Our nation’s capital is brimming with both history and beauty, and you needn’t spend a fortune to enjoy the most the city has to offer. Check out these five ways to enjoy Washington D.C. on the cheap.
Catch a show on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
The Kennedy Center has long been a staple for some of the city’s top arts performances, having hosted world-class ballet companies, comedians, musicians and theatrical productions. You don’t need to shell out big bucks to catch a show at the Kennedy Center, though: Free performances ranging from poetry slams to dancing are held on the Millennium Stage every evening at 6 p.m.
Visit the National Geographic Museum
A stop at the National Geographic Museum is perfect for anyone with a case of wanderlust. Take a look around the world while enjoying the National Geographic exhibits, which feature a mix of interactive experiences and the stunning, high-quality images you’ve come to expect from the magazine. Current exhibits explore everything from biodiversity to space. Admission is $11 for adults and $7 for kids.
Check out the National Archives
Take a look at our country’s democratic beginnings at the National Archives, where you can see the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, to name a few. In the Public Vaults exhibit, you’ll see original records by the likes of President Lincoln and listen to recordings from the Oval Office, and before you leave, you can even research your own family history. Admission is free.
Stroll through the National Arboretum
The 446 acres of the National Arboretum showcase the natural side of the nation’s capital through bonsais, cherry trees, flower gardens, shrubs and trees. Don’t miss the National Capitol Columns, which now overlook a small reflecting pool but once supported the nation’s Capitol Building. Admission is free.
Try the chili
If your name happens to be Barack Obama or Bill Cosby, congratulations! You eat for free at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a longstanding D.C. institution. Even if you’re not President Obama, you can still fill up on the famous chili half-smoke for just $5.95.
(Main image: Steve Snodgrass)
