image of a james bond car at the international spy museum one of the Cheap, Fun Things to See & Do in Washington DC

Cheap, Fun Things to See & Do in Washington DC

Visiting Washington DC and want to stretch your travel budget with some cheap, fun things to see and do?

Here are some capital ideas!


Affordable Places to Stay in Washington DC

Washington DC Hotel Reviews on TripAdvisor

Washington DC Vacation Rental Reviews on TripAdvisor


Take a Tour

A cheap, fun way to see and get the inside scoop on the landmarks and sights of Washington DC is by taking one of the many tours.

The city’s monuments are even more stirring at night when they are enhanced with dramatic lighting. The Monuments by Moonlight Tour is an excellent way to check them out in the PM as are these two after dark DC tours.

With so much history having taken place in Washington DC there are naturally a lot of ghost stories and legends to be heard. The best way to do that is by taking a ghost tour like the Haunted DC Walking Tour of DC on Capitol Hill.  Another popular one is Scary DC.

If you prefer to do your touring in the daylight, climb aboard a DC Ducks tour which will allow you to see the city from both land and water without ever having to leave your seat. This guided excursion costs adults $40 and kids $30. Buy online and save over 10%.

Check out this link for even more Washington DC tour ideas.

The World of Spies & Criminals

Enter the world of espionage at the International Spy Museum.

This intriguing, cheap, fun thing to see and do in Washington DC features real-life spy gadgetry.

Check out things like the lipstick pistol, the hairbrush camera, pencil clip compass, a shoe with a heel transmitter and spy memorabilia from the movies including James Bonds’ Aston Martin. Adults $21, seniors $16 and youths $15.

If you enjoy a good crime novel or show, the Crime Museum is a must see. Explore the history of crime and punishment in America.

See Bonnie & Clyde’s car. Learn about gangsters, mobsters and serial killers. See the set of the TV show America’s Most Wanted. Adults $22, seniors $20 and youths $15–but before you go, check on Groupon for discounted tickets.

Entertaining Options

After a day exploring Washington DC relax by taking in some live music.

The place to be in Washington D.C. is the 9:30 Club. Depending on the performer, tickets can be had for as little as $15 each.

Looking for some cheap laughs? The fun thing to do is to pony up $20 and head over to the DC Improv Comedy Club, the place where people like Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld and others have taken the stage.

Take in an Event

As the capitol city of the United States of America, Washington DC is always playing host to a variety of fun-filled, stellar events. To see what’s currently happening, visit the Washington Post Events Guide or the Free and Low-Cost Things to Do in DC guide.

Check Groupon for Deals on Washington DC Things to Do

ad for Groupon, another way to save on cheap things to do in torontoOne great way to save on local fun things to do in Washington DC is to check Groupon, the money-saving website that features local discounts in 150 cities.

Visit the Washington DC Groupon page and you’ll find savings of anywhere from 40-90% on attractions, activities, tours, boat cruises, show tickets, dinner spots and accommodations.

The Groupon Washington DC page is a smart place to check out when you’re first planning your trip and even when you’re in the middle of your Washington DC visit because new deals get added weekly and even daily many times.

Get last minute tickets to a concert or game

You never know who might be in Washington DC playing a concert or show, or what sporting event could be going on.

A great, reliable source for last minute tickets is Stubhub. You can often pay less than the face value of the ticket when you purchase it a few minutes before the show or event.

Be thrifty and practical! This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.

Photo Credits: Glyn Lowe Photoworks., Elvert Barnes, International Spy Museum, rachaelvoorhees, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, cliff1066™, International Spy Museum and gregor_y.