Visiting DC is for everyone with so many free spots

Posted in DC-Maryland-Virginia, Free Kids Fun, National Parks, Read Them All, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , ,
US Capitol Building

When I was growing up, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. Then when I was in college, I had the opportunity to study abroad one summer in Europe between London and Paris/Tours, France. One thing I realized during this time was that I loved the convenience of public transportation and I wanted to live in a city that offered this. Flash forward to 2011 and I moved to D.C. for grad school.

When I lived in D.C. I would walk, metro and bus everywhere! I wanted to experience it all. Since moving to Silver Spring, Maryland, I try to remember that my goal is to be a tourist in my own town! I don’t want to lose sight of the fact I’m only a mile from the Silver Spring metro station and can be back in the heart of the city in no time! Most links will take you to pictures on my IG and I focused on free offerings unless otherwise noted. Always check the official site for hours, closures, ticketing, special events, etc. And if you’re taking metro, add your card to your phone ahead of time (it even works when the phone is dead)! Kids 4 and under are free.

The Best Free Views of D.C.

For all of these places, be prepared that you may have to go through security.

  • Washington Monument – Since I moved to D.C. and then there was an earthquake that shut this for many years, I did not want to miss a chance to visit when it reopened. It is iconic and I’m happy I finally got a ticket (I clicked on Group instead of Individual) for my daughter and I to go up (thanks to FamilyTripGuides for this tip). You can’t bring strollers up and be prepared for security. It’s $1 per ticket and you reserve through Recreation.gov either 30 days in advance or a day in advance (or take the chance of standing in line for a walk up ticket). Stand in the middle of the door on either side on the way down so you can see out the window that lights up.
  • Old Post Office – I still feel like this is a bit of a hidden gem because it was closed to the public for many years. Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge (free) here. It’s also conveniently located by the National Children’s Museum so it could easily be combined. Enter behind the building and be prepared for security.
  • View of D.C. – This is in Arlington and metro accessible. This is also a venue space and it was super fun to take the glass elevator up spot all the sites. This closed sometime in 2024 (sad face), but I left it here in case it reopens in the future under a different name or owner.
  • Other great views include the back of the Lincoln Memorial to see the eternal flame at Arlington Cemetery, going to the top of the Kennedy Center and rooftop of the MLK Library.

Unique Non-Smithsonian Places for Kids

  • Planet Word – This is an interactive place that can be enjoyed by every age! Sing karaoke, take a picture in the photo booth, make a book come to life, find the hidden bookcase door, tell jokes, etc. If you have visitors, this is the spot to go! Reserve a free (donation based) ticket ahead of time and before or after visiting, check out Franklin Park across the street for a small playground. Take the metro here.
  • The People’s House: A White House Experience – This is free (donation based) and it’s recommended to reserve tickets in advance. This is super close to the White House and the Renwick Gallery. Sit in the 1:1 ratio Oval Office that changes with each President, take pictures like you’re presenting the Easter Egg Roll and touch various objects to make them come to life. This opened in September 2024.
  • Rock Creek Park Nature Center – This is free and since the Planetarium reopened, it sometimes has a free kids show! It’s also a place to see taxidermy, a couple real animals, color and hike! There is free parking.
  • MLK Library – We are the people who go to libraries on vacation because there are so many unique ones! This one has a slide in the stairwell of the kids section. Visit the rooftop too and if you have a little, the story time is excellent here. We metro here and combine with a walk through City Center DC since the decorations regularly change in Palmer Alley and Chinatown’s Friendship Bridge.
  • Anacostia Park – The first time I came here, I thought it was just the “pirate ship park”, but there is more! Bring socks and an ID to swap it out for free roller skates. We haven’t made it yet, but there is a nature type center here too called Aquatic Resources Education Center. There is free parking.
  • Merry Pin – This is a business that offers free Saturday morning story time and craft/art. We have found free street parking in this area.
  • National Children’s Museum – This is a paid museum right by the Ronald Reagan Building and the climbing dream machine (bring socks) is always my child’s favorite. Here’s my biggest tip – if you live in the DMV, go get an Alexandria library card (via reciprocity) then reserve a free ticket to visit online (follow all the steps)! We went in August 2024 with a 2:30 pm slot and they let us in 30 minutes early so we got 2.5 hours of free play here.
  • I wouldn’t go to the White House Visitor Center with a little unless I needed a bathroom or to escape the weather elements since there’s minimal interactivity.
  • Eastern Market – This is a fun area to explore for the outdoor market on the weekends and the indoor fish market. It’s changed so much in the time I’ve lived here. There’s also a great playground and splash pad (seasonal) nearby. Get a poptart from Ted’s Bulletin. If time allows, venture to Shakespeare’s Library. You can reserve a free ticket and there’s a kids scavenger hunt inside.

