PLANNING A TRIP TO DC = THIS April!
 

I hopped on to the previous thread about "DC in April" not realizing the date it was originally posted, too! Glad you mentioned it Anonymous!

I was interested in this "talk" because we are thinking about an extended weekend trip to D.C. in April.

So, here's my question...what will THIS April be like in the early part of the month...and will we have enough time to see all of these places you mentioned if we arrive Friday, April 3rd and leave Wednesday, April 8th - (late) (our schedule doesn't allow us to stay longer as we had hoped). Can I still book a tour of the white house, capitol, national archives, etc? Will there be any cherry blossoms to enjoy?

We're empty nesters..quite active and willing to squeeze in more than one thing a day. Just wondering what the crowds will be like since its the week before easter (and traditional spring break).

Thanks for your help!

If you want a tour of the White House you will need to contact your Congressional representatives to arrange for it. Unless things have changed under the new administration, the only way to book a tour is through a congressman or senator and you have to do it several months in advance.

The tours of the Capital are much easier to arrange.

I also recommend getting tickets to the Washington Monument online in advance of your trip.

The American History museum has just reopened, so I would recommend including that in your itinerary.

have a great trip. DC is one of my favorite cities in the US.

Between the end of the Cherry Blossoms, Spring Break, and end-of-the year school trips, it's going to be packed.

You never know with the cherry blossoms. Just checked last year's calendar and on April 1st I had written that the cherries at work were just coming into full bloom (and work is just across the river in VA). But I remember having company in town years ago and the peak bloom coincided with the parade on the 10th of April. You never know!
Still, a beautiful time to come! And, yes, lots of people come out for the blossoms. Hub and I like to take a picnic down a little later in the evening and sit with our backs to the FDR Memorial (listening to the waterfalls), looking out over the Tidal Basin at he TJ Memorial ... if the weather's good!

I can be quite cold and every 7th grader in the country will be there, but it's still worth going! Go to the National Park Service website now to get tickets ahead of time for those places that you wish to visit that require tickets.