Washington, D.C., is full of free and ridiculously inexpensive stuff—you just need to know where to look. Leave it to “The Cheap Bastard” to uncover all the ins and outs and exclusive bargains to be had, and to tell you the real deal with wit and humor.
The Cheap Bastard’s® Guide to Washington, D.C. will show you:
How to gain free or low-cost entrance to plays, films, concerts, comedy shows, and museums
Where to find free or low-cost classes in everything from cooking to winemaking to dancing
Where to find half-price meals and free food—from bruschetta to burritos, salami to sushi
How to get a low-cost haircut, color treatment, manicure, or massage
With The Cheap Bastard’s® Guide to Washington, D.C., anyone can enjoy the good life!
Acknowledgments viii
Introduction: Land of the Free ix
Section 1 Entertainment in D.C.
Theater: Free Speech 2
Volunteer Ushering 3
Always Free 19
Drama Deals: Discount Tickets 22
Music: Of Free I Sing 24
Rock/Pop/Folk/Alternative 25
Jazz/Blues/Hip-Hop/World 29
Classical/Standards/Cabaret 32
Military Bands 37
Summer Concerts 39
Film: Cheap Shots 44
Year-round Screenings 45
Better Than the Book: Movies at Public Libraries 55
Summer Screenings 56
Comedy: Cheap Jokes 59
Dance: Free Expression 63
Section 2 Living in D.C.
Food: On the House 72
Happy Hours & Buffets 73
Free Samples: A Sampling 79
Wine & Beer Tastings: Cheap Drunk 85
Hair & Spa Services: Freestyle 95
Hair Salons 96
Low Priced/High Style 99
Beauty & Esthetics Schools 100
Massage School Student Clinics 103
Children's Events and Activities: Free to Be You and Me 107
Destination Playgrounds 108
Story Times 109
Family Films 114
Arts, Crafts, & Performances 116
Fun with Science & History 121
Zoo 125
Health Insurance 126
Education: Cents-less Smarts 128
Food & Drink 129
Arts 133
Foreign Language 137
Meditation 138
Talking Heads: Politics, Policy, Prose, and Poetry 139
Odds & Ends 144
Health & Medical: Live Free or Die 145
Whatever Ails You: Clinical Studies 147
Safety First: Free Condoms 148
Fitness & Fun: Cheap Thrills 150
Park It Here! Parks Offering a Variety of Activities 151
Recreation Centers & Pools 152
Chi for Free: Yoga, Tai Chi, & Qigong Classes 155
Sporting Events 158
Group Bike Rides & Runs 161
Furniture & Household Goods: One Man's Trash166
A Little Give & Take: Dumpster Diving Minus the Dumpster and the Diving 168
Thrift Stores 171
Section 3 Exploring D.C.
Walking Tours: The Freedom Trail 174
Government Buildings 175
Nature Walks, Historic Homes & Sites, & Other Tours 182
Getting around D.C: Freeways 189
Getting Out of Town 193
Gardens & Gardening: Dirt Cheap 195
Gardening 198
Museums: Free to See 201
Appendices
Appendix A Romance: Sweet Nothings 229
Appendix B Public Libraries: Free Access 233
Appendix C Municipal Recreation Centers & Pools 237
Index 246
About the Author 252
"The Cheap Bastard's Guide To Washington D.C.: Secrets of Living the Good Life-For Free" is definitely an informative guide. This guide contains some extensive details on the various plays, museums, and other events in the area for low-cost and/or free. Before this book, I originally thought that one had to have connections and/or know many people in order to get into some of the plays for free and/or at a discount. Thanks to this guide I now am aware that this is far from the case, and I only wish that I knew about this book six months ago. However, as they say "better late than never". There is something for everyone in this book. For example, I found some good information on the various dance classes (for whenever I feel courageous enough to take the leap). In addition, I found some detailed listings on the various meditation classes and poetry places. The wide range of recreational classes, comedy centers, and tours are also included. This book is great for anyone who is looking for a multi-dimensional range of activities to do in the D.C. area.
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Overview
Washington, D.C., is full of free and ridiculously inexpensive stuff—you just need to know where to look. Leave it to “The Cheap Bastard” to uncover all the ins and outs and exclusive bargains to be had, and to tell you the real deal with wit and humor.
The Cheap Bastard’s® Guide to Washington, D.C. will show you:
How to gain free or low-cost entrance to plays, films, concerts, comedy shows, and museums
Where to find free or low-cost classes in everything ...