Washington DC on a Budget

Being a college student, personally, I understand what it's like to be poor. Students, for the most part, are always more concerned with how well they do in school than making money for entertainment purposes. When I went to Washington DC over the summer, I was pleased to find out that there is a lot to do in the city; not only that, but a lot of it is free. Washington DC is a beautiful city with a rich history and diverse cultural background. For students on educational tours with financial constraints, seeking a rich educational and cultural experience, Washington DC is a great option.

One free option is The Phillips Collection. This museum is the first museum of modern art ever conceived in the United States. It features several free exhibits for any student in an economic crunch. The Phillips Collection offers two types of tours for Washington D.C. educational tours, both guided and self-guided. After your tour is completed, the tour guide coordinator will be more than happy to suggest some delicious low-cost DC dining. The tours are a little over one hour long and take place in the late morning Tuesday through Friday. The tour group sizes are to a maximum of 50 students plus teachers, and it's strongly suggested you make reservations in advance as tickets go fast!

Another fun, free thing to do while you are in Washington DC, great for all kinds of Washington DC group travel, is to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This museum has great tour options as well that are led by their highly trained research specialists. Your group will certainly learn tons of information about American Art history. Specialized tours are also available at this museum, so if you want to spend more time at a particular exhibit, the museum staff is happy to accommodate you. Tour space is limited, so it is strongly suggested you plan way in advance of any group trip.

For hungry students on a tight budget, there are several great food places around the city that serve delicious dishes at a cheap price. There are two places to note here, first being Julia's Empanadas, where excellent Mexican food is sold for less than five dollars. Another option is Chinatown Express where you can watch your chef make the unique Chinese noodles before you devour them - all for under five dollars.

By Christopher Graham