Free things to do · Washington, D.C. · United States
18 free things to do in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Greyfiveys, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 6 days in Washington, D.C. without paying an entry fee: National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and United States Capitol are all free. The Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, the National Zoo, the Capitol tour and the Library of Congress are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 18
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and August
Free sights and experiences
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Park · National Mall
1.National Mall
Walking the full length takes longer than it looks; plan one half per day and use the free museums as breaks from the summer heat.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- History
- Kids
Landmark · National Mall
2.Lincoln Memorial
Come back after dark, when the memorial is floodlit, crowds are thin and the view down the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument is at its best.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Views
Landmark · National Mall
3.Washington Monument
Late-afternoon slots give the best light over the Lincoln Memorial and the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
Architecture · Capitol Hill
4.United States Capitol
After the tour, use the tunnel from the Visitor Center to the Library of Congress's Jefferson Building instead of going back through security outside.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Museum · National Mall
5.National Air and Space Museum
Pair it with the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport if you want to see the very large aircraft, including Space Shuttle Discovery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Museum · National Mall
6.National Museum of Natural History
Go to the Hope Diamond on the second floor first thing; the gem hall gets very crowded by midday.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · National Mall
7.National Museum of African American History and Culture
Allow at least four hours and do the underground history galleries first while you are fresh; the Sweet Home Café upstairs serves regional African American dishes.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Landmark · West Potomac Park
8.Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial
During blossom season, arrive at sunrise; by mid-morning the path around the basin is shoulder to shoulder.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Architecture · Capitol Hill
9.Library of Congress (Jefferson Building)
Head up to the Main Reading Room overlook first, then come back down to the Great Hall for photographs.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
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Gallery · National Mall
10.National Gallery of Art
Use the underground concourse with its light-filled cascade wall to move between the two buildings.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Couples
Museum · National Mall
11.National Museum of American History
The Star-Spangled Banner is in a dimly lit chamber at the centre of the second floor; start there, then pick one wing.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · National Mall
12.United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Leave time afterwards in the quiet Hall of Remembrance before heading back out onto the Mall.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
Historic site · Arlington, Virginia
13.Arlington National Cemetery
The Changing of the Guard takes place every hour or half-hour depending on the season; the walk up from the Metro is steep, so allow 20 minutes.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
Zoo · Woodley Park
14.Smithsonian's National Zoo
Take the Red Line to Cleveland Park, which gives a flatter walk to the main entrance than the climb from Woodley Park.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
Museum · Chantilly, Virginia
15.Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
It is easiest by car or ride-hailing; combine it with a flight in or out of Dulles to save a separate trip.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · Penn Quarter
16.National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum
Go up to the third-floor Lunder Conservation Center, where you can watch conservators at work through the glass.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Georgetown
17.Georgetown and the C&O Canal
Walk from Foggy Bottom station along Pennsylvania Avenue or take the riverside path; Georgetown has no Metro stop of its own.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Couples
- History
- Outdoors
Market · Capitol Hill
18.Eastern Market
Come on a Saturday or Sunday morning for the full outdoor market, then walk ten minutes to the Library of Congress.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| National Mall | National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American History and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | Half a day + 45 minutes + 1 hour + 2–3 hours + 2–3 hours + 4–5 hours + 2–3 hours + 2–3 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Capitol Hill | United States Capitol, Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) and Eastern Market | 1.5–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 1–2 hours |
| West Potomac Park | Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial | 1.5–2 hours |
| Arlington, Virginia | Arlington National Cemetery | 2–3 hours |
| Woodley Park | Smithsonian's National Zoo | 3–4 hours |
| Chantilly, Virginia | Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | 2–3 hours |
| Penn Quarter | National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum | 2 hours |
| Georgetown | Georgetown and the C&O Canal | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
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Historic site · Penn Quarter
Ford's Theatre
Book the self-guided visit that includes the Petersen House and the Center for Education and Leadership with its tower of books about Lincoln.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Religious site · Upper Northwest
Washington National Cathedral
Bring binoculars or a zoom lens to spot Darth Vader on the northwest tower from the garden.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Views
- History
More ways to save
- The Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art, the National Zoo, the Capitol tour and the Library of Congress are all free.
- The monuments are open around the clock and free; visiting them after dark also avoids the summer heat.
- Hotels in Arlington and Crystal City across the river are on the Metro and often cost less than downtown.
- Downtown business hotels frequently drop prices at weekends and in August, when Congress is usually in recess.
- An unlimited Metro pass pays off if you plan several rides a day, especially to Arlington and Alexandria.
- Weekday happy hours in downtown bars are the most affordable way to try oysters and cocktails.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Washington, D.C. expensive to visit?
Washington, D.C. is expensive for most visitors, but 18 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Washington, D.C.?
National Mall: Walking the full length takes longer than it looks; plan one half per day and use the free museums as breaks from the summer heat.