Anacostia Park

Fairlawn Ave, Washington, DC 20019 202-472-3884

Description: Need to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life? This park provides over 1,200 acres of opportunity for relaxation and recreational activities. This area was once called Uniontown, a place where freed slaves came to settle. Today it provides the chance for city-dwellers to play tennis or basketball, hike, boat or play golf. Picnic tables and concession stands are readily available.
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Annapolis

MD

Description: ANNAPOLIS. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is more than a state capital: The Treaty of Paris was ratified here in 1784, and the city even served as the nation's capital for a year. And yet, Annapolis is no staid museum exhibit. Naval Academy midshipmen and students from St. John's University impart a youthful vigor to the city. Its restaurants stand poised with cold brews and delicious blue-crab cakes. Boating, yachting and summertime festivals attract folks to the City Dock all year long. Charming and perennially welcoming, Annapolis is great for a day trip or a journey into the past.
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Burke Lake Park

7315 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 703-323-6601

Description: FAIRFAX. For practically any athletic pursuit, this park fits the bill. With a golf course, running trails, a course designed for frisbee golf, hiking areas, and plenty of open grassy areas, you are sure to find a lovely place to blow off some steam. Picnic facilities, volleyball courts, and even a carousel are sure to keep you occupied. Perfect for a romantic stroll or a family outing, the park has a 218-acre lake popular for fishing, boating and rowing; boats and equipment are available for rent. Before you leave, swing by the on-site ice cream parlor.
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C & O Canal National Historic Park

1057 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Georgetown Visitors Center, Washington, DC 20007 202-653-5190

Description: GEORGETOWN. In 1828, this canal was built to connect DC with the West. Numerous obstacles arose, causing construction to cease in 1850. The canal stretched only to Cumberland, Maryland. Today, the grounds are maintained by the federal government, providing a quiet place for people to relax. Canoeing, jogging, biking and kayaking are popular activities in the area. METRO: Foggy Bottom
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Constitution Gardens

900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242 202-426-6841

Description: DOWNTOWN. Located close to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, these impressive gardens provide a peaceful getaway during a day of sightseeing. Paddleboats are available to rent for a refreshing view of the large lake, which is home to a variety of geese and ducks. Visitors are encouraged to visit the colorful Tulip Library and Tidal Basin. METRO: Foggy Bottom or Smithsonian
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Fletcher's Boathouse

4940 Canal Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-244-0461

Description: PALISADES. This park has been open for more than 150 years. Visitors enjoy the many activities along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and along the Potomac River. Calm waters allow safe boating and canoeing, and the Capital Crescent Trail is a tranquil place to run, bike or roller blade. Also perfect for photos, thanks to the magnificent views.
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Fountainhead Regional Park

10875 Hampton Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 703-250-9124

Description: FAIRFAX. Commune with nature at this peaceful park, which seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. Known for mountain biking trails and great hiking, visitors can also fish, play miniature golf, or enjoy a picnic along the shores of Lake Occoquan. Don't miss the view of the reservoir from the observation deck at Fountainhead.
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LBJ Memorial Grove and Lady Byrd Johnson Park

14th St, Columbia Island/ Pentagon Lagoon, Washington, DC 20011 202-673-7660

Description: COLUMBIA ISLAND. This park, located along the banks of the Potomac River, provides peaceful surroundings for visitors to relax while being rejuvenated by the pleasant views of Washington. A massive granite memorial to Lyndon B. Johnson stands in the center of the park and is admired by many. Picnic tables make this a great spot for an outdoor lunch, and paved trails make it ideal for a quiet walk.
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Lincoln Park

E Capitol St SE, between 11th and 13th Sts, Washington, DC 20003 202-690-5185

Description: CAPITOL HILL. An area within the city limits that provides a place for locals and visitors to walk, jog or picnic. A statue of Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of the National Council of Negro Women, is located here, and a number of restaurants and interesting shops line the periphery. METRO: Union Station
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Meridian Hill Park

Euclid and 15th St, Bordered by 16th, Euclid, 15th and W Streets, Washington, DC 202-895-6000

Description: ADAMS-MORGAN. Often called Malcolm X Park by locals, this park has been overlooked in the past but is slowly becoming more popular for picnics, walks, athletic pursuits and concerts. Well-kept gardens and fountains set the peaceful scene. The Washington Symphony Orchestra offers concerts in the summer, and other live entertainment performances, many aimed at children, are held throughout the year. METRO: Columbia Heights
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Montrose Park

R St NW, between 28th and 32nd Sts NW, Washington, DC 20008

Description: GEORGETOWN. Relaxation and recreation await in the peaceful surroundings of this park. Adults taking a break from work, children just out of school, and tourists looking for a sunny place to take a break all congregate here to take advantage of the playgrounds, play tennis or have a picnic lunch. Additional amenities include a maze made out of boxwoods, and a cobblestone path known as Lover's Lane. Located between Dumbarton Oaks Park, Rock Creek Park, and Oak Hill Cemetery.
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Rock Creek Park

3545 Williamsburg Ln NW, Washington, DC 20008 202-895-6000

Description: ROCK CREEK PARK. Covering about 1750 acres, Rock Creek Park encompasses a wide range of recreational opportunities, from hiking and bicycling to outdoor concerts and nature programs. Additionally, there are playgrounds, tennis courts, ball fields, an equestrian center and bridle trails, nature and visitors centers, and a planetarium. Several structures provide a bit of historic flavor ­ the 18th century Old Stone House, Peirce Mill and Barn, and Carter Barron Amphitheatre. METRO: Friendship Heights then E2 or E3 bus
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Theodore Roosevelt Island and Memorial

George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Arlington, VA 22309 703-289-2510

Description: ROSSLYN. Tranquil fountains and 90 acres of natural surroundings fittingly frame the statue honoring Teddy Roosevelt. This park provides an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the natural environment Roosevelt strived so fervently to conserve. Joggers enjoy the trails, and the Potomac is perfect for a leisurely day of fishing or boating. On warm days, locals show up here with a good book and a picnic lunch, seeking refuge from the city. METRO: Rosslyn
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United States Botanic Garden

100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 202-225-8333

Description: NATIONAL MALL. Step out of the modern world and into a lush paradise, where controlled climates allow plants to thrive as they would naturally. Since the mid-1800s, a wide variety of specimens has been acquired for conservation efforts, including medicinal plants and rare and exotic flora from the tropics. After touring the conservatory, pay a visit to Bartholdi Park, where you'll find fragrant flower beds and a historic fountain by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, designer of the Statue of Liberty. Contact the Botanic Garden for its calendar of special exhibits and outdoor concerts. METRO: Federal Center SW
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