12 Exciting Free Things To Do In Washington, D.C. Right Now (2024)

While D.C. is filled with countless events and experiences, it’s important to remember how many free opportunities are right at our fingertips!

Claire Cahill - Commercial Editor

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Of course, D.C. has plenty of free historical sites. But if you’ve exhausted the classic national monument adventures, we’ve got you covered with some additional free things to do in D.C.!

1. Step into the Library of Congress for a unique happy hour experience

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Taking place every Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Live! at the Libraryinvites you to explore the library’s ornate Thomas Jefferson Building, current exhibitions, and stunning Main Reading Room after hours. While attendance is completely free, snacks and drinks are sold on-site.

Want to extend your evening? The Library of Congress hosts concerts, screenings, lectures, and more each Thursday as well. Check out the full calendar of events, and be sure to snag your tickets in advance.

2. Let laughter fill the air at these lively stand-up shows

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Whether you’re planning a night out with friends or want to shake up date night with some laughs, these Underground Comedy sets present an awesome line-up of comedians. With free shows at Hot Bed in Adams Morgan and Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights, Underground Comedy always has something fun on the horizon.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and the shows typically feature rapid-fire sets from 10 to 15 different comedians. Check out the Underground Comedy websitefor upcoming shows.

3. Stroll down the towpath along the C&O Canal

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Boasting over 180 miles of trails between Georgetown and Cumberland, Maryland, the C&O Canal towpath is the perfect destination for both history buffs and fitness fanatics. Lined with historic lock houses, mills, and other hidden gems, the path contains over 1,000 historic structures!

From hiking and biking to rock climbing and scrambling in select areas, there’s something for everyone to take advantage of recreationally. There are several entrance points along the length of the canal, and all are free except for the Great Falls Tavern entry.

4. Attend one of D.C.’s popular Jazz in the Garden concerts

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Get ready for an unforgettable evening packed with sculptures, live music, fresh air, food and drinks at one of the National Gallery of Art’s summer concerts. The 2024 lottery-based Jazz in the Garden events include the following:

🎶 US Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note: Friday, July 12th
🎺 Jake Blount:Friday, July 19th
🎵 Brent Birckhead: Friday, July 26th
🎷 Plena Libre:Friday, August 2nd
🎶 Leigh Pilzer’s Seven Pointed Star:Friday, August 9th

Registration is required, so check out the event details to try your luck at getting a ticket!

5. Marvel at the Rubell Museum’s contemporary collections

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Formerly home to Randall Junior High School, the Rubell Museumin Southwest brings the Rubell Family’s substantial contemporary art collection to the nation’s capital. Featuring paintings, sculptures, photography, videos, and installation artwork, the venue is known for its impressive range of creations.

D.C. residents can get free admission to the Rubell Museum with proof of ID. For those living in Maryland and Virginia, or visiting from further away, the museum accepts pay-what-you-wish donations on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

6. Enjoy free weekly screenings and performances at the Kennedy Center

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Catch free film screenings and performances inside D.C.’s stunning Kennedy Center! Film screenings take place on Sundays at 3:00 pm inside the Justice Forum, or outside on the expansive REACH Plaza.

On Wednesdays through Saturdays, the Kennedy Center hosts live performances in the Grand Foyer at 6:00 pm. Guests can book tickets online, or grab them at the Box Office on the day of each performance. Tickets are always free and are administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

7. Get an aerial view of D.C. from the Old Post Office Tower

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Boasting a 270-foot observation deck on the 12th floor, the Old Post Office Toweroffers unparalleled views of the Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, and beyond. On sunny days, visitors can see more than 12 miles of surrounding attractions.

The tower is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm seven days a week, and visitors heading to the observation deck can enter via the door marked “Museum and Clock Tower.” Tickets are not required in advance.

8. Embark on a mesmerizing mural walk

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D.C.’s vibrant murals are a great way to enjoy some free art without stepping into a museum. Rain or shine, the colorful creations make their mark throughout the city. As of March 2022, the NoMa BIDreported having over 42 murals in NoMa alone.

You can also find plenty of street art scattered throughout other parts of the city, including Adams Morgan and Blagden Alley.

9. Enjoy free health and wellness activities powered by FITDC

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From 5k runs to yoga to Hip Hip cardio sessions, FITDC’s free events are a great way to stay active – and have fun doing so! Launched by Mayor Muriel Bowser, powered by AETNA, and executed by the Department of Parks and Recreation, FITDC unites D.C. residents through health and wellness.

Whether you’ve been in the district for years or are new to the area, these free D.C. workout classes are a great way to build your community!

10. Visit any of D.C.’s Smithsonian locations for free!

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D.C.’s Smithsonian museums, galleries, and zoo are some of the city’s greatest free attractions. While most of the locations allow walk-ins, the African American History and Culture Museum, D.C. Air and Space Museum, and the National Zoo require timed entry passes.

