Things to do in DC
No city provides as many world-class activities for free as Washington, DC. Welcome to the ‘Capital of Free!’
Destination DC is a great resource for those looking to plan their own free adventure in the nation’s capital.
Washington, DC offers attractions and activities for every visitor, whether traveling on a budget or looking for added value. With unmatched access to incredible free museums, monuments, memorials and one-of-a-kind events, DC is in a class by itself.
Here are just a few ideas.
Explore the National Mall
Touring the National Mall should top your list of must-do’s when you visit the District. Free monuments, memorials and museums are all around, including the famous Lincoln and Jefferson memorials and the popular National Museum of African American History and Culture. Walk next to the Reflecting Pool and you can hear American history in your footsteps, from the sacrifices made by soldiers to the powerful words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Take in the Smithsonian Museums
These are America’s museums, so there is no charge to visit them! All Smithsonian museums have interactive components and unparalleled collections of artifacts. The hard part is choosing which ones to visit. Visitors often flock to the National Air and Space Museum for its journeys into space and the National Museum of American History for its in-depth look at our nation’s past.
Three acres of skylights illuminate the masterworks at the National Gallery of Art. The Gallery was established with a gift from Andrew Mellon in 1937. In this marble temple are invaluable works of art from every era, including the only Leonardo Da Vinci painting in the Americas, Ginerva de’ Benci. Make sure to visit the East Building, the museum's modern art wing designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei.
Marvel at the National Capitol Columns
The National Arboretum is a 446-acre agricultural wonder in the heart of the District that does not charge admission. The oasis also features the historic National Capitol Columns that supported the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol from 1828-1958. The columns make for a jaw-dropping Instagram photo.
Check out the Largest Library in the World
You will be dazzled as soon as you step into the magnificent Library of Congress. The Thomas Jefferson Building provides the best visitor experience, with gorgeous Gilded Age architecture accompanied by special exhibits and the Library’s incredible collection of books, papers, recordings, maps and much, much more.