Visit Washington DC- Free Summer Concerts

A Short History of the City

Washington D.C., the nation's capital, is one of the most visited sites in America. About 25 million people visit the city every year. The place is a symbol of the American ideals, a place where national heroes are immortalized in stone and marble.

When the country gained its independence from Britain, Washington did not even exist as a city. It was mainly a deserted swampy land with forests and some farmlands. Through a law Congress passes in 1790, a site not to exceed 10 miles square was to become a "federal district", a unique territory created specifically to be the seat of government. George Washington was given the task to choose the site of the new capital. Thus, the first President of the United States elected the area at the junction of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers because he believed it had great commercial potential.

Many cities vied to be chosen as the site of the permanent home for the government. As a result of a political compromise President Washington was able to choose a site in the southern states. The northern states accepted the location only because the federal government would assume their heavy Revolutinary war debts.

A French engineer, Charles Pierre L'Enfant, designed the plan of the new capital which consisted of large boulevards and major streets which radiated out from traffic circles and rectangular parks, providing space for memorials. In his plan, a 400-foot-wide "Grand Avenue" (now the National Mall) was intended to extend westward from the "Congress House" (now the Capitol). Also, a diagonal street would link the Capitol to the White House. L'enfant's project, which stagnated for most of the 19th century but began to materialize in the 20th century, is universally considered America's most notable achievement in municipal planning.

Free Stuff

So, what is there to see and visit for free in the city?

All monuments and memorials are open to the public every day and most of the time you can ask any Park ranger any questions you may have. Two of the most important structures that also offer free tours of the interior of the building are the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. All you have to do is to get there early and get your free ticket.

Also, everyone can enjoy the wonderful exhibits found in most of the museums located throughout the city. Even though many new museums that require an entrace fee have been open in the last few years, there are still many that are free: Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of Natural History, etc.

There are also many free concerts throughout the summer. The following is a list of some of them:

- US Navy Band: Mondays at 8:00 p.m. (west steps of the U.S. Capitol) and Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. (US Navy Memorial);

- US Marine Band: Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. (west steps of the U.S. Capitol) and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. (Sylvan Theatre- close to the Washington Monument);

-US Air Force Band: Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. (west steps of the U.S. Capitol) and Fridays at 8:00 p.m. (Air Force Memorial- close to the Pentagon);

- US Army Band: Fridays at 8:00 p.m. (west steps of the Capitol);

- Carter Barron Amphitheatre: (Outdoor Theatre located in the Rock Creek Park) offers many free concerts. Tickets are required for free performances and are distributed on the day of the show;

- Eastern Market Music: Sunday performances from May 4 to June 29 and September 7 to October 12. Free music sponsored by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation;

- National Zoo: free concerts on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.;

- National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden: free jazz concerts on Fridays evenings at its outdoor cafe (5 to 8:30 pm);

- Woodrow Wilson Plaza: free daily concerts throughout the summer from noon to 1:30 p.m. (1300 Pensylvannia Ave, NW, Washington DC);

- Fort Dupont Concerts: free summer concerts in Southeast Washington DC. (1900 Anacostia Dr. SE); for information check their website: http://www.nps.gov/fodu/

- Farragut Square Park: free concerts on Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (May and June);

- The Kennedy Center- Millenium Stage: Free performances every day at 6:00 pm. No tickets required. Check the website for a schedule: http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/schedule.html

- National Geographic Society- Grosvenor Auditorium: Free jazz concerts at 1600 M Street, NW, Washington DC. Check website for details and schedule.