Things to Do in Washington DC: Free Museums & More (2026)

Quick answer

Washington, DC has one of the largest collections of free museums anywhere: most Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art charge no admission. A few free sites need a timed pass, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo. The city also has five pro teams (plus the Commanders in nearby Landover, Maryland), Rock Creek Park and a lively waterfront at The Wharf, and almost all of it is reachable by Metro.

Free museums: Most Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art
Free timed passes needed: NMAAHC, Air and Space Museum, National Zoo
Pro teams: Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, D.C. United, Mystics, Commanders (Landover, MD)
Getting around: Metrorail, Metrobus, Capital Bikeshare

Free museums (and which need passes)

Pass rules change, so check the museum's official page the week you visit. The nearest Metro stops for the Mall are Smithsonian, Federal Triangle, L'Enfant Plaza and Archives.

Museum	Admission	Pass needed?
National Museum of African American History and Culture	Free	Yes, free timed-entry pass for every visitor; advance passes open 30 days out, same-day passes online each morning
National Air and Space Museum (National Mall)	Free	Yes, free timed-entry pass; the last renovated galleries are scheduled to open in fall 2026
National Zoo	Free	Yes, free entry pass for every guest, including infants; parking is paid
National Gallery of Art	Free	No passes needed for galleries or exhibitions
Other Smithsonian museums on the Mall (Natural History, American History, American Indian and more)	Free	Generally no; check each museum's page before you go

Monuments and the National Mall

Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: free and open around the clock. Evening visits are quieter and the memorials are lit.
Washington Monument: free, but you need a timed ticket. Book ahead on Recreation.gov (small service charge) or get free same-day tickets at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street, first come, first served.
Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial: a walk of about two miles around the water, best known for the spring cherry blossoms.

Free performances

Kennedy Center Millennium Stage: free performances, usually several evenings a week, also livestreamed. The main Kennedy Center building closed in 2026 for renovations, and free shows have continued at The REACH. Check the Kennedy Center site for the current lineup and location.

Pro sports

The Commanders still play in Landover, Maryland. A new stadium on the former RFK Stadium site in DC has been approved and is targeted to open around 2030.

Team	League	Venue	Nearest Metro
Washington Nationals	MLB	Nationals Park, Navy Yard	Navy Yard-Ballpark
Washington Capitals	NHL	Capital One Arena, Chinatown	Gallery Place-Chinatown
Washington Wizards	NBA	Capital One Arena, Chinatown	Gallery Place-Chinatown
D.C. United	MLS	Audi Field, Buzzard Point	Navy Yard-Ballpark or Waterfront
Washington Mystics	WNBA	CareFirst Arena, Congress Heights	Congress Heights
Washington Commanders	NFL	Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland	Morgan Boulevard or Downtown Largo

Parks and waterfronts

Rock Creek Park: a national park running through the city, with miles of trails, a nature center and sections of Beach Drive set aside for walking and biking. Free.
Georgetown Waterfront Park: a riverside park with fountains, lawns and views of the Potomac and Key Bridge. Free.
The Wharf: a mile of waterfront in Southwest DC with restaurants, piers, music venues and seasonal events. Free to stroll; Waterfront and L'Enfant Plaza are the closest Metro stops.
Anacostia Park and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail: riverside fields, a roller skating pavilion and a trail along both banks of the Anacostia River. Free.
Yards Park: a riverfront park in Navy Yard next to Nationals Park, with a wading fountain in summer. Free.

Markets

Eastern Market: a historic public market on Capitol Hill near the Eastern Market Metro, with an indoor food hall and weekend farmers, arts and flea vendors outside.
Union Market: a food hall and shopping district in Northeast DC, near the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro. Check current hours, which vary by day.

Getting around

Metrorail: six lines reach most museums, ballparks and neighborhoods, plus close-in Maryland and Virginia. Pay with a SmarTrip card, the SmarTrip app or a contactless bank card or phone.
Capital Bikeshare: docked bikes and e-bikes at stations across DC and nearby Maryland and Virginia, good for the Mall and the waterfront.
Driving: parking near the Mall and on game days is limited and expensive, so transit is usually easier.

Weekend ideas

Mall museum day: a timed-pass museum in the morning, lunch, then the National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden.
Monuments at night: the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War and Vietnam memorials, and the Tidal Basin after dark.
Navy Yard and The Wharf: a Nationals or D.C. United game, then dinner on the water.
Capitol Hill: Eastern Market on a weekend morning, then the Library of Congress and the Capitol grounds.
Outdoors: a Rock Creek Park hike or a Capital Bikeshare ride along the Potomac to Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Thinking about living in DC?

If walking to the Metro, a ballpark or a big park is on your list, it helps to search with that in mind. Our team can help you compare DC neighborhoods by home type, price and commute, and explain DC's buyer programs and closing costs.

Frequently asked questions

Are DC museums free?

Most are. Nearly all Smithsonian museums in Washington and the National Gallery of Art have free admission. A few free sites require a free timed pass, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo. Some private museums are ticketed.

Do you need tickets for the African American History Museum?

Yes. The National Museum of African American History and Culture requires a free timed-entry pass for every visitor, regardless of age. Advance passes are released online 30 days ahead, and a limited number of same-day passes are released online each morning.

Is the National Zoo free?

Yes. Admission to the Smithsonian's National Zoo is free, but every guest, including infants, needs a free entry pass reserved online. Parking at the zoo is paid.

What is there to do in DC this weekend?

Any weekend works for the free museums, the monuments at night, The Wharf and Eastern Market. In season, add a Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, D.C. United or Mystics home game. For one-time events, check the official venue pages.

Where do the Commanders play?

The Washington Commanders play at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, a short ride from the Morgan Boulevard and Downtown Largo Metro stations. A new stadium on the RFK site in DC is targeted for about 2030.

Do you need tickets for the Washington Monument?

Yes, a free timed ticket. You can reserve online through Recreation.gov for a small service charge, or pick up free same-day tickets at the Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street while they last.

What is the best way to get around DC?

Metrorail reaches most attractions, and you can tap a contactless card or phone to ride. Capital Bikeshare is handy for the Mall and the waterfront. Driving and parking downtown is usually the slowest option.

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Sources

General information, not legal, tax, or lending advice. Programs, rates, and limits change; confirm details with an approved lender or the program administrator. Facts checked October 26, 2026.

Things to Do in Washington, DC: Free Museums, Games, Parks and Weekend Ideas (2026)