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
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
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
