Travel and Dish

Our beautiful Nation’s Capital is welcoming to visitors and has more free and fabulous things than any city in America. For a complete list of what to do, visit Washington.org. In this post, I’m going to cover basic advice about clothing, style and highlight a few standout experiences. I’ll include images of typical Washingtonians doing typical things.

While we’ve gained attention for having military patrols in DC, they don’t affect visitors much. The National Guard rarely interacts with the public. They will respond if you have an issue, question, or want to say hello.

Clothing Tips for Every Season

COMFORT – The theme is comfort and casual. People do dress up for occasions, but overall, they dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes. Nothing I can recommend is more important than that one fact. If you want to see all the amazing attractions, it takes some reliable shoes!!

WEARING THE CLASSICS -Washington is not the trendiest place, so you’ll feel comfortable wearing casual, classic clothes. For men, consider wearing a collared shirt, jeans/dress pants, and nice sneakers in the evenings. Women always feel comfortable in nice jeans, dresses, smart casual pants, sandals, boots or sneakers. Casual jackets and sweaters are the perfect layers. In January and February, wear a heavy parka. By March and April, it’ll warm up a lot. During those months, a fleece or puffer coat will be just fine.

SPORTSWEAR – Like most cities today, you can wear just about anything. You don’t have to dress up, even at work in some cases. But if you want to, we are all for it! If you prefer your REI or LuLuLemon gear, no one will judge. Walking on the National Mall in the summer, nearly everyone is dressed in shorts and T shirts.

DRESS CODE – Almost no place has a dress code but in some places, wearing something nice will help you blend in with the crowd. For example, if you attend a show at Arena Stage or the National Theatre, you’ll rarely see someone wearing jeans (unless they’re kids). Please don’t wear shorts to a fine dining restaurant. You aren’t paying your respects to the staff who strive to provide a memorable experience. Washingtonians usually wear nice clothes to upscale restaurants.

SHOES – Almost no one wears tall heels unless they’re attending a gala evening or going to an embassy event. If you wear your pumps or stilettos, consider the distance to your destination. If it’s far, please take Uber, Lyft, or a cab. Even for dressy occasions, you are fine in flats, sandals, fashionable sneakers or dressy boots. If you are taking public transportation, like the Metro (our subway system), wearing narrow heels is potentially hazardous. Your shoe could get stuck in the escalators. When I dress up, I wear flats or a platform sole to avoid getting stuck in the escalator.

SHOE CRISIS – If your shoes hurt and you need another pair, you can check out several stores. Visit Macy’s at Metro Center, or Comfort One Shoes at Dupont Circle, Alexandria, and National Harbor. Rothy’s, MAJOR, and Allbirds in Georgetown have a wide variety of options. Additionally, check out REI at Union Market. DSW is available in Arlington, Bethesda, and Silver Spring.

NEIGHBORHOODS – Of course most visitors are here to see the monuments and memorials, followed by the magnificent Smithsonian museums. But to mingle with locals and see interesting array of architecture, spend some time in Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U Street Corridor, NoMa, Navy Yard, or Capitol Hill. Each neighborhood has a distinct vibe, and you will be surprised to find the many small attractions there.

Washington has many lesser known museums, that are even open during a government shutdown. The Folger Shakespeare Library is a niche museum that tells the story of Shakespeare. It also has a an cozy cafe perfect for a rest stop as you explore the museums and National Mall. Other special, yet lesser known museums include Planet Word and Renwick American Art Museum (free). There’s also The Phillips Collection, Anderson House, and the Kreeger Museum. The National Building Museum, ARTech House, and The Mansion on O Street are noteworthy. Additionally, Heurich House Museum and National Museum of Women in the Arts are included. This link has information on some of these.

Springtime (Late March to Mid-May)

Usually peaking in late March, cherry blossom season is our favorite time of the year! But it gets crowded on the National Mall. Still, it’s totally worth braving it. Not only for its unique beauty, but also for the communal experience of cherishing this unforgettable sight. If you have flexibility in your day, I recommend getting out earlier in the day. Most people come to the Tidal Basin after work or on weekends.

After the Cherry Blossom Festival, our dogwood, pear and magnolia trees continue the show. The rhododendrons, wisteria and azaleas begin to bloom. I think late April and May are even more beautiful and the city is less crowded.

Summer (late May to late September)

It gets very hot in the summer and the sun is strong. Fortunately, it usually cools down at night. You can avoid intense heat by seeing museums during the day and taking walks in the morning and evening. That’s what we do.

