13 Things to Do in Washington DC in September

You're probably wondering what's so special about Washington DC in September. September is a month that features numerous arts festivals and cultural events, such as the H Street Festival, the Adams Morgan Day Festival and the Evening Arts Festival.

In addition, this time of year offers the chance to visit major museums free of charge and to take part in the National Book Festival, organised by the National Library. For all of these reasons and more, September is a great time to visit Washington DC.

September is one of the best months to enjoy a baseball game in Washington. So don't wait any longer and get tickets for the MLB regular season.

Below, you can book your ticket for Washington Nationals, the team from the US capital that is part of the Eastern Division, and get ready for an experience of a lifetime! Baseball games are full of excitement and excitement.

And it's not all about baseball, as you can enjoy all the spectacle that surrounds it and enjoy some fast food. Whether you're a fan of the sport or not, this option is ideal for you.

There is no more comfortable and better way to get to know the capital of the USA in September than by booking the legendary Washington DC sightseeing tram, a one and a half hour tour, with free stops, on which you can get to know the city at your own pace and with as much freedom as possible.

You'll pass by the city's most emblematic and popular landmarks such as the White House, the United States Holocaust Museum, the Women in Military Memorial, the Supreme Court, the Smithsonian Institution art museums and the city's historic Ford Theatre. In addition, you have the option to choose a superior option and visit Arlington National Cemetery.

You won't miss a thing and you'll get to know the city in detail with on-board commentary from a professional, knowledgeable guide.

If there's one thing the US capital is known for, it's its incredible, jaw-dropping architecture. So booking an architecture tour of Washington DC is a must-do experience, and even more so in September when the weather is ideal for it.

On this two-hour tour, you can admire some of the most popular buildings and monuments such as the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Columbus Fountain, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.

Plus, you'll be accompanied by a professional guide who will give you all the details, not only about the architecture but also about the history of the city and its most iconic landmarks.

Among the best museums in Washington DC, many have free admission year-round, while others don't. If you're visiting the city in September, you can tour the city's iconic museums for free. If you visit the city in September, you can take advantage of Museum Day, a day when you'll find that many museums and cultural institutions across the country offer free admission to those who present a Museum Day ticket.

This ticket can be downloaded online from the official Smithsonian Magazine website.

Two museums not to be missed are:

• The Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, where you can delve into the history of the Bible and its international influence through its interactive galleries and 40,000 square metres.
• The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, which has more than 146 million specimens of flora, fauna, minerals... and is the second most visited museum in the world.

Reddish and ochre colours are the true stars of autumn. All landscapes become sublime with this decorative touch that nature gives us every year, so there is no better plan than touring the wonderful green spaces and parks of the fantastic city of Washington DC.

The National Arboretum is a treasure in northwest Washington DC. Located about 3 kilometres from the Capitol, this site fascinates with its contrasting Corinthian columns and surrounding greenery. A huge museum of vegetation and living trees of about 1.78 square kilometres. Undoubtedly a must for any nature lover.

September brings with it the colours of autumn, making a visit to the National Arboretum all the more picturesque. It is worth noting that admission to this attraction is absolutely free. A great idea to take advantage of DC's autumn scenery is to book a bike tour and take in the beauty of the greenery as you ride along.

Useful facts

• Location: 501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Open daily until 5pm.

Every year in September, the National Wine & Food Festival brings together world-renowned celebrity chefs, food entrepreneurs and thousands of local restaurant referrals.

It's held on the Plateau at the National Harbor, an outdoor space specifically created to host large events with a capacity of up to 15,000.

In this great festival you can delight your palate with the most exquisite wines from the best local wineries and taste traditional dishes and preparations from this great city, as well as from different parts of the world where the different exhibitors come from.

Practical information

• Location: On the Plateau of the National Harbor.
• Price: from 49 U$S.
• Hours: from 1pm to 6pm.
• When: usually 25 September.

The H Street Festival is one of the most anticipated and popular events in Washington DC each year.

The festival spans over one kilometre with 14 stage areas featuring various types of art, divided into different themes. It also offers dance shows , music, performances, fashion, poetry, interactive children's events and much more.

If you're in Washington DC in September, you'll be lucky enough to catch it.

Practical information

• Location: H street.
• Price: free.
• Hours: 12 noon to 7pm.
• When: around 18 September.

Washington DC was the birthplace of the great Duke Ellington and, as such, this city has a deep connection with jazz. So if you're a music lover and enjoy listening to good jazz, you can't miss the DC Jazz Fest, which takes place annually between the last days of August and the first days of September.

At the DC Jazz Fest, numerous musicians offer the public more than 150 magnificent jazz concerts. This festival is one of the most important in the genre. It helps to promote and disseminate jazz music as one of America's most distinctive art forms.

