Best Time To Visit Washington DC (2024)

When is the best time to visit Washington DC? This post reveals the best times to visit the US capital, from underrated autumn events to Cherry Blossom peak bloom dates. 

I arrived west of DC one winter morning. I didn’t know Northern Virginia would be my home then, but it became my home for a year, then two, then six. On weekends, I learned DC’s heartbeat and how city gusts ebbed and flowed in the heat and cold (mostly the cold).

I never live near a place for long, but DC raised me. I did leave eventually. I moved to Texas and didn’t plan on returning east soon. But in time, I did, and muscle memory guided me through DC’s grid of streets. My feet remembered DC’s morning metro rhythms, busy sidewalks, and grand network of museums.

So, if you’re planning a trip to one of my favorite destinations in the United States, here are my top tips for finding the best time to visit Washington DC.

Before I jump into the best months (and later dates) to visit DC, I want to say this: if you can, stay past sunset.

Sunset watch from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (arrive early as this is a popular activity amongst locals and tourists in-the-know). Once the sun goes down, DC quiets. Soft white hues light big buildings. Washington DC looks ethereal at night. So, when darkness settles in, opt for a night tour (self-guided or guided, take your pick). 

Your only obligation to DC in January and February is to drink copious cups of hot cocoa and wrap yourself in a warm blanket.

DC winters are cold. When December blasts in, temperatures drop from chilly to freezing to below freezing. By February, snow sheets the streets.

But if you love twinkling lights and frosted evergreens, winter is one of the best times to visit the DMV (District Of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) area. Holiday festivities like Zoo Lights and the lighting of The National Tree transform Washington DC into a winter wonderland.

Low season begins in January. Crowds scatter and thin. And there’s a government shutdown potential during this time (in other words, some of DC’s top attractions, like The Smithsonian, might be closed to the public). Here’s what is opened and closed in DC during a government shutdown.

Winter In Washington DC Travel Tips:

• January and February see the most snow (time to bundle up).
• If you’re looking for a geared-towards-kids event, The Spy Museum hosts Spyfest every January!

Spring is the prettiest time to visit Washington DC. Late March brings beautiful buds, pastel petals, and light breezes.

DC springs are short and fleeting, but the Tidal Basin’s Yoshino cherry blossoms are reason alone to visit. And I’m not the only person who thinks so. Over one million people attend DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival, an annual event between the last week of March and the first week of April every year. This year, the National Park Service (NPS) predicts peak bloom will be at the start of the festival, between March 23rd and 26th.

Spring In Washington DC Travel Tips:

• Photo Tip: Visit the cherry blossoms at dawn. The morning hues complement the blossoms beautifully!
• The best places to see the cherry blossoms are at Capitol Hill, by Washington Monument, and right by the Tidal Basin.
• One of my favorite festivals in Washington DC is Shakespeare’s birthday bash. This little-known tradition set up by the Folger Shakespeare Library typically includes live performances and plays.

DC summers crowd the capital. Summer is peak season, but it is also one of the best times to visit.

June weather is temperate. As the days clock towards July, heat rises. But in a swift bell curve moment, the temperature drops again before September. Book accommodations early if you plan to visit DC once the weather warms up (prices double closer to peak).

Summer In Washington DC Travel Tips:

• Every year, the Smithsonian presents the annual Folklife Festival (near the National Mall), a free cultural heritage exposition that lets you travel to places a plane ride away without ever leaving DC.
• Restaurant Week is one of my favorite weeks in Washington DC! Over a hundred of DC’s hottest restaurants offer up special prix-fixe menu prices ($25 for brunch and $55 for dinner). Restaurant Week is a chance to try avant-garde cuisine at a fraction of the typical cost. This event usually happens once in the winter and once in the summer.
• If you’re in town on the fourth of July, head to the Supreme Court Building on Capitol Hill for the best views of DC’s National Independence Day Parade!

The National Book Festival announces DC autumns. Waves of summer travelers have already dissipated when book lovers swarm a patch of DC near the Library Of Congress. School is back in session, and with field trip permission forms yet to be signed, DC feels emptier. Shoulder season has arrived.

Fall is your best bet if you want to spend a quiet, serene, and undisturbed day in DC. Autumn days in DC are relaxing (outside government shutdowns and presidential election years).

And as fall progresses, DC’s temperatures dip. Invigorating chills fill the air. Leaves turn violent shades of orange and red.

Fall In Washington DC Travel Tips:

• If you’re planning on visiting The National Book Festival, make note of the authors you want to see beforehand. Head to their booths early as lines get long (pack a snack, headphones, and water for the wait).
• The National Zoo goes all out during the holidays. They usually have a few evening events (for kids and as the night progresses, adults) around Halloween!

Did you enjoy this blog post on the best time to visit Washington DC? Have you ever been to DC? If yes, when did you go and how was your experience? As always, I love hearing from you!

Disclaimer: The dates of all events listed in the events calendar are accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to change afterward.