Outdoor DC

Outdoor DC

The Great Outdoors

*Get in touch with Mother Nature with our guide to DC’s best outdoor activities.

words by > Neal Learner

Visitors to Washington, DC, can get a pretty good workout tromping between the museums, monuments and federal buildings—not to mention climbing the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But for those who want a bit more of an organized workout—or simply crave a break from the crowds at the popular attractions—the nation’s capital offers a wealth of exciting and challenging activity options. Here are eight outdoor diversions located only minutes from downtown.

Biking

Miles and miles of unobstructed cycling paths beckon intrepid bicyclists to many of the region’s most interesting destinations—both natural and man-made. One of the most popular paths is the Mount Vernon Trail (www.bikewashington.org/trails/vernon/vernon) along the Potomac River. The paved trail starts on the Virginia side of Washington and continues through historic Old Town Alexandria and on to George Washington’s famous estate at Mount Vernon. Make sure to stop at the end of the Ronald Reagan-Washington National Airport runway to watch the jets roar by directly overhead. Bike rentals are available at a number of area shops. Bike the Sites (202-842-2453, www.bikethesites.com) offers both rentals and guided tours.

Boating

In the heat of a Washington summer, nothing refreshes the sticky masses like a splash on the Potomac. For those who just want a lazy afternoon drift, rent a kayak or canoe from Jack’s Boathouse (202-337-9642, www.jacksboathouse.com) and explore the waterfront along Georgetown and around Theodore Roosevelt Island. Certified scullers can rent rowing shells from Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown (202-333-9543, www.thompsonboatcenter.com). Upstream at Fletcher’s Boat House (202-244-0461, www.fletcherscove.com), the scenery is a bit more back to nature. Rent a large flat-bottom rowboat and take the entire family out for a day on the water. Anglers can cast their lines here into one of the area’s premier fishing spots. Fishing permits are available on-site. A bit farther upstream, the Potomac offers some of the most challenging whitewater rapids on the East Coast, and all within a 20-minute drive of downtown Washington. Kayaking tours and lessons on this dramatic section of the river are available through Potomac Paddlesports (301-831-8270, www.potomacpaddlesports.com).

Rock climbing

For a truly thrilling workout experience, it’s hard to beat the sport of rock climbing. The 90-foot vertical cliffs and crags at nearby Great Falls Park, Virginia, and Carderock Park, Maryland, challenge both the body and mind. Located just minutes off the Washington Beltway, the parks have become destinations for area climbing enthusiasts, who stop on their way home from work to unwind and enjoy the breathtaking views. Beginners can learn the ropes and experts can hone their skills in classes offered through Adventure Schools Rock Climbing (703-923-9700, www.adventureschool.com). Group lessons are available with advance registration; private lessons and guided climbs are available on shorter notice.

Hiking

A verdant oasis in the heart of the city, Rock Creek Park rewards nature lovers with some 25 miles of scenic hiking trails. Start at the park’s Nature Center (202-895-6070, www.nps.gov/rocr/naturecenter) and trek through deep ravines, over rolling hills and along bubbling creek beds. Make it as rigorous or relaxed as you like. You will quickly see why this sprawling park is considered one of the country’s leading urban nature areas. Another popular hike is the loop around Theodore Roosevelt Island, which can be accessed from the Arlington, Virginia, side of the Potomac across from Georgetown. Other nearby hikes along the Potomac include those at Turkey Run Park and Great Falls and Carderock parks. Nature lovers can join organized hikes sponsored by the Sierra Club’s Metropolitan Washington Regional Outings Program (202-547-2326, www.mwrop.org)

In-line skating

If you prefer to in-line skate through life, consider gliding along the seven-mile paved stretch of the Capital Crescent Trail (www.cctrail.org), from Georgetown to Bethesda, Maryland. Start your skate under the Key Bridge and proceed upstream along the Potomac, alongside the venerable Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The Crescent Trail—a stretch of the B&O Railroad’s former Georgetown Branch line—passes over four historic bridges and through two tunnels, and offers beautiful vistas over the Potomac. Stop and admire the mid 19th-century stone structures that still speak to the area’s rich history. Be sure to take breaks along the Potomac’s wild and leafy banks.

Horseback riding

You don’t need fancy riding boots to hop in the saddle for a trot through Rock Creek Park—just a somewhat steady balance. Expert equestrians at Rock Creek Park Horse Center (202-362-0117, www.rockcreekhorsecenter.com) will get the novice sitting pretty, and then head the group out on an hour-long ride through the rolling terrain. Pony rides are available for children. Call the horse center, DC’s only full-service equestrian facility, about one week in advance for reservations.

Running

Everyone in Washington seems to be running for something, including their health. On any given day, dedicated joggers can be found trotting around the National Mall and nearby environs. The DC Road Runners Club (703-241-0395, www.dcroadrunners.org) organizes multiple runs and races throughout the year. Every Saturday morning, club members and guests gather at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Rosslyn, Virginia, for the traditional Saturday Long Run, an invigorating six- to nine-mile jaunt around Washington. The run starts promptly at 8:30am.

Walking

If a less strenuous stroll is more to your liking, a ramble through the tony streets of Georgetown may be for you. Start at Dupont Circle and head west on P Street into the leafy neighborhoods flanked by brick townhouses, stately Tudors and cobblestone lanes. P Street will eventually lead you to Wisconsin Avenue, where you can stop for a bite in one of the many restaurants and watering holes that line Georgetown’s busy commercial district. Guided walking tours of Georgetown and other DC neighborhoods are available through Arnow Tours (1-888-889-1984, www.arnowtours.com), DC Walking Tours (301-588-8999, www.tourdc.com) and Washington Walks (202-484-1565, www.washingtonwalks.com).