How To Visit Great Museums Without Spending a Dime

The multitude of free museums in the DC area really make history, art, and culture accessible to families. But not all of DC's free museums are great for kids. I've scouted the best options to make sure they’re worth a family outing, and included which age groups they are best for. This list only includes truly free museums—not ones that are only free for kids—and family-friendly spots I've actually explored or vetted.

The many aviation exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum will delight airplane lovers. Photo courtesy of the museum

What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Smithsonian Free Museums in DC?

1. National Air and Space Museum — National Mall (DC)

The National Air and Space Museum is nearing the end of a $1 billion renovation that is set to be finished in July 2026. Thousands of aviation- and space-related artifacts are back on display, including the Spirit of St. Louis, John Glenn's Mercury Friendship 7 capsule, a touchable moon rock, and so much more. Free planetarium shows are offered throughout the month. It's a space and airplane lover's dream!

Best Ages: 5 and up; toddlers may lost interest

Insider Tips: The museum currently requires visitors to reserve free timed-entry passes online. No outside food is allowed, but the Mars Cafe on the lower level has pizza, salads, sandwiches, and a full espresso bar.

2. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center — Chantilly, VA

The Air and Space Museum's companion facility in Chantilly features two large hangars filled with over 3,000 history-making objects. Get up close to over 200 aircraft and spacecraft, from World War II planes to a Concorde. Don't miss my family's absolute favorite thing on display—the Space Shuttle Discovery. It's truly awe-inspiring!

Best Ages: All ages! The large open spaces make it extremely stroller-friendly, and there is plenty of room for toddlers to run around and gawk at the huge planes. Older kids and teens will appreciate all the history.

Insider Tips: While the museum is free, parking costs $15. To avoid the parking fee, take the Metro's silver line to Innovation Center, then take the Fairfax Connector Bus No. 983. A Shake Shack is on site—try the museum-exclusive Constellation Crunch Concrete or Out of This World Shake for a sweet treat!

3. National Museum of American History — National Mall (DC)

This is hands-down my family's favorite Smithsonian museum, with so many historic objects to see. Some highlights include gowns worn by First Ladies, the actual American flag that inspired the national anthem, and Abraham Lincoln's top hat.

Best Ages: All ages! Wonderplace is a hands-on exhibit for ages 0-6 featuring a construction area, a pretend farm and kitchen, a climbing structure, and more. Kids ages 6-12 can create, invent, experiment, and more in Spark!Lab. And teens will be wowed by the Entertainment Nation exhibit, featuring al sorts of pop-culture memorabilia such as Star Wars props, Michael Jordan's jersey, and Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

Insider Tips: Outside food and drinks are allowed as long as they are properly closed and secured, and may only be consumed in approved areas. There are also two on-site cafes with a variety of food options.

4. National Museum of Natural History — National Mall (DC)

From the iconic African elephant display to fossils, Ancient Egyptian mummies, and more, the National Museum of Natural History is one of the best free museums for families. The museum houses a collection of more than 145 million specimens and is truly a bucket-list item that every family should try to check off. Check out our guide to visiting the National Museum of Natural History with kids.

Best Ages: All Ages! Toddlers will love the dinosaur fossils, the animal displays, and the Insect Zoo. Older kids and teens will be especially dazzled by all the gems and minerals on display, including the famous Hope Diamond.

Insider Tips: This is one of the most popular museums on the National Mall, so visit on a weekday if you can, and go earlier on in the morning to avoid crowds. There are two cafes in the museum, but you can also pack a picnic to eat outside on the Mall. If you're nursing, visit the nursing room in the Constitution Avenue lobby.

5. National Museum of African American History and Culture — National Mall (DC)

Children can witness and learn about the rich and fascinating history, community, and culture of African Americans at the NMAAHC. More than 3,000 objects are on display, including an actual stool from the Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins, a dress worn by Rosa Parks, and Chuck Berry's red Cadillac convertible. Read my guide to visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture with kids.

Best Ages: 7 and up. The history galleries on the museum's below-ground levels contain topics that may be too heavy for younger kids, such as slavery and the mistreatment of Black people, but older kids and teens will find them eye-opening. They'll also enjoy the pop-culture exhibits on the upper levels. My sports-loving boys were thrilled to see jerseys worn by Jackie Robinson and Michael Jordan and to learn about many decorated African American Olympians.

Insider Tips: You must reserve free timed-entry passes to visit the museum. Since there are often lines to enter the history exhibits, I recommend starting with those and working your way up. The on-site Sweet Home Cafe has delicious food and more artifacts on display.

