Parks and Gardens of Washington, D.C.

24th and R Streets, NE

Originally designed in 1927 as an experimental plant life center, the 415 acres that now make up the National Arboretum are covered by beautiful flowers and blossoming trees.

http://www.usna.usda.gov/

17th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW

This 45-acre park features a 6-acre lake, a landscaped island, walks, bike paths, picnic areas, and more than 2,500 shade trees.

http://www.nps.gov/coga

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.

http://www.nps.gov/this

Anacostia Avenue at Douglass Street, NE

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens make up 11 acres of ponds filled with giant water lilies that close in the heat of the day.  Morning visits are suggested.

http://www.nps.gov/kepa

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

3000 Constitution Avenue, NW

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

http://nationalzoo.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.

http://www.nps.gov/choh