Things to do / Travel Guide
As the seat of the federal government, much of DC has been designed as a tourist city “for the people.” This means that general admission to facilities owned and operated by the government is free. At times, certain attractions within these facilities (like the IMAX film at the National Air and Space Museum) are not necessarily free, so figure that some money might need to be spent while visiting these sites.
Hotels and motels in the region run the full price gamut from discount inns for less than $20 a night to some of the world's most exclusive hotel suites, which can cost 10-20 times as much per night or more. Lodging options are available for pretty much any budget.
Dining costs are viewed as higher than those of other big cities, but many options for eating on a budget exist. As a large college town, many eateries specifically in the university areas cater to the more budget-conscious consumer.
The local Metro system offers the option of a 24-hour pass that makes for a good way to get where you need to go on a budget. Almost all of the main tourist attractions can be easily accessed via the Metro. A clean, relatively quick, and safe way to get about, the Metro is often preferable to driving around and trying to find parking in the city.
Taxi prices are based on a somewhat complex system whereby fares are linked to the zones in which the driver will be traveling. Taxi drivers have been notoriously known for identifying the “out-of-towners,” and hiking up fares, so make sure to try to get a basic understanding of how much you should be paying from the outset.
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