A lovely Victorian-style green space spread over 4.2 acres (1.2 hectares), Enid A. Haupt Garden is a welcome respite for tired National Mall visitors. Located off Independence Avenue near the entrances to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the National Museum of African Art, the park is easily accessible. With a rooftop garden with a three-story building lying beneath, the park is designed to delight and be aesthetically pleasing. Visitors will love taking a leisurely stroll here amidst the 19th-century style benches and urns along the park's brick paths.
Georgetown Waterfront was an industrial area bustling with lumber and cement factories. However, due to the efforts and suggestions of National Capital Planning Commission, Georgetown Waterfront Park has now been developed. The grassy place offers panoramic views of the Kennedy Center and the Key Bridge against the back-drop of the enormous skyline. Also worth experiencing are the park's various mini attractions like the River Steps, Labyrinth and Fountain. Visitors to the park can spend their time biking or walking around the park or simply taking in the spectacular views.
Head to the Tidal Basin if you're seeking something to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Set in picturesque surroundings, it is truly a visual treat. Found between the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, it covers a vast area of 107 acres (43 hectares). Also utilized as a means for flushing the Washington Channel, it is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thus, explore the Tidal Basin for a leisurely activity and have a unique experience.
An integral part of the West Potomac Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial is an impressive memorial honoring the life and glory of the legendary civil rights activist. The memorial, an extension of his valiant, dignified and equality-seeking identity, is based on the very foundations of justice, hope, and democracy. Laden with motley inscriptions and quotations from his speeches, including the iconic 'I Have a Dream', the memorial site is also home to a 30-foot (9 meters) statue of Martin Luther King, Jr., a pristine white sculpture signifying pride, equality, and an indelible political legacy. Fashioned from white granite, the structure is awash in Social Realist style and has been the subject of artists and critics alike. The crowning glory of Washington D.C., this iconic memorial has ignited a strong sense of political, social and historic integrity among the global audience.
This pleasant park is situated just north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. With its flat terrain and location right on the water, the park attracts cyclists and boaters, but its biggest draw is probably the close proximity to the airport (a mere 400 feet away). People come to watch the planes land and take off, flying in low right above them. An added bonus is a nice view of the Washington skyline.
Lake Needwood is the perfect place to visit if you want to indulge in a blissful time amidst nature. Come here on a beautiful morning and take a pleasant stroll near the lake. There are biking trails here and even trails reserved for hiking. Paddleboats can be rented out and you can spend a nice time exploring the surroundings of the lake. You can get a packed lunch and have a picnic with your family in designated the areas.