WASHINGTON -- There are so many free and cheap things to do in Washington that the biggest challenge is carving out enough time to take advantage of them. Many museums, monuments and other institutions -- from the zoo to the botanic garden -- that are run by the federal government charge no admission. But even if you've been here, done that 15 times over, the capital is packed with new and overlooked attractions.
Finding a parking spot, however, is one aggravation -- and expense -- you do want to miss. So ditch your car, hop on Metrorail and enjoy packing a light wallet for once.
The usual suspects
The National Mall -- Smithsonian Metro stop -- has enough free offerings to fill a D.C. vacation on its own. The monuments are, well, monumental. Try taking them in by night for a new perspective. The hush of the evening and the smaller crowds will enhance the experience. If you want to go to the top of the Washington Monument, the same-day allotment of free tickets gets snapped up early, so pay the $1.50 per ticket fee to order them in advance at www.nps.gov . The free Smithsonian museums have something for every interest. Two newer museums -- the International Spy Museum ($17) and the Newseum ($20) -- could give you sticker shock. But maybe you can justify their expense if you cost-average those tickets with all the free stuff.
Too often overlooked (and free):
The U.S. Botanic Garden -- Capitol South metro, www.usbg.gov/ -- is a cool and soothing refuge. It has fabulous special displays at Christmas. It's worth leaving the mall area to check out the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum . Both museums share a newly renovated historic building at Eighth and F streets, at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop. At the National Arboretum , in northeast D.C., you'll forget you're in Washington until you see the original Corinthian columns from the U.S. Capitol. It's not near a Metro stop, but there's ample free parking. Bring a picnic lunch.
The National Zoo is free and the Asia Trail offers great panda viewing. Take the Metro's Red Line to the Cleveland Park stop, not the zoo stop. (If you get off at the Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan stop, you've got to walk uphill to the zoo. By going one stop farther, you walk the same distance downhill.) There are free Thursday night concerts on Lion/Tiger Hill in the summer.
The zoo is by no means the only big attraction for little ones in Washington. Check out the Muppets exhibit, " Jim Henson's Fantastic World ," at the underground International Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution, through Oct. 5; the "Building Zone" gallery at the National Building Museum , with blocks, toy trucks and tools for kids through age 6, or the National Air and Space Museum , with locations on the National Mall and at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in nearby Chantilly, Va.
Cheap seats
In summer, free military concerts abound. The Washington Post's Weekend section details week-to-week particulars. Every Friday in the summer and into the fall, there are free, outdoor jazz concerts at the National Gallery of Art 's sculpture garden, an unbeatable setting. For a jaw-dropping display of military pageantry, attend the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets -- Eastern Market Metro stop -- offered on Friday nights in the summer. Tickets, which are free, are booked months in advance, but you can line up to snag unclaimed seats that are released at 8:10 p.m. It's unforgettable.
The Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center -- Foggy Bottom metro -- offers a free concert every night at 6 p.m. No tickets are required.
Take in a ballgame at the new Nationals Park in Southeast D.C. -- Navy Yard metro station, or park free at RFK Stadium and take a shuttle bus. There are $5 same-day grandstand seats. Or pay $14 for a hot dog, soft drink and a seat in the upper right field terrace.
Coming soon
The Pentagon Memorial to those killed in the 9/11 attacks in 2001 is due to open in September. The underground Capitol Visitor Center , eight years in the making, is scheduled to open Dec. 2, giving tourists someplace interesting -- and sheltered -- to experience while awaiting a tour of the Capitol.