But hey, you came here to see things! So just slather on sunscreen, put on a sunhat, choose light-colored clothing and drink lots of water. But here’s a crucial tip. Make reservations to enter popular attractions in advance so you don’t get turned away or have to wait outside. Some museums and the US Capitol require timed tickets. Here’s a complete list and links to booking them.

Everyone should slather on and carry sunscreen from spring into fall. In many parts of the city, there is very little shade. The concrete sidewalks get warm. There are fountains where you can cool down, including the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Other locations with mini water parks are Yards Park in Navy Yard, The Splash Pad at 7th Street at the Wharf, and Georgetown’s Waterfront Park.  

As I’ve mentioned so many times, you should plan to walk a lot – the National Mall is two very long miles. So especially in hot weather, you should pack some moleskin bandages. They offer the best possible protection from blisters. This includes prevention and treatment after they’ve developed and they won’t sweat off.

Another thing about a summer visit is that you should plan to be sweaty and sometimes chilled. Warm because of the heat and humidity, and cool because every building is air conditioned. During the summer, it’s sometimes rains for a short time in the afternoon, so check the weather before you leave. You might take along an umbrella, which can do double duty as rain and sun protection.

Check out our many gatherings and festivals in the city. They happen almost every weekend. Enjoy low key neighborhood festivals, outdoor concerts, and events where you sometimes spot celebrities. Do not take a huge bag to any events. Often bags need to be checked and at large sporting events, you must limit yourself to a small clutch or clear stadium bag.

Fall (early October to late November)

Fall is such a gorgeous and less hectic time to visit Washington DC. We have the most beautiful trees, in fact we are called Tree City. It usually stays warmish all fall and peak foliage color is usually in late October into mid November. So, it’s an ideal time for walking and especially visiting our many parks, hiking trails and stopping in museums. Here you can transition to comfortable boots. Athletic wear is great for walking on the C&O Canal. Outdoor dining remains very much possible throughout the fall. For a complete guide to the best parks and hiking trails, check out my book 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Washington DC.

The weather is unpredictable in the fall. It’s also breezy. So even on a warm day, you might feel a bit chilly. Be sure to LAYER! A jacket or fleece is essential in the fall (my husband doesn’t conform but believe me, he sometimes regrets it). I personally love wearing a scarf which can really warm you up when needed and is easy to carry.

Winter (early December to early-March)

Winter usually arrives in late November and by December you need to bundle up. I would wear a fleece or puffer coat, hat and gloves. We occasionally have snow in late December (which is very pretty with all the lights) For January and February, I would wear a wind-and water resistant parka. It can be mild or bitter cold, windy and icy. But often by February, the weather warms up and is very comfortable. One thing you can count on is blustery wind. I’m cold sensitive so I usually wear a warm layer under my clothes so I can enjoy the day without getting a chill.

Washington is so much fun during the holidays. We have several holiday markets that feature local artists and food purveyors. You can catch a classic show such as A Christmas Carol or Swan Lake. The most important thing to see is the National Christmas Tree in Presidents Park. The National Park Service also lights a giant Menorah and every state decorates a tree. Here’s a list of light installations and events from WashingtonDC.org

Shopping for Clothes and More

Washington DC has incredible shopping, from haute designers, luxury retailers, vintage boutiques, handmade creations to the top brands. Save room in suitcase if you love bringing home something special for your wardrobe.

While Georgetown has independent boutiques and exclusive, international chains, there’s also great shopping at City Center DC (near the Convention Center) with an amazing lineup of designer stores. In Virginia, Tysons Galleria in McLean is an upscale mall with the biggest selection of luxury retailers under one roof. You can get lost in the huge and vibrant Tysons Corner Center with its plethora of options. If you’re in Maryland, check out Westfield Montgomery. If you love vintage shopping or unique boutiques, take a walk down U Street NW or around DuPont Circle. Bargain hungers, check out Marshalls (Metro Center) and TJ Maxx (Georgetown).

If you want the best selection of souvenirs from your special vacation, my favorite store is Shop Made in DC and all the museum shops. Of those museum shops, visit the new People’s House. You can find gifts like an official White House ornament. They also offer other historic Presidential and DC-themed merchandise. I also love the National Gallery of Art bookstore for that artsy and jewelry lover. The National Air and Space Museum is perfect for flight-related gifts. The National Building Museum offers architectural-themed items. Every museum sells unique merchandise that helps support their mission and are really fun to peruse. For inexpensive and timely items, check out White House Gifts on 15th Street.

If you’re looking for insider’s information on visiting Washington DC, check out my guidebook, The Unofficial Guide to Washington DC.

I can’t wait to see you!