Top 5 Free Things to Do in 24 Hours in Washington DC

When we decided to spend our winter break in New Jersey, visiting Washington wasn’t a part of the plan with a toddler in tow. But we’re so happy that the weather was kind to us, and we took a day trip to see this diverse city that has so much to offer.   

Washington is a 3-hours drive away from New Jersey. Staring around 7 in the morning, we had ample time to explore the city. Here’s a list of options for free things to see in Washington DC in a day.

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1. Museum Hopping

Wait up. Don’t strike off this point, saying you don’t like museums! The famous Smithsonian Museums are not your ordinary museums. There are 17 museums and galleries, including the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, and the National Museum of Natural History.  If you have limited time, pick one of your choices. Travelling with our 2-year toddler who is fascinated with dinosaurs, we decided to visit the Museum of Natural History.

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For all museums, admission is free; most of them operate from 10 am to 5:30 pm during winters and till 7:30 pm during the summer.

Note: Public parking is limited, but there are parking spaces available for visitors with disabilities. If using Metrorail, take the Orange or Blue lines to the Smithsonian station and use the Mall exit. If taking Metrobus, use the 32, 34 or 36 routes.

2. Gaze at the stars (indoors!)

Want a romantic evening looking at stars in cold winter months? Check out the Albert Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum, a state-of-the-art facility that uses ultra high-def visuals that are 16 times the resolution of your HDTV at home. Also, check out the planetarium at Rock Creek Park, which is free to enter and holds special programs every Saturday and Sunday.

3. Smithsonian National Zoo

The zoo sits on 163 acres, only a 15-minute metro ride from Downtown DC and is home to over 1,500 animals across 300 different species. If you love animals and want a slight break from the busy city for a little bit, this should be your next stop.

• Location: 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008
• Timings: 8 am – 7 pm
• Nearest Metro: Woodley Park stop, or Cleveland Park stop (see hotels nearby here)

4. Walk Through Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park is not just a park. Spread over 2,000 acres in Northwest D.C., it has hiking trails, picnic grounds, bicycle paths, a tennis center, ranger-led programs, a nature center, a planetarium, and more. Go trekking through the oldest urban park, go horse riding, or sit around to appreciate nature. While we did not get a chance to visit it, but I liked the idea of taking my kid to The Children’s Discovery Room the next time we’re in DC.  The room houses live fish, snakes, turtles and a beehive. There are several educational games and activities to engage the kids and teach them about animals.

5. Watch a Shakespearean Play

Yes, it is possible to watch a play for free in DC! The Shakespeare Theatre Company has been showcasing Shakespeare’s plays (including Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet) for free since 1991. Check out the Free For All website to check the shows and timings.

Restaurant Recommendation:

Washington DC has an array of restaurants serving various cuisines. We loved our lunch at Bombay Street Food located at 1413 Park Rd NW, Washington.