Washington, D.C., is an amazing city to visit. It is steeped in history and American politics, with plenty of sights and attractions to keep you occupied. If you’re traveling on a budget, there is no need to worry about missing out on the highlights. Unlike many American cities, Washington, D.C., has an impressive number of free attractions, and there are many cheap apartments you can rent.

Washington’s monuments

Most of the city’s monuments have free entry and are open 24 hours a day. Visiting the monuments at night gives you the chance to experience them when they’re much quieter, and they look stunning when they’re lit up. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the city’s most popular landmarks, and you can enlist the help of the National Mall and Memorial parks app to avoid getting lost.

Arlington National Cemetery

A visit to this sprawling cemetery provides a poignant opportunity to reflect on the country’s history. At the cemetery, you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and JFK’s grave.

Museums

The vast array of museums in the city could easily fill up your whole time there. If you just want to check out a few, find your favorites and get there early in the morning when it’s much quieter. Three of the most popular choices are:

• The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where you can see the actual Apollo 11
• The National Museum of Crime and Punishment, where you can pretend you’re a crime scene investigator or attempt to get out of jail.