, but this time (the 100th anniversary by the way) we have a baby due the day before the parade! Hopefully we'll get to participate at least a little before the bundle of joy (and sleepless nights) arrive ; )
I went on a trip to Washington DC years ago but I would love to go back. There's so much to be seen! I love your The Washington Monument pic!