Free Smithsonians Can’t Be Missed

  • Natural History – This is our family favorite as we love the taxidermy animals, dinosaurs, the big entrance hall (from the National Mall side) and special exhibits like photography of the year. On Tuesdays, the butterfly garden inside on the 2nd level, closer to the National Mall side is free, just wait in line to get a timed ticket. On the Tuesday before Montgomery County schools went back, DC was empty – no school buses, no long lines to get inside.
  • American Indian – The Native American museum has a great kids section. We usually pair this with popping into the U.S. Botanical Gardens. We love the Botanical Gardens during the holidays to see the the outdoor train and the atrium. You can also see the Capitol from here.
  • Postal Museum – This is a top museum for littles and it’s right next to Union Station. I love making a digital stamp, picking a few old stamps to keep and exploring the interactive displays downstairs.
  • American History – This is a huge museum with so many exhibits. If you have a little, check the hours for Wegman’s Wonderplace and if your child is older, check out Spark!Lab. We have enjoyed both spaces. Be prepared for security and arrive early to beat the buses.
  • Asian Art – This is usually a museum we skip over, but we recently attended an Art & Me family event that was fantastic (reserve free ticket in advance). We also loved seeing and learning about the Peacock Room. The last Thursday of the month in the afternoon, you can see the shutters opened to reveal the window. Don’t miss the ceiling or the coins in the peacock mural. Pop into the Smithsonian Castle if it’s open or see the Eisenhower Memorial nearby.
  • African American History – This is an incredible multi-story museum. If you start at the bottom, you weave through history. If you start at the top, you learn about music, sports, etc. Don’t miss the reflection room that is beautiful and peaceful. Reserve a timed ticket in advance.
  • Zoo – One of the free zoos in the U.S. and pandas returned in early 2025! Reserve a free ticket online. Be prepared for the hilly walking! In the summer there are misters and a water feature by the seals/sea lions. There’s also a couple of play structures at the bottom of the hill near the prairie dogs and also by the farm. The play space inside the newly renovated bird area is great for kids with crafts, storytime and outdoor play. This is only open certain days/times per week. We usually come on a Sunday when street parking is free or metro to Cleveland Park (downhill trek to zoo) and return from Woodley Park (downhill trek from zoo).
  • National Mall – This is the big green space that has many of the free museums and I had the good fortune to have my grad school graduation here when Kerri Washington from Scandal was the speaker. If you’re exploring Smithsonians, it’s hard to miss. Venture to all of the monuments along the Mall like WWII, Lincoln, Washington Monument, Vietnam and beyond to all of the ones along the Tidal Basin (body of water). Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. They are all free to visit and shouldn’t be missed. Many people like enjoying the sunrise or sunset by the Tidal Basin. Fun fact, my husband proposed at the Lincoln Memorial.

Paid Museums to Consider:

  • National Law Enforcement – We were gifted this opportunity and loved it. The museum is underground and metro accessible from Judiciary Square. It is very interactive. You can sit in a police car and touch all the buttons, learn about dogs that work with law enforcement, listen to 911 calls, watch a short movie on the wall, etc. I would definitely return here in the future and their t-shirt is one of my favorites because it is so soft. Check for discounted tickets on Groupon.
  • Museum of the Bible – Check for tickets on Groupon. We found one for $18 and my daughter was free based on her age. It was beautiful during the holidays and we loved hearing the people play chimes and bells. There’s a kids play area inside and a section to play games.
  • International Spy Museum – This was a super memorable museum when I was younger and visited DC. It has moved locations since then and I look forward to taking my daughter at some point.

Specific Time of Year

  • January or February. Discovery Days happens in Baltimore and Maryland residents can reserve free timed tickets to the National Aquarium. This is an amazing deal! The Maryland Science Center nearby is covered by the ASTC Passport, so if you’re visiting the area from out of town, definitely check out this museum and you may be able to visit for free via reciprocity. Read my article, Your Family Needs the ASTC Passport, for all the convincing you need.
  • March or April. The cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin at or around peak season are to be enjoyed. Yes, it’s crowded because people come from all around the globe to see this phenomenon because it’s incredible. It’s also a chance to see gorgeous magnolias. I haven’t tested this yet, but we were told by a park ranger that they have seasonal Junior Ranger badges for kids to earn during this time! Sundays will be busier than a weekday, but you may be able to find free parking.
  • March or April. The White House Easter Egg Roll is such a fun event to participate in, particularly if it doesn’t rain and it’s not too hot. In 2023 we “won the lotto” and got to participate! Every February there’s a lottery period to submit your interest. There were lawn games with athletes, free treats, crafts and characters! We skipped the iconic events.
  • Summer. Visit Yards Park Canal Basin for the most unique “splash pad” type experience. Bring bathing suits and go under the waterfall or splash around in the shallow water. The views are beautiful. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
  • July. The peak bloom of the lotuses at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are beautiful! It is definitely hot and humid, but also unique! This is a fun place to earn a Junior Ranger badge (free program for kids). Make sure to walk back to the boardwalk to look for various birds. Parking is free in the lot, but it gets crowded and then you have to use street parking.
  • Holidays. Check out the adorable trains at the Botanical Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. My daughter loved the various scavenger hunts. This is free to visit and there’s also a nature center and children’s garden. It’s also gorgeous in the spring. The Washington, D.C. Temple, which is actually just outside of DC is a beautiful, free place to see lights and nativity sets from around the world.

Right Over the D.C. Border are These Gems

  • Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm – We timed it so we arrived in time to feed the chickens! There are other animals to see too, a nature building with coloring, games and books and a chance to earn a Junior Ranger badge.
  • National Harbor – The downside is parking (try to book ahead of time with SpotHero). Otherwise, play in the sand, catch a movie or sport on the big screen, find the famous statues, play in the little kid area or fenced in park and walk through the Gaylord. This is also close to the Tanger Outlets which has a small kids play area and free parking.
  • National Cryptologic Museum – This is a small museum with a decoding activity (and prize) for kids. We also got to use invisible ink. It has dedicated parking.

Thanks for checking out this article. This is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather give you some ideas in one place from a local mom who enjoys adventuring and keeping the costs low. I could write full articles about the playgrounds in the area, cities like Alexandria, Annapolis, Frederick, etc., so make sure to check back if you’re interested in those. I would love for you to check out some of my other articles such as Airport Play Areas in the DMV, How To Save Money In Order to Travel, Keep Your Green at Great Wolf Lodge.

About the Author

Lydia Garry and her family, TeamTravelsBaby, live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and are working to achieve “vagabond status”. Much of their affordable family travel experiences include U.S. travel, national parks and Europe. Adventure with them here, subscribe to their newsletter and follow along on Instagram!

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