{"id":27958,"date":"2012-03-23T10:41:05","date_gmt":"2012-03-23T14:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=27958"},"modified":"2019-01-21T15:03:55","modified_gmt":"2019-01-21T19:03:55","slug":"free-things-to-do-dc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/27958\/free-things-to-do-dc\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Things to Do in D.C."},"content":{"rendered":"

The National Cherry Blossom Festival<\/a> is certainly one beautiful, uplifting reason to visit Washington, D.C. But travelers arriving in this city during or after the floral festivities may be surprised to discover that there are a lot of wonderful free things to see beyond the pink-trimmed Tidal Basin.<\/p>\n

Here are our favorite free things to do in DC<\/strong> (plus a great train discount) to make your getaway to the capital even more enjoyable\u2014and affordable.<\/p>\n

What to do<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1.<\/strong> The city offers plenty of free reasons to visit year-round<\/strong>, including excursions to the National Archives<\/a>, the Lincoln Memorial<\/a>, Washington Monument<\/a>, and The United States Botanical Garden<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> Freer Sackler and Galleries of Art<\/strong>, a Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art, is always free and worth a visit to see renowned works by Asian artists and events like a Korean Film Festival. Check the site<\/a> for upcoming exhibits and events.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> The DC Jazz Festival <\/strong>takes place July 5-16, and will include over 100 performances<\/a> throughout 50 venues in the capital.\u00a0The Main Stages will feature the free two day event Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days, as well as the Grammy Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and The Roots.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> Fans of photography and this publication won’t want to miss The National Geographic Museum’s<\/strong> current free exhibitions<\/a>, Gardens by Night, and Beyond the Story: National Geographic Unpublished 2012 (through July 7, 2013). Fans of cuteness should catch Meerkats 3D<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> History buffs and conspiracy theorists will love\u00a0Ford\u2019s Theatre’s<\/strong> latest performance, \u201cHistory on Foot: Detective James McDevitt<\/a>.\u201d For only $15, guests help reenact the fateful night of the Lincoln Assassination with on-duty detective James McDevitt, putting together clues and finding out what really happened at the famed theater.<\/p>\n

For more ideas on things to do and where to stay while in town, read District of Deals: Where to Save (and Spend) on Everything D.C.<\/a> and Capital-ize on Spring: Outdoor Activities in Washington, D.C. <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

How to get to DC from NYC<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Save 25% off your Amtrak trip<\/a> when you book 14 days in advance. Consult oM’s public transit guide to DC<\/a> for alternatives.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo: Freer Sackler and Galleries of Art
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