District of Columbia - Chickery's Travels

Top 8 Free Must-see Places to Visit in the USA

Who says you have to break your bank to visit new places and attractions within the US?

While the world is still in a pandemic, most people want to delay their international travels, so what’s better than a little domestic vacation within the states, and better yet, full of free attractions and exciting adventures?

Here are the 8 top free places everyone should visit while traveling the United States.

1. Washington, DC

Washington DC is home to world class Smithsonian museums with free admission.

Among the Smithsonian Museums, you can visit The National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum, among the city’s most popular attractions. And don’t forget about all the monuments located around the city commemorating our founding fathers, war veterans, and more. Learn about some of our favorite attractions including great hikes that are easily accessible, yet outside the hustle and bustle of the city.

2. New York City, NY

Despite being America’s most expensive city, you can still find great free places to visit and enjoy. Ride the Staten Island Ferry free 24/7 to enjoy amazing views of the Statue of Liberty, downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City. Another great attraction in NYC is the High Bridge, the oldest bridge in New York City. It originally opened as part of the Croton Aqueduct in 1848 and reopened as a pedestrian walkway in 2015 after being closed for over 45 years.

No visit to New York City would be complete without a visit to the National September 11 Memorial. Located at the former twin World Trade Centers, you can visit the September 11 memorial and pay your respects to everyone who died during the tragedies of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. Keep in mind that admission is free, but you need to book an in-advance reservation.

3. Chicago, IL

No visit to Chicago would be complete without a visit to Millennium Park. Over 25 acres, the park boasts an outdoor collection of architecture, landscape design, and art. Of course, you have to take a selfie in front of Cloud Gate, the official name for the massive, stainless steel structure that’s become Chicago’s signature landmark. It is affectionately known as “the Bean.”

Cloud Gate, the official name for the massive, stainless steel structure that’s become Chicago’s signature landmark.

Another popular free attraction in Chicago is the Lincoln Park Zoo for everyone, including children and adults. From play days at the farm to the seal training event, you won’t be bored for a second.

4. Atlanta, GA

No visit to Atlanta would be complete without a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park. Tour the home of his birth and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds. From there, you can walk or bike the trail that leads to the Carter Center. While there is an $8 fee for adult admission to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, you can always take a free stroll through the grounds to see the Circle of Flags from all 50 states, a rose garden, Japanese garden and koi pond.

Being married to a scientist, I think a visit to the David J. Sencer CDC Museum is a must-do when in Atlanta. You’ll learn about the history of the Centers for Disease Control and how scientists work to crack the cases of mystery diseases. Admission and parking are free on weekdays.

5. Birmingham, AL

Over 12,000 different plants, 25 themed gardens, and 30 outdoor sculptures are spread out over 67.5 acres at the , Birmingham Botanical Gardens. While your kids can enjoy the free science activities, you can visit the traditional Japanese teahouse and a vegetable garden where you can test your gardening knowledge a learn a thing or two along the way.

Be sure to walk the Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail. This is a free, self-guided tour through downtown Birmingham. Learn about significant locations along the Civil Rights march route which are marked with informative signs and maps. Top it off with a visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Admission is FREE from 1 PM to 5 PM every Sunday.

6. San Antonio, TX

A popular stroll in San Antonio is along the city’s famed River Walk. A 15-mile urban waterway, the River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is the largest urban ecosystem in the nation. Tucked quietly below street level and only steps from the Alamo, it provides a serene and pleasant way to navigate the city.

Another great outdoor activity is at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park where you can see the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America. Explore the Missions the eight-mile stretch of recreational trails, pedestrian bridges, pavilions, and portals to four Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada.

7. Los Angles, CA

There are many free attractions to enjoy in Los Angeles beginning with one of our favorites, the Griffith Observatory. Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

Of course, one of America’s most iconic attractions, and not to mention the hub of tourists, is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can’t really visit LA without strolling along the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard.

Finally, stop by the Getty Center to see an impressive European and American art collection, including Vincent van Gogh’s famous Irises. Among other exhibitions, you can also ride the tram from the main parking area to the top of the hill, and enjoy the amazing view.

8. San Fransisco, CA

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. Join one of the twice-weekly free walking tours or explore on your own. Be sure to wander through the Plaza just outside the Welcome Center and follow the pathway into an old bunker that houses some of the exhibits. This is where you can learn about the history, science, and engineering of the Bridge’s construction.

San Francisco’s Cable Car Museum teaches you all about this marvel of transportation. From its inception in 1873 until the present day, you can learn about the inventor, the technology, the builders, the quick expansion, the near-loss, and the ongoing efforts to save and repair San Francisco’s cable cars.

Bottom Line

To travel across states, you don’t have to save for years and tap into your money. Traveling by RV allows you to visit so many fabulous destinations that will satisfy your adventurous spirit while also saving you money.

