56 free things to do and get in Washington and around the Washington area, including 41 attractions, 5 entertainment, 4 kids & family.
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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–Fri 9am–3pm (closed federal holidays)
Supreme Court of the United StatesWashington
Visit the Supreme Court building on weekdays and catch a free courtroom lecture, usually at 10:30 and 11:30am and 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30pm on days the Court isn't sitting. No tickets or reservations; lectures are first come, first served, with the line forming in the Great Hall. Court business can cancel lectures.
Verified Oct 27 · supremecourt.gov
No catch
Daily: breakfast 7:30–8:30am, lunch 11:30am–12:30pm
SOME (So Others Might Eat)Washington
SOME (So Others Might Eat) serves free hot meals to anyone who needs them, every day of the year, with no questions asked: breakfast 7:30–8:30am and lunch 11:30am–12:30pm at 71 O St NW. SOME also runs a weekly emergency food pantry (Wed and Fri 9–11am, behind 60 O St NW) and daily showers.
Verified Oct 27 · some.org
No catch
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
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
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
Thu–Sun 10am–5pm, last ticketed admission 3:15pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day)
GlenstoneWashington
Glenstone pairs modern and contemporary art with architecture, outdoor sculpture and woodland trails. Admission and parking are always free, but you need a free timed ticket, and visitors must be 12 or older. Tickets for each month and the next are released on the 1st at 10am.
Verified Oct 27 · glenstone.org
Catch: Free timed ticket required: released the 1st of each month at 10am · Ages 12 and up only
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
National Museum of Women in the ArtsWashington
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. National Museum of Women in the Arts is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
Rubell Museum DCWashington
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Rubell Museum DC is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
The Phillips CollectionWashington
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. The Phillips Collection is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Tue, Nov 10, 9:30 AM
Arlington National Cemetery Welcome CenterWashington
Arlington National Cemetery historians lead a free public tram tour on November 10, 2026, marking 105 years since the World War I Unknown Soldier was buried. It stops at graves of people tied to the Tomb's history, starts and ends at the Welcome Center, and runs rain or shine. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Verified Oct 27 · arlingtoncemetery.mil
Catch: Free registration required on Eventbrite; space is limited
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
Third Thursday of each month, 5–8pm
The Phillips CollectionWashington
The Phillips Collection opens its modern art museum free from 5 to 8pm on the third Thursday of every month. Regular admission is $20 for adults; visitors 18 and under are always free.
Verified Oct 27 · phillipscollection.org
No catch
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
Tuesdays: Tech Time at Takoma Park 10am–12pm, Tech Help at Francis A. Gregory 2–3pm; other classes on set dates
DC Public Library branchesWashington
DC Public Library's Adult Learning team runs free onsite computer classes, from beginner basics (mouse, keyboard, getting online) to Microsoft Office, Google tools and Canva, plus drop-in device help. In November 2026: Tech Time on Tuesdays at Takoma Park, Tech Help Tuesdays at Francis A. Gregory, and Computer Basics & NorthStar at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (Nov 2 and 18). Check the library calendar for the class you want; lab seats are limited.
Verified Oct 27 · dclibrary.org
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of Asian ArtWashington
Asian art from the Neolithic period to today across an East Building and a West Building. Free admission, no passes needed, open daily.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 11:30am–7pm (closed Dec 25)
Smithsonian American Art MuseumWashington
Three centuries of American art open late every day. Free admission with no passes needed.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed until Nov 13, 2026)
Renwick GalleryWashington
The Smithsonian American Art Museum's gallery of contemporary craft and decorative arts, steps from the White House. Admission is always free with no passes needed. The building is closed while the new exhibition Handwork: Contemporary Craft is installed; it reopens November 13, 2026.
Verified Oct 27 · americanart.si.edu
No catch
Tue–Sun 10am–5:30pm, Mon 12–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenWashington
The Smithsonian's museum of international modern and contemporary art, plus a sunken sculpture garden. Free, no passes needed. Opens at noon on Mondays; closed Friday, October 30, 2026. The reimagined Sculpture Garden by Hiroshi Sugimoto opens October 31, 2026.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
Daily 10am–5:30pm (closed Dec 25)
National Museum of African ArtWashington
The Smithsonian's collection of African art, from the 11th century to today, just off the Mall. Free admission with no passes needed, open daily.
Verified Oct 27 · si.edu
No catch
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
By appointment: request a mentor online
SCORE Washington DC
SCORE pairs small business owners and people starting a business with volunteer mentors, free for as many sessions as you need, in person through a local chapter or by video. SCORE Washington DC is SCORE's local chapter. Eligibility: Anyone starting or running a small business.
Verified Oct 27 · score.org
Catch: For small business owners and would-be owners · Mentoring is free; some SCORE workshops and courses charge a fee
