MuseumFREE
National Air and Space Museum
📍 National Mall · Central D.C.
Free Smithsonian museum on the Mall with aviation and spaceflight icons such as the 1903 Wright Flyer. Book a free timed-entry pass first.
Details Official site ↗Choose your city
📍 D.C. · HUB
🏛️ Museums & landmarks in Washington, D.C.
Free and paid museums, historic sites and landmarks.
LandmarkFREE
Lincoln Memorial
📍 National Mall · Central D.C.
No charge to climb the steps into the chamber with the Lincoln statue. The newer museum and undercroft below need a free same-day timed ticket.
Details Official site ↗MuseumFREE
Smithsonian American Art Museum
📍 Downtown · Central D.C.
Smithsonian museum of American art in downtown DC. Main building open daily with free admission; sister Renwick Gallery noted as temporarily closed until mid-November 2026.
Details Official site ↗MuseumFREE
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
📍 Greenbelt · Prince George's & Outer Maryland
Free NASA visitor center in Greenbelt with exhibits on Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science, and engineering. Limited midweek and Saturday hours.
Details Official site ↗MuseumFREE
College Park Aviation Museum
📍 College Park · Prince George's & Outer Maryland
Prince George's County museum at the world's oldest continuously operating airport (since 1909). General admission is free throughout 2026; group tours of 10+ may still charge.
Details Official site ↗MuseumFREE
Glenstone
📍 Potomac · Montgomery County MD
Private contemporary art museum and landscape in Potomac integrating indoor galleries, outdoor sculpture, and architecture. Free timed tickets required; ages 12 and older only.
Details Official site ↗MuseumFREE
National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC)
📍 National Mall · Central D.C.
Smithsonian aviation and space museum on the National Mall with historic aircraft and spacecraft. Free admission with required free timed-entry passes; reserve online before visiting.
Details Official site ↗Historic SiteCheck price
Manassas National Battlefield Park
📍 Manassas · Loudoun & Prince William
Fee-free Civil War battlefield park with trails, monuments, and visitor center exhibits covering First and Second Manassas.
Details Official site ↗MuseumPaid
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
📍 Chantilly · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex near Dulles with large aircraft and spacecraft hangars including Space Shuttle Discovery. Free entry; paid parking.
Details Official site ↗Historic SitePaid
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
📍 Alexandria · Arlington & Alexandria
City of Alexandria Civil War fort and museum within a 45-acre park. Park grounds are free; the museum charges a small admission fee (residents free).
Details Official site ↗Historic SitePaid
Arlington National Cemetery
📍 Arlington · Arlington & Alexandria
Active national cemetery across the Potomac from DC. Public walking visits are free; paid parking and optional tram tours are available. Air Force Memorial area noted temporarily closed beginning on or about Nov. 2, 2026 for construction.
Details Official site ↗MuseumPaid
National Archives Museum
📍 Downtown · Central D.C.
Museum in the National Archives Building featuring the Charters of Freedom in the Rotunda. Tickets are encouraged but not required; $1 timed entry is optional.
Details Official site ↗