Washington DC is a great place to travel for those on a budget thanks to the number of free or cheap things to do, from the Smithsonian Museums to touring the government buildings.
You can really plan an entire week in the nation's capital and only pay for accommodation and food.
I am a tour guide and a homeschool mom with to two elementary age kids.
I really love how many resources are available for learning and adventure at low and no cost.
Either with my own family or on tours with someone else's, I spend a lot of time exploring the DC attractions.
Many of which I would pay to visit so it's just an added bonus that they are free.
If you're looking for ideas of just what all is free, we list over 100 free things to do in DC below, but we divided them into sections:
- Public/Government Buildings
- Museums
- Memorials
- Gardens & Parks
- Free Activities
- Sample Itinerary - spend 3 days in DC for free (almost!)
It might be easier to list what is NOT free in DC:
- private museums such as International Spy Museum will have a ticket cost.
- advanced timed tickets to attractions that have free entrance: Ford's Theatre, Washington Monument, National Archives - these are free to visit but if you want guaranteed entry, you will need to pay a reservation fee (around $1-3 per person)
- specialty tours like our popular Lincoln Assassination and Ghosts of Georgetown tours and hop on hop off bus tours will have a ticket fee (but I think its worth it!)
How do we know about Free Things to Do in DC?
It's what we do!
We have provided budget tips to travelers to DC through our blog and Facebook Travel Tips group for years.
Our most popular tour, Memorials & Moonlight, is offered as a name your own price tour that allows guests to choose how much to pay - even free.
Our guides have been leading tours through the city for more than a decade.
We've lived in the city as broke college students and frugal families with young kids.
Keep reading for more information about each option, but at a glance here are a few ideas...
FREE THINGS TO DO A NIGHT
- Explore the Memorials
- Millennium Stage Concert at Kennedy Center
- Late at the Library of Congress
- Window Shop and Stroll a DC Neighborhood
- Military Parades & Concerts (Summer)
- Jazz in Sculpture Gardens (Summer)
- Movies in the Parks (Summer)
- Late House at the US Botanic Gardens (Summer)
FREE THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
- Smithsonian Museums & National Zoo
- Explore one of the many green spaces
- National Mall Scavenger Hunt
- Watching Changing of the Guards at Arlington National Cemetery
- Daniel's Story at Holocaust Museum
- Watch planes take off and land at Gravelley Point
- Junior Ranger Badge Activities
PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
One unique reason to visit Washington, DC, is to tour the government buildings—all of which are free to visit.
Visiting these buildings is one of the main reasons people come to the Nation's Capital.
We are lucky how many federal buildings in DC are open to the public.
Timed tickets or advanced reservations are often required for these.
But, they rarely have any fees associated with them unless you take a private tour arranged by a tour operator (like DC by Foot!)
Touring places like the Capitol and Library of Congress are not just for lovers of politics!
Whether you like art and architecture, history, fun trivia - even ghost stories like how John Quincy Adams died in the Capitol and is still there trying to finish his speech.
United States Capitol
- Timed Tickets Required
- Open Monday-Saturday 830am-330pm
- 1st & East Capitol St
- Closest Metro: Capitol South
You can tour the historic Capitol Building and watch the Senate and/or the House of Representatives in session.
This is probably the most popular federal building to tour.
Anyone can get the free tickets regardless of nationality and no ID or background check is needed; though there is strict security to enter the building.
You can find out how to obtain these tickets here.
White House
- Timed Tickets Required to enter
- Open 24/7 for Exterior Views
- 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
- Closest Metro: McPhearson Square
US citizens can tour the White House for free, though appointments are required in advance and require a lot of planning.
If you're not a citizen, you can try through your embassy or even a random congressperson but its much more rare for this to happen.
A visit to the White House is pretty special, regardless of who is living in it, so its pretty high up on the list for visitors.
This is one of those things you have to plan months in advance and is not guaranteed.
I always feel that while it is worth it, planning a White House visit is pretty annoying.
You request a number of dates and times but they won't tell you until just a week or two before if you were approved!
Meaning you may have to rearrange your whole itinerary.
But it is an amazing experience to get, entirely for free.
