41 listings in Washington, DC: free days out with kids: museums, workshops, storytimes and more.
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Mon and Wed–Sun 11am–4pm (closed Tue)
Hidden Oaks Nature CenterWashington
A Fairfax County nature center in Annandale. No entry fee for individuals or families; walk-in hours are Monday and Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–4pm.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Mon–Sat 8:30am–4:30pm, last tour 3:20pm (closed Sun, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)
U.S. Capitol Visitor CenterWashington
Tour the U.S. Capitol from the Capitol Visitor Center. All tours, programs and activities are free. Reserve a timed tour online; a limited number of same-day passes may be available at the Visitor Center if you arrive by 2:30pm. Last tour starts at 3:20pm.
Verified Oct 27 · visitthecapitol.gov
Catch: Free timed tour pass needed: reserve online, or try for limited same-day passes by 2:30pm
Mon and Wed–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–6pm (closed Tue)
Planet WordWashington
An interactive museum all about words and language, with hands-on galleries for all ages. General admission is free with a suggested $15 donation (optional). Passes go fast, so book ahead. Closed Tuesdays and Thanksgiving; last entry an hour before closing.
Verified Oct 27 · planetwordmuseum.org
Catch: Free timed pass needed for ages 2+: book online (released the 1st for next month) or try same-day
Mon–Fri, 11am–4pm (closed Nov 11)
Martha's Table at The CommonsWashington
Martha's Table runs a choice-based market at The Commons (Southeast DC) where you pick fresh fruits, vegetables and pantry staples at no cost, first come, first served. Register for a free membership card with a photo ID on your first visit; you can shop twice a month and also shop for one other person. No ID yet? You get a fruit bag and can come back to register. Closed Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.
Verified Oct 27 · marthastable.org
Catch: Register for a free membership card with a photo ID (or a clear copy) · Ages 16+ to shop · Up to twice a month
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm (closed Sun and Mon)
Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson BuildingWashington
Tour the Thomas Jefferson Building's Great Hall and exhibitions, and join a short walkthrough of the Main Reading Room (Tue–Fri 10:30–11:30am and 2–3pm, Thursday 5–7pm; free walkthrough tickets handed out in the Great Hall 10 minutes before). Entry needs a free timed ticket: book up to 30 days ahead, or get same-day tickets online from 9am.
Verified Oct 27 · loc.gov
Catch: Free timed-entry ticket required: reserve online
Mon–Fri, 11am–4pm (closed Nov 11)
Martha's Table Market at The MaycroftWashington
Martha's Table runs a choice-based market at The Maycroft (Northwest DC) where you pick fresh fruits, vegetables and pantry staples at no cost, first come, first served. Register for a free membership card with a photo ID on your first visit; you can shop twice a month and also shop for one other person. No ID yet? You get a fruit bag and can come back to register. Closed Wednesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.
Verified Oct 27 · marthastable.org
Catch: Register for a free membership card with a photo ID (or a clear copy) · Ages 16+ to shop · Up to twice a month
Mon–Fri 9am–1pm, Tue and Thu also 6–7pm, Sat 8:30am–12:30pm
Arlington Food Assistance CenterWashington
AFAC gives Arlington residents free weekly groceries, including milk, eggs, a protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, at its Nelson Street headquarters and several neighborhood sites. You need an Arlington address and a referral from an Arlington County social service agency (DHS: 2100 Washington Blvd, 703-228-1300); referrals last six months.
Verified Oct 27 · afac.org
Catch: Arlington residents only · Referral from an Arlington County social service agency required (photo ID and proof of address)
Live shows at 6pm on select days (the published schedule lists Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays); free film screening every Saturday
The REACH at the Kennedy CenterWashington
The Kennedy Center's free performance series continues at The REACH while the main Kennedy Center building is temporarily closed: live music and dance at 6pm on select evenings, plus a free film on Saturdays. No tickets or registration; walk-ins welcome. Upcoming: NSO Youth Fellows Nov 5, Qi Yu Quartet Nov 6, Air Force Strings Nov 12. Check the schedule for the day's show.
Verified Oct 27 · kennedy-center.org
No catch
Wed, Nov 11, 6:00 PM
Washington National Cathedral
"The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band's ensemble Free Country plays a free public Veterans Day concert honoring those who served, with patriotic favorites like "America the Beautiful." Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 6pm; there's also a livestream.
