US · city
Washington, DC
United States
Free Smithsonian museums, monuments, cherry blossoms — best US city for points hotels
Apr-May (cherry blossoms) and Sep-Nov: 60-78°F, perfect. Summer humid (95°F+). Cherry blossom peak unpredictable, often late March / early April.
When to visit
Award flights from the US
Economy
JetBlue TrueBlue
+ $20 taxes
JetBlue JFK-DCA — or Amtrak Acela alternative
American AAdvantage
+ $20 taxes
AA economy LGA-DCA
Business / First
American AAdvantage
+ $20 taxes
AA business LGA-DCA short hop
Cash equivalent: economy ~$200 · business ~$700 roundtrip from NYC
Award hotels
Park Hyatt Washington
Hyatt
Cat 6 — West End near Georgetown.
Grand Hyatt Washington
Hyatt
Cat 5 — Convention Center, transit access.
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Hyatt
Cat 4 — near Capitol, walkable to Mall.
Hyatt Place Washington DC / Downtown
Hyatt
Cat 4 — budget, breakfast included.
What to see & do
National Mall + Memorials
2 miles of monuments — Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam, Korean. Best at night when lit.
Smithsonian Museums
17 free museums — Air & Space, Natural History, American History, African American History.
US Capitol + Library of Congress
Free guided tours (book ahead). Library has one of world's grandest reading rooms.
National Gallery of Art
Free, world-class — Da Vinci's "Ginevra de' Benci", Vermeer, Monet.
Georgetown
Cobblestone streets, C&O Canal, M Street shopping, riverside dining.
Ben's Chili Bowl
U Street institution since 1958 — half-smoke chili dog, Obama plaque.
Monthly weather
| Month | Low | High | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 43°F | |
| Feb | 32°F | 47°F | |
| Mar | 40°F | 56°F | |
| Apr | 50°F | 67°F | |
| May | 60°F | 76°F | |
| Jun | 68°F | 84°F | |
| Jul | 73°F | 88°F | |
| Aug | 72°F | 86°F | |
| Sep | 64°F | 79°F | |
| Oct | 53°F | 68°F | |
| Nov | 43°F | 57°F | |
| Dec | 33°F | 46°F |
Best cards for this trip
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