Washington, DC: a 3-day plan and the best time to go

The best time to go

The most comfortable months for walking about are April, May, June, September and October: mild days and less rain. The warmest month is July, at about 87°F (31°C) in the afternoon. The wettest is June.

1. Jan39°67 mm
2. Feb42°70 mm
3. Mar52°84 mm
4. Apr64°92 mm
5. May73°110 mm
6. Jun82°118 mm
7. Jul87°116 mm
8. Aug86°110 mm
9. Sep80°107 mm
10. Oct67°105 mm
11. Nov55°80 mm
12. Dec44°95 mm

Bars show the typical night-time low to daytime high; the numbers are daytime highs in °F and rain in millimetres for the month. Averages for 2001–2020 from NASA POWER, so a given year can be warmer, colder or wetter.

Three days in Washington, DC

Written with AI from public facts about Washington, DC, then checked by Sureno's rules. Opening times and prices change: check them before you go.

Day 1 The National Mall

Morning

National Mall

Take an easy stroll along the Mall and pause at benches as needed.

Afternoon

National Gallery of Art

National Mall

Choose a few galleries and enjoy the sculpture garden if the weather is pleasant.

Evening

Penn Quarter dinner

Penn Quarter

Choose a nearby restaurant and keep the evening relaxed after a full day.

Day 2 Monuments and river views

Morning

Lincoln Memorial

West Potomac Park

See the memorial and its broad view along the Reflecting Pool.

Afternoon

Tidal Basin

West Potomac Park

Follow a short section of the waterside path and take breaks along the way.

Evening

Georgetown dinner

Georgetown

Have dinner in this historic waterfront neighbourhood.

Day 3 Museums and Capitol Hill

Morning

National Air and Space Museum

National Mall

Explore a few exhibits; check current visiting details before you go.

Afternoon

Eastern Market

Capitol Hill

Browse the market area and nearby Capitol Hill streets at an easy pace.

Evening

Capitol Hill dinner

Capitol Hill

Choose a local restaurant near Eastern Market or Barracks Row.

What to eat

• Try half-smoke sausage, a local DC favourite.
• Look for Ethiopian restaurants, a well-established part of the city’s food scene.
• Georgetown and Penn Quarter offer a wide range of restaurants.

Getting there

• Fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA).
• From New York: about 1 h 4 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• From Los Angeles: about 5 h 2 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• From London: about 7 h 35 min in the air, non-stop (a straight-line estimate; real routes take longer).
• The Metro and buses connect many sights. Use accessible stations and buses where helpful, and allow time for walking between Mall attractions. From DCA, the Metro provides a direct connection to central areas.
• Check official US entry rules before booking and travelling.
• The Mall covers a large area; plan breaks, check museum visiting details and consider the weather.

Plan the flight from your city

Where to stay

• Penn QuarterIt is central for museums, the National Mall and many places to eat.
• Capitol HillIt offers a quieter residential feel near Eastern Market and the Capitol area.
• Foggy BottomIt is near the National Mall and has Metro access.

The official Washington, DC tourism siteWhere to sleep, on Wikivoyage

About Washington, DC

Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington, is the capital city of the United States, and its only federal district.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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