Washington, D.C. - FREE Things to Do
Traveling can be extremely expensive. You usually have to pay for lodging, three meals per day, snacks, and getting around. If you do activities during the day and evening that cost money, trips can really add up to a huge expense. A wonderful way to cut down your traveling expenses is researching free things to do during your stay. This article suggests free activities for the Washington, D.C. area.
Amazingly, most of the Smithsonian Institute museums are free of charge. These nineteen museums alone can provide days of learning and interest for the Washington, D.C. visitor. Please see the article "Washington, D.C. Museums" or visit the Smithsonian's website at http://www.si.edu/. Whether you tour them all or visit just one or two, the Smithsonian Institute museums are the best in their class; the museums spare no expense in their collections and enable visitors to learn a wealth of information about particular subjects of American history, culture, art, science, and more.
There are a number of monuments in Washington, D.C. that are open to the public free of charge. One of the most notable is the Washington Monument, a huge obelisk-shaped monument honoring the United States' first president. Although the admission is free, visitors must get tickets that give a specific time for admission. You can get free tickets for the same day at a nearby kiosk, or you can purchase advance tickets over the phone (however this costs about $2 as a service charge, but can help with your planning purposes). Visitors can go inside and up to the top of the monument, where you can see an amazing view of the city around and below you. The monument also maintains educational exhibits, a bookstore, restrooms, and a concession stand.
Washington, D.C. visitors can also see the Lincoln Memorial free of charge. This beautiful building with a stone statue of the 16th President of the United States inside also has numerous painted murals rich in symbolism. Recently, the Lincoln Memorial has added a great feature for educating visitors; now you can call a special phone number from your cell phone and choose from about ten different pre-recorded discussions by Rangers. Topics include "The Gettysburg Address," "Life and Time of Lincoln," and more. Rangers are also on the Lincoln Memorial property to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.
The Jefferson Memorial is a beautiful building commemorating the life of the United States president who was such a primary figure in gaining independence for the United States and ensuring freedom for its citizens. Inside the memorial, visitors will see a statue of Thomas Jefferson and many of his own words etched in the walls. In addition, visitors can learn about his life and the interesting history of building the actual memorial. The memorial is open from 8 a.m. until midnight every day except Christmas. Rangers are also on duty at the Jefferson Memorial to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.
The Korean War Memorial and the more recently built Vietnam Veteran's Memorial both stand in honor of fallen heroes. The two memorials face one another across the reflecting pool in Washington, D.C., right near the Lincoln Memorial. Nineteen statues, juniper and hibiscus bushes, granite, a 164 foot mural wall with over 15,000 historic photographs, a pool of remembrance, and an honor roll beautifully depict and symbolize aspects of the Korean War.
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial was opened in 1983 and is comprised of a large black granite reflective wall with over 58,000 names, a flag staff, and a sculpture of the "Three Servicemen." The wall is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for visitors, but there are rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily.
The Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's antebellum home, is open for free tours to the public. The home was originally built by George Washington Park Custis between the years of 1802 and 1818 to honor George Washington, Custis' step-grandfather. Later, Robert E. Lee and his family lived in the home for thirty years, and today it stands as a memorial to Robert E. Lee. Guests can explore the basement, first and second floors, and attic to view furnishings and aspects of daily life for the Lee family. Various rooms include parlors, guest rooms, a morning room, school and sewing room, and the bedrooms of individual family members. This house adds to the plethora of free educational possibilities in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. - FREE Things to Do
Washington, D.C. - FREE Things to Do
Amazingly, most of the Smithsonian Institute museums are free of charge. These nineteen museums alone can provide days of learning and interest for the Washington, D.C. visitor. Please see the article "Washington, D.C. Museums" or visit the Smithsonian's website at http://www.si.edu/. Whether you tour them all or visit just one or two, the Smithsonian Institute museums are the best in their class; the museums spare no expense in their collections and enable visitors to learn a wealth of information about particular subjects of American history, culture, art, science, and more.
There are a number of monuments in Washington, D.C. that are open to the public free of charge. One of the most notable is the Washington Monument, a huge obelisk-shaped monument honoring the United States' first president. Although the admission is free, visitors must get tickets that give a specific time for admission. You can get free tickets for the same day at a nearby kiosk, or you can purchase advance tickets over the phone (however this costs about $2 as a service charge, but can help with your planning purposes). Visitors can go inside and up to the top of the monument, where you can see an amazing view of the city around and below you. The monument also maintains educational exhibits, a bookstore, restrooms, and a concession stand.
Washington, D.C. visitors can also see the Lincoln Memorial free of charge. This beautiful building with a stone statue of the 16th President of the United States inside also has numerous painted murals rich in symbolism. Recently, the Lincoln Memorial has added a great feature for educating visitors; now you can call a special phone number from your cell phone and choose from about ten different pre-recorded discussions by Rangers. Topics include "The Gettysburg Address," "Life and Time of Lincoln," and more. Rangers are also on the Lincoln Memorial property to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.
The Jefferson Memorial is a beautiful building commemorating the life of the United States president who was such a primary figure in gaining independence for the United States and ensuring freedom for its citizens. Inside the memorial, visitors will see a statue of Thomas Jefferson and many of his own words etched in the walls. In addition, visitors can learn about his life and the interesting history of building the actual memorial. The memorial is open from 8 a.m. until midnight every day except Christmas. Rangers are also on duty at the Jefferson Memorial to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.
The Korean War Memorial and the more recently built Vietnam Veteran's Memorial both stand in honor of fallen heroes. The two memorials face one another across the reflecting pool in Washington, D.C., right near the Lincoln Memorial. Nineteen statues, juniper and hibiscus bushes, granite, a 164 foot mural wall with over 15,000 historic photographs, a pool of remembrance, and an honor roll beautifully depict and symbolize aspects of the Korean War.
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial was opened in 1983 and is comprised of a large black granite reflective wall with over 58,000 names, a flag staff, and a sculpture of the "Three Servicemen." The wall is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for visitors, but there are rangers on duty to answer questions from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily.
The Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's antebellum home, is open for free tours to the public. The home was originally built by George Washington Park Custis between the years of 1802 and 1818 to honor George Washington, Custis' step-grandfather. Later, Robert E. Lee and his family lived in the home for thirty years, and today it stands as a memorial to Robert E. Lee. Guests can explore the basement, first and second floors, and attic to view furnishings and aspects of daily life for the Lee family. Various rooms include parlors, guest rooms, a morning room, school and sewing room, and the bedrooms of individual family members. This house adds to the plethora of free educational possibilities in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. - FREE Things to Do
Washington, D.C. - FREE Things to Do
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