Free in DC : Iconic sights without the price tag

World-class museums and monuments. Historic neighbourhoods. Green escapes in the urban city. Washington, DC has no shortage of stellar attractions, but the real surprise is how many of them cost nothing at all. Enjoy a budget-friendly trip to remember with these extraordinary DC encounters.

Fly to the moon at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

From the Wright brothers’ first flying machine to a spacesuit worn during the moon landing, the exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum capture our quest to take to the skies, and that is just one of the 17 free Smithsonian museums in DC. Other can’t-miss museums include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. The Smithsonian Institution’s incredible collection covers everything from the top hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln the night he was assassinated to Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

Discover art on the streets

In DC, art isn’t just found in galleries. The city has a lively street art scene with vivid murals springing up across town. Take a stroll through Columbia Heights, where the colourful My Culture, Mi Gente by Joel Bergner sits opposite Columbia Heights Metro Station, or head to NoMA to check out artist MADSTEEZ’s funkified portrait of George Washington. A walk along the Metropolitan Branch Trail gets you up close to murals created as part of the annual Walls Festival, including a stunning Meaghan Toohey depiction of a woman building a brick staircase.

Think pink in cherry blossom season

Locals and visitors alike wait for this moment every year: the delightful day in early spring when DC’s 3,000 cherry blossom trees start bursting into bloom, draping the city in a blanket of delicate pink petals. The trees were a gift from Japan all the way back in 1912. Their peak flowering period varies from year to year according to the weather but visit any time around late March or early April and you can glimpse DC in bloom. The city comes together to celebrate the cherry blossom season with parades, festivals and art installations.

DC’s cherry blossom trees in bloom for early spring.Credit: Photo courtesy of washington.org

Be awed by the National Mall

Even if this is your first visit to DC, you will spot plenty of familiar sights as you walk through the expansive National Mall. This park is home to some of the country’s most important monuments and memorials, many of which regularly pop up in the background of movies and TV shows. The Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument are instantly recognisable. There are also memorials honouring prominent figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr and Thomas Jefferson. One of the simplest but most moving monuments is Maya Lin’s black granite slab at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, inscribed with the names of the fallen.

The Lincoln Memorial exudes familiarity.Credit: Photo courtesy of washington.org

Stroll through scenic Georgetown

Georgetown is home to some of DC’s best shopping, dining and nightlife, but that is not the only reason to visit this charming cobblestoned neighbourhood. Founded in the 1700s, Georgetown is almost 100 years older than Washington DC, and its gorgeous Federal and Georgian architecture makes this one of the city’s most desirable places to live. There are stories to be found around every corner: take a self-guided Kennedy walking tour to uncover places such as the restaurant where JFK proposed to his wife Jacqueline, then make your way to the infamous staircase from The Exorcist.

Visit a different kind of library

With more than 164 million items in its collections, including books, maps, prints, and recordings, the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. On top of that, it also has some of the most magnificent Gilded Age architecture around, especially the grand staircases, extraordinary ceilings and exquisite mosaics of the Thomas Jefferson Building. Be sure to check out some of the library’s intriguing exhibits, covering everything from political cartoons to conflicts between early European explorers and Native Americans.

The Library of Congress towers as the largest library in the world.Credit: Photo courtesy of washington.org

Take to the river

When you need downtime, head straight for the river. The 19 kilometre Anacostia Riverwalk Trail is a favourite place for locals to unwind. As it unfurls between Maryland and DC it passes through ever-changing scenery including forest, fields and marshes. The views across the water are some of the best in town.

From soaring through the history of flight to reflecting at poignant memorials, from lively street art scene to the array of tranquil riverside paths, DC offers a remarkable range of experiences, all of which will make you realise that sometimes the best things in life truly are free. So, whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a memorable travel escape, the nation’s capital invites you to explore its treasures without breaking your budget.

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