Ten Tips to Take Washington on the Cheap
In the District of Columbia

Ten Tips Take on DC Inexpensively
by Jill Swartwout, Contributing Editor

If you ask around while in Washington DC, you will discover that many attractions do not charge for admission, but beware, your trip may not be as cheap as you would think. It is easy to spend a lot of money if you are not careful, despite the free admissions. Read on for a few tips to help you keep from breaking the bank on your DC trip.

1. If you are planning on staying in DC overnight, you will save money by avoiding the hotels in Downtown DC which tend to be on the pricey side. You would be much better off heading to the hotels nearby in Maryland or Virginia. You can save yourself hundreds of dollars by simply spending a few dollars on a good map and either driving or using the Metro subway, city busses, or cabs. Just be sure to choose a hotel that is near a Metro station or one that has a shuttle service to the Metro (many do).

2. Food in DC is generally quite expensive, especially in museums and galleries. You may also expect high prices in restaurants and eateries, but beware that the grocery stores and convenience stores have higher prices than that of those outside of the city. Try to eat breakfast in your hotel if they have a continental breakfast bar, or even if you have to keep some bagels or donuts in your room. When you set out for a day of sightseeing, avoid the money pits of museum and mall food stands and street vendors by packing some snacks or a picnic lunch in a backpack. The food really isn't very good at the museums and mall anyway. There are a few picnic tables around and the Mall has a lot of benches for you to settle down on under a shady tree. If you are staying in a hotel and it's tough for you to make a lunch, try stopping at a grocery store deli where you can find sandwiches and chips all ready for you with prices much less than any of the restaurants in town. When you do eat out and are looking for a restaurant, don't be afraid to look over the menu first to be sure that there are items that you find appealing and to be sure that the food is not too expensive.

3. Beware of fancy words used to describe a restaurant. If you hear or read about something being "historic," "rustic," or "colonial," it would be a good bet that you will be paying more for the atmosphere of the place rather than the quality or amount of food. Dining out in a nice restaurant atmosphere is definitely nice, and you should do it, just not every-night if you are trying to stretch your money. Ask the locals for their advice on diners and mom-and-pop places or the huge variety of ethnic establishments that are available. All you need is your map and maybe a phone book.

4. Want to get around DC without spending an arm and a leg? Invest in some good walking shoes and get to know the Metro subway and bus system which can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. You will avoid the hassle of traffic jams and won't have to worry about navigating the streets of DC which can be quite confusing. Every Metro station has street maps and bus line schedules so you know where to go and how to get there once you step off the subway. Riding the subway will cost only a couple of dollars per person for a one-way trip and kids under four can enjoy riding the subway free. If you need to take your car to the subway station, many stations have parking which also only costs a couple of dollars for the day. Parking on the weekends is free. When using the Metro system be sure to carry $1 and $5 bills for the fare machines. You can use larger bills but may end up with a fare card that is more than you need unless you are planning on using the a lot. If you think you will be making multiple stops throughout a one day period, it would be cheaper to buy an all day pass. For these Metro packages and more visit http//www.wmata.com. The only time I would suggest driving would be if you are traveling with a large family because using the Metro can get expensive that way. In this case, go to DC on the weekends and drive. The traffic will be lighter than during the week and many parking areas will be less crowded. The downtown parking areas are free on the weekend and you can park in the Mall area for free as well for easy access to the Smithsonian and federal buildings.

5. Carry a backpack. It will hold everything you need and will help to prevent you from spending money on things that are not necessary. For example, carrying an umbrella in your backpack will save you from having to buy one if it rains unexpectedly, which it can in the region especially on summer late afternoons and evenings. You can also carry all necessities such as wallets, cameras, umbrellas and maps in a backpack for easy travel. You can even pack snacks or lunch to avoid having to pay high prices for food at the museum and gallery snack stands. You can also use your backpack to store any souvenir that you may find and don’t want to risk leaving behind.

6. Beware of all-day tours! Many companies run day-long tours throughout DC but do you really need a scheduled, guided tour to best enjoy the nation's capital? Yes, tours do provide good transportation and knowledgeable guides but many tours will go to places that you may not even want to see. They may also spend more time at an attraction that bores you or, they may rush you through an exhibit that interests you and you would like to spend more time exploring. Most tours will also charge you much more money than is necessary for a good tour of the city. Popular sights such as the Capitol, the White House, and many memorials and museums don't even charge and admission fee. So, if you have a good map and a guidebook, you can visit the same attractions as the tours without spending a dime and you can move at your own pace. The only real downfall is that you may need to arrive at the most popular attractions before 8 a.m., such the White House, to avoid long lines. There are obvious benefits to creating your own tour. You can go where you want, when you want, and you can spend as much or as little time there as you would like. Instead of straining to hear what a monotonous tour guide is saying, you can simply ask a staff member what you would like to know.

7. Many places in DC are free to get into - the National Zoo, the Smithsonian museums, the many memorials, monuments, and government buildings. But beware of the sights and attractions that are not free such as the Children's Capitol Museum and the Mount Vernon tour which can be quite costly and sometimes hard to get to if you are relying on public transportation. But don't assume that these sights aren't worth seeing because they are. If you have kids they will love the Children's Capitol Museum and for the adults and older children, Mount Vernon is a beautiful four-hour walking tour that is well worth the money it costs.

8. Stay out of the shopping malls such as Pentagon City, Springfield Mall or Tyson's Corner unless you plan on specifically shopping for new fashion pieces. The malls are great for a good walk or window shopping, if you really can stay on the outside of the window, but keep in mind that they were made for the purpose of consuming as much of your money as possible. If you are from a small town are an area where there aren't any good malls nearby, don't get fooled into thinking that you must pick up that hot new jacket or whatever it is that catches your eye while in DC. Chances are that if you are reading this right now you have Internet access and you would likely be much better shopping for new things over the Internet, rather than the expensive stores in DC shopping malls. Plus, keep in mind that if you do buy something, you have to get it home somehow.

9. Avoid museum gift shops if you want to hold on to your money. The shops are tempting with their gadgets, t-shirts, knick knacks, and other enticing souvenirs but they are expensive and unnecessary in remembering your trip to DC. Before heading out to the museums, decide how much money you want to spend on souvenirs and stick to it! You would be much better off taking a lot of photographs and buying a nice photo album to help you remember your great trip and share it with family and friends.

10. The street vendors are another money-hungry aspect of DC to avoid. Their prices may be a lot lower than the museum gift shops and they may offer seemingly great deals, but you get what you pay for. Don't expect these t-shirts and souvenirs to be of good quality or to last long. If really want a T-shirt or the perfect knick knack or souvenir, it's better to buy them from the gift shops in museum or federal buildings. Just be careful not to go over your souvenir limit!

Washington, DC happens to be rated among the most expensive places to live in the United States, but it doesn't have to be an expensive place to visit or go to for vacation. All it takes is a good map, guidebook, a little careful budgeting and the willingness to have a great time!

Click HERE for a Dozen Free Things to do In Washington, DC.