10 Best Parks in Washington DC

Great Falls Park is in Virginia and offers a breathtaking look at the Potomac River as it crashes over rock formations and cliffs in the Mather Gorge. It's just a 15-minute drive from city centre Washington, DC, and it offers astounding photo opportunities of the falls. In addition, you can tackle any of 6 different hiking trails through the park grounds. If you want to get the best views of the gorge, take the River Trail.

Though technically not in DC, this park's proximity to city centre makes it an ideal place to escape the crowds. You'll get a peaceful escape and stunning views of all of nature's grandeur.

Meridian Hill Park offers 12 acres of beautifully tended green space with trees, lawns, and sculptures, as well as a stunning tiered fountain right at the park's centre. The park was formally established in 1912, but its roots trace to 1819 when a mansion was built here. It features statues of Joan of Arc and Dante as well as a tribute and memorial to President James Buchanan. The park hosts a drum circle every Sunday, a tradition that's been going on for decades.

The park is modelled on Italian Renaissance-style gardens seen across Europe, and its fountain is one of the largest cascading fountains in North America. It's also just 1.5 miles north of the White House.

Rock Creek Park is a vast stretch of serene, wooded trails where you can escape from politics, history, hustle, and bustle and just relax in a shaded tranquil space. The park was established in 1890 and allows for tonnes of activities, including a nature centre and planetarium, a golf course, live entertainment shows, horseback riding lessons, and more. The 1,700-acre park is also home to the National Zoo, where you can visit hundreds of species of animals.

There's so much to see and do in this park that you could almost spend an entire holiday here. It's only 11 minutes north of city centre by car.

The United States Botanic Garden is famed as a living museum of plants and offers thousands of varieties of flora and fauna to photograph and enjoy all year long. The park is free to enter and is open 365 days a year. The greenhouse was founded in 1933 and offers 20,000 square feet of domestic and exotic plants. Across the street from the greenhouse, you can walk 2 acres of outdoor collections that were established in 1932.

The park is dedicated to sustainability and is known for its cast-iron Fountain of Light and Water. You can also just sit on benches under the shade of trees. The garden is just a 12-minute drive from the centre of city centre.

The United States National Arboretum offers more than 440 acres of parks, gardens, and green space, including one of North America's largest bonsai tree collections. The gardens you can explore here include the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, the National Herb Garden, and the Flowering Tree Collection. One of the best things about this park is that you can either wander the trails on your own or you can take a guided tour by tram to learn all about the gardens and museums.

The park is free to enter and is about a 20-minute drive from city centre Washington. Whether you're in it for education or relaxation, it's a beautiful place to explore.

Constitution Gardens comprises 50 acres of green space established as a tribute and memorial to the framers of the United States Constitution. The park is located in the heart of city centre at the National Mall and sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle after visiting historic sites, you can easily come here to grab some peace and quiet.

Sit down on a bench and rest your feet under shaded trees or walk paved trails and just take some meditative time to recharge here. You can even stroll around a clear pond and just bask in nature.

Theodore Roosevelt Island offers a memorial to the 26th president of the United States and champion of the outdoors with hiking trails, statuary, and river views. This celebration of the great conservationist comprises an entire island of wilderness preserve with hiking trails that meet at a 17-foot bronze statue of Roosevelt created by sculptor Paul Manship.

Surrounding the statue are 4 monoliths made from granite and inscribed with Roosevelt's writings. The island is a serene place to sit and contemplate the relationship between nature and humanity or just to get away from the crowds of the city for a while. You'll find it just west of city centre in the Potomac River.

The Yards Park offers a waterfront park with a boardwalk, bridge, water features, and seemingly endless green space for you to enjoy on your visit to Washington, DC. The park regularly hosts events and live entertainment, and you can also take yoga classes and engage in many other activities here. The dancing fountains at the entrance are a highlight of the park and a great spot to cool off.

This park lets you view the Anacostia River just 16 minutes south of city centre. Whether you're going to swim in the summer, see the waterfall, or catch a performance, it's a great escape from the city's excitement.

The Georgetown Waterfront Park offers 10 acres of accessible paths, cycling and skating areas, waterfront views, fountains, and eco-friendly green space along the Potomac River. The park is a converted former industrial strip offering a huge spray fountain where kids can cool off on hot days, steps along the river where you can sit and watch life pass by, and a green labyrinth built to help you meditate as you wander its paths. The park incorporates a bio-edge retaining wall, rain gardens, and pollinator gardens in an effort to be eco-friendly.

You'll find benches and shaded paths here, and the park is well-lit at night. It's a free place to come that's just a 10-minute drive from city centre.

Fort Dupont Park offers about 400 acres of natural space along the Anacostia River for outdoor adventure and recreation, including biking, hiking, picnicking, enjoying gardens, and soaking up history. The park was named for an old Civil War fort and offers monuments to Civil War history, a community garden you can walk through, and miles of branching trails that are great for hiking or biking. It also contains an outdoor theatre and hosts summer concerts every year throughout the season.

The park is free to enter and open all year long. It's located just about a 20-minute drive from city centre Washington, DC.