Washington DC Travel Guide, News and Information

Important Things To Know

Currency

Washington D.C. uses the US dollar.

Christmas, holidays, tree, National Mall, Capitol Building, Washington DC

National Languages

Like the United States, there are no official languages in Washington D.C. But American English is widely accepted as the de facto national and official language.

Many residents also speak Spanish and French here.

Time Zone

Washington D.C., like most other US states, observes daylight savings. During this time, clocks are moved forward by one hour, and the time zone is UTC-4.

Climate And Weather

The weather in Washington D.C. has been described as mild and temperate. During the summer, these mild temperatures are accompanied by high humidity. Trust us, it can get a bit hot and sticky.

The spring and autumn months are much more pleasant. They are also characterized as mild seasons, minus the humidity, and tend to last longer than the summer and winter periods.

There may be infrequent bouts of wet snow during the wintertime. However, because the average daytime winter temperatures are usually above freezing level, the sporadic light snow quickly melts away. Sometimes, night temperatures can drop below freezing, causing the snow to become ice again during the night.

When To Visit Washington D.C.

The Conrad in Washington, D.C. (Photo via The Conrad)

We highly recommend visiting the US capital during the Spring or Autumn months, any time from September to November or March to May.

As mentioned earlier, these periods have great weather with less humidity than the warm summer months.

But, if you want to avoid the crowds, you can visit during Winter when tourism is at an all-time low. Winter is also an excellent time for discounts on accommodation and activities since it is considered the off-season.

Best Places To Stay In Washington D.C.

Guests trying new flavors at Conrad Washington, DC. (photo courtesy of Hilton)

Downtown: Downtown is the best recommendation for first-time visitors as it will allow you to easily experience everything D.C. offers. There are many options for accommodation, and you will be within arm’s reach of all the top attractions and restaurants.

Dupont Circle: Dupont Circle is also a central location and a good option for first-time visitors. This combines the characteristics of upscale D.C. with the ambiance of some of the quieter areas, such as Foggy Bottom. You can easily navigate the area on foot and reach other locations using public transport.

Georgetown: Georgetown offers upscale accommodation and access to all the major amenities and attractions.

Foggy Bottom: This area is characterized by budget accommodation and student living. This is a great option for the budget traveler. You can find good deals in May when there are plenty of vacancies in student accommodation and hostels.