Best Time to Visit Washington DC: A Locals Guide

Washington DC is a very special place to me, I live just across the Potomac River in the suburbs of this incredible city and have grown used to the wonders this city has to offer. Washington DC has endless things to do in every season, I cover more of this in my guide to Washington DC. Deciding the best time to visit Washington DC is a tough decision, as each season offers something unique. Before we cover the best time of year to visit Washington DC, let’s cover some fantastic things to do here.

What to Do

Washington DC is a city with endless possibilities and endless things to do. Even I, a local of the city, haven’t seen everything. The National Mall is the most obvious thing to do but I won’t go into detail as I cover it here, the same goes for the famous Washington DC museums.

Enjoy a beautiful view of the Potomac River and nearby Virginia on the banks of Georgetown Park, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and hotels nearby. Cross the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge to visit the view of DC, giving fantastic views of the entire capital city. Visit The Wharf, a brand new neighborhood in downtown DC. Commute to nearby Navy Yards to catch baseball and soccer games. Visit the Washington DC zoo for some fun as well as nearby Adams Morgan, known for its food and nightlife.

Getting to these places is easy as a metro connects all of Washington DC and the surrounding area. You can also take a boat along the Potomac River and connect to Georgetown, The Wharf, Alexandria, National Harbour, and Mt. Vernon.

When is the Best Time to Visit Washington DC?

If I had to choose the best time to visit Washington DC, it would have to be in either spring or fall. This is due to moderate weather, beautiful trees, and frequent events. Each season has unique benefits and drawbacks, we’ll evaluate all of these starting with the weather.

Temperature

I always feel like Washington DC has it all, we get the cold and the hot. Neither season is unbearable but the best weather tends to land between spring and fall. Winters have been very unpredictable in recent years. The city normally sees temperatures between 35-45°F for most of the winter but recent years have been the hottest on record. Seeing 60°F days aren’t as uncommon as they used to be, and 2023 broke a heat record at over 80°F in the middle of February.

Generally, winters are fairly cold so pack warm clothes if you plan on visiting at this time. If you’re planning on visiting in summer, you’ll normally find temperatures in the mid to high 80s Fahrenheit. It’s nothing too unbearable, though it could get a bit hot, especially in the afternoon.

Rain

Rain is another significant factor to consider when talking about weather, the district sees around 40 inches of precipitation per year which is less than Olympic National Park but more than most of the country. There is no real rainy season in Washington DC as the district gets precipitation throughout the year. Spring sees the most rainy days while summer gets the most rain. This is due to thunderstorms in summer that dump lots of rain all at once, it can be pretty refreshing and a great way to cool down.

Snow is a factor in the winter months, pretty much every winter sees at least one snow day. Snow has been rather unpredictable in recent times though, with 2016 bringing in 26 inches of snow and 2023 bringing in absolutely nothing. Without further talking, let’s get into the data.

These are the two main factors when considering weather. Let’s move on to other factors that might influence your trip.

Crowd

Washington DC is a city that sees tourists throughout the year, but with that being said, the city does have crowded times and less crowded times. This can affect everything including prices, wait times, traffic, and more. The most crowded times of year normally overlap with events so going at less crowded times means sacrificing certain seasonal and yearly events.

The most crowded time of year is between late March to early April during the cherry blossom season. Other popular times include Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and any other American holiday. The months of January and February are the least crowded and certainly the cheapest time of year. Summers usually aren’t too crowded as long as you avoid holiday weekends. The reason this city gets so crowded on these holidays is because the city has events to go with these holidays. So you’ll either have to sacrifice the events or the crowds, it’s your choice.

Events

Events can include anything from seasonal events to yearly events, and DC has lots of both. Cherry Blossoms bloom between late March and early April and provide a stunning sight, people come from all over the world to see them. Between late October and November, you see the leaves change color which is another beautiful sight to see, especially if you take a day trip to the Appalachian Mountains. The US capital has cool events on July 4th, Labor Day, and Memorial Day to celebrate. Other unique DC events include the Washington Auto Show held every winter, the National Cherry Blossom Festival held every spring, and the National Christmas Tree Lighting. These are just a few of the many festivals held around Washington DC.

Summary

As I previously stated, Washington DC is a year-round city. The weather is nice, events are always there, and the city has things to do even when it’s cold or raining. Overall, the best time to visit Washington DC is spring or fall due to the picture-perfect weather and beautiful trees. I hope this blog post helped in your decision of the best time to visit Washington DC, I wish you a wonderful stay here!