United States, North America

Washington, DC in August

Congress leaves and so should you, unless you love steamy monument walks. Museums are air-conditioned refuges but lines stay long.

Think twiceHot and humid, highs near 88F (31C)

Washington Monument over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — Washington, DCPhoto: G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting Washington, DC. Congress leaves and so should you, unless you love steamy monument walks. Museums are air-conditioned refuges but lines stay long.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What August is like in Washington, DC

August is hot and humid, with highs near 88F (31C). Congress leaves town, and many locals do too. Museums are air-conditioned refuges, but lines stay long with summer families. Walking between the monuments is sticky and tiring in the afternoons, and thunderstorms are common. Prices do dip a little from July, and the city feels a bit emptier with Congress away.

This month is best avoided unless summer is your only window. If you come, see the monuments early or after dark, and spend afternoons in the museums. September is much more comfortable and far less crowded.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Washington, DC this month.

Monuments after dark

The memorials are open 24 hours. Visiting the Lincoln and Korean War memorials at night is cooler and very striking.

Free museums all day

The Smithsonian and the National Gallery are free and cool, perfect for hot afternoons.

Early mornings at Arlington

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a powerful sight, and mornings are cooler.

What to pack for August

Light, breathable clothes
A refillable water bottle
Sunscreen and a hat
A compact umbrella

Our timing tip

Do your outdoor sightseeing before 10am or after 7pm, and save the museums for the hot middle of the day.

Book Washington, DC for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Washington, DC
Opens a hotel search for Washington, DC in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
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Vacation rentals in Washington, DC
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in Washington, DC
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Washington, DC for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
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Things to do in Washington, DC

Full guide

The National Mall monuments

Do Lincoln, the Vietnam Wall, and the Korean Memorial at sunrise or after dark. Distances are longer than they look; the loop is several miles on foot.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Smithsonian Air and Space and Natural History

The two biggest kid magnets. Free timed passes are required at some Smithsonian museums in busy season; check before you go.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tidal Basin and the cherry trees

In bloom week, go at sunrise. By 10am it is shoulder to shoulder. Off season it is a lovely, quiet waterside walk.

Tickets and tours →

National Gallery of Art

A world-class collection, free, and usually calmer than the Smithsonian giants. The sculpture garden fountain becomes an ice rink in winter.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The Capitol and Library of Congress

Book Capitol tours ahead through your representative or the visitor center. The Library's Great Hall is the most beautiful room in the city.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arlington National Cemetery

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier runs year-round. Give it a half day and wear walking shoes; the grounds are hilly.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For blossoms without the crush, hit the Tidal Basin at sunrise, or see the same trees with a fraction of the people at the National Arboretum and around East Potomac Park.
School groups dominate weekday mornings from March through early June. Flip your day: monuments and neighborhoods in the morning, museums after 2pm when the buses leave.
September and October give you April's weather with a third of April's people. If bloom is not the point, this is the trade to make.
Do the monuments after dark. They are lit, open 24 hours, cooler in summer, and the tour-bus waves are gone by 9pm.

Know before you go

DC is a genuine year-round city. The Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery are open nearly every day of the year, typically closing only December 25.
The outdoor monuments and memorials never close: they are open 24 hours a day, every day, with rangers on duty at the major sites during the day and evening.
Peak bloom is not schedulable. The trees peak for roughly a week, sometime between late March and mid April depending on the year, and a warm or cold snap can move it. Book refundable rooms if bloom is the whole mission.
A federal government shutdown, when one happens, can shutter the Smithsonian museums, the Archives, and National Park Service sites. It is rare but worth a news check before a big trip.

Washington, DC in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Washington, DC?

August is a month to think twice about visiting Washington, DC. Congress leaves and so should you, unless you love steamy monument walks. Museums are air-conditioned refuges but lines stay long.

What is the weather like in Washington, DC in August?

Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C).

Is Washington, DC crowded in August?

Washington, DC is busy in August, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.