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Attractions by Cost

Free Attractions Paid Attractions

Local Attractions, Free of Cost




The National Mall

Visit the White House
Touring the National Mall should top your list of must-do's when you visit the District. Free monuments, memorials and museums are all around, including the famous Lincoln and Jefferson memorials and the popular National Museum of African American History and Culture. Walk next to the Reflecting Pool and you can hear American history in your footsteps, from the sacrifices made by soldiers to the powerful words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dress Code: None/Casual

Touring the public rooms of the U.S. President's home is another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can only be savored in DC.
Restrictions: While this experience is free of charge, you must contact your congressional representative well in advance (30 days at the least) to schedule a visit because background checks are required.
Dress Code: Business Casual







Smithsonian: Museum of American History

Smithsonian: National Air and Space Museum
The National Museum of American History is located on Constitution Avenue NW and runs along the National Mall. Through research, in-depth exhibits, extensive collections and public outreach, the museum presents America's history in all of its complexity. Its collection features more than three million artifacts, from Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz to sheet music written by DC legend Duke Ellington.
Dress Code: None/Casual

Glimpse the 1903 Wright Flyer, run your hands over moon rock and experience the larger-than-life world of aviation and space travel at the National Air and Space Museum. Since opening on the National Mall in 1976, this hub of all things flight has educated and inspired future generations of pilots and astronauts from around the world. The museum (along with its second location, the Udvar-Hazy Center, in Chantilly, Va.) contains the largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world. All components of human flight are on display, including related art and archival materials.
Dress Code: None/Casual







The Library of Congress

US Capitol Building
You will be dazzled as soon as you step into the magnificent Library of Congress. The Thomas Jefferson Building provides the best visitor experience, with gorgeous Gilded Age architecture accompanied by special exhibits and the Library's incredible collection of books, papers, recordings, maps and much, much more.
Dress Code: None/Casual

You'll begin your exploration of the U.S. Capitol inside the Capitol Visitor Center, which features an exhibition hall that tells the story of the Capitol and Congress. The excursion begins with an orientation film, then takes you to the famous Rotunda, the Crypt and much more.
Restrictions: To continue your journey into the historical portions of the building beyond the Visitor Center, you'll need to book a free guided tour.
Dress Code: None/Casual







National Capitol Columns at the Arboretum

The National Archives
The National Arboretum is a 446-acre agricultural wonder in the heart of the District that does not charge admission. The oasis also features the historic National Capitol Columns that supported the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol from 1828-1958. The columns make for a jaw-dropping Instagram photo.
Dress Code: None/Casual

The National Archives Building is home to more than three billion records in total, including the three most important documents in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These can be viewed in the building's Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. Make sure to also check out the Public Vaults, which usually has more than 1,000 fascinating documents on display.
Dress Code: None/Casual







The National Gallery of Art

Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Three acres of skylights illuminate the masterworks at the National Gallery of Art. On par with the world's most important art museums, the National Gallery was established with a gift from Andrew Mellon in 1937. In this marble temple are invaluable works of art from every era, including the only Leonardo Da Vinci painting in the Americas, Ginerva de' Benci. Make sure to visit the East Building, the museum's modern art wing designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei.
Dress Code: None/Casual

Would you like to see what millions of dollars looks like in person? Take a 40-minute tour at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. During the peak season (March-August), first-come, first-served same-day tickets are required - the ticket office opens at 8 a.m. During other times of the year, walk-up tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are not required. Keep in mind that the visitor center is closed on weekends and federal holidays.
Dress Code: None/Casual







JFK Center for the Performing Arts

Guided Walking Tour with DC by Foot
Take a free tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Guided tours depart every ten minutes, and docents discuss its artwork, 50-foot Austrian chandelier, interactive exhibit on the life of President Kennedy and the panoramic view of the city from its marvelous Rooftop Terrace. Tours are available in 17 languages. There's also a free shuttle to the Kennedy Center from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop, which leaves every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m. - midnight Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - midnight on Saturdays and 12 p.m. - midnight on Sundays.
Dress Code: None/Casual

Go for a stroll with DC by Foot's knowledgeable tour guides. The company offers an array of experiences, including tours of the National Mall, Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Arlington Cemetery, as well as night-time themed tours like Secrets & Scandals and a White House Ghost Tour. Although the tours are free, tipping your guide is highly recommended.
Dress Code: None/Casual







Historic Georgetown

Palmer Alley
Originally a key transit point for farmers selling tobacco in the 1700s, the city of Georgetown actually predates Washington, DC by nearly 100 years. Georgetown's mostly Federal and Georgian-style homes have been artfully preserved, and there are more than four hundred shopping, dining and nightlife options there, making for a day full of exploration.


