City guide
Free things to do in Washington, D.C.
17 places with verified free entry · 16 free today
16 of them are free to enter every day they're open, and 1 have free days or free evenings for everyone. Below, each place shows whether it's free today, the next free date and who else gets in free — museums, landmarks, views and shows, each checked against its official website. What's free this week · cheap tickets under 10
Churches & landmarks
Museums
Always freeHirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenFree admission for everyone, no passes needed
Always freeLibrary of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building)Free admission with a free timed-entry ticket
Always freeNational Archives MuseumFree admission for everyone; tickets optional
Always freeNational Gallery of ArtFree admission for everyone, including special exhibitions; no passes needed
Always freeSmithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait GalleryBoth museums free for everyone, no passes needed
Always freeSmithsonian National Air and Space MuseumFree admission for everyone with a free timed-entry pass
Always freeSmithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureFree admission for everyone with a free timed-entry pass
Always freeSmithsonian National Museum of American HistoryFree admission for everyone, no passes needed- Always freeSmithsonian National Museum of Natural HistoryFree admission for everyone, no passes needed
- Always freeUnited States Holocaust Memorial MuseumFree timed-entry tickets for the Permanent Exhibition ($1 Etix fee when booked online in advance)
Shows & light displays
Zoos & aquariums
Attractions
Parks & gardens
Views
FAQ
Free things to do in Washington, D.C.: common questions
What can you visit for free in Washington, D.C.?
Free Tickets lists 17 places in Washington, D.C. with free entry we checked against official sources. Always free: Arlington Cemetery, Hirshhorn, Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, National Archives, National Gallery of Art and 10 more. Free on set days: Kennedy Center. Free for some visitors (children, students, residents and others): Arlington Cemetery.
When are museums and landmarks free in Washington, D.C.?
Kennedy Center — millennium Stage performances at the REACH, no tickets needed. Each place page shows the next dates, with closures and holidays already taken out.
Do I need to book free entry in Washington, D.C.?
At Library of Congress, Lincoln Memorial, Air and Space Museum, African American History Museum, National Zoo, Holocaust Museum and Washington Monument even free entry needs a timed reservation, and free slots can run out. Book as soon as the slots open.