Top 5 Free Things to do In D.C.


Thousands of people flock to Washington, D.C. every year to explore the hundreds of great attractions, festivals, and rub shoulders with the USA's political leaders. DC is a smaller, but thriving international metropolis full of entertainment for everyone. Though DC ranks in the top 20 for most expensive cities in the world, there are plenty of great things to do that won't cost a dime!

1. Museums

 

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 D.C. houses over 50 museums and an abundant amount of them are free! The most popular free museums include the 19 Smithsonian museums located on the National Mall (a must see), but D.C. also offers plenty of other museums across the district ranging from military to fashion. Some of the lesser-known gem museums include the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) museum, the Botanic Gardens, and the Air Force Memorial. If you don't mind paying just a littttle, there are other fantastic museums including the Newseum, the National Building Museum, and the Tudor House.

2. National Zoo 

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You can walk through the thriving National Zoo for free and see over 2,000 animals from 400 different species! This summer, you can see the newest addition the zoo: Bao Bao the giant panda cub! The zoo is large, and gets crowded quickly, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and arrive early.

3. Parks

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 If the city life gets too overwhelming and you want some zen, go ahead and spend a sunny afternoon relaxing in several parks around the DC metro area. One of DC's most popular parks is the East Potomac park located south of the Jefferson memorial between the Washington Channel and Potomac River. The East Potomac park has 3 public golf courses, as well as swimming pool (great for escaping from the steamy DC heat!). Other great parks include the Rock Creek Park and the famous cemetery of Arlington Memorial.

4. Theodore Roosevelt Island

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Teddy Roosevelt would approve of this

 

 

 

The 88.5 acre sprawling island located in the middle of the Potomac river serves as a tribute to 26th president Theodore Roosevelt and his dedication to park conversation. Along with the memorial the island offers three small trails that are great for viewing wildlife, biking, and running.

5. Free Performances

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 If you love the theater and live performances, get your fix for free around the district! The Kennedy Center offers free shows at 6:00 PM every evening, and the National Theater has family friend shows every Saturday morning that range from ballet performances to puppet shows. If you prefer music, the third Tuesday of every month the Smithsonian American Art museum offers live jazz. The George Washington University Orchestra performances are always free and you may be able to see the famed Air Force Band Jazz Ensemble perform. 

ALSO...

Along with all of these great free attractions, take advantage of our historic monuments free of charge or the thousands of festivals you can attend throughout the year. Some of our favorite free festivals and events include the Passport to the World, Capital Fringe Festival, and the delicious showcase of DC food trucks at Truckeroo.

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If you want to spend your summer interning and living in the capital of the United States inquire today and we can help you get on your way to experiencing all of these great attractions and more in Washington, D.C.! 

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