Parks and Gardens of Washington, D.C.

24th and R Streets, NE

Four hundred fifteen acres of beautiful flowers and trees have blossomed from this 1927 experimental plant life center.

17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

This 45-acre park features a six-acre lake, a landscaped island, walks, bike paths, picnic areas and more than 2,500 shade trees.

In the Potomac River, George Washington Parkway

The island park memorial to our 26th President, an ardent conservationist, offers two and a half miles of trails, nature tours and the Roosevelt Memorial statue.  

Anacostia Avenue at Douglass Street, NE

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens make up eleven acres of ponds filled with giant water lilies that close in the heat of the day.  Morning visits are suggested.

1703 32nd Street, NW

Sixteen acres of formal gardens, terraces and reflecting pools surround this 18th century mansion.  The Dumbarton House is furnished in authentic period pieces.  Admission is charged.

http://www.doaks.org

Haines Point, SW Washington

“The Awakening” is a five part cast aluminum sculpture created by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. for the 1980 International Sculpture Exhibition and Conference.  Placed in conjunction with the National Park Service, the “giant” is situated on the grounds of Haines Point and the banks of the Potomac River.

3000 Constitution Avenue, NW

The 168-acre National Zoo is a year-round favorite of tourists and residents alike.  The Giant panda, Hsing-Hsing, rare white tigers and hundreds of other creatures populate the park.  Here old-style cages are rare and many natural habitats are recreated.

http://natzoo.si.edu

Parallels the Potomac River from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland

Built under George Washington’s direction in the 1700's, the 184-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal “opened up the western territory” to colonial influence and commerce.  The canal towpath, where horses once pulled barges up and town the tranquil stream, is now a unique trail for hiking, biking and leisurely strolls.  The canal was recently dedicated to the late Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.