Avoid Washington DC during election period?
 

We are planning a visit from Australia to Washington DC for about 5 nights, sometime between May and October this year. My question is about the presidential election and if there is a time when DC should be avoided.

We're visiting to see the museums and galleries. Nothing booked yet and we want to avoid any period when accommodation will be particularly expensive or hard to get, or when it might be a zoo. We really have no idea so would love some local advice. (Also staying in NYC and LA and doing a short road trip on east coast.)

Thanks, Kay

I wouldn't see any reason to give it a second thought. The District is where the Capitol/White House are but as the country goes it is a teeeeensy part. And even over the actual pre-election weekend and election night none of the candidates will even be in the city. They will be out campaigning in crucial states and at their campaign headquarters which are not in DC. And Senate and House members will all be in their home states.

Go . . .

OH jeeze I completely read past your time frame . . . sorry (I was talking about Nov :)

But in any case -- the electioneering is OUT in the country as a whole - not in DC

I'd suggest avoiding summer crowds in July & August, also the hottest & most humid months.

You can often get good hotel deals from mid-July through August. Many US schools start mid-late August, so late August you would have fewer family crowds and the Federal government is still mostly on vacation. Downside - DC can be very hot and humid in summer months. But everything is air conditioned and if you plan on taking Uber/Lyft you won't melt from all the walking. Monday, Sept 7 is Labor Day - Federal holiday, but most everything is open and date marks the unofficial end of summer.

October is usually a nice weather month, but very busy with conventions and events. (my daughter is getting married in DC end of October and hotel rates are insanely high). And "road trip" from NYC to DC - I suggest train/Amtrak as a car is more trouble and expense than it is worth in either city. Have a great trip.

D.C. is always a zoo, filled with either political or tourist specimens. :) We lived in D.C. for 20 years, and took care to avoid touring the museums, etc. during the summer months. D.C. can be hot humid and crowded with sticky, sweaty people dragging hot and bored children into and out of museums that are like refrigerators, after queuing in the moist air to enter said museums. November, even in an election year would be okay, though likely grey and cool. Our most recent visit to D.C. was in the month of May and would be my choice; the temperatures are mild, the crowds are low and the museum queues shorter. It's also easier to get a restaurant table (DH and I snagged an outdoor table at the Sculpture Garden cafe, and had no trouble seating at the popular Oyamel for lunch!)

I have traveled to DC many times in late October and early November. I have never had an issue finding lodging. However, I only stayed near the Mall one time. Most other times I have stayed at the Woodley Park Guest House. It is near the zoo but there is a Metro stop just across the street. I found it to be comfortable and well priced.

At this time of year, I rarely stood in a line to see any museum or get into a restaurant. Enjoy.

I wouldn't worry about the election per se. I would take the muggy heat and humidity of a DC summer into consideration. :td: Here's a climate data source with a "muggy" index (compliments of another Fodorite, mlgb):
https://weatherspark.com/y/20957/Ave...tes-Year-Round

Now that I've actually read your post ;) I personally would do anything to avoid DC in July August early September. The most uncomfortable day I think I've ever experienced was in August in DC. It wasn't even all that hot - maybe only mid 90-ish F. But it rained and the sidewalks were literally steaming.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm surprised that the presidential election seems to make very little difference to DC. I guess I had visions of political rallies or reporters gathering on corners - too much TV! The weather sounds like the biggest concern. I have checked weather averages online, comparing to where we live, in Brisbane. The actual summer temperatures in DC are slightly hotter than Brisbane but we have greater humidity (according to the stats) and we like the heat so are not overly concerned. We'd much rather hot than cold weather (have lived through UK winters, never again).

Gail - thanks for the tip about Labor Day, I had forgotten to check public holidays. It sounds like the Federal Govt has a specific time of year when they have annual leave. That must be a pain for the workers but maybe they have some flexibility. Also I started a thread a while ago looking for road trip ideas and realise now it's not a good idea to drive the distance between NYC and DC. We plan to get the train to somewhere like Annapolis, pick up a car and see some of the general area, maybe drop the car back near or in Washington, before our stay in that city. Still need to sort that bit out.

Fourfortravel - air temperature inside that makes you feel like you're in the Arctic - why, why, why? Don't understand the need to be that cold but we know to take a warm top with us when we leave the hotel so we don't freeze indoors.

gardendiva - the guesthouse near the zoo sounds good, thanks for the tip. My husband wanted to know if you meant it was near The White House :lol:

Kay

Federal workers (and many others) have off on certain holidays -- called federal holidays -- and unless an "essential worker" (e.g., certain emergency personnal), federal workers are expected to take those days off and they receive pay for those days. As a rule, federal workers have great flexibility about when they take their annual leave -- it is one of the things that many find to be a particular benefit of federal employment in the U.S.

Another vote of support for the Woodley Park Guest House -- and also the Kalorama Guest House (around the corner), and just one metro stop away, the Tabard Inn.
https://www.woodleyparkguesthouse.co...0aAgdaEALw_wcB
https://kaloramaguesthouse.com/
https://www.tabardinn.com/rooms

As noted, federal workers do not have a required time to take leave during the year but many families, fed and otherwise, do vacation in June-July-August when school is not in session.

