Best Time To Visit Washington DC

Hey there… Greetings from the District of Columbia, Washington, DC!

Choosing the best time to visit Washington, DC can be difficult, whether you want to see the stunning cherry blossoms in full bloom or take photos on the National Mall 2022. There’s always something to do in the United States’ capital, from a perfect spring day to a calm winter stroll.

If your travel arrangements are flexible, you can visit whenever you choose, depending on your particular preferences.

AND

The great thing about Washington, DC is that it has beautiful weather all year. This shows that a vacation here is a great choice at any time of year. Another good news is that there is enough to do and see in the capital at any time of year.

There’s never a dull moment in Washington, DC, no matter what time of year it is. Review our travel guide information to consider and select the ones that are most relevant to you when deciding when is the best time to go to Washington, DC depending on your priorities.

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Please check the most recent travel restrictions before arranging any trip during COVID-19, and always follow Travel Guidance DC Health COVID-19. Things may alter.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Washington Dc

Every season brings something new to discover and appreciate in the city. To be honest, visiting Washington, DC is a splendid idea at any time of year.

There are two groups of months that can be considered ideal to visit Washington, DC. First is September to November, when hot summer is over in the autumn, and with it, most of the busy season tourists. By the way, Crisp winds and changing leaves are all that’s left, which look fantastic against all those marble monuments.

Another time, Spring (March to May) follows fall as the second most popular season, with the National Cherry Blossom Festival in late March and early April serving as a brief peak season.

A summary of the best times to visit is given below, have a look!

Also Read: Best Time To Visit San Francisco

	Best Times To Visit Washington DC (A Year in Review)
The Best Time Of Year To Visit Washington DC - Ideal Weather	March to May September to November
Best Time to Visit Washington DC for Sightseeing	The best time to visit Washington, D.C. is in the fall. Between September and November, not only will you enjoy ideal weather as well as you'll also observe a decrease in the number of visitors to the nation's capital.
Cheapest Time To Go To Washington DC	Avoiding travel during peak season is the ideal approach to get a good rate. As a result, rather than flying in during the popular spring season, the best time to visit Washington, D.C. is in the winter.
Best Time To Visit Washington DC To Avoid Crowds	A reasonable rule of thumb for avoiding crowds in Washington, DC is to avoid visiting around the early spring and middle of the summer. Fall is a great season to visit Washington, DC because the weather is usually warm until Thanksgiving.

About Washington, DC - The District Of Columbia

Washington, DC or the District of Columbia in full, is the capital and largest city of the United States of America.

It is situated on the east bank of the Potomac River, which defines its southwestern and southern borders with the United States of America’s state of Virginia, and has a land boundary on the remaining sides with the United States of America’s state of Maryland.

In Washington, DC, you’ll never be bored. The nation’s capital is a fantastic entertainer, with infinite museums, award-winning eateries, and historic monuments. It’s no surprise that so many people, more than 20 million to be exact, flock to this political hotspot.

Washington, DC - Travel Seasons

Washinton, DC has three travel seasons based on crowd and activities. Read the detail given below to find which season suits you more to plan a trip to Washington, DC.

High Season (March To June) Best Time To Visit Washington For National Mall Tour	This is the ideal time to visit Washington, DC because of the mild, although unpredictable weather. The National Mall will be crowded, but the moderate temps will make you forget about it. The cherry blossom season begins in late March and draws visitors from throughout the world.
Shoulder Season (July To September) Best Time Of Year To Go To Washington DC For Visiting Museums	The hot summer weather helps to thin out the crowds. Visit one of DC's outstanding museums, such as the National Museum of African American History, the Holocaust Museum, or the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, to escape the heat and humidity. If you're in town for the Fourth of July, the city puts on a spectacular fireworks show.
Low Season (October To February) Best time for avoiding the crowds	Temperatures in Washington often drop, despite being milder than its northern neighbors. However, there is still enough to do. Visit the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden for ice skating or visit one of the city's many Christmas markets as the holiday season approaches. Keep in mind that, despite the fact that it is the off-season, business travelers to the city drive up hotel rates.

Washington DC Weather - Seasonal Guide

Washington DC is a year-round destination with pleasant weather and a diverse range of activities. There’s something fresh to uncover in every season. Here’s a seasonal breakdown of when the best time to visit Washington DC is based on your priorities.

Washington DC has four weather seasons.

