Skip the summer and visit DC during the colder months

Telling people not to travel during the summer is odd advice on the surface. After all, most people take their vacations in the summer months. The weather is warmer, there are lots of attractions; the list could go on.

However, I think many people may find that visiting Washington, DC during the colder months is more enjoyable.

I’m a local who has lived in DC for the last four years. I’ve explored the city and all the fun things to do during all seasons. Here’s why you might want to skip the summer and plan a trip to DC between October and February instead.

Why You Should Skip DC in the Summer

Yes, summer is when kids are off from school, and adults take their weeks of vacation. So, I’m not telling you to never come to DC during the summer. After all, if that’s when your time off is, and you want to come to the city, book that trip!

However, if you have some flexibility or are unsure about when the best time to come to DC is, I’m here to explain why the summer might not be the best option. My main reasons to skip a summer DC visit are the weather, bugs, crowds, and the price.

Summer weather can be a little uncomfortable

Ask any local about DC summers and you’ll probably hear words like “sweltering,” “scorching,” and “humid.” This last summer was DC’s third hottest on record, with a few days reaching over 100 degrees.

One of the causes of high temperatures can be heat islands, which are common in urban areas due to the lack of trees and more buildings and roads. And if the high heat isn’t enough, there’s also high humidity.

It may be a bit unexpected because DC seems like a mid-point on the East Coast, yet it has similar humidity to the Southern states. That’s because we often get the same air masses that Florida gets, according to a meteorologist’s interview on Axios.

Boiled down, we can have humidity similar to Southern Florida here in the DMV. Coupled with the high heat, thanks to the urban area’s heat island, summers in DC can be a bit miserable outside.

The weather is important to take into account for visitors, who may be spending a lot of their time outside walking from one attraction to the next. The high heat and humidity can be oppressive in those situations.

👉 Travel Tip: If you do come in the summer, bottled water and breathable clothing make the trip much more comfortable.

Mosquitos are everywhere

With the summer heat comes mosquitos. They’re hard to escape in most places. But in DC, mosquitos are truly everywhere. The warm climate and humidity make the city the perfect place for mosquitos to breed.

There seems to be an endless supply of mosquitos waiting to bite as soon as you step outside. It’s especially bad here because DC has the invasive tiger mosquitos. This species is more aggressive and can bite through clothes, making them a particularly annoying pest.

Whether you’re walking down the street or trying to enjoy a meal on a restaurant patio, you can bet mosquitos will be buzzing around you. It can make being outside unbearable. 

I’ll admit that I personally don’t like mosquitos because I have a bad reaction to their bites. So, I have to wear a lot of bug spray when going out in the summer to repel them. However, bug spray doesn’t always stop them.

Unfortunately, the mosquitos just make enjoying the summer a bit trickier in DC. 

It gets super crowded since summer is the busy season

Summer, in general, is the most traveled time of year. With everyone taking their vacations, most touristy spots tend to get a little busier. DC definitely experiences an uptick in visitors!

Of course, DC welcomes visitors throughout the year. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, summer might not be the best time to go. Between June and September, there will be a lot of people, especially Downtown, where many tourists spend their time.

That means more crowds at attractions like the Smithsonian Museums, the Monuments, and on the National Mall. Restaurants may also be more crowded as people try to find spots for lunch and dinner. Of course, locals also find themselves out at this time, so there will be a mix of both.

Spring is also a busy time for Washington DC because of the cherry blossoms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from late March to mid April and draws huge crowds. During this time, there are numerous events associated with the festival that bring even more crowds.

Of course, I’m not trying to discourage anyone from visiting during these periods. But if you want a quieter time in DC, fall and winter are better bets.

Summer is a little more expensive

As with any place during its high season, DC can be more expensive in the summer months. Because of demand, hotel prices can go up, especially if there’s a big event going on. Eating out in DC can also be expensive, depending on what restaurants you go to.

Hotels and restaurants in and around Downtown tend to be more expensive because they’re so close to everything. However, you can choose other neighborhoods to stay in that are further from the city and save a little money.

The costs of a hotel, activities, attractions, and eating out can quickly add up. Of course, you can budget for the higher costs and save up. But, in general, you can get lower hotel prices in January and February and still see many of the same attractions.

Why Fall & Winter are My Favorite Seasons in DC

In my personal opinion, the best time to visit DC is during the colder months. Of course, because of all the reasons I previously laid out, but also because fall and winter have their own charm in the city. The weather is better, there are fewer crowds, and it’s less expensive.

What I love about fall in DC

Fall is probably my favorite time of year, so I may be biased when recommending this season. 

The temperatures between September and November begin to drop without being too cold. Usually, they’re between the upper 50s and 70s. That means you can be comfortable no matter where you’re walking around.

Of course, this is the season when all the leaves change, and it makes for beautiful scenery around the city. I love to take walks on the Rock Creek Park trails during the fall. You can also check out the National Arboretum for optimal leaf-peeping. Both places are perfect for picnics.

Fall also hosts many festivals in and around the city. The yearly Fall Harvest Festival at Mount Vernon is a quick drive outside of DC. Here, at George Washington’s former home, you can partake in 18th-century activities and farming techniques.

I love to take a day trip and go to one of the many pumpkin patches and apple orchards to celebrate fall. Butler’s Orchard, Cox Farms, and DePaul’s Urban Farm are three popular options.

Personally, I love going to Baugher’s Orchard in Westminster, Maryland. It has both a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard for all the fall-picking fun. Plus, the apple doughnuts and cider slushies from their market make a delicious snack.

There are plenty of food festivals and Halloween events to take part in. Congress also goes back into session in the fall. So, if you want to see the buzz of the government, come in the fall rather than in the summer.

And while these seasonal events will draw crowds, they won’t be nearly as large as summer crowds.

What I love about winter in DC

Don’t let the temperature drop scare you away; there are plenty of things to do in DC during the winter. When it snows, the city responds accordingly. There have been snowball fights on the National Mall, and many people go sledding on Capitol Hill.

The District also has plenty of holiday events to take part in. The National Tree Lighting is a fun way to start the holiday season. And there are plenty of light installations to add some sparkle to the season.

Throughout the city, there are tons of Christmas markets where you can do your holiday shopping while supporting local vendors. I recommend going to the one in Penn Quarter, then heading to Dirty Habit’s ski chalet pop-up for dinner and drinks. Or hang out around the firepits at Urban Roast, sipping seasonal drinks and roasting s’mores.

Plenty of restaurants around the city have holiday specials. It can make the season feel magical to see everything all dressed up while enjoying a decadent cup of hot chocolate.

Of course, the benefits of visiting during the winter extend past the holidays. Winter is the perfect time to visit DC if you want to do so on a budget. Hotel prices tend to be cheaper, especially in January and February after the holidays. You can also visit the Smithsonian Museums and other attractions without crowds.

So, bundle up! Bring a hat and gloves to stay warm and explore the city during the off-season. I promise it’ll be an experience you won’t forget.

Don’t Count Out DC During the Colder Months!

DC has so much to offer year-round. After all, locals find fun things to do here during the fall and winter. And visitors should as well. Whether you come to experience holiday magic or explore the city when it’s less crowded, visiting during fall and winter is this local’s recommendation.

Yes, summer is a popular time to visit the city. But I think it’s a little overrated and a bit miserable of a time to be in DC. So, don’t count out DC in the fall and winter.

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Thanks for reading! Want more DC content? Check out my article on the distinction between Washington and DC.