Washington, DC in May
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Washington, DC. Gardens at full strength and long evenings on the Mall. School-trip season is at maximum, so museums are busiest on weekday mornings.
Weather
Warm, highs near 76F (24C)
Crowds
Prices
What's on in May
Late May
Memorial Day weekend. The National Memorial Day Concert, ceremonies at Arlington, and motorcycles filling Constitution Avenue.
Things to do in Washington, DC
- 1
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 ↗
- 2
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 ↗
- 3
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.
- 4
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 ↗
- 5
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 ↗
- 6
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 ↗
- 7
Georgetown. Cobblestones, rowhouses, and the C&O Canal towpath. The best neighborhood wander when you need a break from marble.
- 8
National Archives. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights in one rotunda. Lines shrink dramatically late in the day. official site ↗
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.
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.
Washington, DC in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Washington, DC?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Washington, DC. Gardens at full strength and long evenings on the Mall. School-trip season is at maximum, so museums are busiest on weekday mornings.
What is the weather like in Washington, DC in May?
Warm, highs near 76F (24C).
Is Washington, DC crowded in May?
Washington, DC is busy in May, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Washington, DC in May?
Memorial Day weekend (late may).