4 Ways to Enjoy Washington DC on a Budget

Our nation’s capital provides visitors with plenty of amazing sights to see and things to do. Although Washington DC is a major metro area, it doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to stay there and sightsee. There are several ways for you to take a DC vacation on a budget. You can save on the costs of accommodations, attractions, eating and transportation if you know what to look for.

1. Sightsee for Free

No matter what your preferences are as far as attractions go, Washington DC has a number of free events and tours for you to enjoy. You can attend free concerts and see live theater at no cost. You can also visit several historical and cultural attractions that do not charge admission or take advantage of free tours that are offered. Some of these places include the National Building Museum, the National Zoo, the U.S. Naval Observatory and the U.S. Botanic Garden.

2. Order In

Although the DC area has hundreds of good restaurants, eating out can be too expensive for your budget. If you don’t want to settle for the usual fast food chains, consider finding a local restaurant that offers delivery service. Ask around for the names of places that are known for having excellent food at affordable prices. Ordering in also has the advantage of allowing you to eat in the comfort of your hotel room instead of having to wait for a table to open up.

3. Save on Accommodations

Since you’re not looking for a luxury hotel, you’ll find several hotel options that have rooms for reasonable rates. You can also look on travel websites for deals on accommodations in Washington DC. You might even be able to reserve an affordable room at a hotel close to Dulles or Reagan National Airport, which will help you save money on transportation to and from the airport. Another tip to keep in mind is that you’ll also save time, as well as money, if your hotel is located near a Metro stop.

4. Get Around Cheaply

Plan on using the Metro system or walking to get around the DC area. If you take a Metrobus or Metrorail, you’ll spend less money than you would taking taxis or renting a car to get from one place to another. The Metro system is extensive and makes it easy and cheap to travel around Washington DC. You can find schedules and fare information on the Metro’s official website so you can plan out your routes ahead of time. If you fly into Reagan National Airport, you can take a train from the airport to the city instead of a cab.
Keep in mind that you are not limited to seeing only free sights and attractions on your low-cost vacation. Don’t forget to look online for discount tickets to various places in the DC area. You might also be able to get discounts on DC events and attractions if you belong to certain clubs or organizations.
Greg Hutchins is a guest writer for delivery.com, a site he recommends for finding a way to Order Online DC.