Best time to travel to Washington, DC

Whether you're a history enthusiast, art aficionado, foodie, or outdoorsman, you'll find something to enjoy in Washington, D.C., at any time of year.

While there's no bad time to visit, some periods are more crowded than others, and knowing which months are the least crowded will help you maximize your travel experience. Travelandleisure.com has prepared an approximate breakdown of the tourist seasons in the city.

High season: from mid-March to July

Shoulder season: from September to December

Low season: January to mid-March and August

"Winter is a good time to visit Washington if you want to avoid the crowds. The Smithsonian and most other museums are open and locals love to visit the neighborhood. In addition to museums, the capital's historical sites are also usually less crowded at this time of year. January, February and the first half of March are usually quiet, although there are exceptions. If you visit during one of the seasonal federal holidays, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day, or during a special event, such as a presidential inauguration, you can expect much larger crowds than you usually see in the winter," says Susan Sullivan Lagon, hotel historian.

If visiting during the colder months isn't an option, consider planning a weekday trip. Almost any time of year, a midweek trip should be less crowded and cheaper than a weekend trip.

The best time to visit Washington, DC for good weather

Compared to much of the East Coast, Washington, D.C., has fairly mild winters. There is little snow, and most years it is rarely cold. For travelers from colder climates, a winter visit to DC can seem really pleasant. But the best weather for sightseeing comes in the spring and fall. According to Brian Sully, chief concierge at the Waldorf Astoria Washington, DC, April, May and the period from late September to early November offer the best conditions of the year.

Best time to visit Washington, DC for lower prices

Although DC is not a cheap place to visit or travel, airfare and hotel prices vary throughout the year.

"You can generally find lower prices during the winter months, especially from January to early March when tourism is slower," adds Sally.

Fortunately, D.C. has accommodation and dining options to suit every budget. You can also look for more convenient accommodations in Maryland and Virginia. Many border towns in these states are served by the metro, which is the most convenient way to get to DC

The best time to visit Washington, DC to see the cherry blossoms

In 1912, Japan gave the American people cherry trees as a symbol of friendship. They were planted in the Tidal Basin in the District of Columbia, and the annual celebration of their spectacular blooms is now known as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place over several weeks each spring.

"Mother Nature can be notoriously fickle, and it's impossible to pinpoint exactly when 'peak bloom' occurs around the tidal basin. The window is between mid-March and April," says Lagon.

However, there are some helpful resources to help you pinpoint the best dates for your trip. The National Park Service has a handy "Bloom Watch" page on its website that tracks and predicts the peak, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival website also tracks the progress of the blossoms and lists related events.

Whenever the peak of the bloom arrives, you can count on huge crowds to surround Tidal Basin in hopes of getting a good view. To avoid them, Lagon recommends heading to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens in Georgetown, the Hains Point Loop near the Wharf, or Stanton Park on Capitol Hill, all places with stunning cherry trees.

Best time to visit Washington, DC to see the National Mall

The National Mall stretches for two miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol. Together with the Memorial Parks, it forms a green space called America's Front Yard, which encompasses more than 100 historical monuments. The area is open to visitors around the clock and seven days a week, but if you want to visit the Washington Monument inside, you'll have to do so between 9am and 5pm.

"The best time to visit the National Mall is during the spring and fall seasons," says Adrian Renart, Assistant Director of Service at The St. Regis Washington, DC.

"That's when conditions are best for strolling through the mall's expansive outdoor space.

Best time to visit museums in Washington, DC

One of the highlights of any trip to the capital is seeing its many cultural institutions. The museums of the Smithsonian Institution of the District of Columbia are open every day of the year except December 25. Remember that at the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the recently renovated Air and Space Museum, you need to book an admission ticket in advance for the appropriate time. While you can visit museums year-round, some seasons will be better than others. For example, Renart says that January, February, and August are some of the best times to visit.

Worst time to visit Washington, DC

Locals usually recommend that visitors avoid the city in August because it is too hot and humid. But an August visit can save you money, but if you plan one, make sure to arrange lots of activities in an air-conditioned room and frequent water breaks.