Population:                  572,059

Land Area:                   61.4 square miles

Location:                     Washington DC, the capitol of the United States, is located on the eastern seaboard of the country within the District of Columbia, an area bordering the state of Maryland. It is bounded on one side by the Potomac River and on the side by the state of Maryland. 

Time Zone:                  Washington DC is located in the Eastern Time Zone (when it’s noon in Washington, it’s 11am in Chicago and 9am in Los Angeles).  Washington DC observes Daylight Savings Time April – October.   

Weather:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average temp. (°F)

34.0

36.9

45.2

54.9

64.7

73.5

78.2

76.5

69.3

57.4

47.5

38.5

High temperature (°F)

43.0

46.8

55.8

66.6

76.0

84.4

88.8

87.1

80.1

68.8

57.9

47.6

Low temperature (°F)

24.9

27.1

34.5

43.3

53.4

62.6

67.7

65.9

58.5

45.8

36.9

29.3

Precipitation (in)

3.5

2.8

3.9

3.2

4.2

3.5

4.1

3.8

4.0

3.4

3.3

3.2

Climate:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Days with precip.

10

9

11

10

11

10

10

9

8

7

8

9

Wind speed (mph)

10.0

10.3

10.9

10.5

9.3

8.9

8.3

8.1

8.3

8.7

9.4

9.6

Morning humidity (%)

71

71

70

70

75

76

76

80

82

80

76

72

Afternoon humidity (%)

56

53

50

49

53

53

53

55

56

54

54

57

Sunshine (%)

46

50

55

57

58

64

62

62

61

59

51

46

Days clear of clouds

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

9

10

11

8

8

Partly cloudy days

7

7

8

9

10

11

12

10

8

8

8

7

Cloudy days

16

15

15

14

14

11

12

12

12

12

14

16

Snowfall (in)

5.5

5.1

2.3

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.8

2.9

Local Seasons:

The most comfortable times to visit Washington DC are in during the spring and fall.  Spring is the time for a visual extravaganza with cherry blossoms in bloom and all that nature has in store for the season.  Temperatures average in the mid-50s in April and in the mid-60s in May.  Fall brings a whole new look to the city.  With the average temperatures dropping to the 60s in September, the 50s in October, and the 40s in November, visitors get to experience a wide array of colors as the leaves turn in preparation for winter. Summer is the most popular time of year when tourists from around the world visit the city. With high temperatures in the mid-80’s June, July and August and evenings in the 60’s, it’s the perfect time to experience the city and its surrounding sites.  From December through March a visitor may experience the sight of snow falling. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 34 degrees and highs in the mid-40’s and lows averaging 25. 

How to Get There

By Car

Washington is circled by the Capital Beltway, formed by Interstates I-495 and I-95. Interstate 66 leads from Washington west to Virginia. Interstate 50 heads east to Annapolis, MD, the Chesapeake Bay and the beaches. Interstate 95 heads north to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. Interstate 270 heads north to Frederick, MD, and beyond.

By Air 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 44 Canal Center Plaza Alexandria, VA 22314 703-417-8000 Only minutes from downtown and located south of the city along the Potomac River, the airport is served by a full range of domestic flights on major, regional and commuter carriers.

Washington Dulles International Airport 45020 Aviation Dr. Sterling, VA 20166 703-572-2700 Located 26 miles west of Washington, DC and offering a full range of domestic and international flights.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

301-261-1000 or 800 I FLY-BWI Located 30 miles east of Washington, DC and offering a full range of domestic and international flights.

Ground Transportation

All of the major car rental companies have locations at the airports as well as throughout the city.  Taxis are also readily available.

By Train:

Amtrak

50 Massachusetts Ave NE Union Station Washington, DC 20002

800-USA-RAIL

By Bus:

Greyhound

1005 1ST ST NE Washington, DC 20002

202-289-5160

Getting Around:

Metrorail and Metrobus

202- 637-7000

Metrorail and Metrobus provide the safest, cleanest and most efficient way of getting around Washington, DC and the metropolitan suburbs. Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect the District with the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Train lines are named for colors: Red, yellow, blue, green, and orange. Station entrances are marked by brown pylons, capped with the letter “M” and colored stripes indicate which lines are available. Route maps are posted at each station and inside each subway car.

National Holidays:

New Year’s Day, January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January

President’ Day, the third Monday in February

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, the first Monday in September

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25