Submitted by lean-green-machine t3_zzjgm6 in washingtondc
Okay, I've lived in the city for going on three years now and I feel like I have done a lot of the museums and obvious free things to do in the City. Odds are I am definitely wrong and have missed out on a load of stuff. What are your favorite free things to do in DC on a weeknight to get out of your house?
C&O trail on days like today
Going to the library! They’re open till 9pm now some days of the week.
Botanical garden is pretty nice. Super warm, but definitely the best oxygen I've consumed in DC so far.
I can't imagine the air quality is good in that vent.
Kennedy Center does a ton of free stuff. I mean you aren't gonna see a Broadway show for free, but some of their free offerings are pretty decent.
I still hate that the zoo makes you have passes now. I used to love just randomly deciding to walk through there on a whim.
Collect parking tickets.
The new Rubell Museum is free to DC residents and has awesome artwork (get a daily pass online in advance). You can walk to the Wharf after, along the water which can be a cute little outing.
You can go up inside the Washington Monument (with passes). See the National Museum of African American History and Culture too since it’s right there (with passes).
Renwick gallery by the White House is really cool too and has rotating exhibits. No timed passes needed.
Walk through Rock Creek Park. There are tons of trails and it feels like you’re not in the city.
National Arboretum is really cool especially when the flowers are in bloom.
Arlington National Cemetery if that’s your thing.
DCist has a weekly “Things to Do” in DC that usually lists the prices of upcoming events and stuff happening. Many are free.
The Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center offers a free performance most days of the year. Reserve tickets online.
Washington.org has a list of things to do. You can also find things to do this weekend and things to do this week. Many of the events listed are free.
https://www.kidfriendlydc.com has a lot of great ideas, even if you don’t have kids!
Your mom.
She started charging.
funny cause she pays me
Where is the free coffee and ice cream?
I've tried doing this before and couldn't find a link / more information. Have you actually gone to a free Kennedy show before?
Did you go here? I was able to reserve a ticket to a show on Christmas. The day before I realized I would be too tired so I released it and received a personal email thanking me for doing so. My sister used to take my kids to those shows throughout the years so they are legit, but I never went.
Maybe if you create an account here that would help. I’m definitely going to try again and actually go this time.
came here to say this. it's what i miss most being away from dc. i'm fat and lazy but could easily walk 8 miles before realizing i was worn out.
The zoo only makes you have passes during events like Zoo Lights. The other days of the year you just walk in.
Franciscan monestary gardens, national cathedral to see the sculptures and gardens, Kenilworth gardens, see who is protesting at the White House
Thank you so much! I hadn't tried in a while - I just remember getting stymied before and putting it on the back burner until I forgot about it / your post prompted me. I appreciate this alot, cheers
They've required entry passes ever since they reopened after Covid. Just double checked as I haven't been since summer and it says they still do. They rarely are all gone but it's still annoying.
Arguing politics at the bar
No seriously I went in November and early Dec of this year and just walked in - the website is incorrect or at least 5 times the staff wasn’t checking… I walked there at least once a week.
ETA: it was the southern entrance by Harvard St if that matters - not coming in the main way. There’s never been a check when Ive gone
Interesting. I wonder if the staff just stopped caring, I'm sure it's more trouble then it's worth. Every time I've gone since 2020 there were a bunch of pissed off people and exasperated staff arguing about passes and people trying to make one then and there on their phone. I'm assuming you went in through the main entrance on Connecticut Ave?
aj2000gm t1_j2c2zbx wrote
Walk! Grab a coffee/ice cream, a friend if you want, and just take it in. A buddy and i sometimes will walk 7 or 8 miles round the city before we realize it’s time to go. Beautiful city+exercise=happy days