Few things trigger the human brain like the word “free” does. Of course, we wish everything in life was free. If you are currently planning a visit to Washington, D.C., we want you get to do fun things for free. Take a look at the best free museums in D.C. and explore them during your next trip to the nation’s capital.
8 Best Free Museums in D.C. to Explore on Your Next Tour
Most of the museums we’re going to mention today are part of the National Mall. By visiting the places we’re about to share, you’ll immerse in classical art, natural world, wonders of aviation and space exploration, etc.
Best Free Museums in D.C. You Must Visit
- Smithsonian Institution Building
- US Botanic Garden
- The National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of American History
- Museum of African American History
- National Gallery of Art
- National Museum of the American Indian
- Visitor Center
Smithsonian Institution Building
The Smithsonian Institution Building looks like a castle. Thus, it’s popularly known as “The Castle.”
The building is located near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Designed by architect James Renwick, Jr., “The Castle” is made of Seneca red sandstone and was completed in 1855.
Besides being an iconic landmark, The Smithsonian Castle is the perfect place to begin your day of exploration.
Not only will you get to walk a tour through The Castle, but also find important information on each Smithsonian museum.
In the Smithsonian Castle you will also find a Museum Store, Castle Café, and like in most D.C. Smithsonian Museums, FREE WIFI.
Today, “The Castle” serves the purpose of administrative offices plus the information center of the Smithsonian Museums.
US Botanic Garden
The US Botanic Garden is a botanic garden on the grounds of the United States Capitol.
If you love being around nature, plants, and flowers, then the garden is the perfect place for you.
In this garden, you’ll admire plant-based exhibits. Here people can delight in the beauty of plants. But the real mission of this botanic garden is to educate the public about the irreplaceable value of plants for the well-being of life and the fragile ecosystems on Earth.
The National Air and Space Museum
The first thing you must know about any Smithsonian museum is that their admission is free. So, there is no excuse for not making the guided tour.
You will be able to take a free tour of the different exhibitions. You can either take a solo-tour or a guided tour.
We recommend the latter because there is too much to learn here.
As a result, you’ll better appreciate many different exhibitions on aviation, spaceflight, astronomy, and planetary science.
On display, you will be able to see historic aircrafts like the Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, the Boeing 747 Cockpit, and among other relevant aircrafts to the history of flight.
You can also see the space travel exhibition. This is breathtaking collection of rockets, a touchable moon rock, uniforms, instruments, medals, and many other things that relates to the historic events of space exploration.
Plan You Next Visit to Washington, D.C. and Make the Most of It
There are so many places to visit in Washington, D.C, which can take some time to visit them all.
If you don’t plan your visit, you can miss to be in some landmarks. And since we don’t you to regret anything, we created a list of the best free museums in D.C.
Our mission today was fulfilled. Thus, we want that you go on the tour, visiting the museums we recommended.
Enjoy your tour. Hope you create unforgettable memories!