	Fall (September To November) Fall is without a doubt everyone’s favorite season to visit Washington, DC. Pleasant Weather & Less Crowd. With so much walking to do and so many outdoor sights to see in DC, the weather is an important factor to consider. During Fall, You don't have to worry about being too hot or chilly while taking in the sights. The falling leaves add to the beauty of the monuments. Furthermore, you will not have to wait in long lines or deal with crowds. It is the best time to visit Washington DC in the fall to see this beauty.
Advantages Of Visiting In The Fall	The main advantage to visiting Washington, DC in the autumn is that it is less busy than in the summer or other times of the year when schools are not in session. However, because Congress is in session in the fall, you should expect to witness government activity.

Fall
(September To November)
Fall is without a doubt everyone’s favorite season to visit Washington, DC.
Pleasant Weather & Less Crowd.
With so much walking to do and so many outdoor sights to see in DC, the weather is an important factor to consider. During Fall, You don't have to worry about being too hot or chilly while taking in the sights.
The falling leaves add to the beauty of the monuments. Furthermore, you will not have to wait in long lines or deal with crowds. It is the best time to visit Washington DC in the fall to see this beauty.

Advantages Of Visiting In The Fall

The main advantage to visiting Washington, DC in the autumn is that it is less busy than in the summer or other times of the year when schools are not in session.
However, because Congress is in session in the fall, you should expect to witness government activity.

	Winter (December To March) For those on a budget, winter is an excellent time to visit DC In winters, Washington, DC is prone to subzero temperatures and snowstorms. Winter in DC has considerably fewer tourists due to the weather. As a result, hotel prices are reduced. You can get a great deal in the winter if you can tolerate the cold by wrapping up and you need to keep an eye on your budget. You could even get to go sledging on Capitol Hill!
Keep In Mind While Visiting In The Winter	The holiday season in Washington, DC is stunning. The lighting of the White House National Christmas Tree is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Another advantage is the city's abundance of free museums. If you intend on going to museums, you'll be spending a lot of time indoors, away from the cold. Winter is the ideal season to enjoy all of the fascinating, historic, and beautiful experiences that the Smithsonian museums, DC sports teams, world-class restaurants, the Kennedy Center, and DC tourism have to offer without having to deal with crowds.

Winter
(December To March)
For those on a budget, winter is an excellent time to visit DC
In winters, Washington, DC is prone to subzero temperatures and snowstorms. Winter in DC has considerably fewer tourists due to the weather. As a result, hotel prices are reduced.
You can get a great deal in the winter if you can tolerate the cold by wrapping up and you need to keep an eye on your budget. You could even get to go sledging on Capitol Hill!

Keep In Mind While Visiting In The Winter

The holiday season in Washington, DC is stunning. The lighting of the White House National Christmas Tree is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Another advantage is the city's abundance of free museums. If you intend on going to museums, you'll be spending a lot of time indoors, away from the cold.
Winter is the ideal season to enjoy all of the fascinating, historic, and beautiful experiences that the Smithsonian museums, DC sports teams, world-class restaurants, the Kennedy Center, and DC tourism have to offer without having to deal with crowds.

	Spring (April & May) Spring is a popular time to visit Washington, DC. The weather is lovely, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival is a must-see event for everyone. This event takes place from late March to early April. The winter's bitter cold has passed, and the flowers are blooming. It's quite a sight to see all of the lovely cherry blossom trees that dot downtown DC. April is the best time to visit Washington DC in the spring to watch colorful flowers.
Keep in mind While Visiting In The Spring	Due to the fact that schools break for spring holidays at different times, the spring break period appears to stretch throughout the spring, which means that many families will be traveling the city. In addition, school field trips are very common in the spring. Because of the better weather, all of the outdoor national monuments are more accessible. The blooms along the National Mall, in particular, will delight visitors. This is, nonetheless, a bustling period in the city.

Spring
(April & May)
Spring is a popular time to visit Washington, DC.
The weather is lovely, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival is a must-see event for everyone. This event takes place from late March to early April.
The winter's bitter cold has passed, and the flowers are blooming. It's quite a sight to see all of the lovely cherry blossom trees that dot downtown DC. April is the best time to visit Washington DC in the spring to watch colorful flowers.

Keep in mind While Visiting In The Spring

Due to the fact that schools break for spring holidays at different times, the spring break period appears to stretch throughout the spring, which means that many families will be traveling the city. In addition, school field trips are very common in the spring.
Because of the better weather, all of the outdoor national monuments are more accessible. The blooms along the National Mall, in particular, will delight visitors. This is, nonetheless, a bustling period in the city.

