Fairfax County
Back to Top of ListGreat Falls Park
Nestled in McLean, the 800-acre Great Falls Park belongs on your Fairfax County year-round bucket list. Open every day from 7 a.m. until dark, here you can explore one of the nation's first canals, meet a ranger, enjoy a hike along Mather Gorge's dramatic cliff-tops, and more. Be sure to stop by the visitor center for trail maps and a small museum. Other activities include biking, bird watching, taking a guided tour, or kayaking. Check their website for more details on park rules, restrictions, fees, and tour times.
Riverbend Park
Located upriver from Great Falls, Riverbend Park is a great outing in all four seasons. Known for its quiet river views and spacious hiking trails, it's a perfect choice if you enjoy fishing, boating, or hitting the trails. The visitor center features natural and cultural history exhibits, including information about the animals you may see and the history of the area. Stop by to find out what you can do around this beautiful side of the Potomac.
Mason Neck State Park
Mason Neck, where history and nature meet. A favorite destination for birdwatching, especially for American Bald Eagles, and guided canoe trips of Kane's Creek and Belmont Bay. It has hiking trails, 3 miles of paved multi-use trails, a large picnic area, a playground, a car-top canoe launch, and a visitor center. Canoe, kayak, and bicycle rentals are also available. The park's wetlands, forest, open water, ponds, and open fields make it ideal for environmental study and wildlife observation. Visit the park's website for additional details on fees, events, and downloadable trail guides.
Pohick Bay Regional Park
Located 25 miles south of the Nation's capital, Pohick Bay Regional Park allows you to explore the Potomac River with rentable canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and jon boats on the weekends. In addition to water activities the park also offers family and group camping, hiking, picnic areas and a large play area for children. For those of you interested in swimming, this park hosts one of the largest, outdoor freeform pools on the east coast! Nature lovers can expect to see blue birds, osprey, heron, deer, beavers and rare sightings of river otters. In addition to all this, Pohick Bay also offers camping and a seasonal water park that you and the kids are sure to enjoy! Visit their website for entrance fees and boat rental costs.
Fountainhead Regional Park
Fountainhead is situated in Fairfax Station, where visitors will quickly discover the spectacular view of the widest point of the Occoquan Reservoir. Perfect for fishing or simply relaxing on the calm waters, Fountainhead's water access allows for private boat launching as well as canoe, kayak and jon boat rentals. On land, you will find one of the most challenging mountain bike trails in the region, which features a stacked loop system, with a beginner level loop that newer and younger riders can stay on, or riders can continue on the connecting intermediate loop, and then on to an advanced loop. The course includes the beginner and intermediate loops and boardwalk, trail bridges and technical trail features to create a challenging and exciting ride for cyclists of all abilities.
Burke Lake Park
A 218-acre lake with fishing, boating, rowboat rental, camping, a miniature train, a carousel, outdoor volleyball courts, open fields, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, clubhouse with snack bar and driving range, disk golf, horseshoe pits, an ice cream parlor, picnic areas with grills, 3 playgrounds, trails, amphitheater, and miniature golf course. Burke Lake Park boasts one of the 10 best fitness trails in the nation. That's the assessment of the American Hiking Society, after its trail specialists hiked high and low to find top 10 candidates in or near a major metropolitan area (close enough to use before or after work or on lunch hours) with portions that can be completed in 60-90 minutes. The Burke Lake Loop Trail follows the shoreline 4.7 miles around the lake, with bays jutting out from the main body of water that provide a welcome sense of solitude. Gravel surfaced for most of its length, Burke Lake's loop trail is "a fine choice for either a brisk walk or a run," plus it's also suitable for biking.
Occoquan Regional Park
Scenically located on the Occoquan River, diagonally across from the Town of Occoquan. This park offers 400 acres of recreational space and a touch of the past with its historic brick kilns and the memory of imprisoned women suffragists. Occoquan Regional Park is also one of the few places in the region to serve as a trailhead for and site within multiple routes of regional and national significance.
Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
Nestled in Alexandria, its 485 acres of tidal marsh, floodplain, and swamp forest can be explored by boat or on foot. It is one of the largest freshwater tidal wetlands in the DC area, and it's open year-round. Even though it is possible to explore Dyke Marsh by foot, the best way to do it is by boat. Belle Haven Marina offers boat ramps and boat rentals. Find more information here.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
To make the most of your visit in Fairfax County, don't miss this hidden gem. Known for its Korean Bell Garden -the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere- this is your must-visit destination if you like to find peace within the everyday. Especially during spring, stroll among the colorful blooms including azaleas, lilies, and cherry blossoms.
Here you can wander through this botanical gardens, explore it's whimsical paths, take a break on the benches along the gardens, spot pollinators, listen to the birds and enjoy the sight of colorful koi swimming in the pond. Take classes and workshops and enjoy the beautiful nature Meadowlark offers all year round.
Cool fact: The bell pavilion within the Korean Bell Garden was constructed using traditional Korean techniques without using any nails or screws.
Washington DC
Back to Top of ListTidal Basin
A serene corner of Washington DC, home to the Jefferson Memorial, The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the George Mason Memorial, and more. These landmarks can all be seen along the Tidal Basil Trail, a loop rich in history and gentle natural beauty. The Tidal Basin is also a favorite destination during the National Cherry Blossom Festival each spring, when blooming cherry trees make the area blush pink. It is also stunning during the fall foliage.
This unique landmark also symbolizes a shared connection between nations, as the cherry trees were a gift from Japan in 1909 as a gesture of friendship. Discover more here.
Rock Creek Park
Surrounded by the Nation's Capital, this 1,754-acre park is a natural haven in the city. Like many places in the DMV area, this park is not only in natural beauty but also in history. The Rock Creek Park was deforested during the American Civil War. In 1890, it became the third federally managed park. Since then, residents and visitors have enjoyed a peaceful escape right next to the busy city. Take a walk, bike, or rollerblade along the trails and trade the sounds of the traffic for flowing water, birds chirping, and a nice breeze. Visit the park's website before your trip.
U.S. National Arboretum
Tucked away in Northeast Washington, D.C, The U.S. National Arboretum is home to the world’s first museum dedicated to the art of bonsai: the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, established in 1976. The arboretum is open daily from 8am to 5pm, there's free parking available, or you can also ride your Capital Bikeshare.
It offers plenty of flora and fauna to explore across 431 acres of rolling fortified terrain. Walk along the trails that include Mt. Hamilton, which offers nice views of the Capitol, expansive meadows, and much more. It's considered one of the best spots for fall foliage, although it is beautiful year-round. Visit their website for more information, things to do, and upcoming events.
Cool fact: the iconic columns were once part of the U.S. Capitol.
Bonus: Theodore Roosevelt Island
An oasis between Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC, Theodore Roosevelt Island is a memorial to America’s 26th president. Theodore Roosevelt studied birds, wrote "The Naval War of 1812", and was known for reading thousands of books. It's nice to think that many of those things can still be done at his memorial. A quiet forest with trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands, making it the perfect place to walk, birdwatch, and sit down to read or write.
The island can only be reached from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. After Memorial Bridge follow the sign to turn right to enter the parking lot. Please note that cars are only allowed to park in designated parking spaces. Find more information here.