Just got back home from DC, stayed at the Mayflower in downtown. I'm definitely going back, too much stuff to do and see. I can barely walk today, the pain is excruciating. Walking is everything in DC.
I have lived in Silver Spring for 10 years, and one thing I love about this area is how mild the weather is year-round. Its pretty hot in the summer but only really unbearable for a few weeks-2 months max. It only snows about 3-5 times a year which is super nice (coming from Update NY). You're right that layers are necessary for Spring and Fall you can never know if it will turn into a super hot or chilly day. Good walking shoes are essential because along with the long and flat mall and endless museums the city is actually pretty hilly and can turn into a hike fast.
It was very hot in August when we paid you a visit. I personally found a bigger hat better to cover my face and neck from burning. My wife regularly used an umbrella to protect from the sun, but wishes she’d had a hat rather than the umbrella on some occasions. The 3 of us wore t-shirt and shorts all week for our visit and felt very comfortable all day, but we did jump in and out of the museums to get some A/C too Some great tips in this video Rob, thank you!
Hey Rob, very good video! I think we should highlight something in your video about Spring/Fall clothing. Notice that Rob has zippers on his hoodie and jacket. The weather changes so fast on the fly and its a pain to pull off a non zipper hoody. Also my go-to for warm clothes in the winter is Uniqlo Heat Tech. They do orders online but also have a store in Tyson's Corner in the suburbs of DC. In my 6 years of living here I've never seen it get worse than -8C / 17F in the winter, but it pays to be prepared and everyone reacts to the cold differently.
In the month I’ve been living here, I’ve been surprised by sudden rain showers. It can be a nice sunny day, and then it starts pouring heavily, only for the sun to come out again shortly after. My advice: bring a poncho. It’s lightweight, cheap, and can save your vacation.
I’ve been to DC several times and love every single time that I go. Personally I mostly wear jeans and a T-shirt but I always bring a lightweight bomber jacket with me if I’m going in spring or fall so that way if it gets too hot I can just carry it and it wont be a problem. In the winter I normally just wear either a pea coat or an overcoat
Awesome videos Rob, I come there every year for Christmas and New Years but I know to have layers, plus I work in a cooler so I've learned to dress warm even though I live in Los Angeles
I live in Michigan and have visited DC in all 4 seasons. I would say that if you live in a northern climate like Michigan, DC will be very similar but the winter will be a little less cold and snowy, and the summer a little more hot. Your advice about shoes is essential. And I like the added advice about air conditioning in the summer.
And a year later, on the same date, it could be chilly and miserable. You literally never know what is going to happen weather wise here. Definitely always check the extended weather forecast when you are planning a trip to the DCA. These past two weeks in mid-August, we have had lovely, cool, pleasant weather. Normally, it would be hot, (90 F/32 c) muggy and buggy, which it will be next week. But this past couple of weeks it was amazing. We had nights under 60 F (15 c)! Great sleeping weather and the windows open all day!
I've been a dogwalker in the DCA for the past six years. I wear layers ALL YEAR ROUND. On hot days, I wear heat-shedding fabrics like Armachillo and Cool-wear. I wear hats every day to protect my skin and hair from the sun, usually a baseball cap. In every season but the hottest, I cover my arms and legs to protect myself from mosquitos and even wear a bug net over my hat. I have to wear compression stockings, which are about as much fun and attractive as they sound, but they do keep the mosquitos off of my ankles. Every single day, I wear a fishing-type vest with lots of pockets. I wear it so I don't forget in which coat pocket I left my car keys and so my favorite jacket's pockets aren't always filled with dog treats, but you might want to have a lot of pockets because some venues like museums or historical sites do not allow you to bring in a back pack or a larger bag. So if you are going to have to check your bag, you want to be able to keep your essentials like your phone, sunglasses, keys, essential medication, and wallet on your body and not off in a locker somewhere. The same goes for strollers. In certain museums and historical sites, you will have to park your stroller and carry your kid, so you might want a baby carrier back pack. In the cold, I wear a long-sleeved t-shirt, a short-sleeved tee shirt over that, and then a light jacket and a fleece vest over top. I have a roomy high-quality rain jacket that I can wear for all four seasons which goes over all of my layers even on the coldest winter days. I also endorse gloves, ear bands, and hand and foot warmers. I used my hand warmers maybe once last winter, but all winter long the year before. I don't wear boots either because I can't risk having them rub my heels and giving me blisters. I wear water-proof shoes in the rain and walking sandals in the heat...with socks year round. I wear athletic wear year round because I don't want my regular clothes to get all sweaty, doggy, and stinky.
