Summer 2013 has arrived in the Nation’s Capital gas prices are up household budgets are tight, and the thought of getting away for a few days of rest is just a thought.

Are you are within driving distance of DC? if so you should seriously consider Washington DC, as a destination for your staycation vacation where just about everything is cheap or free.

DC is a multicultural city that offers anyone who visits a look into the past, present, and future history of America.

Not only is DC a perfect place to visit for an education in history but the city is also entertaining, and picturesque; so stop by the United States Capitol and meet with your senator, or go to the National Archives and see the ” Declaration of Independence” and “Bill of Rights“, you can spend the entire day in DC visiting just one of the 19 Smithsonian Museums, or you can attend any of the free concerts, film, and food festivals that will keep everyone in the family happy, busy, and looking for more fun things to do in DC.

Don’t forget to bring a camera because you can take breathtaking  pictures of all the monuments, and memorials, around Washington DC. The Lincoln, Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Memorials and the reflecting pool make perfect backdrops for taking family pictures.

There are so many free things to do if you are on a budget, and you have tons of exciting options on how you want to spend your time while visiting DC. There are 3 major concerts and parades every summer to celebrate, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and the Labor Day holiday.

If you want to learn more about historical Washington DC, take a free walking tour and learn how all the memorials and monuments were built. Although the walking tours are free, don’t forget to tip your tour guide.

Spend the day at Rock Creek Park, and get acquainted with the Nature Centers live animals, kids and adults can participate in ranger led programs and assist a ranger in feeding some of the animals.  The entire family can spend  the evening under the stars exploring the universe with telescopes and seeing amazing views of the night sky. If you have any questions about the universe this is the perfect opportunity to get all your astronomy questions answered by experts.

Do you and your family enjoy going to the movies? If so check out one of many free outdoor film festivals going on throughout the DC metro area. If you enjoy the theatre, you can see free performances at the Kennedy Center every day, or you can find out about half-price tickets to some of the best theatres in Washington DC.

Do you want to see free concerts in DC? check out Yards Park, Friday Night Concert Series, the Summer concert series featuring the United States Air-Force Band,  Jazz in the Garden at the National Gallery of Art, or the free concerts at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Rock Creek Park.  Just about every day in DC you will be treated to amazing concerts that’s free.

Not every museum in DC is free so take advantage of FREE Summer Saturdays, at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, participate in gallery tours, workshops, demonstrations, performances, every Saturday this summer until Labor Day.

The Newseum is offering a great promotion, the “Summer Fun Deal” which runs from July 1st until Labor Day, lets up to four kids in to the Newseum for FREE with a paid adult or senior admission.

If you are a senior or in the military, you also get a great discount to the Newseum.

Other fun events happening in the Nation’s Capitol this summer include the DC Jazz Festival, June 5-15, 2013 you can sit back, relax, and listen to the soothing sounds of jazz throughout the city.

There are more great theatre festivals happening this summer in DC,  check out the Source Festival, where you can see three full length, and 18 ten-minute plays, from June 7-30. 2013.

The 2013 DC Black Theatre Festival celebrates extraordinary stories told by people of African Decent. For 10,  days,  you can see 150 provocative and ground breaking theatrical performances, by local and national artists, writers, producers, and theatre companies. The festival is from June 21-June 30th and performances are throughout the metro area.

For all the foodies in DC, be sure to attend the Truckeroo Food Truck Festival on June 14th, and August 16th, on Half and M Street SE, over 20 food trucks, live music, and fun games will be featured at this all day event, from 11am to 11pm this is your chance to taste food from many of the great food trucks in DC, admission is free.

The 21st Annual National Capital Barbecue Battle, is June 22-23, 2013, on Pennsylvania Ave, get your taste buds ready for some of the best barbecue, from many of the top restaurants in DC. The Battle offers competitions, cooking demonstrations, free food samples, interactive cooking displays, music, and activities for the kids and more.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival from June 26-30 and July 3-7, 2013 is on the National Mall. This year’s theme features the Hungarian Heritage, One World Many Voices, and, The Will to Adorn. The folklife festival celebrates various cultures from different parts of the world in food, art, dance, theatre, music, and more.

If you want to see one of the best fireworks shows in the country, head to the National Mall on Independence Day; bring a blanket, pack a picnic basket, and find a good spot, near the Capitol to watch the annual 4th of July concert, and fireworks show. This event is always FREE.

For everyone who loves hip hop theatre the 2013 Hip Hop Theater Festival is July 7-12, the festival celebrates hip hop, art, dance, music, culture, and more.

The Capital Fringe Festival, July 11-28, 2013, is a two week theatre festival where you can see 740 performances in dance, music theatre, drama, poetry and more from local DC metro artists. Performances are at various venues throughout the city and tickets are cheap or free.

The 12th Annual Page to Stage Festival is August 31st- September 2, 2013, at the Kennedy Center, the festival showcases area theatre companies in a series of free readings and open rehearsals of plays and musicals.

As the summer of 2013 comes to a close in Washington DC, be sure to head to Carter Baron on August 31st for the 25th Anniversary of the DC Blues Festival, a free festival featuring local blues musicians,

DC is the perfect destination to save money and have a good time during your summer vacation, with free tourist attractions, museums, concerts, festivals, and more where else in the world can you go to have a great time without spending a dime. Remember, if it’s cheap or free it’s in Washington DC.

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