Probably the best thing about DC is how much free stuff there is to do in the city. There are few other cities I know of where living is so expensive and entertainment so cheap. Chris and I have stumbled upon a lot of these fun, free events and attractions and I’m compiling some of our ideas here. If you’re coming to DC and looking for something to do that’s perhaps a little off the beaten tourist path, this is the list for you. This is a guide to free DC. Unless otherwise noted, there’s no cost involved in any of these events and attractions.
Date Spots:
Art Museum Garden
On Friday evenings during the summer, the Gallery of Art hosts live jazz out in the museum’s garden. Bring a blanket and a picnic anytime between 5 and 8pm. The music is usually pretty good and the sangria sold at the garden café is worth getting.
Millennium Stage
At the Kennedy Center, every evening at 6pm, is a free concert. Some performances are better than others, but it’s worth checking and seeing if there’s something that interests you.
Yearly Events:
Folk Life Festival
Usually held for two weeks in early July, the Folk Life Festival focuses on three different regions of the world each year. There are demonstrations of traditional cooking, crafts, dances, and the like. There’s also decent food from each area and concerts.
National Book Fair
One Saturday in late September each year is the National Book Festival on the Mall. Check the author list and see who of interest is attending. The lines are really long for book signing, but the talks are fantastic.
Museums:
Building Museum
Once the Civil War Pensioners Building, this has become the National Building Museum. It has offbeat and interesting exhibits and the building itself is impressive. A frieze encircling the building depicts Civil War scenes. I’ve also heard it’s a great place to find parking.
Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum
These aren’t the most visited Smithsonian Museums and may, in general, not be the most exciting, they do have some charm and draw. There are fantastic photography exhibits and familiar portraits of famous American people that you’ve seen in textbooks before.
Sackler Gallery
Right near the Smithsonian Castle, the Sackler Gallery has a valuable collection of Asian art. They also get interesting traveling exhibits.
U.S. Botanical Gardens
In the dead of winter, seeing green and life at the Botanical Gardens is welcome. It has been completely renovated in recent years, making it a fun destination with different climate controlled rooms.
Attractions:
Old Post Office Building
Don’t wait in line at the Washington Monument. The Old Post Office Building has the second best view in the city, but this one is free and you’ll have the place to yourself. The view is spectacular, although the building can be tricky to find, as it isn’t in the middle of all the other attractions.
National Arboretum
This is a little ways away from the other DC attractions, but well worth visiting. All times of the year, there’s something to see. The Bonsai display is one of the highlights of the Arboretum.
Rock Creek Park
Go here for a great hike, horseback riding tours, or just getting away from the noise of the city. This giant natural park has beautiful bridges, the zoo with the new Asia trail, Civil War fort remains, and lots of picnic spots along the river.
Of course, all the Smithsonian museums are free, as well as visiting the monuments and memorials, so this is far from a comprehensive list. But hopefully, it's helpful.
