Cheap travel: 12 things to do in Washington D.C. for $10 or less
Cheap travel: 12 things to do in Washington D.C. for $10 or less
White House visit or not, there's plenty to enjoy on the East Coast
Writer’s note: This June 10, 2016 post was previously published on now-defunct Gurulife. I am forever grateful to The Root for giving away two free Amtrak tickets for a contest. I wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to go when I entered it, but going to D.C. during former President Barack H. Obama’s term seemed like a given.
Your reason for visiting Washington D.C. may have everything to do with who the president is or nothing at all to do with it. Regardless of your politics, this is the kind of place where you can have fun regardless.
There are two types of tourists who come here (or anywhere really): the ones who love the idea of traveling with other tourists (and chatting about their hometowns) or the ones who try to stay as far away from other tourists as possible to enjoy seeing a new place.
Recommended Read: “The train ride that made me decide tourists aren’t so bad after all ~ Dodging all tourists on my Amtrak trip to D.C.”
Regardless of which group you’re in, both groups are more than likely looking for affordable deals. Here are a few travel ideas while hanging out in Washington D.C.
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Travel all over Pennsylvania Avenue for as low as $1.75
Do yourself a favor and get ahold of a Metro SmarTrip Card (or download the app) to save money, avoid overpriced tour bus rides and cabs, and see Washington D.C. at its best. If you’re from a city that has a regular subway system like my hometown Chicago, D.C.’s system should be intuitive. It may be initially confusing for some tourists to see all of the routes underground appearing to crisscross each other, but the staff is used to tourists and is willing to help.
While the White House is the most obvious hot spot for tourists (and some locals), the 21-day to six-month wait time can really hinder other plans. After contacting a member of Congress to get an invite, notification about whether the invite is approved could be as late as a week before the trip and cancellations are common. For that reason alone, don’t hold your breath for this one.
Free White House visit: Yay or nay?
But there is another free perk connected to a visit to the White House. Pennsylvania Avenue visitors can stroll around the outer perimeter (behind the gate) for free, checking out the location, snapping photographs and enjoying the surrounding park area.
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White House Visitor Center: Get a free history lesson
While the Visitor Center doesn’t quite have the same pizzazz as the real thing, it’s one of the best places to get souvenirs, check out the history of the White House from 1801 and onward, and watch a presentation from the sitting president.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Get a free African-American history lesson
There was plenty of media coverage about the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial that opened in 2011, and the towering monument is worth all the hype. So are the MLK quotes guiding visitors to the main attraction. But after getting the camera angle just right to see the full statue and yourself, there’s not much else to do. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library has far more activity going on.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library: Free art, literature, history all in one visit
History enthusiasts, art lovers and bookworms will feel like kids in a toy store. Of course there’s nothing wrong with the card catalog and looking things up on your own. But doesn’t it sound much cooler to hear, “You can find that book on the Langston Hughes shelf”?
Obviously, it’s not a good idea to try to check out any of the books if you’re not local, but there are so many fascinating handouts by the art that you’ll still leave with memorable freebies.
Memorial art: Honest Abe, Thomas Jefferson, Roosevelts and more for free
Besides the MLK Memorial, there’s probably no other sitting statue more exciting to see than former President Abraham Lincoln.
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But he’s not the only exciting memorial. A few other memorials that are free to browse around include these:
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
For Pinterest lovers who can’t get enough quotes, get ready to pin away!
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Patriotic pride: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
For obvious reasons, D.C. is the place to be to learn more about America’s history. There are countless statues and memorials that aren’t linked to politicians, which are just as important though.
Here are a few statues to be on the lookout for.
National World War II Memorial: Rep your state
It’s only natural to take a photograph next to your state once you get to this beautiful fountain area.
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Where’s the grub? Nearby affordable restaurants
At some point while traveling around to these places, you’re going to get hungry. Finding a restaurant with a happy medium between vegan and vegetarian travelers and omnivores is quickly solved at places like Chopt.
Recommended Read: “African-Americans could fare well with vegetarianism”
They have quite a few locations, but one of the most convenient ones is a couple of blocks from the Metro Station at 618 12th Street NW.
Yeungfong Chinese Restaurant
If you’re looking for a restaurant with more guilty pleasures, Yeungfong Chinese Restaurant is yet another restaurant that’ll please omnivores, vegans and vegetarians.
Yeungfong does a great job of getting hotel deliveries to guests on time, hot and delicious too. Make sure to check out those restaurant brochures on your lobby floor, nightstand and smartphone apps for sure. They’re just waiting for a tourist to order after a long day of strolling around the city.
Enjoy your trip, your food and the history you take home from your excursion.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote,” “Tickled,” “We Need To Talk” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the monthly post on the third Thursday.
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