Washington D.C. is a top destination for families. Some of the best monuments, museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks in the United States are located here. Even better, many of them cost nothing to visit. Here are our favorite D.C. destinations.

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National Archives Museum

Ford’s Theatre

Smithsonian National Zoo

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Arlington National Cemetery

Fall foliage near Washington D.C.

International Spy Museum

Library of Congress

Monument tour by moonlight

Mount Vernon

National Building Museum

National Cherry Blossom Festival

National Geographic Museum

National Postal Museum is the Best-Kept Secret in Washington D.C.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

U.S. Botanic Garden – Christmas Model Train Exhibit

U.S. Capitol Tour

You may also enjoy

• Our Washington D.C. for Families Pinterest board
• Our Virginia destination page
• Our Maryland destination page

You can find interesting day trip ideas from Washington D.C. on our Virginia and Maryland pages. Consider Fort McHenry, the birthplace of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner,” just one hour north of Washington D.C. Another favorite day trip is hiking in Shenandoah National Park, just 80 miles outside of the city.

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