Summer Visit - best time

We plan to take our two kids (8 and 10) to DC for a week%26#39;s vacation this summer.

We need to choose the week soon - I need to sign them up for camp the other weeks.

Any recommendations for the best/least busy time (I understand there will be summer crowds anytime - just trying to get an idea if some times are better than others).

I was thinking about the end of the summer after camp is over (week of August 17th or 24th) - but was concerned that crowds may be busier as others may be thinking the same thing.

Thanks.

Summer Visit - best time

Third week in August should be fine. That tends to be a pretty slow time for business meetings so although weekends are usually cheaper, you can probably find a deal during the week at that time. August can be very hot and humid, so just be sure to mix up your itinerary with indoor and outdoor activities to keep cool. Try to book a hotel with an outdoor pool (or even an indoor one) - the Latham, Washington Plaza, Washington Hilton (on Conn. Avenue, near Dupont), Omni Shoreham and the Embassy Suites chain all come to mind, but there are others. If a pool isn%26#39;t important to you, Embassy Suites is still a good choice for families since they offer more space. See what%26#39;s coming up in your price range for your dates and post back for further suggestions if you need help narrowing down a hotel choice or neighborhood. Happy planning!

Summer Visit - best time

Dear SoxPrincess:

I%26#39;m from CT, too, but lived just outside of DC for a while and I can tell you that if you don%26#39;t like hot and humid weather, you%26#39;ll want to go to DC as early in the summer as possible before it becomes a sauna. The week you mentioned will very likely be unbearably hot.

There will be crowds all the time, but the worst is on the weekends, so try to time your visit between Monday and Friday. If you%26#39;re worried that summer is a peak time to visit DC, don%26#39;t. The busiest time to visit DC is during the Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring.

Is this a road trip? If it is and you%26#39;re looking for some tips, check out http://www.planning-fun-road-trips.com . Hope this helps!

Mid to end of August is not a peak time for visitors. It%26#39;s hot and humid so alot of people avoid it for that reason - and alot of the locals hit the beaches over the weekends. I think if this is a good time for you to come, just come and make the most of it, but that%26#39;s just me. I know dragging 2 kids around in the heat might not be a hugely popular decision, though... good luck with your decision.

Come in September. The weather is Gorgeous. Not like New England at all. 70s/80s and humidity is down and the crowds are gone. August can be truly awful for the temperature and humidity...

We live in the area, but we did a ';Vacation Day in D.C.'; last summer around August 25th. While there were some crowds at the Capitol and in the museums, it wasn%26#39;t nearly as bad as I expected or as bad as I have previously experienced on summer days earlier in the season. I think part of the reason for this is that many schools outside of this area begin school in mid-August, so vacation time is over for families in those places.

I think that you should be able to avoid the worst of the crowds by coming in late August.

As far as avoiding crowds, August couldn%26#39;t be better.

It is very true about the heat and humidity around here in August. I often go to the Caribbean in August for vacation and chuckle to myself as everyone back home swelters in 90+ degree heat.

Plan your days accordingly, and you will be more than fine. Make plans for outdoor activities early in the mornings. All the monuments on the Mall are open 24/7, so if you get out early you will find the weather tolerable. Monuments at night are also a great experience. Doing this is completely safe.

Also, the zoo grounds open at 6:00 a.m., which is a great time to see animals out and about. The buildings don%26#39;t open until 10, but if you time it right, you can enjoy both.

All museums are fully air conditioned. In some cases, you may actually find yourself cold!

The other thing that happens around here is we tend to get VERY severe afternoon thunderstorms thanks to the heat and all the humidity. So between 4:00 and 7:00 in the afternoons, I would make sure you have plans to be indoors. These storms can produce torrential downpours, severe lighting, wind that will take down trees, and even the occasional tornado.

If you do come in late summer, do make sure to bring appropriately light clothing, and wear caps. The sun and humidity fell many a tourist here in DC. Also, bring a bottle of water with you. Even if it becomes warm, make the kiddies drink. It is extremely easy to become dehydrated here.