More importantly with regard to DC is that Congress and the Supreme Court are in recess in August. That keeps a lot of the business associated with government away from the city then so good weekday hotel rates can often be found late July-August.

Good to know you are accustomed to heat & humidity -- the conditions will be similar in NYC. I live in DC and I thought I was a humidity veteran until I visited Japan in July. Different level of sweat.

'Holiday' in American vernacular just meas one day off - like Labor Day, July 4th etc. Not a 2 or 3 week vacation/holiday.

A and re 'politicking' in DC, Washington DC is just a city where the headquarters of most Federal departments are located - the 'national election' is held/campaigned for in every state / city / county in the country. There are city, state, congressional, senate, dog catcher, local judges, etc races in every corner of the country. In fact there would be LESS going on in DC than in most other cities

True! Particularly because DC has no official Senators OR Congressmen -- NO voting representation in Congress, just one non-voting representative to the House. That's why DC license plates read "taxation without representation." :( :td:

DC has its own municipal elections which look, not coincidentally, like most other locality elections. Not that any of it would impact a visitor which I think was the original question.

That the point I was trying to make -- DC will have its own (relatively small) local municipal races -

Out of curiosity I looked up the humidity levels in Japan in July. Yikes! Up to 100%. That's really horrible. We have humidity in summer of 72-74% so nowhere near Japan, thank goodness. If anyone is interested, DC humidity levels in summer are 64-66% (according to the timeandate website).

I'm making notes of the accommodation recommendations and will check prices and location (my document with trip notes is getting loooong). Thanks for the links.

Kay

We lived in the DC area for two years and I retired from the USCG to avoid being sent back there. Terrible place in summer or winter.

My kids live in DC so I have been there in every season. I'd highly recommend September or October for usually lovely weather. It can start getting chilly in November, although not really wintry yet, just enough for a jacket and maybe a scarf.

Hahaha. The National Zoo is beautiful and the residence are a bit more enjoyable that those at the White House. The Woodley Park Guest House is on a somewhat residential street. There is a huge hotel across the street. In the morning you can hear the kids walking to school. It is very nice.

I did stay next to the White House on one trip. I did not find it any more convenient than staying in Woodley Park.

Thanks everyone for the info, it's all useful.

To Bobmrg - DC is not high on my list but my husband spent days just in one museum (air and space) when he was much younger and is keen to return. It does mean he owes me ;)

Kay

I like DC. Just planned a quick return visit yesterday. I love the Smithsonian museums but try to focus on just one each visit - because of overload. The next trip is a return for the National Portrait Gallery. I only spent a little over an hour on the last trip, to see the Obama portaits (wonderful!) but realized I needed to return to enjoy it as leisure. I love Kimptons and there's one across the street and several in the city. I loved staying at the W on a trip a few years ago, with the guest access to the rooftop deck. Fabulous views of the monuments lit up at night as well as the White House. If you are interested in musical parody, consider the Capitol Steps. Really enjoyed a house museum and garden on a previous visit too - Marjorie Post's Hillwood -
https://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/

The second hottest day of my life was a childhood visit in summer - but if you are used to heat and humidity, you should be fine. We visited on the coldest day of the year to see the White House decorated for Christmas on the Obama's last year in the White House.

For personal reasons, I really enjoyed the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Memorials as well as a visit to Arlington National Cemetery -
https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/

I've flown in for just a concert. If you like casual restaurants and chili - go to Ben's Chili Bowl.
https://benschilibowl.com/
We also really enjoy the Old Ebbit Grill, the oldest saloon in DC -
https://www.ebbitt.com/about/


The only impact the election will have on DC is on inauguration day. The city will be crowded and hotel prices will be sky high. Avoid that in January every 4 years and you'll be fine.

I think our nation's capital is HIGHLY underrated as a city to visit. As would be expected, there are things there that you CANNOT see anywhere else in the world. It is not to be missied for many reasons.
Summer is espcecially crowded so if you can come at another time, it would be good. The election will not have any real effect--except for one day in January--inauguration day.
OOPS echo to Starrs.

If your husband has fond memories of the Air & Space museum on the National Mall, then I hope he will be able to visit the Udvar-Hazy Center, the other Smithsonian A&S site that probably wasn't open during your DH's previous visit. It's a literal do not miss for anyone with an interest in aviation and space flight. And well worth a visit for those of us not so aviation/space inclined.

https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center

The U-H Center is an estimated $20-$25 USD cab or Uber fare from the closest DC metro station, Wiehle-Reston East. Absolutely worth it.

Now I'm getting worried - too many things to see and do! Just kidding. I've added the Udvar-Hazy Center to our list, my husband is really keen. Thanks for the tip, we'd never heard of it.

We love theatre so a musical parody sounds good. (Will be booking some theatre for New York too.) Also love grand stately homes....I can see our time allocated in DC is going to have to change :)

I've heard of chili that you have in America but don't really know what it is. We have chilli of course, I use dried chilli when cooking but I'm guessing it refers to a dish. Is it mince beef and red beans with chilli in it?

