Month guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Washington, D.C. in April
What April is really like in Washington, D.C.: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quadell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
April is one of the best months to visit Washington, D.C.. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 13.2 hours of daylight. Mild, green and the busiest month, with blossoms, school groups and Easter visitors; book hotels and timed museum passes early.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in April
April is the 7th-warmest month in Washington, D.C.: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 30 days. Compared with March (14°C (57°F)), April is warmer; by May highs climb to around 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 April)
- About 06:32
- Sunset (15 April)
- About 19:45
- Daylight
- About 13.2 hours
Spring (March–May). Cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, mild weather and the busiest crowds of the year, including school groups; book hotels and timed passes early.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, April rates 5 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: April is one of the pricier months.
Events in April
- National Cherry Blossom Festival parade (usually a Saturday in early-to-mid April)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in April
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Arlington, Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery
Across the Potomac, rows of white headstones cover the hillsides of the nation's best-known military cemetery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Views
Zoo · Woodley Park
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Take the Red Line to Cleveland Park, which gives a flatter walk to the main entrance than the climb from Woodley Park.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Georgetown
Georgetown and the C&O Canal
Georgetown's brick rowhouses, the shops of M Street and the towpath of the 19th-century Chesapeake and Ohio Canal make for the city's best neighbourhood walk.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Couples
- History
- Outdoors
Market · Capitol Hill
Eastern Market
Come on a Saturday or Sunday morning for the full outdoor market, then walk ten minutes to the Library of Congress.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 9°C and 11 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is April a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
One of the best months to visit Washington, D.C., with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are May and September–October. Compare every month.
Washington, D.C. in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is April a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
It is one of the best months to visit Washington, D.C.. Mild, green and the busiest month, with blossoms, school groups and Easter visitors; book hotels and timed museum passes early.
+How warm is Washington, D.C. in April?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Washington, D.C. in April?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.