Frugal Trips to Washington, D.C. - Time of Year Matters

    In April, when we first decided we'd like to try to make a family trip across the nation to Washington, D.C., one of the first questions was on how to select the right time of year to travel.

    Originally, we were going to sign up for a TeenPact class (not an affiliate link) in Washington, D.C., which is held during the 2nd week of October, but we changed our mind.  We can do that, right?  :)  We decided that instead of spending a lot of time in lecture/classroom situations, we'd rather be out and about, seeing the sites of the city. 

    I'm so thankful we made that decision!  Guess what happened during the week of TeenPact's class in 2013?  One of the joyless government shutdowns.  :(  Shudder.

    In the future, one or both of our girls may decide to take TeenPact's "Back to D.C." classes...but since this was only our second big vacation in our daughters' lives, and they are in 8th and 10th grades, we decided to make it a family affair. 

Kelsi (15), a young George Washington (mid-20s), and Brittany (13) at George Washington's estate in Mt. Vernon

    You may think it would be easy to select the best time for your family to spend time in Washington, D.C.  However, it really depends on what you'd like to do while you are there.

    If you want to spend time in the Smithsonian museums, view the Declaration of Independence, and tour the U.S. Capitol, without standing in lines for hours, you will probably want to avoid May through August, peak touring season.

    If you want to spend Independence Day at our nation's capitol, then you'll want to be in D.C. in July.  You may be miserable with the heat and humidity, but you'll definitely be patriotic!  Summer months are hot, humid, and sticky.

    If you want to do a lot of outdoor activities while in D.C., like kayaking, hiking, golfing, and fishing, then you would probably enjoy the spring and autumn months more.  Spring and fall are very pleasant, with low humidity, comfortable temperatures, and plenty of sunshine. In March, you can enjoy the appearance of the cherry blossoms along the Potomac.  Hotel rooms are at a premium, though, and airfares tend to be higher. This is also a popular season for protest marches.  Graduations in May also bring crowds to the city.

    If you want to see Washington, D.C. decked out in all its Christmas glory, and you enjoy snow and ice skating, then December is the best month to travel.  Keep in mind that January and February has the least predictable weather in D.C.  While winters are generally mild, plan accordingly, as the city often gets several snowstorms each year.  The Presidential Inauguration ceremony, held every four years in January, will also bring out the crowds.  Some museums and galleries may also close for inclement weather such as a snowstorm. If the federal government offices close for bad weather, many area attractions follow suit.

    After reading lots of advice online, we decided to spend time in Washington, D.C. from October 19-26.  Here's why:

• The weather was still warm during the day, but not hot. We had lots of nice sunshine, and only about 18 hours of clouds.  We literally only felt 2-3 drops of rain the entire week!
  
• Humidity wasn't going to be a problem.  Oregonians don't know what humidity is, and we decided that our week in D.C. wasn't the week we wanted to learn about humidity.  Ha! 
• Evenings and mornings would be cool, but we were fine with that.
• We knew we would observe some school groups touring some of the sites, but it wouldn't be overwhelming. 
• We knew that tourist season was officially over, so we wouldn't be waiting in line for three hours to view the U.S. Constitution or The Declaration of Independence.
  
  

    Washington, D.C. is a popular place to visit from mid-March through mid-June, and again from mid-September through early November, although we rarely saw tourists in mid- to late-October.

    Events to consider as you make your vacation plans include the Capital Pride Festival, rallies and other events on the Mall, the Marine Corps Marathon, and conventions. You can see a calendar of upcoming conventions on the DC Convention Center website.  Our last day in Washington, D.C. was the day before the annual Marine Corps Marathon, and the Metro transit system was jam-packed! 

    We were told we'd find the highest hotel occupancy rates and prices during March through September, as well as during the business week (Mondays through Thursdays). 

    Maybe due to the government shutdown that resolved itself three days before we arrived in D.C., it was quieter than normal, but we felt October was a very enjoyable, less stressful time of year to travel around the D.C. area.

• high season: March to mid-June; mid-September to mid-October
  
• low season: July to mid-September, January to February
• shoulder season: late June, November to December

    The Washington D.C. Convention & Tourism Corporation recommends booking your trip four to eight weeks in advance before arriving. Also, last-minute rates can provide good savings, should you decide to take a trip on short notice.

    Plan to spend more during peak spring and fall travel months, particularly during cherry blossom season and graduations. Special events such as the Inauguration will also drive up airfare prices.

    Either advance planning (one to two months ahead) or last-minute sales will provide the best hotel rates. Check hotel company websites to see if online-only prices or sales are being offered at participating D.C. properties. If you're planning on visiting during a major convention, try to book even earlier to make sure you get a decent rate (as well as a room).

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