Who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with the place so much that you’ll want to hire a moving truck and relocate to the city altogether. You can visit Mybekins.com to get answers to all your moving questions.

8:30 am by Guest Post

Cherry Hill Park (College Park, Maryland)

Are you planning a trip to Washington DC and looking for the perfect place to stay with your RV? Look no further than Cherry Hill Park, a true RV Resort! In this post, we’ll explain why Cherry Hill Park should be your go-to destination when visiting the nation’s capital. We’ll cover the convenient location, fantastic amenities, exciting on-site activities, and endless opportunities for exploring nearby Washington DC.

What You’ll Love at Cherry Hill Park

Cherry Campground campground has over 400 full hook-up sites (back-in and pull-through) and offers daily, weekly, and monthly rates.

Cherry Hill Park is located along side of I-95 in College Park, Maryland, only 17 miles from the National Mall in Washington, DC. There is a wide array of amenities offered including DC sightseeing tours that leave right from the campground.

Luxury Amenities: Camping in Style

There are so many amenities at Cherry Hill Park near Washington DC. Amenities include: Fishing Pond, Two Dog Runs, Hiking Trail, Camp Store, Restaurant, Bus Depot, Sightseeing Sessions, Swimming Pool & Hot Tub, Splash Park, Tractor Rides, Summer Movie Nights, Playgrounds, 18 Hole Mini Golf

Cherry Hill Park offers top-notch amenities to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay for its guests. After a long day of sightseeing, relax around the beautiful, heated outdoor pool, or spend time in the hot tub. For the children in your family, Cherry Hill Campground boasts a fun splash pad and two playgrounds. Additionally, enjoy free Wi-Fi, a well-stocked camp store, clean bathhouses, and a café on-site, ensuring that your needs are well-catered throughout your stay.

Cherry Hill Park Activities: Fun for the Whole Family

When you’re not touring Washington DC, Cherry Hill Campground offers a wide spectrum of activities that cater to every age group. Participate in park-wide events like bingo nights, potluck dinners, outdoor movie screenings, and group campfires. In addition, stay active with the various sports courts available, such as basketball, volleyball, and miniature golf.

Prime Location Near Washington DC

Nestled in College Park, Maryland, Cherry Hill Park is the closest RV resort to Washington DC. It’s strategically situated within a 30-minute drive to the heart of the city. Cherry Hill’s location allows you to enjoy the serene surroundings of the park while still having easy access to the excitement of the nation’s capital. The proximity to major highways and public transportation makes planning day trips to the city a breeze. Plus, with so many nearby attractions, you’ll never be short on things to do!

The campground offers guided tours to DC or you can take the camp shuttle to public transportation and explore on your own.

Cherry Hill Park near Washington DC offers guided tours to DC or you can take the camp shuttle to public transportation and explore on your own.

This is the closest campground to Washington DC and all of its amazing National museums and attractions. And once you’ve had your fill of exploring DC for the day, you can relax knowing you’ll come back to an amazing amenity-filled campground. Cherry Hill even offers a dog walking service for RVers who are traveling with pets. So, you can make sure your pet gets some exercise while you are away for the day! And you can check and fill your RV tires for free before you leave the campground air station.

Learn about budget-friendly activities in Washington DC.

Make Your Reservations Today!

You can make reservations on their website or via phone at (301) 664-1762.

Author Bio: Mike and Susan are avid RVers who love traveling, sightseeing, and camping in their RV. In true Maryland fashion, they named their RV Chessie since they live close to the Chesapeake Bay! They have traveled all over the US and Canada and created RVBlogger as a way to share their travels and create the financial vehicle needed to break away from corporate life.

Learn our 3 step process for finding the best campgrounds. Whether you are traveling by motorhome, fifth wheel, travel trailer, or campground this process can work for you.

Sharing is caring! Feel free to share this article on social media or save the image below to Pinterest.

4:37 pm by Julie Chickery

Favorite Hikes near Washington DC

You don’t have to wander far from the Beltway to enjoy some truly spectacular hikes! On a recent trip to the Washington DC area, I squeezed in five of my favorites in three days. Why so many you may ask? I was visiting from the east coast of Florida where the leaves aren’t changing and there is no discernible change in elevation on any of my nature walks (I can’t bring myself to call them hikes). Don’t get me wrong, Florida has its assets. I just don’t enjoy hiking there as much as I do in other places like northern Virginia.

