United States, North America

Washington, DC in February

Still empty, still cheap. Presidents Day weekend brings a brief bump; otherwise you own the Mall.

Quiet valueCold, highs near 47F (8C)

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

The straight answer

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Washington, DC. Still empty, still cheap. Presidents Day weekend brings a brief bump; otherwise you own the Mall.

Weather: Cold, highs near 47F (8C)
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What February is like in Washington, DC

February is still cold, with highs near 47F (8C), and still very quiet. Prices stay low and the Mall feels almost empty on weekdays. Presidents Day weekend brings a short bump in visitors, but otherwise you have the museums nearly to yourself. The monuments are open 24 hours, as always.

It suits budget travelers, families on a winter break, and history lovers who want easy access to the Archives and the Capitol. Pack for the cold. If you want warmer weather for long walks and gardens, April and May are the best months.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Washington, DC this month.

A quiet National Archives

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are easy to see without a long line. Late afternoon is calmest.

Library of Congress Great Hall

The most beautiful room in the city is a warm, peaceful stop on a cold day.

Cheap hotel rates

February is one of the cheapest months for rooms close to the Mall, which saves a lot of walking.

What to pack for February

A warm, windproof coat
Comfortable waterproof shoes
Gloves and a hat
A small daypack for layers you shed indoors

Our timing tip

Avoid Presidents Day weekend for the lowest prices and emptiest museums, and plan a weekday for the Archives.

Book Washington, DC for February.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Washington, DC
Opens a hotel search for Washington, DC in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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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 February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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 February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Washington, DC?

February is a quiet, good-value month to visit Washington, DC. Still empty, still cheap. Presidents Day weekend brings a brief bump; otherwise you own the Mall.

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

Cold, highs near 47F (8C).

Is Washington, DC crowded in February?

February is one of the quieter months in Washington, DC; most sights can be done without long waits.