Outdoor Recreation
It’s not uncommon to see Washingtonians playing softball or kickball on the National Mall. In DC, outdoor recreation options abound, from the 800 miles of jogging and biking paths to kayaking on the Potomac River to making use of the Mall’s expansive green space.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
From biking and boating to picnics and playgrounds, outdoor activities abound for all ages in DC.
With more than 230,000 acres of parks, DC is a nature-lover’s paradise. Picnic in or retreat to one.
Combine your exercise with your sightseeing adventures in DC by taking part in a tour designed with active travelers in mind.
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- Golf Courses(3 listings)
- Outdoor Recreation(26 listings)
- Professional Sports(4 listings)
DC Travel Inspiration
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Pictured: Jefferson Memorial seen through the cherry blossoms
Light pink cherry blossoms frame the Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin.
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Pictured: Kite enthusiasts at the Blossom Kite Festival
Ready to take flight: Kite enthusiasts gather on the National Mall for the Blossom Kite Festival, part of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Pictured: A cloud of cherry blossoms
Festivalgoers walk beneath pink "clouds" during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
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Pictured: DC Dragon Boat Races
Teams compete along the Potomac River in Georgetown during the annual DC Dragon Boat Festival.
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Pictured: Flags of the DC Dragon Boat Races
Flags representing a crew wave alongside the "Stars and Stripes" at the annual DC Dragon Boat Festival, a popular multicultural celebration.
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Pictured: Joggers on the National Mall at sunset
The open parkland of the National Mall is a popular place for morning and evening walks and jogs. The distance between the steps of the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial is 1.9 miles.
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Pictured: Golden retriever- vert
"If you want a friend in Washington," President Harry S. Truman quipped, "get a dog." Washington boast numerous dog-friendly hotels, paths and patios, but do make sure she's leashed in public parks. - Photo by Yvonne King
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Pictured: Pet-friendly DC
"If you want a friend in Washington," President Harry S. Truman quipped, "get a dog." Washington boast numerous dog-friendly hotels, paths and patios, but do make sure she's leashed in public parks. - Photo by Yvonne King
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Pictured: U.S. Botanic Gardens front ext. -horz
A living museum of plants domestic and exotic, the United States Botanic Garden has displays inside and out. This public facility was part of George Washington's vision for the capital city.
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Pictured: U.S. Botanic Gardens
A living museum of plants domestic and exotic, the United States Botanic Garden has displays inside and out. This public facility was part of George Washington's vision for the capital city.
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Pictured: Elephants at the National Zoo
Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including elephants, gorillas and giant pandas. Admission to the 163-acre zoo is free.
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Pictured: Cultural Tourism DC's guided walking tours
Miles of trails, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and fun bike and Segway tours invite travelers to explore as they exercise. DC's Cultural Tourism sponsors free, guided Walkington and Bikington tours in the spring and fall. - Photo by Kathryn Anderson
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Pictured: The typical neighborhood scene at Dupont Circle
A popular gathering place ringed with benches and chess boards, Dupont Circle's fountain is the exclamation point for this exciting urban neighborhood. Shopping, dining, and a massive Sunday farmers market draw visitors and locals alike.
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Pictured: The Tidal Basin
A manmade reservoir, the Tidal Basin is studded with signature sights, including the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and cherry blossom trees.
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Pictured: Marathoners at the Capitol
DC boasts one of the prettiest race routes in the country. Every year, runners gather in DC for races such as the Marine Corps Marathon, Army Ten-Miler and the Nation's Triathlon.
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Pictured: Marine Corps Marathon
In October, thousands of runners descend on DC for the Marine Corps Marathon. Both soldiers and civilians run in this grueling, yet inspiring, road race.
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Pictured: Tidal Basin paddleboats
Get a new view of the city's monuments and memorials with a paddleboat rental. Take one out on the Tidal Basin for a unique perspective on the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and, in the spring, the cherry blossoms.
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Pictured: Capitol Columns at the National Arboretum
The original Capitol Columns were moved to the National Arboretum because they couldn't support the weight of the Capitol dome. The Corinthian columns now have a home in the gardens of the Arboretum and make a perfect place for a picnic. - Photo by Kathryn Smith
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Pictured: Bike the Sites at night
Orange vests aside, there's something especially romantic about seeing DC's monuments and memorials illuminated at night.
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Pictured: Dupont Circle farmer's market
The Dupont Circle FRESHFARM market features more than 40 farmers with meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables, breads, pastas, flowers and more. Open on Sundays, "The Wall Street Journal" named it one of the top farmer's markets in the country.
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Pictured: Georgetown C&O Canal
Georgetown's pretty C&O canal recalls a quieter time in the nation's capital. The pathway is popular among DC's most dedicated joggers.
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Pictured: Georgetown C&O Canal
While Georgetown is thoroughly modern, the historic homes that line the neigbhorhood's C&O canal add a turn-of-last-century quality to the swanky area.
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Pictured: Rock Creek Park bridge
2,000 acres of parkland make up Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC and is home to the National Zoo, a planetarium, outdoor concert venue, golf course, trails and many quiet, reflective spots like this. - Photo by Margie Ortiz
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Pictured: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Anacostia was founded in 1926 as part of Congress’ efforts to preserve the city’s forests, water quality and recreation. Be sure and check out the annual Waterlily Festival in July.