Take a look at the full list of free-admission Smithsonian locations below:

🎟️ African American History and Culture Museum
🌍 African Art Museum
🚀 Air and Space Museum (located in D.C. and Chantilly, VA)

🖌️ American Art Museum
📜 American History Museum
🪶 American Indian Museum
🌐 Anacostia Community Museum
🏛️ Archives of American Art
⚙️ Arts and Industries Building (temporarily closed)
🖼️ Freer Gallery of Art
Hirshhorn
🦁 National Zoo
🐘 Natural History Museum
🧑‍🎨 Portrait Gallery
✉️ Postal Museum
💥 Renwick Gallery (temporarily closed)
🔍 S. Dillion Ripley Center
🏺 Sackler Gallery
🏰 Smithsonian Castle (closed for renovation)
🪴 Smithsonian Gardens

11. Explore Rock Creek Park via pedestrian-only roads

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Upper Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park is now permanently closed to vehicles, increasing accessibility to D.C.’s natural beauty. The expansive, newly paved roads accommodate all sorts of activities – from walking and running to rollerblading and biking.

The pedestrian and cyclist-only streets offer roughly 5 miles of roadway to explore, with year-round traffic closures in three sections:

🚲 Broad Branch Road to Joyce Road
🏃 Picnic Area 10 to Wise Road
🛼West Beach Drive to the DC/Maryland line

Ready to get active? If you’re not within walking distance, you can park at the Pierce Mill Parking Lot before setting off on your adventure.

12. Watch language come to life at Planet Word

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This immersive language museum is just as entertaining as it is insightful. Described as the world’s first voice-activated museum, Planet Wordfeatures countless interactive exhibits dedicated to languages around the world, humor, music, poetry, and more.

The museum is located at 925 13th St NW and is open on Mondays, as well as Wednesday through Saturday. Planet Word suggests including a $15 donation per ticket, though you can increase or decrease this amount depending on your needs.

See also: 10 Must-See Art Exhibits In D.C. In 2024 Perfect For Any Occasion

Tags:adventure, animals/zoo, art gallery / museum, exhibition, improv, , social drinking, stand-up

12 Exciting Free Things To Do In Washington, D.C. Right Now (2024)

FAQs

What to do in DC in 3 hours? ›

To navigate, press the arrow keys.
  1. 800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
  2. The White House. Visit.
  3. United States Capitol. Visit.
  4. WWII Memorial "The Last Mission" Visit.
  5. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Visit.
  6. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Visit.
  7. Korean War Veterans Memorial. Visit.
  8. Lincoln Memorial, Washington. Visit.
May 28, 2024

What is the most famous thing in DC? ›

Even if you're only in town for a short trip, visiting the Washington Monument and the White House – two marble symbols of the U.S. – is a must for any first-time D.C. visitor.

How to tour DC without walking? ›

Getting Around Washington DC
  1. Climb Aboard the Old Town Trolley. ...
  2. Catch the Metrorail. ...
  3. Ride the Metrobus. ...
  4. Try the DC Circulator. ...
  5. Hop on the Georgetown Metro Connection. ...
  6. Rent a Bike or Take Segway Tour. ...
  7. Call a Cab or Use Ride Sharing Apps.

Which museums in Washington DC. are free? ›

The best way to do Washington, DC? For free, thanks to these no-admission museums on the National Mall.
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. ...
  • National Museum of Natural History. ...
  • National Museum of American History. ...
  • Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. ...
  • National Museum of the American Indian.

What to do in Washington DC. in 5 hours? ›

See the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and many other landmark locations. Also, stop at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for lunch (not included) and the White House Visitor Center.

What to do in DC if you don't drink? ›

Going without booze this month? Board games, museums, and planetariums are still fun. Washington's highest-elevation ice rink sits on the top of the Watergate hotel. Photograph courtesy of the Watergate.

What to wear when walking around DC? ›

The theme is comfort and casual. People do dress up for occasions, but overall, dress for the weather, and wear good walking shoes. Nothing I can recommend is more important than that one fact.

How long does it take to walk the National Mall? ›

Get to know this 5.0-mile loop trail near Washington, D.C., District of Columbia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 32 min to complete. This is a very popular area for running and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

What is the best way to see the monuments in DC? ›

Sign up for a guided tour

This is the best way to see the memorials and monuments in DC. There are no shortage of tour options. Guided tours include walking tours, bike tours, Segway tours, bus tours, boat tours and so many more! There are private tours like the ones we offer, which are limited to a single group.

What is the most visited museum in Washington DC? ›

Here are all the Smithsonian museums, listed from most visits to least visits in 2023: National Museum of Natural History: 4,400,000 visits.

What is free at the National Mall? ›

There are no fees to enter National Mall and Memorial Parks and most of its hundreds of sites. However, timed entry tickets are required for Ford's Theatre National Historic Site and the Washington Monument.

What Smithsonian museums do not require tickets? ›

Admission is free of charge at all museums and the zoo except the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Timed-entry passes are only required at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Zoo, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City.

What to do for a couple hours in Washington DC.? ›

The Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, the Martin Luther King Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are all on the route. Plan to walk about three miles round trip from the Smithsonian metro stop to these monuments and back.

How long does it take to walk around the National Mall? ›

Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 32 min to complete.

Is DC a walkable city? ›

Washington, D.C. is a compact, walkable city that's home to incredible museums and monuments, with most of its major attractions within walking distance of each other. Also, with excellent public transportation, there's really no need for visitors to rent a car.

How long does it take to see all the monuments in DC? ›

When you come here for the first time you will want to see the monuments: Lincoln, Jefferson, World War II, and all the others. The monuments tours that Trip Hacks DC offer covers all the major monuments the National Mall. It takes about three total hours.

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