Weather
From a weather point of view, Washington DC can be visited in any season since it offers lots of sightseeing, traveling and events throughout the year and with every season the city’s landscape change and provide a different experience.
During the winter time, the temperatures vary between 25°F to 45°F with occasional rain and snow storms.
End of November till January is the holidays season, and it is a magical time to explore the city while it is celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with lights and decorations.
The official first day of spring is March 20th; however, what is more of an interest to people is the date of the Cherry Blossom peak.
It is a special time to visit due to hundreds of cherry trees that are blooming, painting the mall and Tidal Basin area in pink and white. The Cherry Blossom Festival is a tradition supported by the USA First Ladies (you can read more about their legacy here).
During the spring season, the weather is changing daily with temperature variation of 45°F to 75°F and as always, be prepared for the rain.
Summer starts at the third week of June, heat, humid and thunderstorms (will cause outdoor events a delay or cancellation) are the characteristic of this season. Expect to temperatures from as low as 60°F to 89°F on a very hot day.
Summer will last till September and fall will start with the color change of the leaves painting the city with the colors of yellow, orange and red.
During your visit you can check the current weather on this website.
Local Food Scene
As the capital of the nation, the city is hosting different groups and nationalities, all offering a taste of their culture in the different festivals and restaurants spread around the district.
Therefore, culinary wise, you can enjoy a wide range of different cuisines around the city, both in restaurants and street food stands.
The half Smokes were invented in DC; it’s a sausage that’s half pork and half beef.
A visit to the markets is also recommended; here’s a partial list of some great ones:
- Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market
- Eastern Market
- Mount Vernon Triangle FRESHFARM Market
- Columbia Heights Farmers Market
- Capital Harvest on the Plaza
If gourmet dishes are your choice, there are no less than 16 restaurants in the area that have earned Michelin starts. The one with three stars is “The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia”.
Where to Stay in DC
Female travelers sometimes prefer Women Only accommodations for different reasons. Some have this preference from safety reasons, feeling more secure in a women-only environment; others choose it for the company as an opportunity to meet companions for shared traveling.
In DC area, there aren’t any women-only hotels; however, there is one that has a women-only floor – the Hamilton Hotel Washington DC.
This 4-star hotel is located in the Downtown area, easily accessible to many places of interest – less than a mile from the National Mall or DuPont Circle.
You should also check Hotel Zena at 1155 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005.
This is a boutique hotel with an art gallery dedicated to celebrating women’s accomplishments in art exhibitions and events. Among art pieces presented are the exterior Guardians of the Four Directions mural by Miss Chelove and the justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg portrait, created from tampons. The luxurious rooms include everything a woman needs while traveling, and the rooftop pool and bar offer stunning views of the city. She says her secret is the combination of love and seasoning.
There are also several hostels which offer female-only dormitory rooms:
- In the city center – HI Washington DC, Capitol View.
- Slightly further from the center but close to a Metro Station is DC International Hostel 1, DC lofty.
- U Street Capsule Hostel is located in U street, a cool neighborhood with lots of dining options and closed to a Metro Station.
- In Adams Morgan – HighRoad Hostel Washington DC.
If you plan to stay a longer time in DC, Thompson-Markward Hall (TMH) offers temporary residence from two weeks till two years to young women (ages 18-34). Located in Capitol Hill, is a few minutes walk from the US Capitol and Union Station, offers several options for accommodation and a female community.
Getting around in DC
Washington DC metropolitan area (DC Metro) has a vast commuting system with a combination of Metrorail and Metrobus; both are managed and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro).
The Metrorail system is the third busiest in the US (after NYC and Chicago). Operates since 1976, the network now includes six lines, 91 stations through 117 miles and is still developing.
The fair of a ride in the Metrorail is based on the distance and peak hours (on weekdays from opening, 5:00-9:30 AM, and 3:00-7:00 PM). Expect to pay for a single ride $2-4 when traveling within the city, to $5-8 if you are traveling from the suburbs.
For using the Metrorail, you will need to purchase the magnetic SmarTrip® card in one of the stations or commuter stores and recharge it. Metrorail is closed at 11 PM Sunday-Thursday and at 1 AM Friday-Saturday.
The Metrobus charges a flat rate for a single ride $2 and $ 4.25 for express, and it can be paid by cash or the SmarTrip® card. Click here for schedule and trip planner.
Notice that, there is no Metro station arriving at Georgetown area and there is only one Underground station covering the Mall area arriving at its east side (the Blue Orange Silver line) near the museums. The return from the monument area is by bus.
Also, Uber, Lyft and taxis are operating 24/7 all over the DC metro area.
Events in WDC
Every day there is a special event happening in the Capital. Some of these events are repeated annually, making it worth to plan ahead of your visit according to the annual schedule.
Among the most famous are the National Cherry Blossom Festival and National Women’s March.
Other events are more local attractions but will be a bonus for your visit.
Check out WWP’s list for all the annual events centered solely around female creation and legacy, among them are Washington Women in Jazz Festival, National Women’s Half Marathon and 8K, and many more, or find women-related changing events by browsing through the calendar.
Public Restrooms
Luckily, public restrooms are located at any tourist attraction in the city.
Every museum and monument in The Mall area will have public restroom or a close by one.
Smithsonian and national parks museums are also located around the city, and there, as well, are restroom facilities (check out WWP museums list to see the options).
More options to find descent restrooms are in coffee shops (in every corner) and large department stores.
Sometimes, at metro stations there are restrooms facility as well, but it is only for the brave ones.
Emergency Numbers
- D.C Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) – 202-333-7273. 24 hour hotline.
- Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) – 800-656-HOPE(4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
- The DC Victim Hotline – 844-443-5732.
- Casa Ruby Emergency Hotline – 202-355-5155 – LGBTQ safe space.
We recommend using Sekura, a free women’s safety app, to feel more secure wherever you are. Download through this link.
Volunteering Options
- N Street Village – a community of empowerment and recovery for women.
- My Sister’s Place – ending violence, empowering lives.
- Calvary Women’s Services – 202-678-2341.
- House of Ruth – 202-667-7001.
- The Women’s Center – 202-293-4580.
