Is it too cold in January to enjoy sightseeing in Washington DC?

My boyfriend had to take a week off from work before losing his vacation time so he took a week off in January. He was considering going to Washington DC for a week (we live in CT so we've spent plenty of time in Boston and NYC). We both haven't been there since we were kids so we'd like to do some of the touristy sightseeing, like the museums and all the monuments, in addition to anything else the city has to offer.



My only concern is how cold it will be this time of year. I'm afraid we'll be miserable and freeze while we're walking around to see the sights. Is it too cold to make it through a week of seeing the city?



Also, since you're here and kind enough to answer my question, if you have any suggestions (besides the stuff we're already thinking about doing, such as seeing the monuments, the Air and Space Museum, the White House and Madame Tussauds) Different attractions, good shopping (especially local businesses) good restaurants and area specialties like bake shops. Any suggestions you have would be great! Thanks so much!Is it too cold in January to enjoy sightseeing in Washington DC?
My brother and I met up in Washington DC several years ago in February while he was there for work to take in the sights. It was about 15-20 degrees all day that day and we walked the full length of the Mall. We started early in the morning at the Capitol and then moved along to the National Archives and then on down the mall going to various museums. We also detoured off the Mall and did a lap around the White House.



We spent a good deal of our day outside walking around the various monuments and then walked across the bridge over the Potomac behind the Lincoln Memorial. We walked right on into Arlington Cemetery and went far back in it to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and visited the graves of the Kennedy's among others.



It was bitterly cold all day but we were prepared for it by wearing layers and toboggans. The best thing of all about the cold was that we had many places virtually all to ourselves. That's unheard of most of the year but the cold keeps the crowds down. It took a little longer for us to get through security screenings because when we would get inside we'd have to take off our gloves etc then empty our pockets etc but it was no big deal.



So to finally answer your question... No, I don't think it will be too cold in January. It won't be as cold at that time as it was when I went in February and I had a great time. You'll spend a lot of your time indoors anyway. Try to plan your day so that the early part, when it's the most cold outside, you'll be on the eastern end of the mall where you can see the Capitol and other museums first. Then later in the day you'll be further along the Mall where you'll spend more time outside.



As for places to see... My favorite, and often overlooked, is the Library of Congress in front of the Capitol and beside the Supreme Court building. That place is amazing! Next I would be sure to see the Holocaust Museum for sure also.



The subway is handy to help get around too. They have a stop about the middle of the Mall that is the Smithsonian stop. The escalator there brings you up in the Mall itself. The Capitol stop further up from there is where I would get off to start my day at the Capitol and then walk down the Mall from there. If you walk it all the way like we did you can get back on the Metro at the Arlington stop just outside of the cemetery.



Hope this helps and that you have a great time!
If u r well packed (from head to toe), it should be fun..



Smithsonians should keep u busy for atleast 2-3 days..Then there is the national museum of art..Lincon Memorial, congress library etc..



But instead of spending the whole week in DC, u should visit Baltimore for a day as well..its just an hour's drive away and the Inner Harbour is really cool !!



Hope this helps.Is it too cold in January to enjoy sightseeing in Washington DC?
As long as you hang out around the Capitol and the White House, there'll be plenty of hot air to keep you warm.
NahIs it too cold in January to enjoy sightseeing in Washington DC?
I'd visit all the museums



I think they are all free entry.
Not at all.