Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, is many things. It is rich with culture, arts, history and delectable food options. Yet, sometimes, in order to experience those elements of D.C., you are likely to spend a pretty penny. One of the main areas littered with culture, good eats, and things to do is the National Mall. A grassy knoll with museums lined along each side and important monuments facing one another, this area of Washington D.C. holds nearly everything you would want to do.. And fortunately, you can experience this great part of D.C., while also keeping your ideal budget.
Here’s a realistic day for someone in the National Mall area, looking to budget wisely, while also enjoying all that D.C. has to offer:
- Get your geek on and explore the Smithsonian museums
Lined up along each side of the grassy National Mall, you can geek out in one of your favorite Smithsonian Museums.. free of charge! Yes, all of the Smithsonian museums are open to the public for free. From The Air and Space Museum to the American Indian Museum, you are guaranteed to find a museum that tickles your fancy.
My recommendation: Venture over to the Natural History Museum and check out The Sant Ocean Hall. From an enormous, encased female squid to the smallest of the ocean’s wildlife, this special exhibit surfaces underwater life for all of us to see. Be sure to check out the 13-minute short documentary Deep Ocean Exploration, which sheds light on even the deepest and darkest of the ocean’s caves and crevices.
- Picnic on the grassy National Mall
A casual picnic on the grass is the perfect way to spend a warm, summer afternoon in D.C. It is important to find a shaded area, as the summer heat can often be unforgiving and relentless. While eating ham and cheese sandwiches with potato chips and fruit salad, you will be surrounded by some of the most important monuments in the United States. It might be hard to believe that some of history’s most important figures might have walked right where you are sitting!
My recommendation: If you’re feeling like spending a buck or $8, I recommend scoping out one specific food truck: Goodie’s Frozen Custard & Treats. The sky blue and pearl white, old-fashioned van can likely be found around the National Mall on any day. From flavors like caramel cashew to the option for a red velvet donut sandwich, it is worth the hard-earned cash to appease your sweet tooth cravings on a hot, summer day. If you don’t want to commit to the whole sundae, they’re always handing out free samples!
- Cool down in the Smithsonian Sculpture Garden
With all of that walking on the Mall, it might be time to take a break and cool down. What better way to cool down than to sit on the edge of the fountain in the Smithsonian Sculpture Garden? It’s impressive fountain spouts 6 different stream of water into the center of the fountain, leaving a nice trail of mist floating around within the wind.
My recommendation: Though it may seem odd at first, you will notice a bunch of people with their feet in the fountain! If you really want to get the ultimate relaxation, stick your feet into the water and feel the chilled water, allowing you some solace from the sun. If you’re on your own, bring a book and lounge for a while. Everyone else is doing it!
- Hop on to a Capital Bikeshare bike
It’s no secret that with a big city comes a lot of walking. That’s why using Capital Bikeshare is one of the cheapest, simplest, and most hands-on way to interact and see the city of D.C. There are nearly 3 Capital Bikeshare docking stations in the vicinity of the Mall. For a simple 30-minute bike ride, you are only charged $2. This gives you the opportunity to bike along the National Mall, see all of the monuments, and get a little bit of exercise at the same time!
My recommendation: Just behind the Lincoln Memorial, you will run across a unique and beautiful pond. During the summer months, you can certainly find baby ducklings swimming around and jumping into the water carefree. This little pond is great for many reasons: it can be a nice place to stop and relax, while enjoying your surroundings; and it is also a great photo op for the whole family, with the Washington monument just looming in the background.
- Enjoy sunset, sangria, and jazz
As one last cheap thrill to close out a magnificent day on the National Mall, it’s time to relax and grab some drinks with a little background music, too. Known as Jazz in the Garden, this wildly popular event is located in the Sculpture Garden, just along the Mall. Only held on Friday’s from 5-8:30p.m. from May 19th-August 25th, this is an absolute must. Admission is… you guessed it, free! Beverages and food can be purchased at the Pavillion Cafe.
My recommendation: Get there early! This event is well-known, and everyone who has ever attended speaks of its glamour. I suggest packing your own picnic, to save money from buying food at the cafe. But if there is one thing that is a must: order some sangria. Don’t veer away and stick to your typical vice.. The sangria is sweet and addictive, the perfect summer evening drink while you enjoy the rhythm of jazz in the garden.
