Best time to visit DC?

[Anonymous]

You can definitely do a couple days doing the various Smithsonian museums as well as the Holocaust museum. Get a bus tour to go look around the Monuments-- obviously walking is cheaper, but you'll be exhausted and for effiicency's sake it's worth the bus, IMO. I also like doing the evening tour of the monuments when they are all lit up. Also spend a day in the Capitol Hill area-- maybe breakfast/walking around at Eastern Market (best on the weekend), and then do tours of the Capitol, LIbrary of Congress, and Supreme Court. The zoo is great if you like that kind of thing, but it's out of the way a bit. You could spend the morning at the zoo and then head to the National Cathedral in the afternoon (you'll need to bus or taxi there). Adams Morgan is also by the zoo and is a great neighborhood for exploring and restaurants.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow, thanks everyone for all the info. I didn't expect so much great help. And thanks to the PP who gave suggestions on hotel locations and the other who suggested the bus tour. That might be a good way to pack more in w/o being totally exhausted. And I can imagine that the monuments would be impressive at night.

I had been thinking about a trip in the Feb-april time frame but fall is sounding good since so many people have mentioned spring can be very crowded. That's great to know.

Is there anything I should know regarding safety? I am from Portland Oregon so DC is much much bigger than what I'm used to so I am sure the safety issue will be something I need to consider. I'll likely be coming by myself.

Thanks again everyone.

PS I had to chuckle at the PP who mentioned late Aug could be nice since it would only be in the mid 80's. That's a practically newsworthy heatwave in Oregon. Lol.

[Anonymous]

OP, the touristy areas where you will likely be traveling are safe. Obviously it's a big city so take normal precautions-- there are pickpocketers and the like-- but I wouldn't worry so much about crime. The thing I tell my relatives when they visit is to be aware of TRAFFIC! Seriously. A lady got hit by a car and died right near the zoo not too long ago. You really need to be careful and aware when crossing streets. Traffic is crazy here.