Washington, D.C. is a fascinating city located in the heart of American political life. It is easy to stay within a budget when visiting. Even if you are in a>plan, you can visit many attractions in Washington without burning a hole in your pocket (most are free). Before leaving home,make sure you prepare a list of places to visit without hiring a tour operatoror guide. Here are a few interesting price conscious suggestions for your visit to the Capital: 1. National Zoo Your kids will enjoy visiting the National Zoo. There are more than 400 different species of animals in this zoo and it records the highest tourist foot fall. The zoo is located amidst the beautiful Rock Creek National Park. Best of all, admission to the National Zoo is absolutely FREE! 2. Museum of Natural History The Museum of Natural History has amazing artifacts to enthrall both kids and adults. In one visit, you can see a 80-foot dinosaur skeleton, a mammoth prehistoric white shark and the 45-and-a half carat Hope Diamond. Don’t forget to take your children in the Discover Room where they can feel a crocodile skin, check the jaws and teeth of various animals or put on clothes of different global cultures. 3. National Air & Space Museum The National Air & Space Museum is quite captivating with the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world. A family visit to this place with your kids will help them acquire more knowledge on the history, science and technology of aviation and space flight. Try to get the show tickets for IMAX films and planetarium which is shown at regular intervals. 4. Discovery Theatre Your visit to Washington, D.C would be incomplete without going to the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre. This theatre is located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Young children will enjoy the live show that is mainly designed with school-age children in mind. Through puppet show, children can enjoy classic stories as well as the folktales. Storytellers, dancers, actors, musicians and mimes accompany the puppet show. 5. National Museum of American History The kids can have fun while enhancing their knowledge of United States’ history by visiting this recently modernized Smithsonian museum. There’s so much to see including Kermit the frog, the first ladies inaugural gowns, fullsize American trains, Michael Jackson’s hat, Abe Lincoln’s hat, Julia Child’s kitchen,Judy Garlands ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, the first American flag and muchmore. 6. Bureau of Engraving and Printing Money is an essential part of our everyday life but how many of us have thought how the money is printed. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing brings to life the way the U.S. paper currency is being printed, stacked, cut and examined for defects. 7. Glen Echo Park The Glen Echo Park is located near Bethesda, Maryland. This place is charming all year round with different activities including dance, theatre and arts for both adults and children. There are concerts, demonstrations, workshops, and festivals organized in the park. If you visit in between May to September, then you might be delighted to see the antique Dentzel carousel. At the Adventure Theatre you can enjoy amusing performances of the children as well. There are more than a few famous (and free)places in Washingtonto visit ensuring that you save considerable dollars and avoid incurring debt when the holiday period is over. This is a guest post by Christina Jones, a writer & editor with a few financial communities and personal finance blogs. Christina is a guest columnist on many personal finance blogs.