Washington, D.C. City Pass Comparison 2026
D.C.'s biggest headline: nearly all its flagship Smithsonian museums are completely free — and as of September 2026, no city-wide multi-attraction pass currently operates here at all, so every paid attraction like Mount Vernon is bought as its own ticket.
| Feature | Individual Tickets |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Varies per site |
| Validity | Per ticket |
| Format | Varies by seller |
| Smithsonian National Museum of American History | Free |
| Washington Monument | Free (+ mandatory free timed-entry ticket) |
| National Mall | Free |
| Mount Vernon | $30.00 |
| International Spy Museum | From $36.95 (dynamic pricing) |
| Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour | From $54.00 |
| 💡 Best For | The only option — no city-wide multi-attraction pass currently operates in Washington, D.C., so every paid attraction (Mount Vernon, the Spy Museum, a bus tour) is bought as its own ticket. The Smithsonian museums and the National Mall itself are free regardless. |
| Varies per site · Individual Tickets |
Individual Tickets
Varies per site
💡 The only option — no city-wide multi-attraction pass currently operates in Washington, D.C., so every paid attraction (Mount Vernon, the Spy Museum, a bus tour) is bought as its own ticket. The Smithsonian museums and the National Mall itself are free regardless.
See full comparison
- Validity
- Per ticket
- Format
- Varies by seller
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- Free
- Washington Monument
- Free (+ mandatory free timed-entry ticket)
- National Mall
- Free
- Mount Vernon
- $30.00
- International Spy Museum
- From $36.95 (dynamic pricing)
- Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- From $54.00
Data sources & verificationChecked against 4 official and provider sources, verified on or after 2026-09-23. Some products shown on this page are not yet covered by our canonical fact records.
View sources
Checked against 4 official and provider sources, verified on or after 2026-09-23. Some products shown on this page are not yet covered by our canonical fact records.
| Fact | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington's Mount VernonAttraction details | George Washington's Mount Vernon (official, mountvernon.org) | |
| National MallAttraction details | National Mall and Memorial Parks — U.S. National Park Service (official, nps.gov/nama) | |
| Smithsonian National Museum of American HistoryAttraction details | Smithsonian National Museum of American History (official, americanhistory.si.edu) | |
| Washington MonumentAttraction details | Washington Monument — U.S. National Park Service (official, nps.gov/wamo) |
"Last verified" means a person checked that specific fact against that specific source on that date. It is not a page-publication date, a file-modification date or a build date. Prices and rules can change at any time — always confirm the current figure with the provider before booking.
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Things to do in Washington D.C.
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Pricing Analysis & Important Details
01. D.C.'s flagship attractions are free — this is the honest headline finding
Nearly all of Washington's biggest tourist draws, including every Smithsonian museum on the National Mall (like the National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, and National Museum of Natural History) plus the National Gallery of Art, are federally funded and charge no general admission at all. No pass could ever discount what's already free.
02. No city-wide multi-attraction pass currently operates in Washington, D.C.
Research confirmed CityPASS has no Washington DC product and no Turbopass product operates here either. Go City sold a Washington DC Explorer Pass as recently as September 2026, but has since withdrawn it: Washington DC is absent from Go City's own current list of 28 destinations, and the pass's old product URL now redirects to Go City's New York page. No paid multi-attraction pass of any kind is currently on sale for this city.
03. Buy D.C.'s few paid attractions individually
With no pass on the market, compare official ticket prices attraction by attraction: Mount Vernon ($30), the International Spy Museum (from $36.95, dynamic pricing), and hop-on hop-off bus tours (from $54) are the attractions on this page that actually charge admission.
04. The Washington Monument is free but still needs a timed-entry ticket
A distinct nuance from a plain free landmark: there's no admission fee, but every visitor age 2+ needs a timed ticket (a $1.00 advance-booking service charge via recreation.gov, or a free same-day walk-up ticket at the Monument Lodge from 8:45 a.m.). You still need the free ticket.
05. Mount Vernon, the Spy Museum, and bus tours are D.C.'s genuinely paid attractions
Mount Vernon (a private, non-profit estate, not a Smithsonian site), the International Spy Museum, and hop-on hop-off bus tours are D.C.'s few attractions that actually charge admission — everything else covered on this page, including the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall, is free.
Which Option Fits Your Visit?
A Free-Museum-Focused Visit
Skip buying anything at all for this part of your trip — the Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art, and the National Mall itself are all free.
Visiting Mount Vernon, the Spy Museum, and a Bus Tour
Buy each ticket directly — Mount Vernon, the International Spy Museum, and a hop-on hop-off bus tour are sold separately, since no multi-attraction pass currently covers Washington, D.C.
Going Up the Washington Monument
Budget time, not money — reserve a free timed-entry ticket on recreation.gov in advance, or arrive by 8:45 a.m. for same-day walk-up tickets.
A Free Photo-Stop Day on the Mall
The National Mall's open grounds, and most of the monuments and memorials along it, are free to visit at any time, day or night.
Detailed Attraction Guides
Verified prices, booking rules, and pass-compatibility for Washington, D.C.'s most-visited sites.
National Museum of American History Guide
Confirmed free access to this Smithsonian museum, no ticket required.
Washington Monument Guide
Free admission, but a mandatory timed-entry ticket — how advance and same-day tickets work.
Mount Vernon Guide
Ticket pricing for George Washington's estate.
National Mall Guide
Confirmed free, 24-hour access to D.C.'s central public parkland.
🗝️ Washington, D.C.'s Secret Places
Three hidden spots — verified against Destination DC's own listings and the National Park Service.
The Big Chair
A 19-foot aluminum armchair standing on an Anacostia street corner — as tall as the Statue of Freedom atop the U.S. Capitol, and a genuine neighborhood landmark most tourists never hear about.
Albert Einstein Memorial
A 12-foot bronze Einstein sits quietly on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences, steps from the National Mall, surrounded by a star map most visitors walk right past.
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
The only National Park Service site in the country dedicated entirely to water-loving plants — free, blooming with lotus and water lilies, and tucked along the Anacostia River.
Things to do in Washington D.C.
SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best city pass for Washington, D.C.?
Are the Smithsonian museums in Washington DC really free?
Do I need a ticket for the Washington Monument even though it's free?
Is there a CityPASS, Turbopass, or Go City product in Washington, D.C.?
Spending 1, 2, or 3 days here?
Discover example itineraries with an integrated Google Maps route and travel tips.
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