Month guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Washington, D.C. in October
What October is really like in Washington, D.C.: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Washington, D.C.. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 11.1 hours of daylight. Often the best month: clear, mild days and autumn colour along Rock Creek and the C&O Canal.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Washington, D.C.: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with September (27°C (81°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 14°C (57°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:17
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:30
- Daylight
- About 11.1 hours
Autumn (September–November). Warm September days and crisp, colourful October weather make this the most comfortable season for walking the Mall and Georgetown.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Marine Corps Marathon (usually late October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Zoo · Woodley Park
Smithsonian's National Zoo
The free National Zoo spreads over a wooded valley in Rock Creek Park, with Asian elephants, great apes, big cats, the Amazonia rainforest house and giant pandas, which returned to Washington in 2024.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Georgetown
Georgetown and the C&O Canal
Walk from Foggy Bottom station along Pennsylvania Avenue or take the riverside path; Georgetown has no Metro stop of its own.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Couples
- History
- Outdoors
Religious site · Upper Northwest
Washington National Cathedral
Built in 14th-century English Gothic style between 1907 and 1990, the cathedral has soaring stone vaults, a stained-glass Space Window containing a fragment of moon rock and, high on the northwest tower, a Darth Vader grotesque designed through a children's competition.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Views
- History
Architecture · Capitol Hill
United States Capitol
After the tour, use the tunnel from the Visitor Center to the Library of Congress's Jefferson Building instead of going back through security outside.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 11°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October 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 April–May and September. Compare every month.
Washington, D.C. in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
It is one of the best months to visit Washington, D.C.. Often the best month: clear, mild days and autumn colour along Rock Creek and the C&O Canal.
+How warm is Washington, D.C. in October?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Washington, D.C. in October?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.