Best time to visit Washington, D.C.

Sailing and Cruising on the Potomac in Washington, D.C. 2025

Explore one of the greatest American river and see the landmarks of the US capital from the water

Best time: May–November

Washington is a river city, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a boat trip. It can be a 20-minute water taxi ride from Alexandria to the National Harbour or a 3-hour sightseeing tour featuring such landmarks as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and Reagan National Airport. If you want to explore the historical river further, you can take a trip to George Washington's estate on Mount Vernon. The sailing and cruising season usually runs from May to November.

Practical info

External resources

    Find hotels and airbnbs near Sailing and Cruising on the Potomac (Map)

    Last updated:
    Authors:

    People interested

    + 6

    Boating

    Regata Storica
    Venice, September 1, 2024
    Active Glaciers Cruise
    Alaska, June–July
    Mekong River Boat Trip
    Cambodia, July–November
    Cruise to Staffa
    Scotland, April–October
    Sailing and Cruising Season
    The Netherlands, March–December
    Sailing
    Key West & Florida Keys, January–April
    Icebreaker Cruise and Ice Floating
    Finland, December–April
    Boat Trip around Lake Izabal, Rio Dulce, and Livingston
    Guatemala, November–April
    Sailing Viking Ships
    Denmark, May–August
    Slow Boat on the Mekong River
    Laos, May–September
    Paddlewheeler Cruises
    New Orleans, year round (best: April–June 15 | November–December)
    Fishing Villages
    Hong Kong, late May–June | October–December | all year round
    Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight
    Borneo, May–August
    Island Hopping in the Oslo Fjord
    Oslo, May–September
    Sailing in Cambodia
    Cambodia, December–March
    Boat Cruises
    Toronto, May–October
    Boston Harbor Cruises
    Boston, March–December
    Lake and River Cruises
    Chicago, April–November
    Sailing
    Puerto Rico, November–July (best November–January)
    Maid of the Mist Boat Rides
    Niagara Falls, mid-May–October
    Boating and Cruising
    Seattle, April—October (all year round )
    Sailing
    New Zealand, September–May
    Cruise and Sail on Lake Titicaca
    Bolivia, May–September
    The Arch of Cabo San Lucas
    Cabo San Lucas, June–December (diving) | mid-December–mid-April (whale watching)
    Hozu-Gawa River Boat Ride
    Kyoto, March–May | September–November (all year round)
    Boating
    Finland, May–October
    Sailing and Cruising
    Chile, September–April
    Sailing and Cruising on the Potomac
    Washington, D.C., May–November
    Sailing
    Goa, October–April
    Swamp Tours
    New Orleans, May–October (all year round)
    Sailing
    Jamaica, December–April
    Swan Boats
    Boston, mid-April–mid-September
    Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
    Connecticut, late April–December
    Boating on Štrbské Pleso
    Slovakia, June–September
    Canal Cruising
    Amsterdam, all year round
    Sailing
    Crete, April–November
    Cruising on a Vintage Steam Boat
    Scotland, late April–mid-September
    Sailing
    Phuket, all year round
    Miami Cruise Month
    Miami, January
    Beagle Channel
    Patagonia, November–April (all year round)
    Tagus River Sunset Cruise
    Lisbon, May–September (all year round)
    Sailing in Thailand
    Thailand, November–December | March–April
    Lac Léman or Lake Geneva Cruise
    Switzerland, mid-April–mid-October
    Sailing
    Singapore, December–March
    Sailing Season
    Chicago, May–October

    More experiences in Washington, D.C.

    Washington 4th of July Parade, Fireworks & Events
    Washington, D.C., July 4
    Fall Foliage in and around Washington, D.C.
    Washington, D.C., mid-October–early November
    Rolling Thunder Run
    Washington, D.C., (waiting for updates)
    Washington Christmas Lights
    Washington, D.C., late November–December
    National Memorial Day Parade
    Washington, D.C., last weekend of May
    Adams Morgan Day
    Washington, D.C., September 8, 2024
    Labor Day Weekend
    Washington, D.C., August 30–September 2, 2024
    Cherry Blossoms
    Washington, D.C., mid-March–mid-April
    Downtown Holiday Market
    Washington, D.C., November 22-December 23, 2024
    Halloween
    Washington, D.C., October 31

    Nearby destinations

    United States
    Virginia
    United States
    Pennsylvania
    United States
    Maryland
    United States
    Delaware
    United States
    New Jersey
    United States
    Philadelphia, PA
    United States
    Virginia Beach, VA
    United States
    Baltimore, MD
    United States
    Atlantic City, NJ
    United States
    Norfolk, VA