Mitsitam, the cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian, is top-notch.

6. National Museum of the American Indian — National Mall (DC)

This is one of my favorite free museums near DC for kids because of its imagiNATIONS Activity Center. This amazing children's exhibit is filled with interactive elements and hands-on activities like basket-weaving, building a giant igloo, and playing inside a life-sized tipi. There are also plenty of other exhibits kids will love throughout the museum.

Best Ages: All ages! While imagiNATIONS is recommended for ages 10 and under, even tweens and teens (and grown-ups!) will enjoy checking it out. Older kids will also love the Americans exhibit, which displays images and objects from American brands that were influenced by American Indian culture.

Insider Tips: The activity center is first-come, first-served, and on busy days (like weekends), additional entry procedures may apply and you may not get in—it's happened to families I know. So, go early on a weekday if you can! Be sure to stop in at the museum cafe, Mitsitam—it's one of our favorite spots to eat on the National Mall.

7. National Postal Museum — Union Market (DC)

This museum across the street from Union Station is dedicated to the history of the postal system. Kids can climb aboard a historic railway mail train and a modern mail truck, design their own stamps, recreate the path of mail, and participate in many other hands-on activities.

Best Ages: All ages! This museum tends to be less crowded than the ones on the National Mall, so it's easy to maneuver strollers and offers plenty of space for little ones to roam. And with so many interactive elements, kids of all ages will be entertained.

Insider Tips: Have your kids complete the museum's scavenger hunt and turn it in at the Information Desk to receive a prize. When hunger strikes, head across the street to Union Station, which has tons of kid-friendly food options like Chick fil A, Raising Cane's, and Shake Shack.

8. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden — National Mall, DC

A visually rich experience, the Hirshhorn captivates kids and gives them a great first experience with contemporary art. The outdoor Sculpture Garden is in the midst of a huge revitalization and is set to reopen around October 2026.

Best Ages: All ages! On Wednesday mornings, the museum hosts a popular Storytime Studio that includes play, read-alouds, and art exploration for kids ages 0-6 and their caregivers. On Saturdays, kids and adults of all ages can create art at Open Studio.

Insider Tips: Enhance your visit by going to hi.si.edu on your phone to enjoy a self-guided experience with artist videos, behind-the-scenes content, and more. When you need a refreshment, the lobby cafe serves locally sourced and handcrafted gelato and drinks. Yum!

9. National Portrait Gallery — Penn Quarter (DC)

The Portrait Gallery houses the country's only full collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House. It also makes art really accessible and fun for children. In the museum's Explore! space, kids can build faces with blocks, pose for the camera, explore shapes with felt and magnets, and engage in many other art activities. The Portrait Gallery Kids program on Monday mornings includes hands-on activities, music, movement, and art exploration.

Best Ages: All Ages! Explore! is geared towards ages 18 months through 8 years, while Portrait Gallery Kids targets ages 10 and under. And on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, kids, tweens, teens, and adults can get creative at the open Art Studio.

Insider Tips: The Kogod Courtyard is a gorgeous place to take a break, let little ones stretch their legs, and grab a bite to eat (either from the Courtyard Cafe or food you pack from home). The glass canopy makes it a comfortable temperature year-round, and the lush plants bring a bit of zen.

See the US founding documents at the National Archives Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

What Are Some of the Other Best Free Museums for Families in DC?

10. National Archives Museum — National Mall (DC)

Head into the famed Rotunda of the National Archives Museum and come face to face with the original and founding documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. At the Discovery Center, kids can learn how government works in the arcade, dance along with historical films, and test their civic superpower skills.

Best Ages: 7 and up, once kids have learned about these documents at school and can appreciate their significance.

Insider Tips: While tickets are not required to visit the museum, reserving a free general admission ticket in advance will help enhance your experience. For exampe, scanning the barcode on your ticket in the Discovery Center will track your progress and the number of points you earn. You can also reserve a $1 timed-entry ticket to help you avoid long wait times on busy days like weekends and holidays.

11. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum — National Mall (DC)

For older children, a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will help teach about a painful era in human history as well as celebrate the strength and survival of the human spirit. Remember the Children: Daniel's Story is a fantastic exhibit for young people and their families. The exhibit, which tells the story of one family's experiences during the Holocaust from a boy's perspective, brings visitors into realistic environments where they can touch and engage with items and places from the boy's world.

