washington d.c. on a shoestring: broke but not broken

so i spent a week in washington d.c. and let me tell you, it’s a whole vibe when you’re on a shoestring budget.

just checked the weather and it’s that damp, chilly kind of deal, so pack layers if that’s your jam.

staying at a hostel in dupont circle, which was cheap but the bed was basically a slab of wood. whatever, you get what you pay for. the metro is your best friend here, and if you have a student id, you can get discounts everywhere. seriously, save that thing like it’s gold.

i heard from a girl at the hostel that the national gallery of art is free, but if you want to skip the lines, go right when they open. she said the crowds are insane after 10 am.

the smithsonian museums are all free, which is a lifesaver when you’re broke. spent a whole day at the air and space museum because it’s huge and you can spend hours there without spending a dime.

if you run out of things to do, baltimore and annapolis are basically your next-door neighbors for a day trip. i didn’t have time, but the hostel people said the aquarium in baltimore is worth it.

some guy told me that the best tacos in town are at a place called el pollo rico in adams-morgan. he said it’s cash only and the line is long, but totally worth it. tried it, and he wasn’t lying.

eating on a budget: i lived on $5 footlongs from subway and pizza slices from a place near the metro. also, the food trucks near the national mall are decent and cheap.

for free activities, check out the tidal basin in spring for the cherry blossoms (if you’re at the right time) and the national mall at night for the monuments.

someone told me that the free tours in georgetown are actually worth it, just skip the coffee shop they try to sell you at the end.

Check out the National Museum of African American History and Culture on TripAdvisor - it’s free but you need timed entry, so book ahead if you can.

For cheap eats, try Ben's Chili Bowl on Yelp - it’s an institution and the half-smoke is legendary.

Find free events on the D.C. local board - they have a lot of free concerts and festivals, especially in the summer.

also, the free walking tour by DC by Foot is great because you can tip what you want at the end.

one thing i learned: don’t fall for the tourist traps with overpriced memorabilia. the real d.c. is in the neighborhoods like dupont and adams-morgan.

so yeah, that’s my week in d.c. on a budget. broke, but i saw a lot and didn’t spend much. next stop: somewhere else. probably baltimore for that aquarium.

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