- The best time of the year is late March and early April (spring season) when there is the Cherry Blossom Festival.
- Make sure to use the Uber and/or Lyft (as long as it is up and running). It is very useful for a newbie visiting the capital.
- If you are traveling on the weekend, especially if there is an event or holiday, the Uber will charge you a hefty price due to the high traffic and demand in Uber's or Lyft's network.
- You may want to fly to the close by airports (e.g. Baltimore) that may save you a lot in tickets.
- Hotels are very pricey; pick a hotel close to a metro station and you can save lot that way. Marriott Wardman Park hotel is my favorite (no free wifi and no free breakfast). It is in a walking distance from the metro station, and in the walking distance from the DC Zoo.
- Due to the proximity to the Atlantic, a few weeks in the summers can be very hot and humid and a few weeks in the winters can be windy and cold. Check the weather before you travel.
- Restaurants are normally packed; especially in the morning for the breakfast. Make sure your hotel has a complimentary breakfast otherwise couple hours may be lost in a day.
- Metro trains are fast and available throughout the day. A day pass or a week long pass (~$35) may serve the best for you.
- Rental bikes are abundant especially in the National Mall (Smithsonian) area. Make sure to rent one (about ~$8 and hr)
- Make sure to have a small backpack for water, wallet/purse, keys, napkins, shades, sun screen, snack, map, and else.
And finally, make sure to visit these attractions:
- All the free museums (well US tax payers pay for all that) - last time I counted 19 free museums, my favorite is the National Gallery of Art
- US Capital, White House, Washington Monument, Jefferson Monument, Lincoln Monument, National Cathedral (my favorite)
- The Georgetown area (M st @ Wisconsin Ave) for Shopping and the crowds
- Canoeing or Kayaking in the Potomac River
- Strolling/Biking along the potomac river (@Georgetown Waterfront Park)
