25 Best Things to Do in Washington DC in the Spring 2023

Washington DC in the spring is my personal favorite time of year! My family and I have lived in the DC area for 12 years and I continue to be amazed by the beauty of springtime here. There are many reasons to enjoy spring in the nation's capital, from the famous cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin to the festivals, events, and kid-friendly activities that celebrate the season. Here are some of our family's highlights for spring in DC.

Table of Contents:

1. Average Temperatures
2. 5 Flower Spots in Bloom
3. Spring Events & Festivals
4. 5 Top Memorials to Visit
5. 5 Must-See Museums
6. 5 Best Playgrounds in DC
7. Planning a Family Vacation to DC

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Average Temperature for Spring in Washington DC

The spring weather in DC, like in many places in the US, can be unpredictable. I recommend keeping an umbrella and a jacket handy when visiting the city as spring showers can crop up rather quickly! The temperatures can range from 35°F degrees to 75°F degrees. Below are the averages from Bing.com for each month:

• March - Average High: 55.76°F (13.2°C) Average Low: 35.06°F (1.7°C)
• April - Average High: 67.0°F (19.4°C) Average Low: 46.0°F (7.8°C)
• May - Average High: 76.0°F (24.4°C) Average Low: 56.0°F (13.3°C)

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5 Top Spots to See Flowers in Washington DC During Spring

My favorite part of the season are the stunning flowers all around the DC region!

1. Magnolias
2. Cherry Blossoms
3. Tulips,
4. Bluebells
5. Azaleas

I have a blog post that includes details for each but put a lot more info on the most famous of all... cherry blossoms!

Washington DC Spring Cherry Blossoms

Probably the most iconic image of the DC spring season is the stunning cherry blossoms which bloom for just a few days each spring. Before I moved to DC 12 years ago, I honestly thought it was just a few trees and didn't know what all the fuss was about. But now I am a believer! There are over 3,000 cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin alone plus hundreds more scattered throughout the city. They are truly stunning when at peak along the Potomac River and reflected in the Tidal Basin.

I have a post that shares the top 10 places to see these beautiful blooms both around the famous Tidal Basin and in other parts of the city.

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5 DC Springtime Events and Festivals (+ a few more!)

The city really comes alive in Spring! Below are some of the top events and festivals to enjoy and their 2023 dates:

1. The National Cherry Blossom Festival - Saturday, March 18, 2023 - Sunday, April 16, 2023
2. National Kite Festival - Sunday March 26, 2023 - My full tips and review at the link
3. White House Easter Egg Roll - Monday, April 10, 2023 (Lottery is currently closed but more info at the link for next year)
4. White House Garden Tour - Saturday and Sunday April 1 - 2, 2023
5. Filmfest DC - April 19-30, 2023
6. Flower Mart at the National Cathedral - Friday, May 5th from 10 am - 6 pm and Saturday, May 6th from 10 am - 5 pm.
7. Passport DC aka Embassy Day - Saturday, May 6
8. EU Open Houses - Saturday, May 13
9. Fiesta Asia Street Fest - Saturday, May 20

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5 Can't Miss Memorials in DC

Visiting monuments, memorials, and other historic sites in Washington D.C. can be a great way to introduce children to American history and to teach them the importance of respecting and honoring our nation's past. I've had great discussion with my kids about the good and bad from our nation's history when visiting these spots. From the towering Washington Monument to the somber Vietnam Veterans Memorial, there are so many options so I picked my top 5 below.

1. Washington Monument
2. Lincoln Memorial
3. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (TIP: great clean restroom here if visiting the Tidal Basin)
4. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial (right next to each other)
5. Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Check out this list in the DC with Kids Database of 15 Memorials and Monuments.

And check out my National Mall Walking Guide for Families on Etsy for 2 itineraries and details!

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5 Best Museums in DC for Your Spring Trip

I think Spring is a great time to visit a museum in DC because it doesn't matter if the weather is unpredictable! There are so many amazing free and paid museums in DC that it can sometimes get overwhelming. . Taking kids to visit these museums can be an exciting and educational experience that they will remember for years to come. I have a list of the top 20 my kids love below but I pulled out my top 5 if you are visiting DC this Spring.

1. Air and Space Museum - Most visited museum in the US, for good reason! Must get free advanced tickets ahead of time. Tips and recent pictures in the link and my Family Trip Guide on Etsy here.
2. American History Museum - Highly recommend for the iconic pieces of American History but also the history of arts and entertainment. 2 great play areas, one for ages 1-6 and the other an inventor lab for ages 6 and up! Tips and recent pictures in the link and my Family Trip Guide on Etsy here.
3. Natural History Museum - Dinosaurs and the Hope Diamond... what's not to love! Tips and pictures in the link and my Family Trip Guide on Etsy here.
4. National Postal Museum - OK I know this doesn't sound like the most exciting but I promise you it is! There are life size Truck, Train and even Stage Coach that kids can explore plus they can get 5 free antique stamps to start their collection. Tips and pictures in the link and my Family Trip Guide on Etsy here.
5. Planet Word - My kids' recent favorite museum in DC! Secret doors, interactive painting with words and learning about global languages.

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5 Best Playgrounds in DC

DC is blessed with some amazing neighborhood playgrounds! I have a list of 14 of the top below but wanted to pull out my 5 favorites for you to check out with your kids this Spring!

1. Cool Factor: Beauvoir Playground (Part of a private school so only open on the weekends and school holidays.)
2. Toddlers: Guy Mason Playground (Sand pit, Merry Go Round, Restrooms)
3. Sports-Themed: RFK The Fields (and don't miss Kingman and Heritage Islands a block away!)
4. Shaded: Chevy Chase Rec Center (and a lot of great toys left by other parents + splash pad in Summer)
5. Close to Restaurants: Eastern Market (Close to restaurants, Eastern Market, Trader Joe's on Capitol Hill!)

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Planning Your DC Family Vacation

I hope you can see that Washington D.C. is an ideal destination for a family vacation I the Spring! Planning a family trip to Washington D.C. can seem like a daunting task, but with a little preparation and organization, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family. Below are more blog posts that I wrote to help you plan and if you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out on Instagram!

1. Best Family Hotels in Washington DC for all Budgets
2. 30 Kid Friendly Restauratns in DC for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Dinner