Kay

The other museum that might not have been there when the poster above was there is the spy museum. The OP deosnt' seem to have children aboard but our grandson LOVED it of course.
And the zoo, because of gifts from rulers around the world has a very unique collection.

Quote:

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Is it mince beef and red beans with chilli in it?

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Yes it is a dish and that's one way of making it. FWIW, I've eaten at Ben's Chili Bowl, and while it is iconic, I don't think the food is very good.

One dining option you might want to consider is the Mitsitam in the National Museum of the American Indian -- it features ingredients that were originally from the Americas.
Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe Menu & Hours

I'll second the suggestion for the Mitsitam Cafe. When we landed in D.C. last summer (after being posted overseas), DD and I planned an outing specifically to include lunch there. The menu prices are a bit higher than the cafes at other Smithsonians, but the variety and quality of the meals is worth the extra cost.

Probably also worth noting that the National Museum of the American Indian is immediately adjacent to the Air & Space Museum. ;)

For some reason kja's link wouldn't work for me. Is this better? (a test really)

https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/.../mitsitam-cafe

The first link works for me and includes Mitsitam's menu. The second link works too, no menu.

Thanks, janisj! At this point, I'm reasonably sure that KayF has me on her "ignore" list (she has responded to most others who commented on this thread, but hasn't acknowledged any of my input), so I'm glad she'll see at least one link to the mitsitam. :tu:

kja - I've read all posts and appreciate everyone's input. I'm not ignoring anyone.

Kay

I'm glad to know that you've been reading my suggestions, KayF! :heart:

DC is a great city -- I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. :)

BTW, since you expressed interest in local cuisine, DC doesn't really have it's own special foods, but the region is known for Maryland crab. If I had a good place to recommend, I'd offer it -- maybe someone else will identify a worthy option!?

DC also has an extraordinarily diverse range of international cuisines, so it's a great place to experiment with foods from around the world.

Capitol Steps -
The Capitol Steps - We put the MOCK in Democracy

TA's listing of Ben's Chili Bowl
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...er=7&autoplay=

OOOOH, Capitol Steps. SO good!!

That's other countries, like France, that do political rallies. Americans rarely do non-sport rallies: they suck it up in private, no matter how outrageous the political behavior.

Been to DC too many times to remember, at least 20. It can be chilly in January (daytime highs just below freezing) but there isn't really a winter season in DC, just an extended autumn that flows into an early spring, with an occasional dump of snow in December or January, although proximity to sources of ocean moisture means that the snowfalls can (rarely) be very substantial. I was there Christmas week 2019 and I didn't ever wear a jacket.

I have experienced beautiful DC summer weather, third weekend of June 2019 was fabulous, it was 72 F/22 C and dry air, and once in August I had a similarly "cool" day. But normally end of May to early September it is just like Darwin or Manila, same heat and humidity, except in the tropics the nights are longer so it cools down more overnight (so DC summer heat is actually worse than the tropics). I'd quibble a bit on those linked tables about the mornings in DC being comfortable in the summer. The temp may be 75 F/24 C at 7 AM but the humidity hovers in the 95% range overnight. That's in some ways worse than early afternoon when the temp may be 92 F/33 C but the humidity has fallen to 70%. So basically miserable round the clock trying to walk around, so pushing your DC visit to October if possible is what I am recommending.

KayF - I've not seen anyone suggest the following things that most impressed me in DC last September, so here goes:

My favourite activity was the tour of Congress that I pre-booked on line before I travelled. A fascinating hour or so with a really interesting guide [ours was a Brit who was very amusing] and in September apparently there are far fewer tourists visiting Congress than in most of the rest of the year so it wasn't very crowded. [and I got to take a photo of Nancy Pelosi's room]. After I had some lunch in the basement, I took the underground passage to the Library of Congress which was also fascinating with some gorgeous exhibits.

I also really enjoyed the Museum of American history, especially the re-enactment of a lunch counter protest with us, the visitors, playing the roles of the protestors and counter-protestors along with a musical commentary by the presenter. I'm still a little mystified as to why this wasn't in the Museum of Afro-American history but it was there that I had another interesting encounter, this time with another visitor, a young black girl who said to her friend, as they got out of the lift I was in "why do we have to have a different building for our history, it's all the same history", with which I found it hard to disagree.

I was also lucky enough to go to the Phillips collection with kja, with supper afterwards at La Tomate which was very good and a lot of fun. [and too short!]

And finally I much enjoyed the Botanical gardens, both inside and out.

I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, too, annhig, and agree that it was too short. :)

Thanks everyone, for all the varied suggestions. It seems there is a lot more to do and see than I first thought. I've added to my list!

My sister sent me a link to a very funny, but quite sobering, song called The Day Democracy Died by the Founding Fathers. I thought it might be from Capitol Steps (being a satire/parody) but couldn't find any reference to it online. I'm not sure how much Capital Steps would appeal to non-Americans?

I really don't know what to do about the weather issue. We'll need to decide at some point so we can book.

Kay