Washington DC is known for its many monuments, museums and generally the vast array of things that there is to do in the area. It can be a pricey place to visit. Luckily there are a lot of things that you can do in Washington DC for free.
- Visit the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is within walking distance to the Capitol. It consists of three buildings and close to 21 million books, recordings, photographs and maps. It’s considered to be the world’s largest library. Unfortunately, you can’t check books out unless you’ve registered as a researcher and have a Reader Identification Card to prove it. However, it’s still worth a visit just to see all the exhibits and to skim through some of the more unique books. There are also free one hour tours that take visitors through the Thomas Jefferson building.
- Go To A Smithsonian Museum
There are 19 different Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC with all of them being free to visit. Visitors can take part in some of the weekly programs offered at the museums, go on a tour or examine some of the many 137 million objects located throughout the museums. Popular exhibits include the Apollo lunar landing module and fossils that are over 3 billion years old. Many of the museums are located within walking distance to the other.
- See Animals At The National Zoo
This 163-acre zoo contains close to 2,000 different animals. These include everything from apes to elephants. The most popular animal is Bao Bao the panda that was born in 2013. An interesting feature of the zoo is the Orangutan Transport System, or O Line. Orangutans use this system to swing along cables to get from place to place.
- Visit The U.S. Capitol
Many people visit the U.S. Capitol just to go to the Rotunda, located as the centerpiece of the north and south wings. It features sculptures, paintings and a 150-year-old cast iron dome. While visitors are peacefully exploring, there’s a lot going on in the other buildings with both houses of Congress trying to create new policies and often times battling it out. Visiting the U.S. Capital is free, but you’ll need to make a reservation if you want to visit areas other than the visitor center.
- Go To The White House
This is one of the hardest places to visit and you will need to make a request in writing well in advance. However, if your request is granted, it’s well worth it to take a peek inside the President’s home. If you aren’t granted access, you can still visit the grounds for other events including the Easter Egg Roll that takes place each year. There’s also a White House Visitors Center that contains exhibits and has a video tour.
- Learn About The Supreme Court
Not a lot of people realize that they can actually visit the Supreme Court. Visitors can watch the Supreme Court in session Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Seating is on a first come first serve basis so in order to secure a seat it’s wise to come early. There are also exhibits that can be viewed throughout the week as well as a short film that depicts what goes on at the Supreme Court.
- Explore The National Air & Space Museum
This museum is so popular that nearly 9 million people visit it each year. It’s not surprising considering it contains exhibits like the aircrafts of Wilbur Wright, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. Another added bonus is the IMAX theatre although this is not free and admission ranges from $9-$15. Most visitors will tell you it’s worth the price. If you do want to skip the IMAX theater there’s still plenty of other things to do at the museum that will keep you busy.
- Watch The Changing Of The Guards At Tomb Of The Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery
Arlington Cemetery houses the remains of past presidents, military heroes and other people of national importance. The 624 acres of grounds has around 4 million people visit it each year. Many of them come to see the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This ceremony is quite powerful to watch.
- Catch The View From The Old Post Office
If you want to see one of the best views of Washington DC, be sure to visit the Old Post Office Pavilion. You can ride to the top of the clock tower to see a panoramic view of the area. The tower houses the Congress Bells as well. Currently the Tower is closed, but will reopen at the end of this year.
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