Table of Contents

Fall Hiking
#5 Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
#4 Teddy Roosevelt Island
#3 Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
#2 Billy Goat Trail
#1 Great Falls National Park

Fall Hiking

Fall is my favorite season to hike. I love the crisp autumn air and the changing colors of the leaves. There are usually fewer crowds on the trails too. In fact, on one of the hikes below, I never saw another soul. Most importantly, I don’t have to worry about mosquitoes. The days of getting eaten alive by miniature demons are pretty much over in the DC area, and I didn’t have to lather myself in bug spray to hike. That is until I headed back to Florida after my short reprieve. The mosquitoes there haven’t got the memo. But I digress. Here are the fabulous fall hikes I enjoyed on this little jaunt. If you’re ever visiting DC, consider getting outside the city for a day or two and experiencing some of the area’s natural beauty.

#5 Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia is managed by NOVA Parks. It consists of 95 acres of ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. While the main walking paths are perfect for strollers, there are also plenty of wooded hiking trails around the lakes and forested exteriors. Since 2012, it’s also home to the fascinating Korean Bell Garden, which includes a 3-ton “Bell of Peace and Harmony,” decorated with symbols from Korea and Virginia.

Click on photos to see a larger image or scroll through the gallery.

Since it was not an overly taxing hike, really it was more of a nature walk, I headed over to the next one on my list: Teddy Roosevelt Island.

#4 Teddy Roosevelt Island

Theodore Roosevelt Island is a 91-acre wilderness preserve that serves as a memorial to the nation’s 26th president. The Swamp Trail is a gentle, 1.5 mile trail that extends along the perimeter of the island and offers views of the Potomac. This hike is so close to DC that you can see the the Kennedy Center, Watergate Hotel, and the Washington Harbor Complex through the trees.

If you’d like to add another mile and a half, try the island’s two short interior trails. Make sure you stop in the Memorial Plaza to see the large statue of Teddy and read some favorite quotes embedded in the stone memorial.

#3 Scott’s Run Nature Preserve

Only one mile from the beltway on Georgetown Pike, the Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is a little piece of wilderness saved from urban sprawl. I love to warm up my hiking skills here with the easy jaunt to the falls.

The great thing about this nature preserve managed by Fairfax County Parks is the range of hiking trails here. Some are gentle and wind quietly through forest.

Other trails require hiking up and down precipitously steep hills and cliffs. In many places the trails descend sheer bluffs, and you have to move very carefully down rocky cliffs.

You can mix and match your choice of interconnecting trails on the preserve’s 384 acres. If you want to follow a more established route, try the 2.5 mile loop mapped out here. It hits all the highlights the park has to offer.

#2 Billy Goat Trail

Since this is my year of being adventurous, I had to go back to Billy Goat Trail A at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. It is one of the most popular and challenging trails in the metropolitan DC area. The hike takes you over angled rocks and rough terrain while providing great views of the Potomac River. The toughest part to me is the 50’ traverse taking you to the top of cliffs.

View of the Billy Goat Trail from across the river

The total hike distance is about four miles including the walk back to the parking lot along the toll path. You can add the Billy Goat B and C trail segments to make it a longer 7-mile hike. B gives you a taste of rock scrambling without the fear factor of A’s heights, and C is a nice calm hike with views of the river.

Tip: You can access this trail for free by parking in the lot across from the Old Anger’s Inn at 10801 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD, but get there early if you’re going on the weekend. Otherwise, there is a fee at the Great Falls Tavern and Visitors Center entrance.

#1 Great Falls National Park

Great Falls National Park has some of the best hikes in the greater DC area. The entrance fee is $10 per car (if you don’t have a national parks pass), but it is well worth the view of Great Falls where the Potomac River falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge.

There are 15 miles of hiking trails, but I like the River Trail best because it follows the Potomac River for about 1.5 miles, along the tops of the cliffs. In some areas, this trail runs right next to the edge of the cliff, offering spectacular views of the Potomac and Mather Gorge.

If you look across the river, you can see the Billy Goat Trail on the Maryland side.

Tip: Don’t try to go here after 10:30 on weekends. The line can be up to 45 minutes. Also, I recommend stopping at the Visitor Center before starting your hike. You can get a trail map and watch the short video on the history of the Falls. After leaving the Visitor Center, be sure to take the opportunity to stop off at the three overlooks on your left as you begin the trail. They provide great views of the Falls and river and provide great photo opportunities. Take your time and enjoy the stunning views along this trail.

The greater Washington DC region is surrounded by miles of trails, from well-traveled paths through local parks to hidden gems that cross state lines into Virginia and Maryland. Here you’ll find the best hiking trails from easy walks close to the city, to more challenging climbs in one of the National parks. This fall your travel bucket list should include a dose of adventure and the great outdoors! Easy hikes and nature walks include Meadowlark Botanical Garden and Roosevelt Island, while the difficulty level can vary at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, Great Falls National Park, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. No list of DC area hikes is complete without a nod to the region’s popular Billy Goat trail. #hikes #DC #Virginia #Maryland #DMV

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