My answer to this question… It depends! Of course, I have a favorite time of year – the holidays. I seriously think it is just beautiful in DC with all the buildings decorated and trees around. Don’t stop reading though! I promise I will answer your question in more depth with a perfect time for everyone below.
As someone who has now lived in DC since 2014 (Wow that is crazy to think about!), I get asked often, what is the best time of year to visit Washington DC? And honestly, I’ve had people visit at all different times of the year and really enjoy it. With a bucket list destination like DC, it can be hard to know what is the best time to visit Washington, DC.
So in this post, I hope to answer that question by helping you think about what you want to see and do while you’re here so you can pick the right time of year. There isn’t a bad time of year to visit Washington, DC, but there is a good time of year to visit for you specifically (a little confusing I know, but we will clear it up in the post).
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DC Weather by Season
I love living in Washington, DC, because it experiences four distinct seasons. Each season experiences some of the extremes like heat in summer and freezing snow in winter. Each season offers something special. Below is a little about each season in DC.
Spring (March to May)
Early spring can be chilly, with March averaging highs around 57°F (14°C) and lows around 37°F (3°C). By May, temperatures warm up, with highs around 75°F (24°C) and lows around 54°F (12°C).
Rainfall is moderate, and thunderstorms become more common as the season progresses. I always like to stay, and you can experience summer and winter when visiting in the spring. There are days that go well into the 60s and 70s, but the next week, the temps may go back down to the 40s. Keep this in mind when packing for a trip to DC in spring!
Summer (June to August)
Summers are hot and humid, with average highs around 87-90°F (31-32°C) and lows around 66-70°F (19-21°C). Heatwaves can push temperatures into the 90s and sometimes above 100°F (37°C).
While these temperatures may seem not so hot, it’s the humidity that really gets you. Humidity levels are high, making it feel hotter than it actually is. Visiting in summer means planning a lot of indoor activities, bringing your sunscreen, and staying hydrated.
Fall (September to November)
Fall begins with warm temperatures, with September averaging highs around 80°F (27°C) and lows around 61°F (16°C). By November, highs are around 58°F (14°C) and lows around 41°F (5°C).
Fall is one of my favorite seasons for weather in DC because it rains less and you’ll get crisp, clear days with weather still nice enough to enjoy time outside. Fall foilage is beautiful in and around DC and typically peaks in late October.
Winter (December to February)
Winters are relatively mild compared to northern states, with December and January being the coldest months. Average highs are around 43-47°F (6-8°C) and lows around 29-32°F (-2-0°C). However, there’s usually about a week or two in February that drops below these averages.
Snowfall varies year to year; sometimes, there’s no snow all winter, and other years, we have giant snow storms here, although they are less common. Snowfall averages around 15 inches (38 cm) annually.
If you want to experience a beautiful East Coast fall…
The best time to see the fall foliage in the Washington region is almost always between October 19 and November 2. Basically, every year between the end of October and the beginning of November, the trees become bright fall colors of orange, yellow, and red. There are so many beautiful places around the city to see the fall colors but really, even going around the National Mall will give you the chance to see the beautiful colors.
Fall on the East Coast is truly one of the best times of year. The leaves changing colors, amazing fall foods, farm visits and weather make it one of the best times to visit in my opinion. Plus, crowds are lower this time of year!
More on fall in DC here.
If you want to see cherry blossoms…
On average, the cherry blossoms bloom around the last week of March into the first week of April, but it can also be before or after that period. If you want the best chance to see them, wait until the end of February/beginning of March to buy a ticket. Also, check the Cherry Blossom watch website for the best prediction that year. It depends on rainfall and temperatures so it does change year by year.
This is one of the most popular times of years to visit which makes buying a ticket just a month out more expensive, but the cherry blossoms are worth a visit. Here are more tips to see the cherry blossoms in DC.
If you want to avoid tourists, but still have good weather…
This is a hard one because people are always visiting DC, but in all my years, September is the month with the fewest tourists and best weather. March is also shoulder season, but it is pretty rainy, so I think September is much better in my opinion! Kids are just getting back in school, so you avoid school visits, families aren’t visiting for the same reason, and it is getting cooler, so fewer people are planning their vacations. It’s definitely the best time of year to visit Washington, DC.
If you want discounts on hotels and don’t mind rain…
The beginning of the middle of March, as above, is a great time to visit without crowds but has rainy weather. For this reason, at the end of February to March you’ll find a lot of discounted trips to DC, but you’ll also find a lot of rainy weather. Rainy weather doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying DC though because of all the museums and amazing food you can still enjoy! Taking the metro would definitely be a little harder though.
Bring your rain jacket and boots to enjoy late winter or early spring in DC.
If you love warm weather…
The average summer temperature in DC is 88 degrees Fahrenheit. This doesn’t seem so bad until you add in the average humidity of 40-50 percent and you’ve got a recipe for some hot feeling temperatures. May is better for warm weather and less humidity but it is definitely the high season for tourists to visit.
I do love summer in DC though. There are so many cool events like Jazz in the Park, Pride, and the folk festival on the National Mall. Rooftop pools open up across the city and you can enjoy sipping a cocktail from a pool overlooking an incredible view of the Capitol. I really love summer in DC, even with the hot temperatures.
If you rely on school breaks for your vacations…
As a teacher, it can be hard to find time off to visit that allows you to avoid crowds. However, there are some times I’d recommend visiting to avoid this issue. Coming during the beginning of holiday break, before Christmas or after New Years is a great time to see the beautiful holiday decor all over the city. Another great time of year is right after school ends.
This is a time between school groups coming and before families really begin their vacations. In general, avoid when school groups will be in the city because this will affect lines and your ability to enjoy the city without crowds.
Holidays in DC
One time of year I love the most is around Christmas! DC does an excellent job decorating for the holidays and there are so many places to celebrate Christmas in DC. I also personally think this is the best time to visit Washington DC.
There are fewer crowds in December, everything is decorated, and there are lots of special events that you can enjoy while here such as tree lightings, parades, holiday pop up bars, and special light displays. It’s an awesome time to visit even though it can be chilly!
Now you know the best time to visit Washington, DC. No matter the season or weather there’s plenty to do in Washington, DC and you won’t be disappointed.
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