We are coming to DC in a couple weeks. I always take dollar tree disposable ponchos, dollar tree stretch gloves, and flat mini umbrellas with me when I travel. I usually go to Disney so take a poncho for each day and since we like going in the spring or late fall, the dollar tree gloves. I once lost a glove at Disney and that kind of shot the whole pair. They were expensive and my favorite gloves :( A crushable hat is great for sun but not sure I will bring one to DC because of security at museums and I hate carrying a bag.
Luckily the last 2 winters, we've not had the polar vortex bringing freezing cold weather to DC. Don't know what weather will have this winter, but the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts it will be a cold and snowy winter here
Hi thanks for your videos, I am planning a spring trip. I have 2 questions unrelated to the weather, if I may…First, is the White House only doing tours on certain days (I read Thursday and Fridays but not sure if this is still the case) and 2 Is the FBI experience open for tours at all? Thanks in advance, this trip is a LOT of planning :)
1. WH tours are not every day right now but anything could change by next spring. 2. The FBI Experience is not currently open. Again could change by next spring.
With only one escalator working at Capitol South since the 2 others are being replaced, you have to walk down about 100 steps into the station because Metro won't turn it the down direction in the afternoon, leaving it up all day long
What about non-clothing items to have with you in DC? You recommend carrying an umbrella. Do you recommend having a small backpack or something to keep your belongings in? If so, does this cause hassles at museums, etc.? That is, are you allowed to keep your bag with you most places, as long as you've gone through security and didn't have anything prohibited in the bag?
You are right on about shoes. Even your most comfortable sandals will kill your feet in DC. (Interesting that you don’t like boots but are willing to carry an umbrella every day of the year…)
Key difference is that rain comes often in short bursts so carrying an umbrella is helpful for that. Hard to swap in boots during a downpour and back out when it's over.
Just got back home from DC, stayed at the Mayflower in downtown. I'm definitely going back, too much stuff to do and see. I can barely walk today, the pain is excruciating. Walking is everything in DC.
Yes it is
I have lived in Silver Spring for 10 years, and one thing I love about this area is how mild the weather is year-round. Its pretty hot in the summer but only really unbearable for a few weeks-2 months max. It only snows about 3-5 times a year which is super nice (coming from Update NY). You're right that layers are necessary for Spring and Fall you can never know if it will turn into a super hot or chilly day. Good walking shoes are essential because along with the long and flat mall and endless museums the city is actually pretty hilly and can turn into a hike fast.
and we rarely get super cold in the winter (only when a polar vortex drops down, which doesn't happen very often)
I think you nailed it, Rachel!
Thank you for the tips. Finally visiting for the first time next month! So excited!
Have fun!
It was very hot in August when we paid you a visit. I personally found a bigger hat better to cover my face and neck from burning. My wife regularly used an umbrella to protect from the sun, but wishes she’d had a hat rather than the umbrella on some occasions.
The 3 of us wore t-shirt and shorts all week for our visit and felt very comfortable all day, but we did jump in and out of the museums to get some A/C too
Some great tips in this video Rob, thank you!
Thanks for the report. You actually came during some of the nicest August weather you will ever see here 😂
Hey Rob, very good video! I think we should highlight something in your video about Spring/Fall clothing. Notice that Rob has zippers on his hoodie and jacket. The weather changes so fast on the fly and its a pain to pull off a non zipper hoody. Also my go-to for warm clothes in the winter is Uniqlo Heat Tech. They do orders online but also have a store in Tyson's Corner in the suburbs of DC. In my 6 years of living here I've never seen it get worse than -8C / 17F in the winter, but it pays to be prepared and everyone reacts to the cold differently.
I wore Slip Grip shoes for comfort and to keep from slipping on marble steps.
In the month I’ve been living here, I’ve been surprised by sudden rain showers. It can be a nice sunny day, and then it starts pouring heavily, only for the sun to come out again shortly after. My advice: bring a poncho. It’s lightweight, cheap, and can save your vacation.
I’ve been to DC several times and love every single time that I go. Personally I mostly wear jeans and a T-shirt but I always bring a lightweight bomber jacket with me if I’m going in spring or fall so that way if it gets too hot I can just carry it and it wont be a problem. In the winter I normally just wear either a pea coat or an overcoat
Good strategy
Awesome videos Rob, I come there every year for Christmas and New Years but I know to have layers, plus I work in a cooler so I've learned to dress warm even though I live in Los Angeles
I live in Michigan and have visited DC in all 4 seasons. I would say that if you live in a northern climate like Michigan, DC will be very similar but the winter will be a little less cold and snowy, and the summer a little more hot. Your advice about shoes is essential. And I like the added advice about air conditioning in the summer.
Some of those places really crank up the AC!
