Free Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

For the thrifty at heart, D.C. can be a dream come true. All the Smithsonian museums and national memorials are free, as are many other museums—too many, in fact, to list here. Many of the top attractions are also free, like Ford's Theatre and Dumbarton Oaks. Summertime is heaven for budget travelers, when free outdoor concerts and festivals occur every week.

Free Attractions

Anderson House

Dumbarton Oaks (free from November 1 to March 14)

Ford's Theatre

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Kennedy Center tours

National Arboretum

National Zoo

Old Post Office Pavilion

Old Stone House

Rock Creek Park

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Botanic Garden

U.S. Capitol

Washington National Cathedral

White House

Free Performances

The Kennedy Center hosts performances every day at 6 pm on the Millennium Stage. Also, every September the Prelude Festival kicks off the Kennedy Center's fall performance schedule with many free events. Choral and church groups perform at the National Cathedral, often at no charge.

In summer, folk, pop, and rock bands perform on Monday and Thursday nights atop Fort Reno Park. You can also hear jazz in the National Gallery of Art's sculpture garden Friday in summer. The Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park hosts performances by the Shakespeare Theatre Company and concerts throughout spring and summer. If you're visiting in late October, reserve your seats early for D.C.'s Free Night of Theater.

Performances of military music take place around the city. From June through August the U.S. Navy Band, U.S. Air Force Band, U.S. Marine Band, and U.S. Army Band take turns playing concerts on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol weekdays at 8 pm. You can also see the U.S. Marine Band every Friday night from May through August during the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks.

Almost every day of the year, the Politics and Prose independent bookstore on Connecticut Avenue invites fiction and nonfiction authors to the store for book readings, talks, and Q&A sessions.

Free Festivals

D.C. is a city of festivals, many of which are free to the public (food and souvenirs cost extra). Check the National Mall lawn and Pennsylvania Avenue for music and dance performances, concerts, talks, cooking demonstrations, parades, and more. For a complete list of annual events, visit the Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation at www.washington.org.

Half-Price Tickets

TICKETPlace (www.ticketplace.org) sells half-price tickets to D.C.'s theater and music events.