Page 43 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

W ASHINGT ON , DC THROUGH THE Y EAR  41

Average Monthly Temperature Temperature Chart
Washington’s climate
°C °F varies greatly. In winter
30 90 the air is bitterly cold, with
temperatures rising little
25 80
above freezing. In July
20 70 and August, however, it
15 60 becomes very hot and
extremely humid. The
10 50
best time to visit the city is
5 40 in the spring or fall, when
the weather is pleasantly
0 30
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec mild and the air is clear.
Winter Washington National across the city: contact
Cathedral Christmas Services the Smithsonian (Tel (202)
Temperatures can plummet (throughout Dec). Tel (202) 633-1000).
below freezing during the 537-6200. Holiday celebrations George Washington’s Birthday
winter months of December, with festive music. Parade (around Feb 15), Old
January, and February. Hence Christmas at Mount Vernon Town Alexandria, VA. Tel (703)
the city is generally quieter (weekends late Nov–mid-Dec), 838-4200.
at this time of year, making Mount Vernon, VA. Tel (703) Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday,
it a good time to see the 780-2000. Experience an (Feb 12), Lincoln Memorial.
most popular sights. Over the 18th-century Christmas. Wreath-laying ceremony
Christmas period, Washington followed by a reading of
becomes busy again with January the Gettysburg Address.
festive events to get people Robert E. Lee’s Birthday
into the holiday spirit. (mid-Jan). Tours of the Lee-
Decora tions are visible Fendall house in Alexandria.
across the city, and many Tel (703) 548-1789.
places offer Christmas tours. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
Toward the end of winter, Birthday (third Mon).
a number of famous birthdays Commemorative events.
are celebrated, including those Restaurant week (mid-Jan).
of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Many of Washington’s top
Presidents Abraham Lincoln restaurants offer prix fixe
and George Washington. lunch or dinner specials.
December February
National Christmas Tree Chinese New Year (first two Girl Scouts watching George Washington’s
Lighting (mid-Dec), Ellipse weeks), N St, Chinatown. Parades, Birthday Parade
south of the White House. dancing, and live music.
www.thenationaltree.org. The African American History
President turns on the lights Month (throughout Feb). www. Federal Holidays
on the National Christmas africanamericanhistorymonth.
tree (advance tickets only). gov. Various events are held New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
Birthday (3rd Mon in Jan)
Presidents’ Day (3rd Mon
in Feb)
Memorial Day (last Mon
in May)
Independence Day (Jul 4)
Labor Day (1st Mon in Sep)
Columbus Day (2nd Mon
in Oct)
Veterans Day (Nov 11)
Thanksgiving (4th Thu
in Nov)
Christmas Day (Dec 25)
The National Christmas tree outside a snow-covered White House
United States Capitol at sunrise

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