Hey from Utah Travel Pros! We’re a Utah family who loves stretching our travel budget, and our Washington, DC, trip with our 7-month-old showed how far free adventures can take you. From historic monuments to world-class museums, DC’s got plenty for families at no cost—our only expenses were parking, a small museum fee, and getting there. We flew direct from Provo Airport (PVU) to Washington Dulles (IAD) on Breeze Airways, setting up a packed itinerary without breaking the bank. Here are 5 free family adventures from our trip, plus tips to keep your DC visit cheap.
Getting to DC from Utah
We nabbed a killer deal on Breeze Airways from Provo Airport (PVU) to Washington Dulles (IAD)—$540 round-trip for two people for a direct, 4-hour flight. That’s tough to beat, especially compared to SLC fares! We picked row 4 with extra legroom, giving our 7-month-old space to chill—perfect for a family trip. PVU’s fast security and Breeze’s priority boarding with The Breeze Easy™ Visa Signature® Credit Card. The free WiFi perk of the credit card was awesome as well. We had fast, reliable internet the whole flight. Book with The Breeze Easy™ Visa Signature® Credit Card for extra rewards, free WiFi, and priority boarding—see more PVU deals in our Cheap Flights from Provo Airport guide.
If you’re flying from SLC, Southwest offers ~$290 round-trip to IAD—use the Southwest Priority Card for extra points. In DC, we used the Metro at $9/person one-way ($6.75 fare + $2.00 Apple Wallet SmarTrip fee—super convenient). We borrowed a car from family, dodging rental costs, but paid ~$15 for parking at some spots. Street parking is free but is incredibly hard to find (unless you get there really early). Pro tip: Pack snacks in this cooler backpack ($36) to avoid $10 food carts—saved us big, like on our Kauai trip.
1. Explore DC’s Monuments
The Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Washington Monument are free and a great start for Utah families. We strolled between them with our 7-month-old in a stroller, taking in history without spending a dime. Short visits worked best to keep our baby happy—each stop took about 20 minutes. The open layouts made it easy to navigate. Pro tip: Hit the monuments early to skip crowds—mornings were calm (but cold in mid-February).
2. Tour the U.S. Capitol
The U.S. Capitol offers free tours that were a highlight—book online ahead, no cost. We saw historic halls and learned about Congress, keeping our 7-month-old in in our arms for a smooth hour-long visit. Security took a bit, but it was worth it for a family adventure. Utah families will like the low-key vibe compared to busier museums.
3. Visit the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is free and quieter than other DC sites. We checked out the Great Hall’s architecture and a few exhibits, which held our interest even with a 7-month-old along. It’s stroller-friendly, and our baby stayed calm looking at the intricate ceilings. Visits under an hour kept things manageable.
4. Dive into Smithsonian Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is free and packed with kid-friendly displays. We explored dinosaur skeletons and ocean exhibits—our 7-month-old was drawn to the bright colors. We stuck to 45-minute visits to avoid meltdowns. No tickets needed, though free timed-entry passes help on crowded days.
5. Discover Smithsonian American History
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is free and full of stories Utah families will enjoy. We saw artifacts like old trains and the Star-Spangled Banner—our 7-month-old stayed engaged with the visuals. It’s stroller-accessible, and short stops (about an hour) worked best. Free entry makes it a budget win.
More DC Tips
We also hit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles—free entry, but $15 parking. Its planes and space shuttle were awesome, perfect for a half-day with our borrowed car. The Holocaust Museum had a small fee ($1–$2), great for older kids but tough with a 7-month-old, so we took turns. Throughout our hour at the Holocaust Museum, the baby did really good and didn’t make hardly any noise. That was our biggest concern taking her with us. If we had a baby that young the next time we go back, we would consider taking them again but it might be better to have them stay with someone outside the museum. Both museums are worth planning around your family’s needs.
Budget Tips for Utah Families
- Book Smart: Our $540 PVU-IAD fare (for two!) used The Breeze Easy™ Visa Signature® Credit Card for 10x points on their “Nice” fare. SLC-IAD on Southwest is ~$290 with Southwest Priority Card.
- Ride the Metro: $9/person one-way ($6.75 + $2.00 Apple Wallet fee) beats cabs and rideshare prices.
- Eat Cheap: Snacks were key, like in Kauai—our cooler backpack cut food costs.
- Park Smart: Parking (~$15 at Udvar-Hazy) was our main expense—group free sites to save.
Ready for Your DC Trip?
Washington, DC, is a budget-friendly adventure for Utah families, with free monuments, museums, and history galore. Book PVU-IAD with Breeze Airways to kick it off cheap! Join our email list for more tips.
Got DC advice? Share on X, Instagram, or Facebook. Want more adventures? See our Kauai Adventure Guide or Disneyland Adventures!
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