There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Washington, D.C. each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King Day (national holiday)A federal holiday in the United States, celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. In recent years, it has increasingly been seen as a day of service, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves. Many events inspired by Dr. King's legacy are held each year in the nation's capital: musical concerts, other performances, exhibitions, debates.
January -February: Chinese New Year (celebrated nationwide in major cities)Festivities are held each year to ring in the Chinese New Year in Washington's Chinatown, including dragon and lion dance performers, paper dragons and live musical performances.
March 12: Rock 'n' Roll USA Nation's Capital Marathon (local event)The Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon takes runners through a tour of many of Washington, D.C.'s historic sights, including national monuments, foreign embassies, wooded areas and upscale residential districts, cheered on by crowds of enthusiastic spectators.
July 4: Independence Day (national holiday)A federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by which the 13 American colonies officially severed their political ties with Great Britain. Celebrated with parades, barbecues, picnics and fireworks.
First Monday in September: Labour Day (national holiday) Second Monday in October: Columbus Day (national holiday)Commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World (October 12, 1492). Many cultural events are organized to mark this anniversary each year, including performances, exhibitions and parades.
September 15–October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month (celebrated nationwide)This observation began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period. The event celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, through exhibitions, film series, readings, activities for families, music, dance and theatre around the nation and especially in Washington, D.C.
October 31: Halloween (celebrated nationwide)Halloween is celebrated each year by Americans of all ages. In the late afternoon and early evening hours, children don costumes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhoods to ask for treats, typically candy. Adults often attend costume parties in the evening.
Fourth Thursday in November: Thanksgiving (national holiday)Originally a Christian religious observance, for many years Thanksgiving has been a secular holiday in the United States, celebrated by Americans of all faiths. Families come together to prepare and enjoy a large feast at home. The meal typically includes roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce as well as various side dishes and ends with an assortment of pies (pumpkin, pecan, apple).
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | -2/28 | 6/43 | 71/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
February | -1/30 | 8/46 | 65/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
March | 3/37 | 13/55 | 88/3.5 | Not the best period to go |
April | 8/46 | 19/66 | 78/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
May | 14/57 | 24/75 | 101/4.0 | Good period to go
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June | 19/66 | 29/84 | 96/3.8 | Good period to go
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July | 22/72 | 31/88 | 94/3.7 | Not the best period to go |
August | 21/70 | 30/86 | 74/2.9 | Good period to go
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September | 17/63 | 26/79 | 94/3.7 | Good period to go
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October | 10/50 | 20/68 | 86/3.4 | Good period to go
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November | 5/41 | 14/57 | 80/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
December | 0/32 | 8/46 | 77/3.0 | Not the best period to go |
The Washington Dulles International Airport is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is truly a city worth discovering. Its public transport system, its cycling paths and the design of the city make getting around especially convenient and pleasant, wherever you travel to within the metropolitan area.
Washington, D.C.'s Metrorail system has six colour-coded lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow and Green. It operates from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 7.a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday. Metrorail fares vary depending on the day of the week, the time of day, and the distance travelled. Fares range from USD 2 to USD 4.
Useful tip: The One-Day Pass (USD 14.75), valid for one day of unlimited Metrorail travel, may be purchased at any Metrorail station Farecards & Passes machine. The 7-Day Fast Pass (USD 60), purchased from the same machines, is valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited Metrorail travel.
Metrobus, Washington, D.C.'s main bus route network, comprises more than 300 different lines. In contrast to Metrorail, the bus fare on regular routes is always USD 2, regardless of the distance travelled.
Useful tip: The 7-Day Regional Bus Pass (USD 17.50) is valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited bus travel.
Taxis are plentiful in Washington, D.C. You should never have any difficulty finding one! The fare indicated already includes a gratuity of 15%.
Modelled after turn-of-the-century trolleys, the Old Town Trolley network offers sightseeing tours of the city and its main monuments. The lines all operate according to a "hop-on, hop-off" format, allowing riders to get off at various stops and pick up another trolley at their convenience a bit later. Old Town Trolley has three lines with a total of 20 stops. A daily pass costs USD 45 at ticket booths, less if purchased online.
Washington, D.C. is a great city to explore by bike because there are many cycling trails, lanes and routes. There are several places to rent bicycles as well as Capital Bikeshare, a bike-sharing system with 3,000 bicycles and over 350 stations in Washington, D.C. and its suburban areas. The first 30 minutes are free, USD 2 for the next 30 minutes, an additional USD 4 up to 90 minutes and USD 8 for each half-hour beyond that. A 24-hour pass gives you access to unlimited travels of less than 30 minutes each, for USD 8.
Visiting Washington, D.C. by car is not really recommended. Parking garages and meters are expensive and there are time limitations during the day.
Upon your arrival in Washington, D.C., you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Washington D.C. Tourism OfficeOffers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Visit the USA, a public-private marketing entity, works closely with the travel industry to promote tourism in communities around the country. Its website offers excellent information on all US travel destinations, including Washington, D.C.
Website: www.visittheusa.com
The currency used in the United States of America is the Dollar (USD).
£ 1 = $ 1.41
$ 1 = £ 0.71
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Washington, D.C. counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no food safety risks in Washington, D.C.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Washington, D.C.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens or nationals of various countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, whether for tourism or business.
For further information, see the Visitor Visa page on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State:
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Washington, DC, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Tipping
In Washington, D.C. as in the rest of the United States, a service charge is not included in the bill and tips form a major portion of income for waiting staff. Prices on restaurant menus are indicated before taxes and tips. You are therefore expected to leave a tip (generally between 15 and 20% of the bill). Tipping less than 15% (or leaving no tip at all) means that you are very dissatisfied with the service.