So, as long as you're prepared to change up your schedule, it is a great option.
You can read more about how to get tickets to a public tour of the White House here.
Another option is to tour the White House gardens and lawns during one of the spring or fall garden tours, which are free and open to anyone with a first-come-first-served ticket.
The White House Visitor Center is about a block away from the President's House and is open to all.
You can also explore the new as of 2025, The People's House: White House Experience which is an immersive and interactive exhibit about the building and the people who have lived there.
Supreme Court
- No Required
- Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
- 1st & East Capitol St
- Closest Metro: Capitol South
The actual courtroom is open to the public, both during court sessions and for docent-led lectures when the court is out of session.
You can also explore the historic building and the small museum on the ground floor.
The museum is only open on days when cases are not being heard.
No tickets are required to visit the Supreme Court, but it is only open on weekdays.
You can visit the museum above or attend an oral argument!
While I would not do this with my kids because they are too young to sit there quietly, if you have the change to attend an oral argument, it is a one of the coolest experiences.
Just beware that if its a publicized case that many people care about, there can be lines starting days before the time to attend.
Library of Congress
- Timed Tickets Required
- Open Tues-Saturday 830am-330pm
- 1st & East Capitol St
- Closest Metro: Capitol South
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city, but don't expect to check out any books.
This is my favorite place in the city. Pretty on par for a history nerd that a library is my top pick but its not for that reason.
This is a magnificent building!
You can tour this historic building during opening hours to see its art, architecture, and history.
Advanced reservations are required but have been easy to get, even at the door.
The Library of Congress is open late on Thursdays until 8 pm, so it is one of the free things you can do at night in DC.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Timed Tickets Required
- Open Monday-Friday 8am-315pm
- Entrance near 14th St and Independence Ave SW
- Closest Metro: Smithsonian
If you want to see how money is made, the BEP is open for a quick tour to watch the process.
Tickets are required, but there is no cost.
There is a rumor I've heard a lot that you get a free bag of shredded money at the end but that hasn't happened in decades!
Though there is a small gift shop, you don't get anything for free.
This can be a hit or miss experience, my tip is to avoid the lunch hour.
You want to go when its bustling with the making of money!
United States Botanic Gardens
- No Required
- Open Daily 10am-5pm
- 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001
- Closest Metro: Federal Center SW
A chance to explore flora from around the different climates of the United States, the Botanical Gardens is located at the base of Capitol Hill.
If you're visiting with kids there is a children's garden where there may be the opportunity to dig in the dirt a little and plan in the garden.
The Botanic Gardens stays open late on the Third Thursday of the Summer Months - botanical mocktails and snacks are available!
Read more about the Botanical Gardens.
FBI Building
- Timed Tickets Required
- Open Monday-Friday 9am-2pm
- 10th & E St NW
- Closest Metro: Metro Center
Tours of the FBI Building are possible but take a little know-how.
You will be guided to an exhibit room and small museum but only if you have an advance reservation.
These tours are only open to US citizens, though.
This is another free opportunity that require advanced planning, so don't expect to just show up and ask.
Pentagon
- Timed Tickets Required
- Open Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
- Arlington, VA
- Closest Metro: Pentagon
A guided tour of the Pentagon is a great way to learn more about the Department of Defense and is open to anyone who has an appointment.
My favorite part of this tour is that the guide walks backwards almost the entire time - always keeping an eye on you.
It's an impressive skill!
These should be made pretty far in advance, so be sure to read our post on how to do so.
For more details on the tour, click here.
National Archives Museum
- No Tickets Required (but timed tickets for quicker access)
- Open Daily 10am-530pm
- Constitution Ave NW between 7th and 9th
- Closest Metro: Archives/Penn Quarter
Here you can see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, US Constitution, and more!
You can get timed tickets in advance for a small processing fee or you can walk up with no appointment, just be prepared to wait in line during busy times.
One of my tips is walk by (or drive by) - especially if you're going to the Natural History Museum or National Gallery of Art and if the line is short, just pop in.
You can make this a quick visit if you're short on time or explore some of the additional exhibits.
Read our post on how to plan your visit to the National Archives in DC.
Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center is a must-visit destination for anyone with an appreciation for the performing arts.
As the nation’s cultural center, it offers a diverse range of performances, including theater, dance, opera, and music, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences.
While attending a performance usually isn't free - tours of the building, visiting the exhibits and art installations, and many special events are completely free.
The center also serves as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, adding a layer of historical significance to each visit.
Its stunning architecture overlooking the Potomac River provides a breathtaking backdrop, enhancing the experience even before the show begins.
Additionally, the Kennedy Center hosts free performances on its Millennium Stage every evening, making high-quality art accessible to all visitors.
FREE MUSEUMS IN DC
There are a number of free museums in DC thanks to the Smithsonian Institution.
However, these are not the only free museums in the city.
Most Smithsonian museums do not require tickets and have no admission cost to enter.
These are some of the most popular sites in Washington DC.
A great way to explore the museums without being overwhelmed is to join us on a museum tour!
The Smithsonian Institution in DC is made up of:
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Air and Space (the one on the National Mall*) & the Udvar Hazy Annex
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Postal Museum
- Anacostia Community Museum
- The Smithsonian Art Museums: National Portrait Gallery, American Art, Renwick, Hirshhorn, Freer Sackler Gallery, African Art
- National Museum of African American History & Culture*
- National Zoo*
(The National Zoo, NMAAHC and the National Mall location of the Air and Space Museum all require timed tickets to enter but there is no cost for these tickets.)
In Washington DC, it may be easier to ask which museums are not free.
We have a list of the best museums in DC to cover which ones are worth the admission cost.
National Building Museum
While the permanent exhibits may require a ticket, the museum's impressive Great Hall and intriguing gift shop are accessible for free.
The Great Hall, with its towering Corinthian columns and expansive space, is a marvel of architectural beauty, often hosting special events and exhibitions at no cost to guests.
Additionally, the museum frequently offers free public programming, lectures, and activities, making it a valuable stop for learning about the built environment in an inspiring setting.
Some other free museums in the city that I really enjoy are:
Glenstone Art Museum
- Timed Tickets Required
- Open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm
- 12100 Glen Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
The Glenstone Art Museum is located outside of Washington DC and has both an interior gallery and outdoor sculpture garden.
It is a small space so tickets are required but there is no admission fee.
This musuem does require a car to get to and kids are not allowed. It is however a photographer's dream!
Planet Word Museum
- No Tickets Required
- Open Daily except Tuesday 10am-5pm (6pm on weekends)
- 13th and K St NW
- Closest Metro: McPherson Square
This museum is free to enter but it is worth a suggested donation, especially for older kids.
Incredibly interactive museum, Planet Word focuses on the development of language.
There are hidden rooms, karaoke, joke rooms, and more.
I include it in the free museums because you do not have to pay anything to enter.
But, I do recommend a donation if you can to help support the museum.
My kids love the joke room the most.
Since this museum is not on the National Mall and is still a hidden treasure, it is a great place to escape crowds as well.
Read our guide to Planet Word.
National Gallery of Art
- No Tickets Required
- Open Daily 10am-530pm
- Constitution Ave NW between 4th and 7th
- Closest Metro: Archives/Penn Quarter
The NGA has two wings - the more traditional West wing and a more modern East wing.
Here you can find the only Leonardo Da Vinci painting in the Americas, Turner landscapes, and Calder mobiles.
No tickets or admission fees are required.
Read more about the NGA using our guide to this and other art museums in Washington DC.
You can also explore the Sculpture Gardens outside the National Gallery of Art and outside the Hirshhorn Gallery.
In the winter, they host the most famous of the city's ice skating rinks here.
Capitol Jewish Museum
The Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., is a captivating destination for anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of Jewish history and culture of the city.
What is unique about this museum is it focuses on the Jewish experience in DC specifically.
Visitors can immerse themselves in stories that highlight the contributions of Jewish individuals and communities to the nation's development, providing a deeper understanding of their impact on American society.
The museum is interactive over multiple floors but also has a deep historical aspect.
The Adas Israel Synagogue was built in 1876 (though in an entirely different part of the city!).
