The Great Falls Park, straddling both banks of the Potomac River, offers stunning views. The more attractive side of the park lies in Virginia. Rushing whitewater pours through steep, jagged crevices into a narrow gorge. Photographers, hikers, and nature lovers will find much to enjoy here. The park offers many trails, perfect for those looking for a day in nature. Fishing is allowed, but only with a valid permit. Kayaking is recommended for experienced individuals only due to the force of the water. So, plan a visit and view these majestic falls located just fifteen miles from the nation’s capital.
Part of the original design for the federal city, this massive park stretches from the US Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and around the Tidal Basin to the Jefferson Memorial. It has played host to many momentous, world-changing events throughout history including the 1963 March on Washington, the Million Man March and several presidential inaugurations. Today, the National Mall serves as a place for reflection, a memorial to American heroes, a symbol of freedom and a forum for the exercise of democracy. The Smithsonian museums, the Vietnam Memorial, the Reflecting Pool and the iconic Washington Monument are some of the most well-known of the National Mall's many iconic sites. Certainly, any visit to Washington DC should start with a tour of the United States National Mall, aptly named "America's front yard."
Brookside Gardens is a public garden located inside Wheaton Regional Park. It is open for public visits without any charge. Spread across 500 acres (202 hectares), major features of the garden include an aquatic park with ponds and a gazebo, a azalea garden, a butterfly garden and a children’s garden. Some of the other highlights include a dazzling fragrance garden, a Japanese tea house when visitors can sip on a variety of tea, a nature center, a lovely woodland walk, and much more.
The creators of Glenstone held three elements above all else when forming this unique gallery: art, architecture, and landscape. The gallery is situated on 200 acres of old foxhunting grounds, and nature plays heavily on the gallery's building and gardens. The gallery houses several contemporary art collections, the main collection of which focuses on post World War II work. To visit the fascinating Glenstone, you will need to reserve a time to visit the gallery, which you can do online, or by calling the gallery. The establishment provides free tours through the gallery, as well as through the outdoor sculpture gardens.
If you want a nice break from civilization without venturing too deep into the wilderness, then Matthew Henson State Park is the place for you. Named after the famous Arctic explorer, the park mainly comprises of woods with one major trail running through it. This 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometres) paved trail, known as Matthew Henson Trail, blazes its way through the park. At certain sections where there were environmental concerns about making pavements, wooden boardwalks have been constructed in their stead. Walk, cycle, roller blade or ride a horse along this beautiful trail, as you're surrounded by tall trees and soothing greenery everywhere you see. Be sure to take your time and admire the serenity before heading back to civilization out the other end.
The symbol of the city of Washington, DC, this 555-foot (169-meter) marble obelisk on the National Mall honors the nation's first president, George Washington. The cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid in 1848, but it was fully constructed only in 1884. One can witness a visible change about one-third of the way up the obelisk marble—evidence of the onset of the Civil War. Construction was stalled during the war, and when the builders returned to the same quarry to complete the project afterward, enough time had passed to cause a significant change in the color. It is an emblem of the United States and an icon of the nation; the Washington Monument is a moving sight, its elegant form mirrored in the Reflecting Pool of the Lincoln Monument nearby.