Best Ages: 8 and up for Remember the Children: Daniel's Story;11 and up for the rest of the museum

Insider Tips: The spaces in this museum can be pretty tight, so on busier days you'll need to be patient to view all the exhibits. Try to visit on weekday mornings to experience the fewest crowds. If you're looking for the cafe, exit the museum facing Raoul Wallenberg Place, cross the plaza, and enter the building to your right. While most Smithsonian are only closed on Christmas Day, the Holocaust Memorial Museum is also closed on Yom Kippur.

12. National Museum of the United States Army — Fort Belvoir, VA

This museum celebrates the history of the US Army through a variety of immersive exhibits. Army vehicles, uniforms, and many other objects from various wars and time periods are on display. Virtual-reality and motion-theater experiences are available for purchase. Kids ages 4-8 can do crafts and other fun stuff on weekend mornings from in the on-site Experiential Learning Center, which is full of hands-on activities for children of all ages.

Best Ages: All ages! In Fort Discover, kids ages 8 and under can climb a tower, use a radio to call friends, drive a Jeep, try on uniforms, and more. In the Training Center, tweens and teens will enjoy simulating work done by soldiers in STEM fields.

Insider Tips: Visitors are encouraged, but not required, to reserve free general admission tickets to help manage crowds. The museum is located on Fort Belvoir, but is open to the public. There is a large, free parking lot.

13. National Museum of the Marine Corps — Triangle, VA

Explore the history of the US Marine Corps at this museum full of immersive exhibits. The highlight for kids is the Children's Gallery, which features hands-on experiences such as walking through a World War I trench, peering through periscopes, trying on uniforms, and more. The museum also offers fun children's programs.

Best Ages: All ages! Kids 10 and under will love the Children's Gallery, while tweens and teens will enjoy seeing vehicles, weapons, and more on display.

Insider Tips: If you have kids ages 5 and up, be sure to visit the Making Marines gallery, where your family can test your marksmanship skills at an M-16 laser rifle range!

Explore the world of language at Planet Word. Photo courtesy of planetword.org

14. Planet Word — Downtown (DC)

Planet Word, the world's first voice-activated museum, is one of the best free museums for families with tweens and teens. My kids and I had an absolute blast there. The museum is full of interactive galleries and exhibits that bring words and language to life in fun ways. Kids can marvel at a 22-foot talking word wall, deliver a famous speech using a teleprompter, sing karaoke, explore a magical interactive library complete with a hidden door, and lots more. We can't wait to go back!

Best Ages: 10 and up. Older kids and teens have a better grasp of language and words.

Insider Tips: Lexicon Lane is a super cool, quirky village full of charming word-play puzzles on the museum's third floor. To visit it, you must reserve a puzzle case ahead of time, which costs $40 and is for four people. We just avoided the third floor when we went since we wanted to keep our visit free, but we do plan to return soon to have a puzzle-solving adventure.

15. Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream — Downtown (DC)

My family and I recently had a fantastic visit to this dazzling museum, which opened in September 2025 and offers a ton of interactive features. There are interactive game tables, touchscreens, AI holograms of famous people like Serena Williams that you can interact with, and so much more. The museum is located in the beautifully restored former Riggs Bank across the street from the White House, and it was really cool to see some of the old bank vaults and checks written by presidents who banked there!

Best Ages: 8 and up. My 14- and 11-year-olds enjoyed most of the exhibits, but I think they would have been bored if they were younger!

Insider Tips: The museum requires visitors to reserve free timed-entry tickets online. A separate Holodeck experience that's part escape room, part immersive film costs $15. We didn't do it and we still were able to entertain ourselves for three hours in the museum! There is no cafe in the museum, but you can bring food in to enjoy in the Atrium.

Are There Any Hidden Gem or Off-the-Beaten-Path Free Museums in DC?

16. National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum — Alexandria, VA

Located on the campus of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, this small museum celebrates innovation and creativity with interesting, interactive displays. Kids can climb inside a split car model that compares a 1965 Ford Mustang to a 2015 model in the exhibit about automotive design and technology. In the exhibit devoted to trademarks, they can try to tell the difference between genuine and counterfeit products and play interactive trademark games.

Best Ages: 5 and up

Insider Tips: Hours at this museum are very limited—it's only open on weekdays and the first Saturday of each month, and is closed on Sundays and federal holidays. So, a visit will require a little extra planning.

17. King Barn Dairy MOOseum — Boyds, MD

Located in a historic dairy barn, this museum shares the story of dairy farming in Montgomery County. Artifacts and memorabilia on display include life-sized cow replicas, a restored milk truck, and a horse-drawn milk wagon. You can even hand-milk an electronic cow model. There is a children’s play room with hands-on activities and a craft room with cow-themed art projects.

