Washington D.C. Trips and Travel

A looming government partial-shutdown is a signal that elected officials have not yet agreed on how to fund the federal government. Its direct impacts vary depending on how long it lasts and which agencies are affected, but it often leads to furloughs, suspended services, and disruptions for both federal workers and the public. As of February 14, 2026, the U.S. government in under a partial-government shutdown. U.S. Congress is on a recess. The State of the Union address is planned for February 24, 2026. The U.S. Congress provides their schedule for the upcoming year. You can monitor which appropriations bills have passed at: Congress.gov Appropriation Status Table Travel During a Government Shutdown If there is a partial-shutdown, you can still travel in and out of Washington, D.C., via airports or trains. There may be delays at security checkpoints or train inspections, but most travel continues as normal. Impact on Travel to Washington, D.C. 1. Airports ...

Winter in Washington, D.C. officially begins with the winter solstice in late December. Washington, D.C.’s hotel industry welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors in January, with occupancy showing a slight dip compared to the previous year. In January 2025, an estimated 260,000 unique visitors stayed in Washington, D.C. hotels. Despite January 2025 being a US Presidential Inauguration year, hotel stays were slightly lower than the previous year. In January 2024, approximately 279,000 unique visitors occupied the city’s roughly 36,000 hotel rooms, about 10,000 more visitors than in January 2025. In the Washington, D.C. region, January is typically one of the driest months of the year. While visitors may encounter snow, snowfall amounts are generally modest compared to many other parts of the United States. Snow is possible, but usually light and short-lived. It is also very unpredictable! The average temperature is a high of 40s°F (4–9°C). The nights can drop into the 30s°F or lower...