The historic builing was moved here to compliment the musuem.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Timed Tickets Required (but you can enter the building for smaller exhibits without tickets)
- Open Daily 10am-530pm
- 14th St SW & Independence Ave SW
- Closest Metro: Smithsonian
This is an incredibly moving museum focusing on the events leading up to, during, and aftermath of the Holocaust during WWII, but also on other genocides in modern history.
Timed tickets are required to visit the permanent exhibition. You can get these in advance or try for same-day tickets on the day.
If you aren't able to get tickets to the permanent exhibit, you can still explore other areas of the museum.
Ford's Theatre
- No Tickets Required (but highly recommended)
- Open Daily 830am-4pm
- 10th and F St NW
- Closest Metro: Metro Center
Ford's Theatre is where President Lincoln was shot that fateful night in April 1865.
While it is a working theatre again where you can attend performances in the evening, you can also tour the theatre and museum during the day for free.
Advanced tickets require a purchasing fee but it is worth it if you want to visit during peak tourist season.
Same-day tickets are available at no cost every day but go fast. Read our post on planning your visit to Ford's Theater.
African American Civil War Museum (Currently Closed for Renovations)
Located just off the U Street Corridor once known as "Black Broadway," this museum focuses on the less credited African American soldiers during the Civil War.
Whiel the Museum is currently closed for renovations, you can still visit the African American Civil War Memorial, located right next to the U Street NW Metro station.
One of the volunteers at the museum, Marquett Milton, is almost always nearby during the day and he will come and tell you all about the African American experience in the Civil War and the memorial itself.
I bring groups to chat with Marquett regularly and it is an incredible way to learn more about this oft missed part of history in a part of the city that tourists do not always explore.
Cedar Hill - Frederick Douglass House
- No Tickets Required
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 9am-430pm
- 1411 W St SE, Washington, DC 20020
- Closest Metro: Anacostia
Cedar Hill is the historic home of Frederick Douglass located in Anacostia.
It is a National Park site today with a small museum and ranger talks.
Frederick Douglass' wife maintained the home and his belongings so it is an incredible flashback into his life.
It is located in a section of DC that is often overlooked by visitors.
You'll find the Anacostia Community Museum in this neighborhood, great local restaurants, and you're not far from some beautiful nature walks along the Anacostia River.
Embassy Row
Anderson House (Historic Home)
- No Tickets Required
- Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm (12pm opening on Sunday)
- 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
- Closest Metro: Dupont Circle
A once private home on Embassy Row, it was donated to the Society of the Cincinnati.
You can explore a museum about the Revolutionary War and tour a beautiful Gilded Age home.
I equate the Anderson House to the Library of Congress for the gilded architecture so if this is a style you enjoy, be sure to visit both.
Since this is another off the beaten path location, you won't usually find crowds here and its just steps from Dupont Circle.
You can actually visit a number of places along Embassy Row - including the embassies themselves!
Many embassies offer public events to share their culture - these are free to attend but sometime they do require tickets.
A good option is to look up what embassies are hosting special events - the embassy life in dc blog is a good resource for this.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- No Tickets Required
- Open Monday-Saturday 9am-3pm
- 400 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017
- Closest Metro: Brookland
Second only to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, this is the second-largest church in the world.
It has 81 chapels and sacred images that you can tour with a dedicated docent to learn about the background of this Catholic Church, as well as the architecture and mosaic artwork.
I've never seen so much gold plating in one place so its a visual feast!
You can visit most days of the week.
National Cathedral
- No Tickets Required to Attend Service or Walk Grounds
- 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
- Closest Metro: Woodley Park or Tenleytown
There is a charge to enter the National Cathedral unless you are attending a service or just touring the exterior of the building.
Find out more about visiting the Washington National Cathedra.
The Phillips Collection
- No Tickets Required
- Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm (but only name your own price after 4pm)
- 21st & Q St NW
- Closest Metro: Dupont Circle
The Phillips Collection is one of, if not, the first modern art museums.
While there is an admission cost on some days, some ticket times are name your own price so be sure you plan ahead if you want to visit on the free days.
Its most well-known piece is Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party.
You can also find works by Picasso, Rothko, and Whistler.
