Koons White Marsh Chevrolet

May 13, 2021

There’s much to see and do outdoors in the nation’s Capitol, from gardens to monuments, to outdoor dining and historic parks. As you wander the streets you can see historic buildings where so many important events have taken place, then stop for a beverage, or enjoy a meal at a quaint park. You might follow paths where this country’s founders have walked. Learn the history of the people that came before them, who lived in the area for 4,000 years. Take time from your busy day to enjoy the open air, the pleasant promenades, and visit some of these local attractions.

VICTURA PARK AT THE REACH

Located outside the River Pavilion at the Kennedy Center’s newest addition, the REACH, Victura Park is an outdoor wine and beer garden, and family-friendly cafe. Returning for its second season due to its popularity, you can stop for a coffee or brew while wondering the nearby Presidential Grove, viewing sculptures and gardens, and seeing yourself in the reflecting pool. You will find plenty of cafe and picnic tables with shade umbrellas outside. Or take a blanket to the lawn to enjoy a beer and light lunch while watching the waters of the great Potomac River flow by. 

Victura Park is open on the weekend, from 4-9pm on Fridays, and 12-9 on Saturdays and Sundays. Meal options include bratwurst, knackwurst, or vegan-wurst, with bun and sides, or a grilled chicken platter. A variety of cheese and charcuterie boards, as well as pretzel sticks with beer cheese, and pita bread with hummus, are available from the drinks menu. They have a selection of beers, wines from around the world, and canned cocktails. Hot chocolate and hot apple cider are available plain, or with whiskey or rum. You can keep it simple with a nice cup of tea or coffee. 

CONSTITUTION GARDENS

You will find the Constitution Gardens within the National Mall between the Reflecting Pool, the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, and 17th St NW. It was created in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebrations, and serves as a living tribute to the US Constitution. It’s situated on land that was once under the Potomac River, before being drained in the early 20th century by the Army Corps of Engineers. The land was used as a site for temporary Navy buildings during WWI, though it wasn’t until the 70s that the buildings were removed and the park was founded. 

This 50-acre park includes a small lake with an island accessible by a footbridge. Paths meander through tree-shaded meadows where you can escape the hustle of the city. In 1982, a memorial was erected on the island in Constitution Lake, to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is made of 56 stone blocks, with each one including a gold reproduction of a signer’s signature as well as his occupation and hometown. They are arranged by state and include all of the 13 original colonies. The island, named Signers Island, is frequented by the local waterfowl.

US NATIONAL ARBORETUM

The US National Arboretum was established in 1927 by an act of Congress. It is comprised of 446 acres in northeast Washington, D.C., with over 9 miles of roadways running through it. The Arboretum is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, and functions as a center of botanic research on trees, shrubs, turf, and new ornamentals. Its gardens include The Friendship Garden around Arbor House, the Holly and Magnolia Collections, the Dogwood Collection on a slope overlooking the Anacostia River, the Perennial Collections featuring favorite like daffodils and daylilies, and many more.

One of the Arboretum’s many attractions is the National Grove of State Trees. 41 species of trees are grown in 51 plots, one for each state and D.C., that spread over 30 acres. Each plot contains a grove of a state tree, or another indigenous species better suited to the local climate. You can stroll among the trees, and enjoy a picnic at the tables near the entrance. While wandering through the beautiful gardens, see if you can spot the Capitol Columns, a group of 22 sandstone columns that were once part of the east portico of the Capitol Building.

KENILWORTH PARK AND AQUATIC GARDENS

Across the Anacostia River from the Arboretum, you will find Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. For many years, approximately 4,000 in fact, the Nacotchtank people lived in the fertile wetlands of the river. They had a thriving culture, relying on the food the marshes and flood-lands of the river provided. As the English invaded, they cleared the land of its protective trees, and when the industrial revolution came the natural wetlands were all but lost. It was Helen Fowler who lobbied to have her father’s aquatic gardens, and thereby the natural marsh around them, preserved. 

Today you can visit lush gardens mixed with meadows and marshland, and see ponds where 500-year-old lotus grow. With no trails longer than half a mile, it’s easy to access any part of the gardens. You can listen to the chirping of frogs, catch sightings of pond turtles, and learn about the local ecology. The park is a paradise for birders, with the woods and marshlands being home to 236 different species year-round, plus migratory flocks through the season. You might even see deer, otters, and muskrats, who are happy to call the park their home.

Washington, D.C. is home to some incredible parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces. You can stroll alongside flowing rivers, walk in the shade of historic trees, explore collections of rare and exotic plants, or just sit in the sunshine and have drinks with a loved one. Have you visited any of the parks in the D.C. area? What’s your favorite outdoor activity when you’re in the Capitol? At Koons White Marsh Chevrolet we’d love to hear about your best D.C. outdoor spots, so drop us a line and let us know what else is out there.


*Image via Flickr by Angela N.