5 Outdoor Activities to Try in Washington, DC
Everyone knows that DC is a popular tourist town, filled with history and wonderful free museums. When the weather is nice, there are more options for outdoor enthusiasts or tourists looking for something a bit more adventurous. Here’s a short list to explore. Next time you visit DC, consider adding one of these 5 outdoor activities for a different perspective of our nation’s capital.
(Updated April 2026)
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1. Kayak on the Potomac River
Head over to the Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown and rent kayaks or canoes for a trip on the Potomac between the Memorial Bridge and Chain Bridge. Our family has done this several times and its always a fun adventure. For a small fee, we were able to launch two of our own kayaks in addition to renting a kayak and a canoe. After you work up an appetite rowing, head over to Georgetown for lunch.
2. Hike on Theodore Roosevelt Island
Just a stone’s throw from DC, you’ll find this pet friendly urban retreat just off the George Washington Parkway. The Swamp Trail is an easy loop at just under a mile and a half and is part of the Kids in Parks Track Trail. Download four different adventures with activities for kids to do while hiking the Swamp Trail. It’s a trash free park, so be prepared to take your trash with you when you leave.
3. Hop on a Bike and Ride along the C&O Canal Towpath
On any given warm weather weekend in DC, you will find numerous bike riders around town. There are several popular biking trails in DC, including parts of the towpath along the historic C&O Canal, as well as the Capital Crescent Trail and the Mount Vernon Trail. The latter offers scenic views of DC as well as a stop at popular Gravelly Point, an excellent spot to watch the planes take off literally over your head from nearby Reagan National Airport.
4. See the Sites with a Segway Tour
Capital Segway Tours offers the See the City tour which takes riders on a highlights tour of many of DC’s best attractions. Riders have to be at least 16 years of age for this roughly 2-hour tour (there is a minimum weight restriction as well). This may not be the cheapest way to see the sites around the National Mall, but you can definitely cover a lot more ground in a shorter period of time.
5. Stroll Through a Beautiful Garden
Take a break from the city and stroll through one of the free gardens in Washington, DC. We love the Enid A. Haupt Garden, the United States Botanic Garden, and the U.S. National Arboretum (this one even has free parking!). As you stroll around the National Mall, it’s easy to stop by the “Castle” grounds and see what is blooming in the beautiful Smithsonian Gardens. Or head to the United States Botanic Garden on the way to the U.S. Capitol to see the Bartholdi Fountain (the Fountain of Light and Water) and Gardens area.