Thank you for your video. Do you bring a poncho for thunderstorms? or rely on an umbrella?
I visited in early October and it was in the 70's so I still dressed like summer.
October can still be warm at times
And a year later, on the same date, it could be chilly and miserable. You literally never know what is going to happen weather wise here. Definitely always check the extended weather forecast when you are planning a trip to the DCA. These past two weeks in mid-August, we have had lovely, cool, pleasant weather. Normally, it would be hot, (90 F/32 c) muggy and buggy, which it will be next week. But this past couple of weeks it was amazing. We had nights under 60 F (15 c)! Great sleeping weather and the windows open all day!
I've been a dogwalker in the DCA for the past six years. I wear layers ALL YEAR ROUND. On hot days, I wear heat-shedding fabrics like Armachillo and Cool-wear. I wear hats every day to protect my skin and hair from the sun, usually a baseball cap. In every season but the hottest, I cover my arms and legs to protect myself from mosquitos and even wear a bug net over my hat. I have to wear compression stockings, which are about as much fun and attractive as they sound, but they do keep the mosquitos off of my ankles. Every single day, I wear a fishing-type vest with lots of pockets. I wear it so I don't forget in which coat pocket I left my car keys and so my favorite jacket's pockets aren't always filled with dog treats, but you might want to have a lot of pockets because some venues like museums or historical sites do not allow you to bring in a back pack or a larger bag. So if you are going to have to check your bag, you want to be able to keep your essentials like your phone, sunglasses, keys, essential medication, and wallet on your body and not off in a locker somewhere. The same goes for strollers. In certain museums and historical sites, you will have to park your stroller and carry your kid, so you might want a baby carrier back pack. In the cold, I wear a long-sleeved t-shirt, a short-sleeved tee shirt over that, and then a light jacket and a fleece vest over top. I have a roomy high-quality rain jacket that I can wear for all four seasons which goes over all of my layers even on the coldest winter days. I also endorse gloves, ear bands, and hand and foot warmers. I used my hand warmers maybe once last winter, but all winter long the year before. I don't wear boots either because I can't risk having them rub my heels and giving me blisters. I wear water-proof shoes in the rain and walking sandals in the heat...with socks year round. I wear athletic wear year round because I don't want my regular clothes to get all sweaty, doggy, and stinky.
We are coming to DC in a couple weeks. I always take dollar tree disposable ponchos, dollar tree stretch gloves, and flat mini umbrellas with me when I travel. I usually go to Disney so take a poncho for each day and since we like going in the spring or late fall, the dollar tree gloves. I once lost a glove at Disney and that kind of shot the whole pair. They were expensive and my favorite gloves :( A crushable hat is great for sun but not sure I will bring one to DC because of security at museums and I hate carrying a bag.
Thank you
Luckily the last 2 winters, we've not had the polar vortex bringing freezing cold weather to DC. Don't know what weather will have this winter, but the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts it will be a cold and snowy winter here
Hi. Hope you can also make a video of which area is best for shopping.
Georgetown is the best shopping destination ua-cam.com/video/Z1Y8WN8RQ-o/v-deo.html
Hi thanks for your videos, I am planning a spring trip. I have 2 questions unrelated to the weather, if I may…First, is the White House only doing tours on certain days (I read Thursday and Fridays but not sure if this is still the case) and 2 Is the FBI experience open for tours at all? Thanks in advance, this trip is a LOT of planning :)
1. WH tours are not every day right now but anything could change by next spring. 2. The FBI Experience is not currently open. Again could change by next spring.
Weather in NC is like this
I bet.
Visiting October 14 -17
Have fun!
With only one escalator working at Capitol South since the 2 others are being replaced, you have to walk down about 100 steps into the station because Metro won't turn it the down direction in the afternoon, leaving it up all day long
I agree that things you wear should be purchased at a store and not online
When will the covid restrictions be removed from DC , Rob ?
What about non-clothing items to have with you in DC? You recommend carrying an umbrella. Do you recommend having a small backpack or something to keep your belongings in? If so, does this cause hassles at museums, etc.? That is, are you allowed to keep your bag with you most places, as long as you've gone through security and didn't have anything prohibited in the bag?
Check out ua-cam.com/video/11cNR-I6L54/v-deo.html
Tip: put your umbrella into your big reusable water bottle to save room when packing
You are right on about shoes. Even your most comfortable sandals will kill your feet in DC. (Interesting that you don’t like boots but are willing to carry an umbrella every day of the year…)
Key difference is that rain comes often in short bursts so carrying an umbrella is helpful for that. Hard to swap in boots during a downpour and back out when it's over.
I don't like wearing turtlenecks