Washington DC photo trip March or April: I have just been made an offer I can't refuse and "Wifie' has given her permission for me to take them up on it. 7 days free room share in DC...

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I have just been made an offer I can't refuse and "Wifie' has given her permission for me to take them up on it.
7 days free room share in DC with my son in-law who goes there for 2 weeks every once in a while for the FAA and I recently qualified for free air travel from my flight attendant daughter.
I am planning on a tues thru tues trip.

So now it just depends on when he goes there in the spring or early summer as to when I will go.
Any UHH in the area that would like to share some photo time together?

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

John in DC

Washington DC weather is the most unpredictable weather I've ever experienced. Generally it is pretty crappy until the beginning of May. However, May can be a bit dicey too. Memorial Day weekend can be 85 and sunny or 56 and raining. Moving into June and it will get hot and humid and the tourists descend. Good weather in DC like easy traffic on the Beltway is a crap shoot.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Thanks for the reply.
This is why I posted on here - I have no experience with the eastern USA and knew I'd get good advice here on UHH - I think I will see if we can do this in late April or first half of May depending on his scheduled. - I don't plan on driving in DC at all - just public transportation.

John in DC wrote:

Washington DC weather is the most unpredictable weather I've ever experienced. Generally it is pretty crappy until the beginning of May. However, May can be a bit dicey too. Memorial Day weekend can be 85 and sunny or 56 and raining. Moving into June and it will get hot and humid and the tourists descend. Good weather in DC like easy traffic on the Beltway is a crap shoot.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

With housing and airfare taken care up, look up the forecasted peak bloom of the Cherry Blossoms that are usually around the last week of March. Along the Mall, try the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and the US Capitol at night.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

John in DC wrote:

Washington DC weather is the most unpredictable weather I've ever experienced. Generally it is pretty crappy until the beginning of May. However, May can be a bit dicey too. Memorial Day weekend can be 85 and sunny or 56 and raining. Moving into June and it will get hot and humid and the tourists descend. Good weather in DC like easy traffic on the Beltway is a crap shoot.

So John, Are you saying that the weather is so crappy all the time that Harvey should just stay home? I predict perfect weather, whenever he goes !!:lol:
SS

John in DC

SharpShooter wrote:

So John, Are you saying that the weather is so crappy all the time that Harvey should just stay home? I predict perfect weather, whenever he goes !!:lol:
SS

Nope. Key words in my post: unpredictable and crap shoot. But I wouldn't let it stop me from visiting. Life is too short to worry about the weather.

billjohdoittoday Loc: Arkansas

Harvey wrote:

Any UHH in the area that would like to share some photo time together?

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I cannot accompany you. But I want to share an anecdote. My father worked in DC for the last several years of his career with the Department of the Interior. "Naturally," many friends & family suddenly developed a desire to visit him & mom.

Dad took them all to various tourist locations, depending on where they wanted to go: White House, Smithsonian, Congress, Library of Congress (me), etc. But Dad told me that every visitor they had wanted to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. He said he'd seen that ceremony at least 50 times -- and it was just as moving the 50th time as it had been the first.

Don't miss this site.

Bill

MDI Mainer

1. There is a very good photographer's guide to Washington, DC.

http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Washington-Digital-Field-Guide/dp/0470586877/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391061758&sr=8-2&keywords=photograph+guide+washington+dc

2. You can check the progress (no 2014 data yet) of the famed cherry blossoms on line at

http://www.nps.gov/cherry/cherry-blossom-bloom.htm

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Not sure of our plans, I do know I'll be there late February, I do try to get down for the cherry blossoms, some years good some years no so good, Bob.

Corsica fox

drive by all the monuments after dark at least once. many are at least as beautiful at that time. good advice on the Tomb.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

I'll be going probably some time in March. I want to avoid the "tourist" times. But as an additional side trip, you might want to go to "the great falls of the Potomac". They are only about 15 miles to the west of DC. MANY great shots to be had there.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

DC has too many good photo ops and locations that it is impossible to list them. Contact the Tourist Bureau for their info packets.

Find out when the Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled; although with this very unusual and cold winter it could very well be delayed. Last year because of the very mild winter the blossoms came out before the festival. Whatever week they schedule it for I recommend avoiding; too many people crowding everything, and in the way of what you want to shoot, and they generally don't give a hoot if they walk in front of your perfectly framed shot.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

Hi Harvey,

I live outside of DC and spring is the best time to be here. The cherry blossom festival runs from March 20 - April 13 this year.

DC is really pretty in the spring. The tulip garden (thanks to Lady Bird Johnson) is usually in bloom about the same time.

The tidal basin, where all the cherry trees are is usually really crowded when the trees are in bloom. You need to get there by 7:30 to park anywhere near. Taking the Metro is the best bet or getting close on the Metro and then taking a cab or walking to the basin is pretty good, too.

I will send you an email with other suggestions for things to do that a lot of "tours" would not include.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I visit DC at least once a year. The spring weather is very unpredictable but don't let that prevent you from getting out and about.

I would go on one of the night bus tours. They cost around $50 but are worth every penny. The national monuments look very different at night.

Make sure to visit Arlington Cemetery, it is a very emotional experience for most Americans.

The different War Memorials should also be high on your list.

A good wide angle lens is highly recommended for pictures of the memorials and buildings. I rarely used any telephoto lens above 200mm while in DC. You can zoom very well with your feet. A fast 50mm is nice to use in the different museums.

You will enjoy DC, there are so many things to see and photograph.

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

ottopj wrote:

Hi Harvey, br br I live outside of DC and spring ... (show quote)

Any recommendations on where to park? Thanks!