6 Views· 09 September 2022
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT WASHINGTON DC
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In this Washington DC Vacation Travel Guide, we share the things to know before you visit Washington DC. This includes the best time to visit Washington DC, Things to know about Washington DC, the best museums in Washington DC and the typical costs in Washington DC. We also look at how to get to the capital, especially how to get to Washington DC from NYC and then, how to get around Washington DC.
The home of the President and the capital city of the United States, Washington D.C. boasts a number of beautiful parks and historical landmarks; ideal for those interested in American History. There are a few things you need to know before visiting this historic capital.
Best time to visit Washington DC
The best time to visit Washington is during April and May, when the city is full of Cherry Blossoms. March to May and September to November offers cool, pleasant weather with less tourists too.
As with most places in America, July to August is high season for tourists and the city gets very hot.
Visiting in the fall before Thanksgiving is the cheapest time to head to Washington DC and hotels drop in price between Thanksgiving to New Years too but check the weather forecast when planning a trip.
Typical travel costs in Washington DC
Budget: Dorm beds $25 – $50, private rooms in budget hotels begin at $50.
Midrange: Hotels or B&Bs cost $120 – $250.
Luxury: Luxury hotel double room $350+
Transport: Metro day pass $14.50, single ride ticket $3. Taxi rides will cost you upwards of $12.00 depending on your zone and distance.
There are a range of cheap options throughout Washington as well as high end restaurants. There are some good fast food spots but not in all parts of Washington.
Breakfasts and lunches can be found under $10 whilst budget dinners often range between $15 – $30.
Midrange restaurants for two with three meal course will set you back $40 -$70 whilst a high end restaurant averages $60 – $100.
We often found a good restaurant with a wine and beer would be $45 approx.
How to get to Washington DC
Fly – Fly into Reagan National (DCA) which is the nearest and most convenient airport to DC, from here you can catch the Metro blue and yellow lines or a super shuttle/taxi. Dulles (IAD) airport also includes super shuttle or Washington Flyer bus to downtown Washington DC or Baltimore Washington International (BWI) is an airport slightly further from the capitol but cheaper flights may be found to this airport which is also connected to MARC trains that take you straight to Union Square.
Bus – Greyhound, BoltBus, Megabus and Washington Deluxe buses stop at Union Station, where you can then catch the Amtrak or red line to your hotel. Inexpensive fares can be found on a Chinatown bus, which takes you from Chinatown NYC to Chinatown WDC. Buses can take approx. 5 hours depending on traffic from NYC to Washington and prices start from $24 for advanced tickets, again from NYC to Washington DC.
Train – Amtrak serves Washington D.C. with trains stopping at Union Square. This is great if travelling the East Coast with train routes available from: Boston all the way down to Miami.
Drive – The Beltway, Interstate 495 surrounds the Washington DC area whilst Interstate 95 on the major north-south highway can be used to access DC.
How to get around Washington DC
The Metrorail and Metrobus is the safest, cleanest and most efficient transportation to use in Washington. Many hotels are conveniently located near a metro station or bus route and serve the many tourist attractions of the city. Use the Metro map to help plan your route.
We found walking was a great way to get around Washington, taking in the sites and parks Washington has to offer. Taxi’s maybe a better choice for those heading back after an evening out but can be costly if travelling far, as with all cities.
Best things to do in Washington DC
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam & Korean War Memorial
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
The White House
Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress
World War II Memorial
Arlington National Cemetery
The Tidal Basin
The best Museums in Washington DC
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of African Art
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Air & Space Museum
- United States Holocaust Memorial
- National Museum of Natural History
0:00 Intro
0:48 Best time to visit Washington DC
1:41 Typical travel costs in Washington DC
3:38 How to get to Washington DC
5:06 How to get around Washington Dc
5:57 Best things to do in Washington DC
6:45 Best museums in Washington DC
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