Verified Oct 27 · marineband.marines.mil
No catch
Thu, Nov 26 – Sun, Jan 3 · check hours
U.S. Botanic GardenWashington
The Botanic Garden's free holiday show returns November 26 with poinsettias, model trains running past national parks and historic places built from plant parts, and DC landmarks made of natural materials. No tickets needed. On December 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 29 it stays open until 8pm with live holiday music from 5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · usbg.gov
No catch
Thu, Dec 3 · check hours
The Ellipse (President's Park)Washington
The 2026 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is Thursday, December 3 on the Ellipse south of the White House. Tickets are free but given out by lottery: enter on Recreation.gov from 10am ET October 28 to 3pm ET November 4; winners hear on November 12 and get up to five tickets.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
Catch: Free tickets by lottery only: enter Oct 28–Nov 4 on Recreation.gov; entering doesn't guarantee tickets
Fri, Dec 4, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
City Hall Concert PavilionGaithersburg
Gaithersburg marks the 100th anniversary of its tree lighting with an evening of holiday music, dance and song at the City Hall Concert Pavilion in Olde Towne. Admission is free. It's outdoors with lawn seating and limited chairs.
Verified Oct 27 · gaithersburgmd.gov
No catch
Sat, Jun 5 · check hours
Maryland waters (Washington area)
On Maryland's free fishing days, anyone may catch and keep finfish in the state's tidal and nontidal waters without an angler's license, Chesapeake Bay sport fishing license or any fishing stamp. The waiver covers Maryland waters, including Maryland waters (Washington area). Eligibility: Anyone.
Verified Oct 27 · dnr.maryland.gov
Catch: Maryland waters only (not DC or Virginia) · All fishing laws and regulations still apply
Daily 10am–5pm (closed Dec 25 and Jan 1)
National Gallery of ArtWashington
Two buildings and a sculpture garden: 11th–20th-century art in the West Building and modern and contemporary art in the East Building. Admission is always free, including special exhibitions, and you don't need passes or tickets. Free guided tours run most days.
Verified Oct 27 · nga.gov
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of American HistoryWashington
Home of the Star-Spangled Banner and more than three million objects that tell America's story. Free admission with no passes needed, open every day except December 25.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of Natural HistoryWashington
See the Hope Diamond, the National Fossil Hall dinosaurs, the Ocean Hall and the Hall of Human Origins at the world's most popular natural history museum. Admission is free and no passes are needed. Open daily except December 25.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Visitor center Wed–Sun 12–5pm
Riverbend ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park in Great Falls, VA, with a visitor center. No entry fee for individuals or families; the visitor center is open Wednesday–Sunday, noon–5pm. Boat rentals cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Daily dawn to dusk
Burke Lake ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park around Burke Lake. No entry fee for individuals or families; open daily dawn to dusk (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Rides and rentals cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Park and Kidwell Farm daily 9am–5pm
Frying Pan Farm ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park with Kidwell Farm and a playground. Admission is free for families and individuals; the carousel and wagon rides cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Daily; gate locks at 5pm
Green Spring GardensWashington
A Fairfax County public garden. There's no entry fee for individuals or families; the gate locks at 5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Visitor center through Nov 30: weekdays except Tue 9am–5pm, weekends 12–5pm
Huntley Meadows ParkWashington
A Fairfax County park with a nature visitor center. No entry fee for individuals or families. Through November 30 the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center is open weekdays (except Tuesday) 9am–5pm and weekends noon–5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · fairfaxcounty.gov
No catch
Grounds daily 7:30am until 20 minutes after sunset
Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor CenterFrederick
Explore a Civil War battlefield in Frederick. There's no fee for the battlefield, visitor center or museums. Grounds are open daily from 7:30am until 20 minutes after sunset.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Hours vary by area; check the park before you go
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical ParkWashington
The C&O Canal park covers 184.5 miles of historic canal and towpath for walking, running and biking. The park is free to visit everywhere except the Great Falls Tavern area in Potomac, MD, which needs an entrance pass.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Daily during daylight hours
Rock Creek ParkWashington
A national park in the city with a nature center and planetarium. There's no entrance fee; the park is open during daylight hours. Metered parking applies at Thompson Boat Center.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Open year-round (closed 3 days a year)
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic GardensWashington
A National Park Service water garden along the Anacostia River with ponds, trails and winter birding; famous for its lotus blooms in summer. No entrance pass or fee, and it's open year-round except three days a year.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Daily 10am–6pm (closed New Year's Day, Easter, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas)
Torpedo Factory Art CenterAlexandria
A former munitions plant on the Alexandria waterfront with three floors of working artists' studios and galleries you can walk through, plus the Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the third floor. Open and free to the public. Artists keep their own studio hours, and the building sometimes closes at 5pm for private events.