Dress Code: None/Casual 		Palmer Alley is the highlight of CityCenterDC, a majestic walk decorated with different seasonal features throughout the year. The fixtures, which range from pink balloons during cherry blossom season to bright lights around the holidays, are picturesque and beg for Instagram love. CityCenterDC also frequently offers free events.
Dress Code: None/Casual





Paid Attractions




The Hillwood Estate

Mount Vernon
Visit the historic Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens and experience an estate featuring a mix of permanent and temporary displays, from decorative arts and objects, artwork, historic fashions and jewelry, to historic and culturally significant pieces from France and Russia and more extensive temporary exhibits-all that explore the life and times of Marjorie Merriweather Post, a leading American socialite and accomplished philanthropist.
Cost: Adult: $18 Child: $5
Dress Code: None/Casual

George Washington's Mount Vernon is among the most iconic of all American landmarks - a monument to the life and legacy of our first President and one of the most significant figures in American history. Originally a thriving plantation in the eighteenth century, today the estate is one of the most visited historic sites in the entire country. Comprised of an authentic, carefully restored home, beautiful gardens and grounds, fascinating museums, and interactive programs, Mount Vernon is an experience
Cost: Adult: $20 Child: $12
Dress Code: Business Casual







Artechouse

Madame Tussauds
Experience art exhibits like never before with the larger-than-life-scale installations by the artists that are shaping the contemporary art scene - in the way art is created and consumed - today. Don't just look, immerse yourself in new-age art, music, and film and discover the limitless role technology is playing at the crossroads of art, science, and technology. It's trippy, it's cutting-edge, and it's thought-provoking.
Cost: Adult: $17.50 Child: $10
Dress Code: None/Casual

Forget the Congressional Building or the White House - Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. is the perfect place to rub elbows with the political elite of our nation's Capitol. Their featured exhibit, the President's Gallery, features wax models of all 44 U.S. Presidents, so be sure to snap a photo with your favorite. Madame Tussauds also offers its traditional fare of celebrities from the music and film industries, as well as historically significant figures in the Civil Rights Room.
Cost: Adult: $22 Child: $17.50
Dress Code: None/Casual







Capital Wheel

National Geographic Museum
For visitors in search of a unique perspective on the greater Washington, D.C. Metro area, the Capital Wheel is a must-do attraction. This 180-foot-tall observation deck rotates slowly to provide maximum visibility for passengers relaxing within a luxurious gondola space. Passengers can even enjoy delectable concessions provided by Wolfgang Puck during their exciting 15-minute ride. Some of the sites visible from the Capital Wheel include the iconic Washington Monument, the striking Capitol Building, lovely downtown Alexandria, the scenic Potomac River, and various locations in Prince George's Country.
Cost: Adult: $16.50 Child: $12
Dress Code: None/Casual

Embark on a journey through the pages of the magazine at the National Geographic Museum - where everyone can be an Explorer. Visitors will get to know the work of National Geographic Explorers, photographers, and scientists through engaging, dynamic exhibitions featuring everything from iconic photography and world-famous artifacts to interactive learning stations and behind-the-scenes tours. The National Geographic Museum is great for all ages and features a wide range of changing exhibitions, from interactive experiences to stunning photography exhibitions, that showcase bold people and transformative ideas.
Cost: Adult: $15 Child: $12
Dress Code: None/Casual







Newseum

National Building Museum
The Newseum is one of Washington, D.C.'s most unique museums. As an institution dedicated solely to the presence and influence of news media in the modern world, it's both fascinating and thought provoking for visitors of any age. A must-see for any aspiring journalist! With seven levels and fifteen galleries filled with artifacts, award-winning photos, newspaper clippings, historic documents, and interactive exhibits, the Newseum is practically full to bursting with objects that trace the history of media in the United States and beyond. There's even a 4-D theater and a number of multimedia galleries.
Cost: Adult: $21 Child: $13
Dress Code: None/Casual

You'll get to explore a variety of topics, including sustainable design, the evolution and impact of building materials, designing for natural disasters, and more through the museum's critically-acclaimed exhibits that showcase stories of architecture, engineering, and design. In addition to the museum's many exhibits, the museum building itself features an iconic design with a grand Great Hall, a memorial to Civil War veterans made of colossal 75-foot Corinthian columns, and a 1,200-foot terra cotta frieze - be sure to bring your camera.
Cost: Adult: $10 Child: $7
Dress Code: None/Casual




All information and pictures are from their respective websites, washington.org, and smartdestinations.com.