With the credit crunch biting a big hole out of your travel budget and with the pound not stretching as far as it used to against the dollar, there are many great things to see and do - for free - in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. Here is a hand-picked collection of �freebies�, which won�t break the bank and details of some travel packages with Virgin Holidays and America As You Like It, from �519pp:

Free in DC � Bureau of Engraving and Printing - millions of dollars roll off the press each day at the �Money Factory�, where you can take a free tour. www.moneyfactory.gov/ � Tax free shopping in DC between 28 Nov � 7 Dec. Buy shoes, clothes, jewelry and accessories and take advantage of this sales tax holiday in the city. http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/otr/cwp/view,A,1329,Q,633881,otrNav_gid,1679,otrNav,%7C33288%7C.asp � The wonderful Smithsonian Institution Museums - there are more than a dozen Smithsonian Museums in DC including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History - which reopens on 21 November after a major refurbishment - and the National Portrait Gallery. www.si.edu/Museums/ � Old Post Office Pavilion - the former post office houses shops, restaurants and offices, as well as a magnificent observation tower - which does not have queues like the Washington Memorial! www.oldpostofficedc.com � Arlington National Cemetery - the burial site for soldiers, diplomats and politicians including John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknowns. www.arlingtoncemetery.org � National Arboretum - an expansive nature wonderland and home to impressive azaleas, herb gardens and bonsai collections. www.usna.usda.gov � White House Visitors Center - the visitor center offers a 30-minute orientation film about the White House. www.whitehouse.gov/history/tours/ � National Cherry Blossom Festival - festivities run from end-March to mid-April annually. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org � Lincoln Bicentennial � there are many free celebratory �Living the Legacy� events taking place from January � April 2009 www.lincolnindc.com

Free in Virginia � Historic Mount Vernon - George Washington�s former home - offers free admission on Monday, 16 February - George Washington�s birthday. There will be military demonstrations, and a moving wreath-laying ceremony at Washington�s tomb. www.mountvernon.org � Blue Ridge Parkway - access is free and it celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2010. Harrisonburg, like many Shenandoah Valley towns, is just minutes from scenic overlooks, swimming holes, hiking adventures and biking trails. The Edith J Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens offers miles of walkways and gardens - with free tours and special events. www.HarrisonburgTourism.com � Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk - offers free admittance every Wednesday. Art of Jazz - an all-star lineup of regional performers take to the stage every Wednesday evening in the Chrysler Museum�s Huber Court and play, for free. www.chrysler.org � Smithsonian Institution�s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar - Hazy Center - located close to Washington Dulles International Airport, visitors can walk among aircraft and view those hanging from the arched ceiling on elevated skywalks. Exhibits include the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay and the deHavilland Chipmunk. (Parking fee $12.) www.nasm.si.edu/UdvarHazy/ � Boxerwood Gardens - covers 15 acres and boasts more than 2,000 varieties of trees and shrubs, in the Shenandoah Valley a Play Trail and a nature playground designed especially for young children www.boxerwood.org � Virginia Horse Center - one of the world�s leading equestrian facilities, hosting 90 events annually. The facility offers pristine grounds, scenic views, an Olympic-calibre cross-country course, indoor arenas and almost all events are free for spectators. Visit www.horsecenter.org for details of events. � National Park Service�s Civil War Visitor Center - located at the Tredegar Iron Works, this will hold tremendous appeal for Civil War buffs. Park Rangers are on hand to give directions to surrounding battlefields and Civil War attractions in the region. http://www.nps.gov/rich/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Free in Maryland - the �Free State�

� C&O Canal National Historic Park/Canal Place- A 184.5-mile towpath which follow the route along the Potomac River and connects to Georgetown in Washington, DC to Cumberland in Western Maryland. There are visitor centres along the way. www.nps.gov/choh/ � Frederick Brewing Company - this brewery in historic Frederick offers free tours on Saturdays. 4607 Wedgewood Boulevard, Frederick. www.frederickbrewing.com/ � Maryland State House - the state house in Annapolis is the oldest one in continuous legislative use in the USA and free tours are given daily at 11am and 3pm. www.mdarchives.state.md.us � Covered Bridges of Frederick County - there are three covered bridges located near the mountain town of Thurmont and you can pick up a free map and brochure showing covered bridges in the area at the Tourism County of Frederick County www.fredericktourism.org � Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor Centre - a nesting and over-wintering ground for Canada geese, the sanctuary overlooks the Patuxent River and extends to 2,000 acres of land dedicated to wildlife habitat and waterfowl management. There are eight miles of trails through fields, forests and wetlands are ideal for hiking and bird watching. ($2 per car) www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/merkle.html � Waterman�s Museum - this pays tribute to those who have made their living on the Chesapeake Bay. The collection includes exhibits on oystering, crabbing and fishing. www.havenharbour.com/hhwatmus.htm � Ocean City�s Boardwalk and Beach - there�s no charge to access the 10 miles of white-sand beach. The town�s three-mile boardwalk provides a great setting for a stroll along the ocean. www.ocean.city.com

For further information on visiting Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland visit www.CapitalRegionUSA.co.uk or call 0208 339 6048

Virgin Holidays ( www.virginholidays.com 0844 5573 860) offer three nights in Washington, DC, from �519 in 2009, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow direct to Washington, accommodation at the 3V Washington Plaza on a room-only basis.

America As You Like It ( www.americaasyoulikeit.com 020 8742 8299) offer a seven-night �City Lights and Beyond� itinerary, from �760 in 2009, featuring 2 nights in Washington, DC, 2 nights in Baltimore, 2 nights in St Michael�s and 1 night in Alexandria.

(Prices for both packages are based on two adults travelling and sharing a standard room; includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change.)

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For media enquiries please contact: Eugene Roberts or Kylie Whitfield at KBC PR on 01825 76 36 36 Eugene.roberts@kbc-pr.com / Kylie.Whitfield@kbc-pr.com www.capitalregionusa.co.uk