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Pictured: The Potomac River flowing through Great Falls Park
Eight hundred acres of gorgeous park anchored by the Potomac River offers plenty of recreation opportunities just 15 minutes outside of the nation's capital.
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Pictured: City Segway Tours on the National Mall
Segwaying around the city takes the cake for the most unique way to see DC, including the National Mall. Don a helmet and get your footing for these fun tours.
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Pictured: Capital Bikeshare
DC denizens are into fitness, which is why our "Capital Bikeshare" program has been such a hit with visitors and locals alike. Look for the red bikes at stations across the city.
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Pictured: Bike the Sites under the cherry blossoms
Washington, DC is a city in bloom during the spring's National Cherry Blossom Festival. A bike tour around the Tidal Basin is a great option to experience the blossoms.
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Pictured: Bike the Sites at the U.S. Capitol
A bike tour is one of the best ways to get the lay of the land and see DC's most iconic buildings, like the U.S. Capitol.
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Pictured: Go Ape!
Just outside of DC in Rockville, Md., Go Ape offers treetop adventures with a ropes course, plus hiking trails, boat rentals, fishing and picnic areas.
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Pictured: Lawnside at the U.S. Capitol
The U.S. Capitol isn't just for politicians. The public is welcome on the grounds for performances and other events. - Photo by Chris Gieckel
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Pictured: Georgetown Waterfront Park
Georgetown Waterfront Park
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Pictured: Georgetown Waterfront
Georgetown Waterfront
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Pictured: Yards Park
DC's newest waterfront destination, Yards Park on the Capitol Riverfront features a boardwalk, a cutting-edge bridge and plenty of space for picnicking.
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Pictured: Yards Park
DC's newest waterfront destination, Yards Park on the Capitol Riverfront features a boardwalk, a cutting-edge bridge and plenty of space for picnicking.
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Pictured: Capitol Riverfront Movie Night
In the summer, the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood features "Front Flicks" - a series of outdoor movies perfect for a picnic.
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Pictured: Southwest marina
DC's southwest quadrant is home to a marina for private boaters as well as tours from Spirit and Odyssey Cruises. In addition, the area features great seafood restaurants, a fish market and Arena Stage.
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Pictured: Dining al fresco in Barracks Row
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Pictured: Yards Park Waterfall
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Pictured: Yards Park Friday Night Concert Series
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Pictured: Biking through Rock Creek Park
Bicycling through Rock Creek Park is a favorite among Washingtonians. - Photo by InspirationDC
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Pictured: Rock Creek Park
Founded in 1890 as one of the first federal parks, Rock Creek Park is just as historic as it is serene. - Photo by TalAtlas
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Pictured: Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden transforms into an ice skating rink full of holiday cheer from mid-November through mid-February every year (weather permitting).
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Pictured: The Washington Harbour in Georgetown
The Washington Harbour features iconic scenery of DC landmarks and includes a plaza and promenade. There are a number of great restaurants in the area, and in winter, an ice rink opens for public skating.
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Trip Ideas
Logan Circle loves design, which is why many of its attractions revolve around interesting visuals like historic houses, restored furniture and avant-garde plays. Let your eye wander.
Get active in this bike-friendly neighborhood with plenty of green space and grand, remarkable buildings.
Whether an adventurer or historian, you'll find both outdoor activities and private, world-class museums in Georgetown.
Devout practitioners and religious history buffs will enjoy touring Brookland's impressive churches.
This neighborhood makes great use of vast green space with the National Zoo, Rock Creek Park, a monumental theatre and several significant hotels.
This quiet, less trodden section of the District is home to attractions like Marjorie Merriweather Post's estate, a woodsy amphitheater and renowned tennis facility.
When warm weather descends on the nation’s capital, outdoor dining is clutch. Get the low-down on all kinds of alfresco experiences, from historic chili dog vendors to exotic food trucks or from patio lunches to restaurants with retractable-rooftops.
Find respite in one of America’s largest and oldest city parks that sprawls through Washington, DC.
Explore the rustic expanse of Rock Creek Park, one of America’s largest and oldest city parks.
Take a different, waterside vantage point of Washington from a paddle or cruise boat, even an island golf course.
Explore the historic fish market, river cruise options and the performing arts in this neighborhood.
From Nationals Park to Yards Park, Capitol Riverfront is a perfect place to spend a day or night.
The Woodley Park/Cleveland Park neighborhood is home to the National Zoo and Rock Creek Park.
The Potomac River provides an awesome outlet for water sports and recreation.
With more than 230,000 acres of parks, DC is a nature-lover’s paradise. Picnic in or retreat to one.
With such beautiful vistas, DC is a running town. Check out where you can compete - or spectate.
Brookland is home to Civil War-era landmarks, quiet residential streets and picturesque places.
A cosmopolitan neighborhood with great bars and boutiques, Dupont Circle is DC's GLBT neighborhood.
From biking and boating to picnics and playgrounds, outdoor activities abound for all ages in DC.
Between hiking, biking, boating, running or Segwaying, you'll get plenty of fresh air in DC.
Combine exercise with your sightseeing adventures in DC with these outdoor tours.
Foggy Bottom welcomes outdoor enthusiasts as well as diplomats, dignitaries and celebrities alike.
The DC region boasts more than 800 miles of trails. Lace up your sneakers and explore.
