I gotta tell you - there is so much to do in DC that it is literally impossible to do it all in one week. Most of the museums are FREE, which is great, but it would take a full day for each one of them. I assembled a list of the best free places and things to do! If you come to the D.C. area make sure to check them all out. Make sure to wear your best walking shoes and buy a transit pass. This is the cheapest and best way to see all of the sites that D.C. has to offer!
Museums
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian is home to the world's largest museum. They house over 19 museums and galleries, including the National Zoological Park. Everything is completely FREE. If you want to see all of the museums, I recommend taking a few days and visiting a few galleries at a time. Take your time - there is much to see - and you'll want to soak up all the tidbits of knowledge. My favorite museums are the Air and Space Museum and the American History Museum. Check out the Smithsonian website for hours, exhibitions and more:
http://www.si.edu/
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
This museum is dedicated to memorializing the Holocaust and those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Bring tissues and prepare for an immersive experience. You'll see clothing and shoes worn by Jews in concentration camps. You'll hear audio of people who survived the camps. When I went, there was also a small section dedicated to teaching about genocide that is still happening in the world today. Children are allowed in the museum but I would be cautious. Some images may be frightening. See more at:
http://www.ushmm.org/
The National Archives Museum
This is a must-see for anyone visiting the D.C. area. This is where you can see the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. Prepare to stand in a long security long before entering the Rotunda. For more info:
https://www.archives.gov/museum/
Monuments
The Lincoln Memorial
When I first visited the Lincoln Memorial I was in awe of it's beauty and grandeur. The memorial is much larger than I imagined from seeing it portrayed in movies. There is also a cute, little gift shop at the memorial. It's also right on the public transit line. Visitor information can be found at:
http://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
This memorial is relatively new, opening in 2011, and stands at 30ft in height. It's a huge memorial but also great to see. Parking is limited around the memorial, which is why I always recommend walking or using public transit. More info:
http://www.nps.gov/mlkm/index.htm
The Washington Monument
We always see this 555-foot obelisk tower in movies. It's the icon of our Nation's Capital. Personally, it's not my favorite monument to visit. Every time that I've been to the Washington Monument, there's always some sort of construction going on. So if you like to see this iconic monument covered in metal, then this is the place for you. It's a must-see but just be prepared for disappointment if there's a lot of construction going on.
http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm
The White House
A trip to D.C. isn't complete without a stop at The White House! You can actually schedule a tour through the White House but you have to make a reservation through your Member of Congress no less than 21 days in advance. Reservations are made on a first-come first-served basis so get those requests in early. If you can't schedule a tour, you can marvel at it's beauty from the outside and stop to take a few photos. You won't be able to get very close to the house itself and be prepared for protesters. Depending on the season there could be very large groups of protesters and rallies happening outside the White House. To reserve a tour: https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/tours-and-events
The Capitol
The Capitol is free but passes are required for a tour and trust me, you'll definitely want to do a tour. There's so much to see inside the Capitol and don't forget to stop by the gift shop or grab a bite at their cafe.
https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit
There are so many more free places to visit in Washington D.C., including Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon and more! Do your research before you go and make a list of your must-see places. You'll need plenty of time to see all of the sites and, even then, you probably won't see them all!
