Free Winter Fun in Washington DC
With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s getting to be that time of year where the kids are out of school. Keeping them entertained can be tricky. It’s even more difficult when you have to contest with the unpredictable winter weather and the expense of holiday shopping. That’s why we have come up with a list of fun and free things to do this winter in the capital!
Visit the National Christmas Tree
The National Christmas Tree is undoubtedly the star attraction in DC over the festive period. Located on the White House Ellipse, you can go and visit this magnificent tree, which is located just to the south of where the First Family live, every night. The tree is lit daily right through until the New Year, and is surrounded by the Christmas Pathway of Peace. This is an area decorated with smaller trees from 56 other US States and territories, making for a great display and pretty winter walk.
Visit Union Station
A busy train station may seem like an unlikely winter attraction, but DC’s Union Station comes alive in winter. In addition to all of the festive décor and Christmas shopping available in the station, there’s another giant Christmas tree on display here. Lit in early December, the tree is gifted all the way from Norway. There’s even a model train display in the grand main hall, perfect for kids to watch.
Go See the ZooLights
Each year, the National Zoo hosts ZooLights, which sees the venue covered in LED lights after Thanksgiving, right up until January 2. The zoo remains open after normal hours, where you can wander around the 500,000 energy efficient Christmas decorations, while taking in evening performances and other fun filled events. The zoo is closed on December 24, 25 and 31, but guests can enjoy the experience right up until 9pm every other night over the festive period.
Enjoy a Free Guided Tour at The Library of Congress
The Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress hosts a free guided tour daily from Monday to Saturday. This fun and educational free day out is great for all the family, with loads to see and do. The Great Hall is full of artworks, and you can get a great view of the National Mall from the Madison Café, located on the 6th floor.
Of course, with all that money you’ve saved covering some of these top winter attractions, you’ll be able to take the whole family on one of our famous Gray Line tours. We’re currently running a special offer on our DC After Dark tour, which encompasses some of the city’s well known landmarks, all beautifully lit in the evening. What better way to take in the sights in winter than from the comfort of a heated coach, complete with tour guide and plenty of photo ops? As part of our Winter offer, the whole family can enjoy this tour for under $100!