	Summer (June to August) Summer is hot and packed in Washington, DC. Going to DC in summer, when schools are back in session but Congress is still in recess, is one of the least busy times of the year. Remember that the start of summer is one of the busiest times of the year. The best time to appreciate the water in and around DC is during the summer. You can try paddle boarding in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thomas Jefferson Memorials on the Tidal Basin. Simply visit one of the Potomac River's many waterfront districts and bike trails for a change of pace.
Advantages Of Visiting In The Summer	There are lots more reasons why visiting Washington DC in summer is still a Wonderful idea! Summer in Washington, DC is also jam-packed with enjoyable activities, such as the annual Independence Day Celebration (July 4th). There are also a number of outdoor festivals and concerts to visit. While many free museums provide heat in the winter, they also provide air conditioning in the summer. You will stay cool indoors if you want to visit several museums. Furthermore, hotel rates tend to be lower towards the end of the summer, making it a cost-effective option.

Summer
(June to August)
Summer is hot and packed in Washington, DC.
Going to DC in summer, when schools are back in session but Congress is still in recess, is one of the least busy times of the year. Remember that the start of summer is one of the busiest times of the year.
The best time to appreciate the water in and around DC is during the summer. You can try paddle boarding in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thomas Jefferson Memorials on the Tidal Basin.
Simply visit one of the Potomac River's many waterfront districts and bike trails for a change of pace.

Advantages Of Visiting In The Summer

There are lots more reasons why visiting Washington DC in summer is still a Wonderful idea!

Summer in Washington, DC is also jam-packed with enjoyable activities, such as the annual Independence Day Celebration (July 4th). There are also a number of outdoor festivals and concerts to visit.
While many free museums provide heat in the winter, they also provide air conditioning in the summer. You will stay cool indoors if you want to visit several museums.
Furthermore, hotel rates tend to be lower towards the end of the summer, making it a cost-effective option.

Washington DC Climate- Weather Guide Month By Month

Washington DC weather offers a variety of experiences each month. Here is the complete detail of every month’s temperature and rainfall. Further, festivals and events are included to make your decision easier to visit Washington DC.

Regardless of when to visit the capital city, there will be plenty of adventure and excitement in store!

July	The Hottest Month
January	The coolest Month
June	The Rainiest Month
January	The Driest Month

Washington DC’s Average Daily Daylight Hours

Month	Hours
January	9.8
February	10.8
March	12.0
April	13.3
May	14.3
June	14.9
July	14.6
August	13.6
September	12.4
October	11.1
November	10.0
December	9.5

Washington DC Climate – Monthly Weather Forecast

1) January

What will be the experience of visiting Washington DC in January? Unless it’s an inauguration year, January is a calm month. Then it’s complete madness. Gray, chilly days alternate with crisp, clear days.

Every now and then, it will snow, effectively closing down the city.

January Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
-2	9	28	48

January Events

Winter Restaurant Week
The national holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday (The third Monday in January)
The Washington Auto Show

2) February

What will be the experience of visiting Washington DC in February? In February, crowds gather around President’s Day (the third Monday), but otherwise, it’s time for low-season deals. A number of events help to lighten the gloomy days.

February Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
-1	10	30	50

February Events

Parades and performances will be held to commemorate the Chinese New Year.
DC Fashion Week

3) March

Is March the best time to visit Washington DC Cherry blossoms? At this moment, spring is beginning to arrive in Washington, D.C. Around the 20th, cherry-blossom season which is DC’s tourism pinnacle begins, culminating in the celebrated festival.

The trees are lovely, but you’ll pay the price at higher rates at hotels and restaurants that are overcrowded.

March Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
3	15	37	59

March Events

St. Patrick’s Day
National Cherry Blossom Festival

4) April

Is it a good idea to visit Washington DC in April? The cherry-blossom season continues to draw massive numbers and prices. According to the park service, April 2 is the usual “peak bloom,” so if you want to see the trees at their sparkly pink best, this is the time to go.

April Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
8	19	46	66

April Events

White House Easter Egg Roll
FilmFest DC

5) May

What will be the experience of visiting Washington DC in May? May has more rain than the other months, yet the weather is pleasant.

It’s spring in Washington, DC and It’s a lovely time of year to be outdoors. Because it’s a busy season for conventions, school groups, and university graduations, rates rise and hotels fill up quickly.

May Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
14	24	57	75

May Events

Passport DC
Memorial Day weekend
Broccoli City
Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival
DC Black Pride

6) June

Summer is a popular time for families and groups to visit the nation’s capital because school is out. As school-group visits begin to decline in June, the peak season comes to a close. The cost of a hotel room is still quite high. As the week passes, the temperature rises.

