FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
Wherever Awards

Budget-Friendly Washington, D.C.

by Angelique Platas

Oct 27, 2017

© Erix2005 | Dreamstime

Budget

Whether looking for a quick and affordable weekend away or you’ve just been meaning to visit our nation’s capitol, families on a budget can have a full, fun and active weekend in Washington, D.C.

 

Although the mecca of wealth, power and government in this country, having a good time on a budget in D.C. is easily done thanks to the many free activities available to guests of all ages.

Renwick Gallery Wash. DC

Renwick Gallery. Photo: Tupungato | Dreamstime

 

Bring the family through the Renwick Gallery for a free tour of the highlights and incredible exhibits. This unique and striking museum showcases innovative works, delving into the evolution of the arts. Like most museums and public spaces in D.C., admission is free, allowing for visitors on a budget to fully explore the arts and history of the city.

Wash. DC

Photo: Angelique Platas

Open each weekend, the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill boasts beautiful handmade arts, crafts and fresh produce and flowers. Listen to free live music while browsing the 100 merchants or more who frequent the historic market, established in 1873. The market boasts a wide array of indoor and outdoor vendors selling prepared food for a nice fall picnic, or peruse some artwork and photography to take home.

Take some photographs of your own walking along the National Mall, stopping at any one of the many memorials, monuments and museums in the area. If your feet get tired, hop on the DC Circulator Bus, traveling from Union Station and the National Gallery of Art to the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials for $1. Every trip for the first two hours after your purchase is free, so it is easy to spend a lot of time and a little money checking out the must-see historic spots of Washington, D.C.

 

National Zoo Elephant Washington DC

Photo: Angelique Platas

Be sure to check out the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, located in the scenic National Zoological Park. It’s one of the oldest in the country and admission is free. Stroll the grounds visiting lions, pandas, primates and the small mammal house. Bring the kids by the farm for a close look at alpacas, donkeys and domestic animals.

 

For some competitive fun, head to the Capital One Arena and watch the Washington Capitols play for $11–165 a ticket. Check out prices and schedules in advance for greater savings, or on a whim as tickets can usually be purchased online the day before.

 

 

With so much free fun available for visitors of all ages and interests, Washington, D.C., can clearly hold its own as an affordable destination for families. Spend the day hopping from free activities and sightseeing onboard public transportation and feel free to indulge in a night out with the family.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Hotels
Apr 18, 2025

Nemacolin Debuts Exclusive Luxury Stay Experience for Guests 16 Years and Older

Family travelers with older kids won’t want to miss this new luxury stay at Nemacolin. This luxury resort reintroduces Falling Rock, the architectural masterpiece inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water, as an exclusive stay for travelers 16 years and older.

Madrid: A Destination for All Ages

However one is traveling, what matters is having fun and creating unforgettable memories. Among many ways to travel, multigenerational trips — on which grandparents, parents and children get to spend quality time together — are gaining popularity. Setting out on this sort of adventure? Madrid has something to offer everyone!

Destinations
Apr 18, 2025

Head to Garden in the Woods in Massachusetts for a Springtime Wonderland

Without going far, family travelers in Boston and surrounding towns can step into a serene woodland environment, where the forest floor is carpeted in wildflowers. Garden in the Woods, in Framingham, Massachusetts, is a botanical garden dedicated to native plants, showcasing them on 45 acres of open forest, ravines, ridges and wetlands.

Destinations / North America
Apr 18, 2025

WonderWorks Myrtle Beach Celebrates Spring with Focus on Education, Entertainment

Family travelers know WonderWorks Myrtle Beach provides fun, educational opportunities year-round. But, this spring, the venue takes things to the next level by offering special events, ticket deals and group offerings — with something for everyone.

Destinations / North America
Apr 17, 2025

Experience the Night Sky Like Never Before in Oregon’s Outback

I’ve looked up at the night sky almost every night of my life and have always been fascinated by the way the experience changes from day to day and place to place. But on recent family travel to Oregon, I got to experience it like never before in the Oregon Outback. I was staying at the lovely Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte (not far from Bend) and, as the day came to a close, my group boarded a van with Wanderlust Tours and began the journey into a region of the Oregon desert known as the Oregon Outback.

Destinations / North America
Apr 17, 2025

Road Trips to Make Resurgence This Summer

This summer, take your family travel to the open road! According to Google Trends, no-passport vacations are the top trending vacation type in 2025 so far. In fact, a survey from Club Wyndham and Talker found twice as many participants would rather drive to a vacation than fly and 60 percent believe they have not seen enough cities or attractions in the United States.