| Nature Spots
Audobon Naturalist Society
8940 Jones Mill Rd.
Chevy Chase MD, (301) 652-9188
Free admission
Bird watchers will love visiting the 40-acre grounds of the headquarters of the Audobon
Naturalist Society. The grounds contain numerous types of birds as seen in their natural
habitat. There is also a bookstore that has books on everything you ever wanted to know
about birds and ecology.
Bookstore hours ; Mon - Wed & Fri 10-6 , Thurs 10-8, Sat 9-5, Sun 12-5.
C&O Canal National Historical Park
1057 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Georgetown
Terminus of MacArthur Blvd., Great Falls, Potomac, MD
(Foundry Mall)
(Great Falls Tavern)
(202) 653-5190
(301) 299-3613 or (301) 299-2026
Admission is $4 per axle
The C&O Canal was the brainchild of George Washington. Envisioned as a commercial
waterway connecting the Ohio and Potomac rivers, the canal now serves as one of the DC
area's most popular parks. Streching from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD, the park is
popular with joggers, bikers and canoeists. April - October, visitors can take a ride down
the C&O on a mule-drawn replica 19th century canal boat. There are several
notable diversions in the park such as the Clara Barton National Historic Site and Glen
Echo Park, which has a working carousel (Wed - Sun, May-late Sept) and is the site of
festivals and activities for children.
One can also rent bikes, boats and canoes at Thompson's Boat Center or Fletcher's
Boathouse. See boating section for details.
Dumbarton Oaks
31st & R Streets NW,
(202) 339-6401
Suggested donation for gardens April - October $3; November - March free
Dumbarton Oaks is an estate run by Harvard University that houses Byzantine and
Pre-Columbian works of art. Outside the estate are ten acres of beautifully landscaped
lands designed by Beatrix Farrand. Incorporating different styles of European landscaping,
the gardens provide plenty of places to sit and admire one of the prettiest spots in
Washington.
East Potomac Park
Take Maine Ave. west or Ohio Drive south - Park located between Potomac and Washington
Channel
Free Admission
East Potomac Park is a 328-acre park that contains public swimming pools, tennis courts,
golf (see golf section), playgrounds and picnic tables. The two most notable features of
the park are Hains Point and the Jefferson Memorial. Hains Point is a popular place to
picnic and watch planes take off from Washington National Airport. It also has "The
Awakening" sculpture of a giant rising from the earth. In April, the park is a
popular place to see the blooming Japanese cherry blossom trees that are around the Tidal
Basin.
Great Falls Park
Route 193 and Old Dominion Drive, Great Falls, VA
(703) 285-2966
Admission is $4 per axle or $2 per person (without vehicle)
Great Falls Park is a 800-acre park that straddles both the Maryland and Virginia sides of
the eponymous falls. Inside the park (on the Maryland side) is The Great Falls Tavern, a
museum and headquarters for the National Park Rangers that maintain the C&O Canal.
April - October, rangers take visitors on mule-drawn river barge rides down the C&O
Canal.
Great Falls Park has numerous trails for bikes and hikers, fishing spots and picnic areas
that feature scenic views of the park. Areas for climbing and white-water kayaking are
also provided. An urban outdoorsman's paradise.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Anacostia Ave. & Douglas St. NE,
(202) 426-6905
Free admission
Numerous forms of aquatic life can be found at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Paths take
you past exotic plants like an East Indian lotus grown from 350 year old seeds. There are
day and night bloomers, so go early in the morning when you can see them all. You can get
information on the plants at the visitors center, where one can also catch the garden
tours conducted in the summer.
Rock Creek Park
Between 16th Street & Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 426-6829
Free Admission
Rock Creek Park is an immensly popular park among Washingtonians. Originally built to
defend Washington during the Civil War, four forts remain standing on park grounds.
Well maintained bicycle, hiking and equestrian trails run past the forts and other
sites like Pierce Mill, a functional watermill (Currently under restoration). More
information about trails and park events is available from the rangers at the Nature
Center and Planetarium located at 5200 Glover Rd. NW.(202-426-6829). The pretty grounds
are also home to a popular 18-hole public golf course. ( See Golf Section)
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Take the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge ( located on west end of Constitution Ave. ) to
George Washington Memorial Parkway north. Follow signs to parking lot
for foot bridge into park.
(703) 285-2598
Free admission
This 88-acre island is a natural preserve dedicated to the 26th President. Another popular
park with Washingtonians, 2.5 miles of paths lead through the peaceful grounds.
U.S. National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave. NE
(202) 245-2726
Free admission
The US National Arboretum is a 444-acre preserve that contains the National Herb Garden
and the National Bonsai Collection. The multi-hued foliage is beautiful and the paths are
well maintained. If you need a break from the hectic pace, the US National Arboretum is a
nice place to visit. |