Best Ages: 10 and under

Insider Tips: The MOOseum is closed in the winter and only open on Saturdays and the fourth Sunday of each month from May through October, so plan accordingly. It is located within the massice South Gernantown Recreational Park, so make a day of it and enjoy some of the park's numerous other activities like playgrounds, sports fields, a driving range, and so much more.

18. Torpedo Factory Art Center — Alexandria, VA

This Old Town Alexandria waterfront landmark is home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof. Stroll through the center's three floors, watch the artists at work, and see some of their art on display (much of which is also available for purchase). Be sure to visit the on-site Alexandria Archaeology Museum to see artifacts from the city's past. Strollers are allowed and there are elevators between floors.

Best Ages: All ages! Little ones will love all the colors and having space to roam, while older kids will appreciate examining the artwork. The Art League (on site) offers classes for ages 5 and up.

Insider Tips: The Torpedo Factory is located on the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Vola's Dockside Grill is just outside of it and is a lovely place to enjoy an outdoor lunch on a nice day and watch boats pass by. My list of the best things to do in Old Town Alexandria with kids includes more free things to do in the area, like riding the King Street Trolley.

Which Free Museums Are Best for Different Ages?

Toddlers & Preschoolers

• National Museum of American History — Wonderplace, an amazing hands-on exhibit/play area just for ages 0-6
• National Museum of the United States Army — Fort Discover, full of fun activities for ages 8 and under
• King Barn Dairy MOOseum — a play room, a craft room, and life-size cow replicas perfect for little ones

Elementary Kids

• National Air and Space Museum & Udvar-Hazy Center — cool airplanes, Space Shuttle Discovery, a moon rock you can touch, and other aviation- and space-related artifacts
• National Museum of Natural History — fossils, mummies, and gems galore
• National Museum of the American Indian — imagiNATIONS Activity Center, full of hands-on activities elemetary schoolers love

Tweens & Teens

• Planet Word — sophisticated, interactive exhibits on language and words, plus fun activities like karaoke
• National Museum of the Marine Corps — vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and a laser rifle range
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum — mature themes that will bring tweens and teens perspective on a terrible time in history

How To Make the Most of Your Free Museum Visit

While we are truly lucky to have so many free, family-friendly museums in the DC area, they can get crowded, kids can get hungry, and various other problems can arise. Here are my tried-and-true tips for a successful museum visit with kids.

Arrive Early

Crowds tend to get larger and lines get longer as the day goes on, so try to arrive whern the museum opens. Going on a weekday helps, too. Just double check the museum's hours!

Avoid School Field Trip Hours/Seasons

That being said, local school field trips typically arrive at DC museums soon after they open and leave by early afternoon. So if you're going on a weekday and want to avoid the schools, late afternoon may be better. Most school field trips to the DC museums occur from April through June and in the fall around Thanksgiving, though there are some field trips during different months.

Reserve Passes if Needed

Some free museums require or recommend timed-entry passes, so plan ahead and reserve your tickets as soon as you can.

Bring Snacks and Water

Some museums allow you to bring in outside food and drinks and consume them in designated areas. Others allow you to carry them inside, but you'll need to consume them outside (perfect for a picnic on a nice day!). Check the museum's policies before you go. If food isn't allowed, see if there's an on-site cafe, or scope out nearby restaurants.

Check for Free Family Programs

Many free art museums and other museums with free admission host free storytimes, art workshops, or guided activities for kids and families. If you choose to go to one, arrive early to ensure a spot.

Combine Your Visit with a Nearby Park or Playground

When my kids were younger, they were always eager to run around and get some fresh air after being in a museum for a few hours. If you're visiting a museum on a nice day, build in some time to visit a nearby park or playground after your visit. The kids will sleep well at night!

Free Museum Days in DC FAQ

Q: Are free museums in DC good for kids?
A: Yes! Many of the DC area's free-admission museums are hands-on and kid-friendly, with play zones, children's areas and programs, and interactive exhibits. Some, like Planet Word and the United States Holocaust Museum, are better for tweens and teens due to sophisticated exhibits and mature topics.

Q: Do I need tickets or reservations for free museums?
A: Some popular DC museums with free admission require timed-entry passes, so plan ahead and book early online. They include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.

Q: What’s the best time to visit free museums with kids?
A: Mornings are typically less crowded, and weekdays are always better than weekends. School holidays can also get pretty crowded.

Q: Are there any paid museums in the DC area that offer free museum days?
Yes! Mount Vernon offers free admission on Presidents Day.