Is it busy in D.C. Memorial week?

Thanks all for the replies.
Without going into too much detail as why I might be there, my main intent is to see the new Museum of the Bible and maybe another museum, depending on crowds.
Im not much into big cities and crowds so D.C. will be a tough pill to swallow.
I noticed through a search on here that the metro stops in a campground (Cherry Hill?)in D.C. so that would be a must rather then driving my truck around town.

Been to DC lots of times and best trip was in February. Air was clean and crisp, no lines, no people, no heat. Hit Old Ebbetts every afternoon about 3 for a warm up cocktail.

Maybe apples & oranges, we stayed 4 days going into columbus days weekend. Was busy but nothing over the top.

Mike

Tuesday thru Friday AFTER Memorial Day likely won't be much worse than any other week. I live right outside DC and my job takes me into DC on occasion. Driving in DC always stinks. Holidays are a little worse, but rarely is traffic ever considered "better".

I think Memorial Day week is a pretty decent time to go. Its late enough in the spring that hopefully it won't be raining, but not quite summer so it won't be humid and miserably hot.

I would encourage you to take Metro if possible, just to save time trying to find parking. Parking can be a crapshoot, especially near the memorials. It is a great experience to visit though, so I hope you get to come enjoy the sights!

Lived there from 1968 thru 1972. DC is always busy. Traffic is always bad. Parking is always impossible. Having said that there are ways. Take the underground or a taxi. That will solve the getting around problem. Go during midterm elections. That way congress and their staffs will be out campaigning. School will be in session.

Memorial Day weekend is hugely busy, what with the memorial events and Rolling Thunder (about ½ million or more motorcyclists arrive for memorial events and a ride through D.C. Many people stay a few days after that weekend, too, as it's the start of the summer tourist season.

Lines into museums really depend on what kind of special event that particular museum is sponsoring. The year Air & Space featured the bridge of the TV starship Enterprise, there wasn't a day throughout that exhibition that the lines weren't extremely long.

You really should do some homework into what special exhibitions there will be at the museums you want to visit. Could be a big clue into how long the lines will be.

Good luck and enjoy your visit.

It will be busy but DC is accustomed to handling crowds. I've been there a couple of times on Independence Day, now THAT is a crowd but like I said, DC is accustomed to handling large crowds.

If that is when you are able to go --- do it.

I lived near Washington DC from April 1985 till June 1989. I lived in Woodbridge, VA; then 2 different places on Fort Belvoir; then Manassas, VA. We went into Washington DC almost every week-end and many times through the week. Even back then, there was NEVER a good time to go! It was horrible then (anytime of the year, week-end, week-day, day or night) ... it's only gotten worse! Pick your time and just go!

FYI, we lived there for over four years, went to DC all the time to see something different, traveled the area as much as possible, and STILL didn't see everything we wanted. (in 4 years!) There's just way to much there! Pick your time and pick your attractions! And good luck!

(And I was in the Army during most of that time, and got to see and go places that the average "citizen" doesn't get to go too!) Awesome 4 years, but REALLY am glad to be back home in Indiana again and have no desire to ever go back again.

I know that the Fri-Sat- Sun and Memorial day is Rolling Thunder weekend.

the actual ride is always on the Sunday before MomorialDay and is something to see !

We have been there a few times for the ride, and MOST clear out by Monday..

Great time, Great people ( MOST ) Great cause ~! ! If you can, get there early and check it out, thousands and thousands of bikers of all types coming together for 1 cause..

If I were planning a trip to D.C. to see D.C I would make it "off season" myself. go there when the rest of the world is not on vacation, it will then suck only drastically.
bumpy