The capital of the United States is full of history and has many interesting things to see. There are many things to see and do here! I tend to like to travel on a budget, so I have made a list of some of the things to do in Washington D.C. for free!
8 Free Things to do in Washington D.C
- The Washington Monument
This monument was made to commemorate the first president of the United States, George Washington. Standing at 555 feet, the monument was constructed starting in 1848. When it was completed, it was the tallest building in the world at the time.
2. U.S. Capitol Building
The Capitol Building is where you can learn the story of Congress and the Capitol. This building is also home to some great American art and history. At the center of the building, you will find the Rotunda, a room where the ceiling goes up to 180 feet.
3. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Ever wonder how or where money is made? Public tours are conducted on a first come, first serve basis. On your tour, you’ll have the chance to see millions of dollar be printed on the production floor.
4. Library of Congress
Visit the largest library in the world! This library houses over 164 million items. The smallest book here is 1/25″ by 1/25″, or about the size of a period at the end of a sentence.
5. The Smithsonian Museums
Visit the variety of museums, the galleries, and the zoo that are all available to see free of charge! Some of the ones available to visit are the Smithsonian Castle, Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum, National Zoo, and Archives of American Art.
6. Visit the White House
That’s right, you can visit the White House! In order to do so, you will need to contact a congressional representative well in advance to schedule your visit. You can submit your request anywhere from 3-months to 21 days before your visit.
7. Lincoln Memorial
Built to honor the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, you can find this memorial at the end of the National Mall. Here you will find the statue of Lincoln, murals, and inscriptions on the walls.
8. The Tidal Basin
This 2-mile long pond can be found lined with the beloved cherry blossoms during the Spring. You can also find the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial along the basin.
*Side-note: You can usually get really cheap flights flying out of DC!
Have you visited the Washington D.C.? What was your favorite part?
-Haley