Verified Oct 27 · torpedofactory.org
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm, last entry 5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
National Archives MuseumWashington
See the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the Rotunda, plus the museum's exhibits. Admission is free and tickets aren't required; you can reserve free general admission tickets, or pay $1 for an optional timed-entry ticket to skip the line.
Verified Oct 27 · visit.archives.gov
No catch
Open 24 hours; rangers on duty 9:30am–10pm daily
National Mall and Memorial ParksWashington
The monuments and memorials of the National Mall are free to visit 24 hours a day. Park rangers are on duty 9:30am–10pm to answer questions and lead talks and walks, and all ranger activities are free.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
First Saturday of each month, 10am–3pm
National Gallery of Art, East BuildingWashington
On the first Saturday of the month the East Building turns into a free festival: a kids' play space, bilingual storytime, drop-in artmaking, face painting and children's yoga. Most activities are first come, first served; a few need registration. Next dates: November 7 and December 5, 2026. The January 2, 2027 festival is canceled.
Verified Oct 27 · nga.gov
No catch
Tuesdays, 10am–1pm (not Dec 29)
National Gallery of Art, East BuildingWashington
A weekly hands-on space for the youngest art lovers to play, build, sort and stack in the East Building atrium. It's free, there's no registration, and you can drop in any time during the session. Children must be with an adult. No session on December 29, 2026.
Verified Oct 27 · nga.gov
No catch
Conservatory daily 10am–5pm; outdoor gardens 7:30am–5pm (closed Dec 25)
U.S. Botanic GardenWashington
A living plant museum: a conservatory with desert, tropical and orchid collections, plus the National Garden outdoors and Bartholdi Fountain across the street. Admission is free and no tickets are needed.
Verified Oct 27 · usbg.gov
No catch
Haupt Garden dawn to dusk daily (closed Dec 25); other gardens 24 hours
Smithsonian GardensWashington
The Smithsonian's public gardens surround the museums on and near the Mall. The Enid A. Haupt Garden is open dawn to dusk; the other outdoor gardens are open 24 hours. Free, no passes needed.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 8am–4pm through Mar 14 (8am–6pm Mar 15–Sept 14); last entry 1 hour before closing; closed Dec 25
Smithsonian's National ZooWashington
More than 2,100 animals across 163 acres in Rock Creek Park, including Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers and orangutans. Entry is free but everyone needs a free entry pass. Winter hours run 8am–4pm until March 14, with last entry an hour before closing.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
Catch: Free entry pass required: get one online before you go
Daily 10am–5pm (closed Dec 25)
Anacostia Community MuseumWashington
The Smithsonian's museum of urban community history and culture, in Southeast DC. Free admission with no passes needed, open daily.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy CenterWashington
The Air and Space Museum's Virginia site holds aircraft and spacecraft in an open, hangar-like setting. Admission is free and no passes are needed.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 11:30am–7pm (closed Dec 25)
National Portrait GalleryWashington
America's story told through portraiture and biography, in the same building as the American Art Museum. Free, no passes needed, open daily until 7pm.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Postal MuseumWashington
America's mail history and the art of stamp collecting. Free admission with no passes needed, open daily.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of the American IndianWashington
Honoring Native heritage, history and voices, on the National Mall. Free admission, no passes needed, open daily.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Air and Space MuseumWashington
See the 1903 Wright Flyer, the Apollo 11 command module and other icons of flight and space on the National Mall. Entry is free but you need a free timed-entry pass.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
Catch: Free timed-entry pass required: reserve ahead
Tue–Sun 10am–5:30pm, Mon 12–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of African American History and CultureWashington
American history through an African American lens, from Harriet Tubman's shawl to Nat Turner's Bible. Admission is free with a timed-entry pass. Opens at noon on Mondays (10am on federal holidays).
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
Catch: Free timed-entry pass required: reserve ahead
Daily 9am–5pm; walk-up ticket window opens 8:45am (closed July 4, Dec 25, and Nov 4 and Dec 8, 2026 for maintenance)
Washington Monument
Ride to the top of the 555-foot Washington Monument for views across DC. There's no admission fee: free same-day timed tickets are handed out at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street from 8:45am until they run out, and one person (16+) can get up to six. Lines form well before the window opens. Advance tickets on Recreation.gov carry a $1 fee per ticket.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
Catch: Free only with same-day walk-up tickets at the Lodge (ages 2+): first come, first served; they often run out · Booking online ahead isn't free: a $1 reservation fee per ticket