Even though it will be hot and humid, there will be a large number of visitors pouring into the capital. Throughout the summer, there are numerous free concerts and outdoor movies.

June Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
19	29	66	84

June Events

Capital Pride
DC Jazz Fest
National Capital Barbecue Battle
DC Carnival
Smithsonian Folklife Festival

7) July

Visiting Washington DC in July? Even though the days are extremely hot and humid, a large number of tourists visit DC to see the sights. July is D.C.’s hottest month, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. Even though there is extreme heat, Outdoor festivals and activities are a big lure this time of year.

July Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
22	31	72	88

July Events

Independence Day
Citi Open Tennis Classic
Capital Fringe Festival

8) August

Is visiting Washington DC in August a good idea? The heat continues to rise, but the city begins to come alive with the return of college students. As children return to school and politicians take a break in August, this can be a quieter period in the city. This could be the ideal time to get a hotel discount before Congress returns to town.

August Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
21	30	70	86

August Events

Summer Restaurant Week
DC Beer Week
Around the World Cultural Food Festival
Washington DC Water Lantern Festival

9) September

Is September the best month to visit Washington DC? The heat decreases. The fall season is one of the ideal seasons to walk around the city and participate in a variety of activities. The children have returned to school. After the legislative break in August, everyone is in a better mood. Hotel rates have begun to rise once more.

Washington, D.C. becomes a beautiful area to enjoy fall colors and outdoor leisure as the leaves begin to turn.

September Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
17	27	63	81

September Events

National Book Festival
Adams Morgan Day
H Street Festival
DC International Beer Wine & Food Festival

10) October

Is visiting Washington DC in October enjoyable? With beautiful weather and fewer visitors, October is another great month to visit, but business travelers keep hotel costs high. Take a trip across Rock Creek Park to see the changing leaves or attend Halloween celebrations.

During October, when the temperature is mild, around 60 to 70 degrees, all you’ll need is a light jacket.

October Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
10	20	50	68

October Events

Marine Corps Marathon
DC High Heel Drag Queen Race
Howard University Homecoming
Washington International Horse Show
Taste of Georgetown festival

11) November

Is visiting Washington DC in November worthy? In November, the days are getting shorter and colder as winter approaches the Mid-Atlantic region. As the city (and everyone else) prepares for the holiday season, it’s a rather calm time of year.

Warm clothing is recommended because the highs will be in the 60s and the lows will be in the 30s.

November Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
6	15	43	59

November Events

Kids Euro Festival
Veterans Day
Trot for Hunger 5K
The President lights the National Christmas Tree
Thanksgiving Day

12) December

Is visiting Washington DC in December money saving? Whether it’s the big red bow decorations at Union Station or the sparkling National Christmas Tree, Washington, Washington DC looks stunning during the holidays. The city twinkles with good joy this time of year, from Zoo Lights to candlelight tours of historic homes to free Christmas concerts.

Rates are still reasonable as a holiday present.

December Weather In Washington DC

Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Min (°F)	Max (°F)
0	9	32	48

December Events

National Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting
ZooLights

FAQs - Know Everything Before Traveling To Washington DC

What Is The Best Way To See Washington DC On A Budget?

D.C. isn’t exactly recognized for being a budget-friendly destination. The nation’s capital is so much more than a city of overpriced lodgings and fancy meals, with an unrivaled array of free and budget-friendly activities to do.

Below is a list of DC budget travel tips to help you save money when visiting Washington, D.C.

Take a free walking tour of Washington, D.C.
Learn about National Mall landmarks from a park ranger
Visit the Lincoln Memorial
Enjoy free admission to the Smithsonian Museums
Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Take a stroll around the beautiful Tidal Basin
Visit the Historic Ford’s Theater
Take a Tour of the White House
See the rare giant pandas at the National Zoo

When Is The Cheapest Time Of Year To Visit Washington DC?

Avoiding travel during peak season is the easiest way to save money. As a result, rather than visiting Washington, DC during the popular spring season, the best time to go is in the winter. That’s the cheapest time of the year to visit Washington DC.

Takeaway - The Best Time Of Year To Go To Washington DC

Throughout the year, Washington DC hosts a variety of events. When it comes to picking the best time to visit Washington, DC, you have complete control.

On the other hand, each season has its unique set of attractions. In this travel guide, we’ve explained each season, month, and event. As a result, deciding on the best option for you and carefully arranging your vacation will be a breeze.

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