Free Things to do in DC

There is always something happening in DC. And most of it is free. You can visit museums, embassies, watch outdoor movies, walk in the Mall, go to the Capitol, take a walk tour or... Are you already tired and struggling to keep focused?!

Let me give you some suggestions about the city where I am the Tripadvisor #1 reviewer.

- National Art Gallery 

It has one of the finest art collections in the world. You can easily get lost and spend one day checking European and American paintings, sculptures, photography or furniture (I would skip the last one).

Sometimes the Garden Cafe invites famous DC chefs to create special menus. For instance, in 2012, during the Miro exhibition, chef Jose Andres presented a special signature menu of Catalonian food. BTW, It was delicious!

- National History Museum

I took some time to realize that this museum deserves a visit. Some rooms are too diverse and not so objective but there are many fascinating things to see and learn, you just have to be selective.

- Freer Gallery of Art (Asian)

I never get tired of it. It's the museum that I visited more times. There is always something new to see. 

The Buddhist sculptures and Japanese screens are my favorites.

If you want to learn more about Asian art or just see the highlights they organize some tours for free.

- Capitol tours

These tours are free of charge and there is no nationality requirement. You can book it in advance or just show up. We watched a short movie about the US History and then we were guided through several rooms.

- Eastern Market

There are many markets around the city. During the summer there is one every Thursday just across the White House that is really cool. It's a small market where you can get food prepared by the Amish  or farmers.

During the weekends my favorite so far is the Eastern Market. The area around is very nice and it's the right place to take a walk, check street vendors or grab some light food. Or pupusas if you want to try Salvadorian food. 

- Walking Tours

There are many and some are free of charge. It's a great opportunity to learn more about DC and History. 

We went to one organized by the University of Chicago Alumni Association in the U Street that was very interesting, maybe a bit too long... You know the style... Chicago.

- Theodore Roosevelt Island Park

I always wondered how to get to this amazing island. It took me more than 1 year to realize that there is a bridge... 

It's the perfect weekend plan if you like nature and (short) treks. The views are beautiful. A bit of wilderness in the middle of DC. I bet that you can't find this in any main city.

- DC Outdoor Films

During the summer you can watch movies in several parks namely in the Mall. It's a great opportunity to organize a picnic with your friends.

- Mall

It's one of my favorite places in DC. I like to go there at late evening because it's more quite not so busy and its even nicer. If I had to pick just 3 spots my choices would be Lincoln, Jefferson and Martin Luther King memorials.

- U Street and Mount Pleasant

The most ethnic neighborhoods in DC. 

U Street is the center of the African American History and culture. There you can find the Memorial and Museum of the African American in the Civil War. 

I learned recently that Mount Pleasant was the center of the Salvadorian Human Rights organizations and groups. Some of the most important activists lived in this area. At that time it was already the place that Central Americans in DC called home. There are many good restaurants in this area serving home made style food, very affordable. You can find more info about some of them here and here.