Go Sight Seeing
The place to start is the White House, home to the First Family and offices of the President and top officials. There are free tours, but get in line early as these fill-up quickly.
The Capitol Building is another must-see. Free tours are available on a first-come basis. The Visitor Center features historic artifacts and live video feed from the House and Senate.
You can’t leave D.C. without visiting The National Mall and its many monuments—including the Washington Monument, Vietnam War Memorial, World War II Memorial and Lincoln Memorial. There is always something going on here and it’s also a great place to relax!
Go Wild
The National Zoo charges no admission and is the perfect place for families! The Zoo is known for its Giant Panda Habitat, Great Cats exhibit, the rainforest in the Amazonia and many other wonderful exhibits.
Check the Zoo’s schedule to see what programs are going on when you visit. Try to an animal feeding or perhaps see an elephant training session.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Rock Creek Park is D.C.’s premiere urban park. Enjoy the natural beauty and pack a picnic, take a hike or bike ride, play tennis or go fishing. Children can attend planetarium shows, animal talks, crafts or become a junior ranger.
Visitors can also rent kayaks, canoes and small sailboats, learn to ride a horse or play a round of golf. The Park has something for everyone!
Go Museum Hopping
Many of the museums in D.C. are federal institutions and are therefore free. Popular institutions are the Smithsonian museums, U.S. Botanic Gardens and National Holocaust Museum. Other attractions include Ford’s Theater, the Pentagon and Federal Bureau of Investigation which all offer free tours.
See a Performance
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts offers free tours that highlight the performance halls and theaters along with historic cultural events and the life of JFK. Every evening at 6pm, the Center presents a free concert to the public.