Free Things to Do: Outdoor Activities in Washington, DC

Grab your hiking boots and join the bikers trekking their way down the C&O Canal Towpath, which traces the Potomac River from Georgetown 184.5 miles north to Cumberland, Md. Expect awesome visuals along the way.

The southeast pocket of DC has undergone significant development in recent years, including a continuous new 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail that runs along both sides of the Anacostia River through the Capitol Riverfront and Anacostia neighborhoods. Run, bike or stroll down the 10-12 foot wide trail that winds next to the revitalized waterway.

It's easy to continue exploring DC's many green trails, like the Capital Crescent Trail, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, the Mount Vernon Trail and the Klingle Valley Trail. Be sure to check out helpful tools like maps from the Capital Trails Coalition and this route-making resource from goDCgo, plus running and riding tips from the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

If you simply want to relax outdoors, pack a picnic and head to one of DC’s loveliest parks: Meridian Hill Park. This historic swath of Adam's Morgan was once a part of John Quincy Adams’ private estate, is run by the National Park Service today. The park still features the original cascading fountain and on Sundays, locals get together for a boisterous drum circle.

Stroll through the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden and admire works from artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder and Robert Indiana. The garden features seating for visitors and a fountain that has turned into an ice rink in past winters. The park also hosts Jazz in the Garden on Friday evenings in the summertime.

Reachable by footbridge off the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Theodore Roosevelt Island pays homage to the great conservationist. You will find nearly two miles of trails that traverse through forest and wetland, as well as a 17-foot statue dedicated to the historic figure. Via the trails, you can encounter beautiful views of the Potomac River.

Head to the Watergate Steps, near the Arlington Memorial Bridge and close to the National Mall and Foggy Bottom, and take a jog up and down the famous stairs. There's also the infamous 'Exorcist' Steps in Georgetown, known for their inclusion in the classic DC-based horror film from 1973.

Home to the popular Billy Goat Trail, Great Falls Park is the perfect place to explore nature and is only a 30-minute drive from DC. The 800 acres of scenic parkland consists of hiking trails, cascading rapids and spectacular waterfalls. While regular admission to Great Falls Park is typically $20 per vehicle and $10 per individual on foot or a bike, the park is free-to-enter on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week, National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day (check the Great Falls website for more information). 

The beloved U.S. National Arboretum is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Arboretum aims to increase the aesthetic, environmental and economic importance of landscape and ornamental plants. The gorgeous, 446-acre property makes for an inspiring and visually captivating visit at any time of the year, with a diversity of flora and fauna (bonsai trees, azaleas, flowering cherry trees to name a few) and the Instagram-worthy original Capitol Columns. The park has designated areas for picnicking, too.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

About five miles northeast of Anacostia, you’ll find this natural wonder. Come for a visit, and you’ll likely share the park with photographers, birders and even dog-walkers. Enjoy summer flowers, which bloom between late May through September. Mornings are the best times to see the famed water lilies and lotuses. For wildlife, be on the lookout from October through March, when lack of foliage makes birding for bald eagles easier. From Anacostia, the best way to get there is via a rideshare app like Uber, on bike or on the V2 Metrobus. Otherwise, take the Orange Line to the nearby Deanwood Metro station.

Explore all the ways to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the District.