MEMORIALS
It is always free to visit the memorials and most are open day and night.
You do not have to pay to see the Lincoln Memorial.
The best way to explore memorials is with a tour guide - you can join us for a guided tour.
But you can also use our guide to the top 25 monuments and memorials for a self-guided tour.
- President Abraham Lincoln
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- WWII Memorial
- President George Washington Monument (though if you want to take the elevator to the top, a ticket is required! Like many of the ticketed sites, they are free but there is a processing fee to reserve them in advance)
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- President Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- George Mason Memorial
- Japanese American Memorial
- President Dwight D. Eisenhower
- American Veterans Disabled for Life
- President Ulysses S. Grant
- Air Force Memorial
- Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial
- US Naval Memorial
- Law Enforcement Memorial
- Albert Einstein
- DC War Memorial
- Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
- WWI Memorial at Pershing Park
CEMETERIES
Exploring some of the city's historic cemeteries is a great free option.
A guide is a must so you can find your way around these large sites and learn the stories about those buried here.
Arlington National Cemetery
- No Tickets Required
- Open Daily 8am-5pm
- Arlington, VA
- Closest Metro: Arlington National Cemetery
This hallowed ground is our nation's most famous military cemetery.
In addition to the military history you can experience at Arlington Cemetery, I love that it is also a way to learn more about the American Civil War.
Robert E. Lee, Confederate General, owned the land and the house before it became a cemetery.
It is also a certifed arboretum and is beautiful in the fall and spring.
You will find presidents, 5-star generals, and military heroes buried here as well as a chance to pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
We have a guide to the cemetery and offer guided and self-guided tours.
Congressional Cemetery
- No Tickets Required
- Open Daily dawn-dusk
- 18th and E St SE
- Closest Metro: Stadium-Armory
What started out as a cemetery for Congress, this landscaped cemetery is now open to the local community.
It is one of my favorites for being a self-proclaimed "hip cemetery" that hosts 5Ks, Yoga Mortem in the Crypt, and Halloween tours.
I have run many of the 5Ks here - it is hillier than it appears!
And it's a unique way to experience the cemetery.
But, I think their Soul Strolls Halloween tour is probably the best spooky tour in the city aside from our Ghosts of Georgetown tour.
A guided tour introduces you to historic figures who signed the Declaration of Independence, and more recent additions with artistic and unique grave markers.
Fitting along with the naturally beautiful cemeteries, this is a popular destination at the start of spring for the blooming trees.
Rock Creek Cemetery
- No Tickets Required
- Open Daily 9am-7pm
- 201 Allison St NW, Washington, DC 20011
- Closest Metro: Georgia Ave/Petworth
Rock Creek Cemetery is another cemetery with rolling hills that appear like a park.
You'll find a number of beautiful and haunting sculptures here.
If you've taken our Ghosts of Georgetown tour, you may have heard us talk about the Adams Memorial, a haunting statue nicknamed Grief.
That is located here and to be honest, while I've been to this cemetery many times, I have never looked for that memorial!
Oak Hill Cemetery
- No Tickets Required
- Monday through Friday – 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday – 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (walk-in gate only)
Sunday – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (walk-in gate only) - 3001 R St NW
- Closest Metro: Foggy Bottom/GWU
We offer tours of Oak Hill Cemetery because we love the history and beauty.
It's also located in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Georgetown.
A bucolic setting is the resting place of famed Americans and is most recently known for being the setting of the book, Lincoln in the Bardo.
Oak Hill Cemetery has a beautiful Renwick Chapel to explore and is one of the few remaining cemeteries to still have an on-site superintendent living on the grounds.
Gardens & Parks
Washington DC is beautiful at all times of year but when the flora is in full bloom, it is a sight to see.
Many of the city's parks and gardens are free to enter.
- Teddy Roosevelt Island
- Rock Creek Park
- Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
- Anacostia Park & River Trail
- Bishops Garden at the Washington National Cathedral
- Bartholdi Park & United States Botanic Gardens
- Gardens at the Franciscan Monastery
- United States Arboretum
- Dumbarton Oaks (winter only, November-March)
- Tudor Place Gardens (admission to the gardens is free, though we recommend entering the house as well!)
