Washington DC Parks and Gardens

(Washington, District of Columbia - DC, USA)

There are many spacious green parks spread around the American capital, often being close to downtown Washington. Particularly notable is the United States Botanic Garden, which lies close to Union Square and the Capitol Reflecting Pool, where it draws more than three quarters of a million visitors each year.

Also based in Washington is the spacious Rock Creek, the Montrose Park, the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the Enid A. Haupt Garden, each of which provide important recreational spaces.

Further parklands can be found close by, in neighboring Alexandria, Arlington, Glen Echo and Potomac, the latter of which is where you will find the Great Falls Park. The Great Falls is based in Virginia, alongside the Potomac River, and covers a vast area of some 800 acres / 324 hectares. Of note, the Tavern Visitor Center is a good port of call when you first arrive here.

United States Botanic Garden

Address: 100 Maryland Avenue Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20024, USA
Tel: +1 202 225 8333
A leading attraction for horticultural enthusiasts and keen gardeners, the United States Botanic Garden was created in 1820 and officially established some 30 years later. The garden contains many important plant collections, with flower beds flanking the lawns, formal rose borders, pools with water lilies and a domed Victorian conservatory, brimming with palms and other exotics. The National Garden is to be found on the western side of the conservatory and opened in 2006, with its amphitheatre at the Senator John Heinz Environmental Learning Center being a highlight.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Potomac Overlook Regional Park

Address: 2845 North Marcey Road, Arlington, Virginia VA, 22207, USA
Tel: +1 703 528 5406
Located in Arlington, the riverside Potomac Regional Park features more than 100 acres / 40 hectares of woodland, filled with wildlife and native plants. There is also a nature center here, which displays interesting exhibits relating to wildlife and archaeological items. Further interest is provided by a nature trail, herb borders, wildflower areas and immaculate vegetable gardens. Keen golfers may well be distracted by the park's proximity to the Washington Golf and Country Club on North Military Road.
Open hours: Nature Center: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

River Farm Garden Park

Address: 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia VA, 22308, USA
Tel: +1 703 768 5700
The River Farm Garden Park was once actually owned by George Washington. Covering almost 30 acres / 12 hectares, this attractive green expanse is now owned and managed by the American Horticulture Society and features numerous attractive, landscaped, themed gardens, many of which are planted with unusual and rare plants. The large mansion is also open to the public and is full of historical memorabilia, while if you head to the north, it won't be too long until you encounter the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve.
Open hours: April to September, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00; October to March, Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations appreciated

Rock Creek Park

Address: 5200 Glover Road Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20015, USA
Tel: +1 202 895 6070
Rock Creek Park is located in the northerly Woodley Park area of the city, next to Whitehaven Park. This parkland boasts a large woodland, picnic areas, cycle trails, pathways suitable for jogging, a popular public golf course, a number of tennis courts and an interesting nature center, with much information about the extensive wildlife living here. The resident planetarium is another reason to visit and offers frequent stargazing shows.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk, Nature Center and Planetarium: Wednesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00; Old Stone House: daily - 11:00 to 18:00; Peirce Barn and Mill: April to October, Wednesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00; November to March, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Upton Hill Regional Park

Address: 6060 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia VA, 22205, USA
Tel: +1 703 534 3437
Arlington's Upton Hill Regional Park is home to a wide range of outdoor activities and is just under 20 minutes away, to the west and alongside the Williston Shopping Center. This spot has a number of attractions, including two popular outdoor swimming pools with water slides (open during the summer months), a miniature golf course, a large pond, attractive floral beds, a snack bar and many benches.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk; Miniture Golf and Batting Cage: mid-March to late-April, Monday to Friday - 16:00 to 20:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 20:00; late-April to mid-June, Monday to Thursday - 16:00 to 20:00, Friday - 16:00 to 21:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 21:00; mid-June to early-September, Monday to Thursday - 10:00 to 21:00, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 22:00; early-September to October, Wednesday to Friday - 16:00 to 20:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 20:00.
Ocean Dunes Waterpark: late-May to mid-June, Friday - 15:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 19:00; mid-June to mid-August, daily - 11:00 to 19:00; mid to late-August, Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 19:00
Admission: Miniture Golf: charge, discount available for seniors and children 12 years old and under
Batting Cage: charge
Ocean Dunes Waterpark: charge dependent upon height, discount available for seniors and entrance after 16:00 on weekdays, children two years old and under are free

Enid A. Haupt Garden

Address: 1050 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20560, USA
Tel: +1 202 633 2220
The Enid A. Haupt Garden can be found in the Smithsonian area, close to Independence Avenue. Highlights include landscaped, Victorian-style gardens, an attractive rooftop area, brick pathways and a number of benches, where you can sit back and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. Many people come here to visit the Freer Gallery of Art, as well as the Smithsonian: National Museum of African Art, Castle and Institute.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk, Tours: May to September, Wednesday - 13:00
Admission: free

Fort Ward Museum and Park

Address: 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia VA, 22304, USA
Tel: +1 703 838 4848
Based in neighboring Alexandria city, Fort Ward Park was originally part of the extensive defense network constructed around Washington during the Civil War. The parkland covers 40 acres / 16 hectares, with highlights including impressive gardens, picnic areas and a large amphitheater, which holds many concerts in the summer months. Fort Ward is of course worth looking out for and has been restored. It now features an interesting museum, exhibiting many related artifacts.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to dusk, Museum: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Glen Echo Park

Address: 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, Maryland MD, 20812, USA
Tel: +1 301 634 2222
Home to the Clara Barton National Historic Site, Glen Echo Park is situated in the Glen Echo area of Maryland, being roughly a 20-minute drive to the north-west of the city center. This location is very popular with young children and features a colorful carousel ride, regular puppet shows, storytelling at the Adventure Theater and dancing at the onsite Spanish Ballroom.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to 01:00
Admission: free, Carousel: charge

Great Falls Park

Address: 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Virginia VA, 22102, USA
Tel: +1 703 285 2965
Featuring spectacular views of the Potomac River, Great Falls Park is located in nearby Potomac, being located to the far north-west and just beyond the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Great Falls makes an appealing excursion and features a large amount of wildlife, fishing for permit holders, barge trips on the canal, pathways and many seating areas.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to dusk
Admission: charge

Montrose Park

Address: R Street Northwest, Georgetown, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20008, USA
Tel: +1 202 282 1063
Sandwiched in between the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens and the Oak Hill Cemetery, Montrose Park sits to the north of the Georgetown district and features large woodlands, pathways, seating areas, a playground, tennis courts and picnic tables. Of note, the Naval Observatory is situated just a short drive away.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Bluemont Park

Address: 601 North Manchester Street, Arlington, Virginia VA, 22203, USA
Tel: +1 703 228 6525
Bluemont Park can be found in a residential area at the city of Arlington, where it covers around 70 acres / 28 hectares. Specific attractions include cycle trails, pathways, picnic tables and areas to play sports, including basketball and tennis. A jog along the Four Mile Run Trail will likely be a highlight - if you have the time and energy.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Address: 1550 Anacostia Avenue Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia D.C., 20019, USA
Tel: +1 202 426 6905
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is located in the Anacostia region, between Anacostia Avenue and Douglas Street Northeast. With many ponds and around 12 acres / 5 hectares of marshland, this park contains more than 100,000 unusual and native water plants, many of which have spectacular flowers during the summer and wonderful seed heads later on in the year.
Open hours: daily - 07:00 to 16:00
Admission: free