You can also see swing, blues, soul and even Latin music. The shows take place in different parts of the city, such as restaurants and hotels. Most of these concerts are free of charge.

Practical information

• Location: different venues in DC.
• Price: there are free and paid concerts, with the price depending on the performance.
• Opening hours: from 2pm to 10pm.
• When: early September.

The Adams Morgan Day Festival is a family-friendly festival held during the day in the Adams Morgan neighbourhood, a popular neighbourhood worth visiting any time of year if you're looking for a night out in DC, with its many bars, pubs and nightclubs.

However, during the month of September the neighbourhood shines during the day, thanks to this family-friendly festival, which features lots of music, parades, dance and other cultural events. In addition, you'll find stalls where you can buy beautiful handicrafts, such as jewellery and pottery, and even something to eat.

The Adams Morgan Fest has been running for over 40 years and is organised by volunteers. It is the oldest festival in Washington DC. The focus of this celebration is cultural diversity. There is even a special children's area with games and activities of all kinds.

Practical information

• Location: various events in the neighbourhood.
• Price: free of charge.
• Opening times: from 10.30am.
• When: around 12 September.

The National Library of Congress organizes the annual National Book Festival during the month of September, an event that brings together numerous writers from all fields who exhibit their works and give lectures here.

Also at this festival, new literary works are presented, authors sign copies of their books to their fans, literary debates are held and many other activities are organised, all of which revolve around literature.

So, if you are passionate about books and you are going to Washington DC during September, you can't miss this event.

Practical information

• Location: Washington Convention Center, located at 801 Mt. Vernon Place.
• Price: free.
• Hours: All day.
• When: early September.

Washington DC is one of the most Jewishly observant cities in the world, behind New York, Los Angeles and Miami. As such, the celebrations of this community are also very important for DC. Rosh Hashanah. Not only is it the start of a new year for the Jewish community, but it is the beginning of a series of holy days, which are celebrated through reflection, prayer, festive meals and the blowing of the horn known as the shofar, a symbol of repentance for all our sins.

At the beginning of this period, every synagogue in the city and around the world blows the shofar, this ancient traditional instrument, commemorating the birth of the world. Its sounds are repeated during prayers on numerous occasions and it is believed that this sound awakens the consciences of those who hear it, inviting them to a path of self-improvement and justice.

On the occasion of this holiday, the most important restaurants in Washington DC include traditional Jewish dishes on their menus. A great opportunity to enjoy the flavours of Jewish food on a very special day.

During the month of September, Washington DC hosts the Art All Night Festival, a free all-night art festival featuring music, dance, theatre, poetry and fashion, as well as photography, painting, sculpture and other art exhibitions.

The Art All Night Festival takes place in both private and public spaces and includes venues such as restaurants and shops, as well as outdoor spaces.

Practical information

• Locations: At various locations throughout DC.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: from 5 p.m. onwards.
• When: Approximately 24 and 25 September.

In this fascinating spectacle, one of Washington DC's most important and historic streets is transformed into an open-air art gallery. King Street, between Washington and Union Streets, is filled with numerous booths by more than 200 artists from the United States and around the world.

The neighbourhood where this celebration takes place is called Alexandria. Located in the historic centre, it is known as the old town and its streets are lined with antique shops, restaurants, boutiques, theatres and many other sites that are a huge magnet for tourists.

At the King Street Festival, a community festival, you can find different types of art such as paintings, sculptures, jewellery, ceramics and photographs. It's a great plan if you're thinking of taking home some nice souvenirs from this great city, or if you're looking for some gifts to take back home to your family and friends.

Practical information

• Location: King Street.
• Price: free.
• Hours: 10am to 7pm.
• When: early second half of September.

As you have seen, there are many interesting things to see and do in Washington DC all year round. Before I say goodbye, I would like to give you some useful tips to make your trip in September everything you expect and more.

What is the weather like in Washington DC in September?

September autumn temperatures in Washington DC average about 27 degrees Celsius during the day, dropping to about 16 degrees Celsius at night. In terms of rainfall, September is quite rainy. On average it rains about 11 days in this month.

Autumn itself in Washington DC is relatively mild and pleasant, with temperatures pleasant enough to enjoy your walks.

What should I pack for my trip to Washington DC in September?

Temperatures this month in particular are quite pleasant and you can still feel some of the warmth that summer is leaving behind. But at night the temperatures drop quite a bit.

So I recommend that you pack a variety in your suitcase: some light or mid-season coats and something more wintry in case you decide to go for a walk in the evening and you get caught in the cold.

I also recommend a waterproof jacket, as well as footwear, as you're likely to encounter some rain during this period, but if you're well equipped it shouldn't disrupt your plans.