- C&O Canal in Georgetown
- Mount Vernon Trail
There are many small parks throughout the city - city parks and national park service-run parks are all free.
Many of the traffic circles in DC feature memorial statues as well.
OTHER FREE ACTIVITIES
- Our Self-Guided Tours!
- Cherry Blossom Bloom Viewing on the Tidal Basin
- Rock Creek Park Nature Center Planetarium
- Beach Volleyball by the Lincoln Memorial
- Walk/Bike ride along the Potomac River or take the Anacostia River Trail
- Junior Ranger Badge Activities (TIP: On April 15, and only April 15, you can get a special Titanic Memorial stamp for your National Park Passport!)
- Watch planes land at Gravelly Point at DCA Airport.
- Sunday Drum Circle at Meridian Hill Malcolm X Park
- Walk along Black Lives Matter Plaza by the White House
Explore one of the neighborhoods in DC for people watching, and window shopping:
- Georgetown
- Adams Morgan
- Wharf
- Eastern Market
- Union Market & NoMa
FREE PERFORMANCES
- Woolley Mammoth: pay-what-you-can seats, offered for the first two performances of every mainstage production (usually Monday or Tuesday). Tickets (two per person) are sold at the theater 90 minutes prior to showtime.
- National Theatre: free performance series Saturday Morning
- Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: free performance series at the Millennium Stage many evenings at 6 p.m.
- American Art Museum Take Five!: performance series usually takes place on the third Thursday of each month
- Sculpture Garden: Jazz in the Garden on Friday evenings during the summer
- Folger Shakespeare Library: Select events are free, with many family programs that are free.
- Screen on the Green: Free films shown on a giant outdoor screen on the National Mall each Summer.
Military Band Summer Performances:
- U.S. Air Force Band performs free concerts every Friday and Saturday at various places in DC area.
- U.S. Navy Band performs free concerts in Washington DC each week.
- U.S. Army Band performs free concerts each week in various DC locations.
- The President's Own takes part in the Sunset Parade at Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial every Tuesday
- Pershing's Own takes part in Twilight Tattoo on Wednesdays at Fort Meyer.
Free Monthly Activities
Our monthly posts include a section on free things to do that month.
This includes special events, parades, and festivals, that are held during that month.
Many of the main seasonal events in Washington DC are free - from fireworks on the National Mall for the Fourth of July to Cherry Blossom festival to holiday decorations.
Sample Itinerary - Spend 3 days in DC for free (almost)
You can easily spend 3 days in DC while only paying for accommodation, transportation, and food!
You could get away without using much transportation but most budget hotels are going to be further out from downtown which means using the Metro is a good idea.
Make sure to read our guide on Cheap Eats to save money on the food, too.
DAY 1:
Start the morning exploring Capitol Hill - US Capitol, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court.
Enjoy Eastern Market for lunch or eat in the Capitol Visitor Center if you plan on taking the US Capitol Building tour.
Spend the afternoon at one of the many free museums in DC - Air and Space if you're looking for something close by!
Stop by the National Botanic Gardens on the way.
Dinner at a DC staple like Old Ebbits Grill, which is just a short walk from our evening tour. Walk by the White House at night on the way.
Take our Memorials and Moonlight walking tour to visit the National Mall
DAY 2:
Pay respects at Arlington National Cemetery on with our free self guided walking tour.
Have lunch at the food trucks on the National Mall before spending the afternoon at another museum.
Grab an early dinner in Georgetown to explore the neighborhood (we have self-guided tours!)
Depending on the time of year, spend the evening enjoying one of the military performances or a free concert at the Kennedy Center.
DAY 3:
Start your day with a morning with breakfast at the Wharf (District Donuts is a favorite!) then walk to the Tidal Basin to visit FDR and Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (don't forget to get tickets in advance!)
Have lunch at the Cafe at the NGA Sculpture Garden and then head across the street to the National Archives
Visit Ford's Theatre (don't forget to get tickets!)
If you have some time, make your way to the nearby National Portrait Gallery open until 7 pm nightly.
Late dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants in the Chinatown/Penn Quarter area of DC.
