Notes From the Road

Museums, monuments, and national history are just a few features that mark Washington D.C., the U.S. Capitol, but when I think of the District of Columbia what comes to mind is how much there is to do for free! Here you can read about 12 free places, activities, and more, as a free D.C. place to start:

1. Walk the Monuments and the National Mall

So much of what is free in D.C. is surrounding the National Mall, an expansive greenway stretching over two miles long, which I recommend walking down if you can. Along the National Mall you’ll find many of the monuments like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, World War II Memorial, and more. My favorite time to walk the National Mall and visit the monuments is around sunset or early evening, as the warm glow casting on the marble or the lights that come up around the memorials make for quite the spectacle. It’s always best to remain cautious at night, but there are also park rangers around for safety.

My favorite two monuments to visit are right next to each other, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the FDR Memorial. Walking through the split mountain-like structure (pictured above) and seeing the statue of MLK with the water beyond is a memorable site. Surrounding the statue are quotes from MLK himself which stretch all along the walls and light up at night. In the distance, across the water, you can see the Jefferson Memorial. A short walk down the sidewalk is the FDR Memorial, which has stone and water features throughout, as well as life-like statues.

2. See Plants at the United States Botanic Garden

No matter the weather outdoors, delighting in the tropical plants, balmy air, and relaxing atmosphere of the US Botanic Garden offers a respite from the world outside and is 100% free! You do not even need a reservation or a ticket to walk in the building and start enjoying the plant world inside. The botanic garden consists of conservatory rooms dedicated to different climates, such as Tropics, World Desert, Hawaii, and Mediterranean, to name a few. In the Tropics room at the center you can even climb the stairs to the Canopy Walk and take in the views from above. My favorite part was sitting and reflecting in the Garden Court at the end of my visit, where there are also large murals all around the room. In the warmer months, there are even more magnificent gardens to explore right outside the building.

3. Explore the National Air and Space Museum

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. has the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world, and is the most visited museum in the country with over eight million guests each year. And did I mention, it’s free to visit! Unlike the Botanic Garden, however, free timed-entry passes are required so make sure you plan ahead and reserve your spot. It will be worth it though to see artifacts such as the Wright Brother’s 1903 Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 Command Module, and a Mars Rover model, and many more interactive exhibits. You can also reserve tickets in person to see a short show at the Planetarium for an extra layer of immersion.

4. Visit the Animals at the National Zoological Park

Yes, you heard that right, a free zoo! The National Zoo, as it’s commonly known, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and holds almost 400 different species of animals. Although depending on the time of year and the weather some animals may be more active than others, some highlights include the Asian elephants, sea lions, red pandas, an over 100-year-old Aldabra tortoise and the Great Cats exhibit featuring African lions and Sumatran tigers. If you are going with the family, there is even a Kid’s Farm, a smaller petting zoo where families can meet cows, alpacas, and more.

5. Check Out the Exhibits at a History Museum

The historical significance of events and people are felt at every corner of the city, but to dive even deeper I recommend visiting any or all of the free history museums throughout D.C. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is probably one of the most well known with exhibits like the Hall of Fossils, African Voices, Hall of Human Origins, Life in Ancient Egypt, and the Hall of Mammals. Similar to the Botanic Garden you do not need to have a timed entry ticket, but rather you can walk in for free during their regular hours. Some other history museums to visit for free in the area include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Some of these museums require timed-entry so be sure to double-check before planning your visit!

6. See a Free Performance at the Kennedy Center

There are a number of free things you can do at The Kennedy Center, the busiest performing arts center in the nation, including seeing a live performance, taking a free tour, and visiting immersive exhibits. If you are more of a night owl this might also be the place for you as they are open from 10am-midnight Monday through Sunday! You can participate in a free guided tour of the Kennedy Center and exhibits that lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, or visit the space on your own. There are also free performances offered every day that you can reserve tickets to up to 2 weeks in advance. Since the free shows can sell out quickly I recommend planning ahead for the date or show you hope to attend, and reserve your ticket(s) for free!

7. Immerse Yourself in the World of Planet Word

Planet Word is the world’s first voice-activated museum and is an immersive and interactive experience that also happens to be free to visit! Since there are a limited number of same-day timed passes it is recommended to reserve your pass online in advance. The museum does encourage donations or even purchasing a donation pass, but there is also the option to reserve for $0. The exhibits are focused on the wonderful world of words where you can interact with world languages, paint with words on a screen, use your singing voice, and even participate in a puzzle room with friends in Lexicon Lane. If you are a fan of a high level of interaction than this is the place for you!

8. Take a Tour of a Mansion at the Anderson House

If you have a love for architecture, mansions, and history exploring this house built in 1905 through a free guided-tour allows for a different D.C. experience. You can explore the collections of art and furniture from the turn of the century acquired by the original owners of the mansion, Larz and Isabel Anderson. The mansion is now owned and operated by the Society of the Cincinnati and the free guided-tour of the Anderson House lasts about one hour and no reservations are needed unless your group is 10 or more.

9. Get Outside at the U.S. National Arboretum

Although there are a lot of indoor activities and museums to visit in D.C. it is also nice to get out in the fresh air when you can, and what better way than to visit the U.S. National Arboretum. The expansive grounds are open every day from 8am-5pm and admission is free, no tickets are required. Admission to the arboretum grounds also gives you free access to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, which is open 10am-4pm daily. While you are on the grounds you can see so many collections of plants including the Azalea Collection, Fern Valley, Herb Garden, Dogwood Collection, and even the notable landmark of the National Capitol Columns.

10. Admire Masterpieces at a Free Art Museum

When it comes to admiring the art that D.C. has to offer there are a lot of free options to choose from! For starters, the Hirsholm Museum and Sculpture Garden is right off the National Mall and is filled with contemporary and modern art exhibits, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden. No timed tickets are needed to explore Hirsholm for free. Right nearby are two other incredible art museums, the National Museum of African Art and the National Museum of Asian Art. See where art and culture collide at the Museum of African Art, and engage with rotating exhibits featuring poetry, music, visual arts, and more. At the Museum of Asian Art see over 46,000 objects from all over the Asian continent. The free opportunities for art engagement does not stop there as the Smithsonian American Art Museum has more to see nearby and it is always free! Lastly, if you enjoy beautiful public art murals do not forget to visit the DC Alley Museum in the Shaw neighborhood and in Blagden Alley of the city.

11. Walk Among Artifacts at the Library of Congress

While you are in D.C. you can visit the largest library in the world and the research arm of the government at the Library of Congress. By reserving timed-entry tickets you can visit the library for free and see features such as the Main Reading Room (pictured above), graphic art galleries, and thousands of artifacts. Every Thursday evening from 5pm-8pm the Library of Congress also offers Live! At the Library an event with happy hour and a rotating series of performances, films, workshops, and more!

12. Ride the DC Streetcar Down H Street

If you want to explore some great dining options and nightlife I highly recommend checking out the H Street Corridor before you leave D.C. Although the restaurants, bars, cafes, and the like are not free, did you know you can take the red DC Streetcar for free on a 2.2 mile stretch of H Street? This allows for a much easier experience while visiting some incredible restaurants like Bar Elena, The Little Grand, Binge Bar, Copycat Co. and so many more. Bonus: Visit a cute neighborhood bookstore Solid State Books!