Warmer weather is finally arriving in Washington, D.C., a place densely populated with museums, parks and attractions.
With a quick internet search, anyone can plan weekend spring and summer outings in D.C. that include a lot to see and do for minimal cost. Even better, some of the most popular museums and attractions are free and located along the National Mall in D.C.
The National Museum of American History offers exhibits on military history, the presidents, transportation history, energy, and other special rotating exhibits. The National Air and Space Museum documents the history of flight and space travel. The National Museum of Natural History offers a look at geological curiosities like the Hope Diamond and biological specimens from around the world, including a live butterfly garden and living bee colony. The National Archives, housing the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Emancipation Proclamation, is also near the National Mall and free to visit. Each of these is open all summer long.
Other popular free sites are outdoors and also open year-round, including the United States Botanic Garden. With the exception of the Washington Monument - under repair after an earthquake in 2011 - the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, U.S. National World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and other monuments sites are accessible every day, including the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
For paid attractions, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Information, Travel and Tickets (ITT) office, located in Building 2, Rm. 1448, offers a list of discounted tickets and military-friendly attractions, including the International Spy Museum and Madame Tussauds wax museum. Richard Moy at ITT ticket sales says they have access to a variety of resources, such as discounted tickets to Disney World for active and retired personnel. “People can come in and purchase up to six,” he explained, “but they have to be used by Sept. 28.” Locally, ITT also has discounted tickets for a number of amusement parks including Hershey Park, Busch Gardens and Six Flags America.
Traveling to and from any attraction in D.C. can be done via cab, bus or subway. The majority of the most popular attractions in the city are located within walking distance of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) train stations. Walter Reed Bethesda is located across the street from the Medical Center station on the system’s Red Line. Android, iOS and Windows Phone users can find applications for their smartphones that provide maps, real time schedules and service alerts for navigating the Metro system. Printable maps and schedules are also available via download on Metro’s website, http://www.wmata.com.