The 7 Best National Parks in Washington DC, District of Columbia (DC)

November 29, 2021 Stefan Strunk

Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. Attracting as many school field trips as it does travelers the district offers a peek into the country’s democratic origin. There are plenty of free museums to take advantage of but the real draw here is the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Spend some contemplative time at the Reflecting Pool within the National Mall, among the most patriotic places in the country.
Restaurants in Washington DC

1. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

National Park Service 1900 Anacostia Drive, SE, Washington DC, DC 20020 +1 202-692-6080 http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 103 reviews

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Reviewed By jinxminx888 - Takoma Park, United States

I have been to Kenilworth many times over the years and like to get there every summer. It used to be a privately owned aquatic plant selling business and now it is a national park! It is free to enter and small enough to see the whole thing. There is a small visitor center with bathrooms and water fountains and a tiny gift shop, and a main area of ponds. Many of them are filled with lotuses, which are absolutely magical when they bloom in the summer, and they bloom for a long time. Toward the back left as you face the ponds is a boardwalk trail out to the swamp where you can see redwinged blackbirds, herons, egrets, muskrats, etc. and to the right is the Anacostia River, with a trail through the woods that connects up to the Anacostia River Trail, which is a bike trail that connects up as part of a 25 mile trail system that runs through Maryland and DC. I often see something cool on the trail - a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar, a rabbit, a turtle... There are both waterlily and lotus ponds. They are all beautiful, though the lotuses are more spectacular. You will hear the croak and splash of frogs as you walk through, though they are hard to see. There are also a lot of geese around, so watch your step - it can also be muddy after a rain - if you take the boardwalk to the swamp, you'll see why. There's not a lot of shade, so it's hot in the summer but it's so worth a visit. It's just a very unique national park, and extremely beautiful. It's off the regular tourist trail but definitely worth a visit in the summer months. I also love it in the late fall - there are lots of lotus pods around. I hope to go in the snow some time. Fantastic for photography. My one complaint is it closes so early on summer evenings. Did I mention it's free??

2. Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

1318 Vermont Ave NW, Washington DC, DC 20005-3607 +1 202-673-2402 http://www.nps.gov/mamc/index.htm
Excellent
20%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 15 reviews

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House

Home of the founder and the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women.

3. West Potomac Park

Independence Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20418
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

West Potomac Park

4. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (in Georgetown)

1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 On the C&O Canal, Washington DC, DC 20007 +1 202-653-5190 https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm
Excellent
40%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10 reviews

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (in Georgetown)

5. McPherson Square

1500 K St NW Bounded by K St NW, Vermont Ave NW, I St NW and 15th St NW, Washington DC, DC 20005-1209 http://www.nps.gov/articles/600230.htm#4/35.50/-98.53
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

McPherson Square

6. Edward R. Murrow Park

18th and H Streets, N.W., Washington DC, DC
Excellent
0%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 2 reviews

Edward R. Murrow Park

7. Ellipse Visitor Pavilion

15th and E Streets NW, Washington, DC 20500 Inside the Ellipse near the White House, Washington DC, DC 20500 +1 202-456-7041 http://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Excellent
17%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
17%
Terrible
32%
Overall Ratings

2.5 based on 6 reviews

Ellipse Visitor Pavilion

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