Visiting a major city usually presents tons of opportunities for sightseeing and fun activities, though often at a considerable financial expense. It doesn’t have to be that way. In our nation’s capital, for example, you can find plenty of exciting things to do at no cost at all. Let’s examine some of the best ways you can have fun with the whole family for free in Washington, D.C.
The National Mall
In a city full of iconic landmarks, the National Mall might be the most iconic. It is, in fact, the country’s most visited national park, and for good reason. Here, you’ll find some of the best-known national monuments, sculptures, and statues. On the west end of the park is the Lincoln Memorial. On the east end is the U.S. Capitol. In between are such important sights as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial, and so many more.
Both adults and children can appreciate the physical and symbolic magnitude of the National Mall, the site of numerous profound events of national importance. They can stand where thousands marched for women’s suffrage, where hundreds of thousands marched for civil rights, and where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Not only that, but simply being at the National Mall positions you for easy access to several other top-notch sights, which we will discuss next.
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution could have taken up this entire list. That’s because the Smithsonian isn’t just one place. It comprises 19 national museums, all of which are free to visit. Given the breadth of the offerings, as well as the quality of the exhibitions each museum has to offer, it’s difficult to limit our suggestions.
That’s part of the reason why the Smithsonian is such an essential visit: there’s something for everyone. The National Air and Space Museum, with its host of amazing aerospace technology, is typically a hit for youngsters and grown-ups alike. The National Museum of Natural History provides as intimate an experience with the natural world as you can get inside a building. And the National Museum of American History provides a fascinating education on the sociopolitical and technological developments of the United States over time.
Really, though, if you have the time, you should try to check out all of the Smithsonian spots. You and your family may leave having developed a reinvigorated appreciation for society, culture, and the world in general.
The National Zoo
The National Zoo is another Smithsonian establishment, but it’s worth considering separately from the museums. If you have kids, the zoo is a must on your D.C. itinerary. With more than 1,800 animals from around the world, it’s almost certain to fascinate the minds of your young ones. Here, though, the idea of conservation underscores all of the exhibits, which helps to provide a more profound level of wildlife exposure compared to many other types of zoos.
The National Zoo also offers specialized programs targeting families. Its Virtual Field Trips, for example, are 45-minute lessons that center on the natural world and provide opportunities to learn through discussion. There’s also a Little Critters Story Time program in which educators read a storybook aloud and lead learners in interactive activities. Such programs are useful not only for building children’s minds but also for engaging them with the animal kingdom and other scientific topics.
Library of Congress
Any book lovers in your family? If so, take in the experience at the Library of Congress. The library actually takes up several buildings. Among them, the Thomas Jefferson Building offers some of the best sights.
For visitors, the Thomas Jefferson Building offers a unique type of museum experience, as there are numerous exhibits found within. Walk through a re-creation of the library of Thomas Jefferson, an avid reader and book collector on a broad array of topics. Study the thousands of prints, documents, paintings, and artifacts in the Exploring the Early Americas to gain insight into the lives of America’s indigenous peoples and their encounters with settlers. And consider the Hope for America exhibit, which explores the intersection of pop culture and American politics.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is home to multiple American institutions, including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Washington National Opera, and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Tickets for such performances may cost money, but the guided tours of the center don’t. Follow along while a docent educates you and your family about the building and the life of President Kennedy. Then take in a breathtaking view of the city and the Potomac River on the rooftop terrace.
Take in a free show, too. The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage offers free film screenings and live shows. You can even catch showings of well-loved, acclaimed hits like “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Parasite” in addition to rich cultural performances by a diverse variety of musicians and other performing artists.
Walking
For the last entry on our list, we’d like to recommend a free activity you can do in just about every major city: walking. If the idea of just strolling through the capital seems daunting, consider booking a guided walking tour with Free Tours by Foot, a company that specializes in that sort of thing. Its featured tours are theme-based and include an Arlington Cemetery tour, nightly ghost tours, and a tour of national cathedrals. As you might have guessed by the company’s name, the tours are free. Tipping your guide, however, would be a good move.
If you’d rather go the structureless route, we’d suggest taking a stroll through historic Georgetown. The limits of the area provide a natural perimeter to define your self-guided tour, the old architecture of the neighborhood is just stunning, and its history offers a degree of profundity to the exercise you’ll get trekking through the streets.
Those are our recommendations for fun free family activities in Washington, D.C. If you have your own suggestions, we’d love to hear them. Give us a call at 571-570-3496 to speak directly with an associate from our dealership, or submit a message online via our contact page.
While you’re here, consider browsing our inventory of new Toyotas and used vehicles. Then see us at our dealership at 8610 Leesburg Pike in Vienna, Virginia, for a test drive. From there, just head 15 miles east to D.C. to enjoy the best free sights the city has to offer.
Image by Caleb Fisher is licensed with Unsplash License
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