How to Spend a Weekend in DC on a Budget
When to go and where to stay
We went the week before Thanksgiving and I highly recommend it. Kids are still in school. The holiday rush has not hit. It was still 55-60 degrees every day, we did not wait in lines and we did not need tickets for anything (except going up the Washington Monument which was sold out). If you have never been to DC, stay downtown and as close to the White House as you can. You will be central, walkable to the National Mall, and steps from the Metro.
We stayed at The Quincy. Not only was it in the area we wanted to be but we were able to save a ton using Expedia which offered early Black Friday pricing, plus we had $55 in credit from past trips, and the app gave us $20 credit to use for my birthday. In the end we spent $211 on a 3 night stay. PLUS every room has a kitchenette which saved us real money. Who doesn’t love leftovers for breakfast? Free lobby coffee fueled museum mornings. Little choices like that stretch a budget fast.
Room at The Quincy with a kitchenette that proved helpful to reheat leftovers and make our own breakfast
Night magic on the National Mall
After check in we walked straight to the National Mall. The White House, the World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial were all more incredible than I expected. Go at night if you can. Fewer people. Beautiful lighting. A quiet and powerful experience and a great walk after a long drive.
Moved by the Vietnam War Memorial at night
Free museums that deliver
It’s no secret that DC is packed with Smithsonian museums that are all free. Over the weekend we visited:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Hirshhorn Museum
National Museum of Natural History
You can spend an hour or an afternoon. Just make sure to check hours before you go, and we were lucky because it was slower that time of year but you may need a timed ticket during busy season.
The People’s House
A cheesesteak shop owner told us about The People’s House, an interactive experience that replicates parts of the White House. It was free and very well done. To tour the actual White House, you need to request tickets from your senator at least three months in advance. If you did not plan that far ahead, this is a great stand in and very kid friendly. Highly recommend!
Posing for a photo in “the Oval Office” at The People’s House
Budget friendly eats
We kept things simple and shared plates.
DC Pizza. A large pie was about 12 dollars and perfect to split.
Talkin’ Tacos. One 15 dollar burrito with chips fed us both.
Ben’s Chili Bowl. Ordering the Half Smoke is a must at least once as it’s a DC staple.
Toki Underground. A hidden ramen spot across town. Cozy, flavorful, and worth the effort to get there.
Markets are another way to save while still tasting the city. We browsed Eastern Market for local art and gifts. We wandered a pop up holiday market that opened that weekend, shared a shawarma wrap from a food truck.No need for full meals at every stop. Snacks or a hot cocoa for the walk can carry you farther than you think.
Exploring the inside of the Eastern Market before checking out the artist booths that surround the building outside on the weekend.
Getting around for less
We drove because flights were expensive last minute but parking is not cheap. We found a nearby garage for 35 dollars per 24 hours instead of paying 55 at the hotel. After that we left the car until Saturday evening. We did our research on the drive down and found out meters stop after 6:30 on Saturday and parking was free on Sunday, which made our last day easy. [Free parking around the Mall used to be common. Those days are gone. Most meters limit you to two or three hours.]
Use the Metro. Most trips were 2.25 to 2.50 and trains were fast and the stations are the cleanest I’ve ever seen.
Do not rely on scooters as your main plan. They can be fun for a short ride across the Mall, but the unlock fee plus about 24 cents a minute adds up fast.
Low cost nightlife
We went downstairs from our hotel to Recessions for karaoke. It turned out to be APA pool league night. We play APA so we loved that just as much so stay and watched matches, met locals, and closed the place down without spending much. Look for neighborhood spots with trivia, open mics, or free events. You will meet people and get a feel for the city.
Sample weekend plan
Friday night
Arrive, check in, stretch your legs with a night walk on the Mall. White House. WWII Memorial. Lincoln. Washington Monument. Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Grab a slice on the way back.
At the foot of the Lincoln Memorial
Saturday
Free coffee at the hotel. African American History and Culture in the morning. Grab a bite from one of the food trucks along the mall for lunch. Hirshhorn museum in the afternoon. Grab a burrito at Talkin’ Tacos and then grab your car from the garage. Head to the Holiday market if it is open. Have a low key night of drinks at a neighborhood bar.
A morning spent at the African American Culture and istory Museum
Sunday
Natural History Museum before lunch. Drive to Ben’s Chili Bowl for lunch, followed by Eastern Market for more art and gifts before heading to the MLK memorial. Make sure to pop into the MLK bookstore if you are there before it closes. Drive back across town to Toki Underground for a warm grand finale to the weekend before driving back early the next morning with a full heart and a not so empty wallet.
Having a Night at the Museum kind of moment at the Museum of Natural History
Free things to do if you have more time
Ride up the Washington Monument
Tour the Capital Building
Explore The Wharf
See the United States Botanic Gardens
Quick tips to keep your budget happy
Go the week before Thanksgiving if you can. Fewer lines. Softer pace.
Stay central. Walking saves rides and time.
Book a hotel with a kitchen. Leftovers become breakfast.
Park once in a cheaper garage until Saturday night. Use the Metro or walk for almost everything otherwise.
Share meals. Snacks and markets fill the gaps.
Do the monuments at night. Beautiful and less crowded.
Scooters are fun, not frugal. Save them for a short spin only.
Final thoughts
DC does not have to be expensive. With free museums, a walkable core, smart food choices, and a little planning, you can have a full, inspiring weekend that still feels easy on the budget. Plan the night walk. Pick a few museums that call to you. Keep meals simple. Let the Metro carry you across town. Then leave space for the surprise. A market you stumble into. A pool league you did not expect. A quote on a memorial wall that hits you just right.
