The Washington DC area THRIVES in the Spring (sorry, allergy sufferers) and there is so much more to do than fight through crowds at the Tidal Basin. The Collective team has so many favorite outdoor places to walk, hike, enjoy a picnic, even entertain the kids… so if you’re looking for things to do outside of your home, we got you!
Best place for a picnic: The National Arboretum
Such a gem in the middle of an urban landscape, the National Arboretum has it all: paths for strolling (or jogging, if that’s your jam), picnic areas, Instagrammable backgrounds, and you can’t beat the proximity to DC.
Best place to bring the family: Wheaton Regional Park-Brookside
Whether the kids are into mini-trains, nature walks, and/or carousels, there is something to entertain all ages and interests here. Don’t forget to visit Brookside Gardens. Pack a picnic and make a day of it! The miniature train opened for the season this month and the tulips at Brookside Gardens just started blooming!
Best place for an urban adventure on the water: Key Bridge Boathouse
If water sports are your thing, rent a kayak and meander down the Potomac. Then grab a drink outside at one of the many establishments on the waterfront in Georgetown and watch others do the same! Related, have you heard about the new boathouse plans near Theodore Roosevelt Island? A unique partnership between Arlington County, the National Park Service, and community organizations has resulted in the plans for the Arlington Community Boathouse, the first in this area of Northern Virginia. Keep your eyes peeled for more on this.
Best place for a short road trip: Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
Getting to Shenandoah is a haul, but it’s a quick trip to Sugarloaf Mountain for hikes of all ability levels. Then on your way out of the park, hit the vineyard for wine tasting, live music, and food trucks to satiate the appetite you worked up on the hike.
Best places to gather with friends: We couldn’t just pick one, so here are two options, one for our DC denizens and one for the Takoma Park folks looking for fun places close to home.
- DC, don’t sleep on Dacha Navy Yard. Looking for a place to chill with friends, outside, and with great beverages and food? We recently hosted a small event at Dacha Navy Yard and highly recommend it for good times, ambience, and location.
- Takoma, we hear that Zinnia is about to open its gardens—and plans to make ordering easy with QR coded menus so you don’t have to worry about being forgotten outside!
Other urban favorites to check out:
If you like to keep your outdoor adventures close to the city—as in, in the city—one of these DC sites might be for you!
And if aviation is your passion, there is always the standby favorite, Gravelly Park.
Do you have a favorite place you want to recommend with us? Please share! In the meantime, enjoy your spring!
