United States, North America
Washington, DC in November
Quiet and cheap outside Thanksgiving week. Veterans Day at Arlington is genuinely moving.
The straight answer
November is a good month to visit Washington, DC. Quiet and cheap outside Thanksgiving week. Veterans Day at Arlington is genuinely moving.
- Weather
- Cool, highs near 58F (14C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 2 of 5
What November is like in Washington, DC
November is cool, with highs near 58F (14C). The city is quiet and cheap, except for Thanksgiving week, when families arrive and prices rise. Veterans Day at Arlington is a moving time to visit. Late in the month, the holiday season begins downtown. Days are shorter, so plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day. Hotels near the Mall are among the cheapest of the year outside the holiday week.
It suits budget travelers, history lovers, and families who want calm museums. Avoid Thanksgiving week if you want low prices. For warmer walking weather, go in October.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Washington, DC this month.
Veterans Day at Arlington
Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11 are solemn and powerful. Wear walking shoes for the hilly grounds.
The holiday season begins
In late November, the National Christmas Tree goes up near the White House and holiday markets open.
Quiet museum days
Outside Thanksgiving week, the Smithsonian museums are calm and easy to explore.
What to pack for November
- A warm jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A hat and light gloves
- A compact umbrella
Our timing tip
Travel the week before or after Thanksgiving for the lowest prices and emptiest museums.
Book Washington, DC for November.
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- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Washington, DCOpens a hotel search for Washington, DC in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Washington, DCWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Washington, DCTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Washington, DC for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in November
Holiday season downtown
Late November through early January
The National Christmas Tree near the White House, holiday markets, and blissfully quiet museums outside the travel-peak days.
Things to do in Washington, DC
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Washington, DC?
November is a good month to visit Washington, DC. Quiet and cheap outside Thanksgiving week. Veterans Day at Arlington is genuinely moving.
What is the weather like in Washington, DC in November?
Cool, highs near 58F (14C).
Is Washington, DC crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Washington, DC; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Washington, DC in November?
Holiday season downtown (late november through early january).
Keep planning Washington, DC.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
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