Washington DC Photo Guide HomepageWashington DC Photo Guide

Have Camera Will Travel

  • Cherry Blossoms
  • Photos
  • Monuments & Landmarks
  • Museums & Galleries
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Map

A Washington Winter Wonderland

Washington DC

Lafayette Park and the White House in Snow

In Lafayette Park, with the north face of the White House in the background. The statue is of President Andrew Jackson (president from 1829 to 1837).

Monuments & Landmarks
Seasons, Washington DC

Washington DC might not get anywhere near as much snow as areas farther north, but a decent snowfall has a way of turning the city’s landmarks into a winter wonderland.

When we get big snowfalls they tend to be in January in February. The biggest snowstorm on record, known as the Knickerbocker Storm, was in late-January 1922. More recently, some of the biggest have come in late-January 2016 (dubbed by locals as Snowzilla), and double-whammy winter storms just before Christmas in 2009 (Snowpocalypse) and followed about six weeks later by an even bigger storm in early February 2010 (Snowmageddon).

Due to a confluence of factors, including that the DC area doesn’t have the infrastructure and snow budgets of some snowier regions, as well as a large portion of the very large population relying on above-ground transportation on roads and rail, even relatively minor snowstorms can have a crippling effect.

But there’s also a lot of open space for large blankets of snow to form and frame the area’s famous landmarks.

Photos of Washington DC in the Snow

White House in the Snow

Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washingotn DC Covered in Snow

Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Arlington National Cemetery in the snow

Arlington National Cemetery.

Snow on the Cherry Trees in Washington DC

Some of the famous old cherry trees by the Tidal Basin.

Sony RX100 V Sample Images

Cross-country skiing on the National Mall by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Cherry Blossoms - March 9, 2015

The Tidal Basin frozen over, with the Jefferson Memorial in the distance.

Washington DC Street at night in snowstorm

Looking north along 15th Street NW in northwest DC next to the Treasury Building.

Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknowns Guard

Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. It was about 20° Fahrenheit at the time (approx. -7 Celsius).

White House Christmas tree at night

White House Christmas Tree.

Washington Monument with floodlights in a snowstorm at night

Washington Monument.

Washington DC's National Mall in the Snow

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool while it was undergoing repairs.

White House in the Snow

Washington DC Tourists in the Snow

Tourists dealing with the frigid temperatures. Taken along Independence Avenue between the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the DC World War I Memorial.

World War One Memorial on the National Mall in the snow (Photo)

The DC World War One Memorial. This was before some renovations that cleared out some of the trees and bushes from the immediate area around the memorial.

Snow in Constitution Gardens Washington DC

Constitution Gardens.

Arlington Memorial Bridge and Potomac River Frozen Over - January 26, 2016

The Potomac frozen over, looking past Arlington Memorial Bridge to Rosslyn.

Frozen Potomac in the Snow

The Potomac, with Arlington Memorial Bridge in the distance.

National World War Two Memorial in the Snow

National World War Two Memorial.

Tourists out in front of the White House with snow in the evening

Outside the White House.

MLK Memorial in the Snow

The MLK Memorial.

Lincoln Memorial in the Snow

The Lincoln Memorial.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 21, 2018

Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 21, 2018

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 21, 2018

Lincoln Memorial.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 21, 2018

At the Tidal Basin leading into the FDR Memorial.

Cherry Blossom Watch Update: March 21, 2018

JFK Hockey Fields (between Reflecting Pool and the Korean War Veterans Memorial).

Nearby & Related:

  • Tiny Planet Photos of Washington DC
    Tiny Planet Photos of Washington DC
  • Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC
    Washington DC's Cherry Blossoms
  • 2011 Super Moon rising over Washington DC
    Supermoon Rising Over Washington DC
  • Sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
    DC Henge
  • Crowds at Tea Party Rally
    Best Places to Find Out What's Happening in Washington DC
  • DC Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 12, 2018
    Japanese Pagoda

Washington DC Visitor Guides

If you're coming in from out of town, here are some of the most popular guidebooks that can help you make the most of your visit.

Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
Fodor's Washington D.C 25 Best 2021 (Full-color Travel Guide)
  • Fodor’s Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Washington, DC (Travel Guide)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Planet, Lonely (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon, Alexandria & Annapolis...
  • Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

And here are some interesting options for less traditional guidesbooks if you'd like an emphasis on exploring DC on foot or diving into some of the region's rich history.

National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
National Geographic Walking Washington, D.C. (National Geographic Walking...
  • NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
  • Kennedy, Barbara Noe (Author)
Check Price on Amazon
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
A History Lover's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Designed for Democracy...
  • Fortier, Alison (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Check Price on Amazon

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit.


Location:
Coordinates:
      Latitude:
      Longitude:

      # Monuments & Landmarks
      # Seasons
      # Washington DC



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find more of my work at havecamerawilltravel.com.

And if you’re visiting DC in the spring, be sure to check out my DC Cherry Blossom Watch site.

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing Images

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

Connect

© 2009–2021 David Coleman · Have Camera Will Travel LLC · all rights reserved


Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
All images are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.


Privacy & Disclosure · Cookie Declaration · Disclaimer · Terms of Service · Copyright · Contact