Cheap flights to Washington, D.C.

Washington climate

The busiest seasons for tourist activities are spring and summer, in particular during the time when the cherry blossoms bloom and when schools are out for spring break and then summer holiday. In addition, when Congress is in session and from mid-January through June, hotels and restaurants are full of lobbyists, and the streets are often full of demonstrations. Spring and autumn have the most pleasant weather. Summers in Washington are hot, sometimes exceeding 37 degrees Celsius, and very humid. Winter weather is unpredictable, ranging from mild to very cold.

Getting around Washington

Washington is an easy city to get around. The streets are laid out in a grid, with numbered streets going in one direction and alphabetized streets going the other. The city is divided into four quadrants, with the Capitol building centering them all. Most of the major sights are within walking distance, but you can easily take the Metrobus or Metrorail (subway) if you get tired of walking.

What is good to know if travelling to Washington?

• White House tours must be scheduled in advance through your member of Congress. Tours may be cancelled, so check before going. The White House website is as up-to-date as possible, and it lists the phone number for a last-minute check on your tour. It also lists items that you may not bring with you (almost everything); there are no storage facilities.
• In addition to experiencing the beauty of the Capitol building and landscaping, many visitors want to sit in on Congressional debates. To do this, you must obtain gallery passes from your senator or representative’s office; the passes are free. As with the White House, call ahead to check the status of tours, access, and what you may bring.
• Washington is full of historic sites. One unexpected site is the white neo-Federal Embassy Gulf Service Station, built in 1936 to fit in with the elegance of Washington architecture.
• The Washington National Cathedral is a beautiful building located on one of the highest points in the city. Construction began in 1907 and was not completed until 1980. Though a cathedral of the Episcopal Church, it was built for the entire nation, and has been used for services from Jewish to Serbian Orthodox. The grounds are as lovely as the building, with gardens and a lawn where you can picnic. In addition to religious services, the cathedral offers guided and audio tours, recitals and concerts. Music lovers can visit the Cathedral for the twice-weekly lunchtime recitals on the magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ, or attend one of their concerts (classical, jazz, folk) throughout the year.
• There is always something to attend at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. This extensive complex of theatres and concert halls, home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, hosts distinguished visiting performers and provides some free concerts. In addition to classical music and ballet, concerts include jazz, pops, and other types of music and dance.