Living the in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC area can afford you with a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Here in Sudir Raju’s we have talked about all the great hiking adventures you can enjoy within driving distance if you live in the tri-state area, the parks you can visit and the actual trails you may walk. The capital region is notorious for having literally hundreds of miles of scenic trails and parks, in which people of all walks of life and skill levels are able to enjoy the outdoors, sightsee and exercise. One of the best things about these activities is that the great majority of them are free and thanks to our amazing National Park Service, you have facilities available to you that are safe, clean, adequate for all of your needs and perfectly maintained. Spring is just around the corner and summer not far behind, which means that is the perfect time to get prepared, get your gear and plan your next adventure either by yourself, or accompanied by your loved ones.
Biking
Biking is a great activity to get into in Washington, DC. You can buy a bicycle that could simply set you back a couple hundred dollars or rent one easily to see if biking is truly your thing before committing to the purchase. The Capital Crescent Trail goes all the way from Georgetown to Silver Spring and it’s a great starting point for those who are new to biking, as long as they take on the 11 miles going southbound. Going in the opposite direction does require more stamina. If you want breathtaking views and something a little bit longer, give the Mount Vernon Trail a try and enjoy the 18 miles of flat and mostly car-free roads that are maintained by the National Park Service and thus provide you with bathrooms, picnic tables and stops to top off your water bottles.
Parks and Picnics
Visiting a park and having a picnic is a great way to spend some time in the outdoors with the whole family, or maybe even with just that special someone. Washington, DC and the Maryland area offers a lot of great places to do so. If you want to have a picnic that is worthy of royalty, you can check out Hillwood Estate enjoy the spectacular gardens and not have to worry about bringing anything along since they will lend you a blanket and even sell all kinds of picnic fare. If you prefer a place where you can have some wine, then the Chrysalis Vineyards are for you. They have picnic areas, grills, tables and some of the most beautiful landscapes you can find around town. Just remember you cannot bring your own alcohol here if you want to drink.
Kayaking and boating
Kayaking and boating are very popular activities in Washington, DC and this is in part because there are many great places to do it and because there are many organizations that promote the activity by organizing day trips and excursions to many of the top spots around the area. Potomac Paddlesports is a great example of a place that offers classes, trips, and offers guides that will help you literally navigate the waters of the Potomac on the 10-mile stretch that is especially suited for these types of activities. Paddleboarding is also very popular in Washington, DC and there are a few companies that can provide you with equipment rentals, as well as with the training you need to get out there and enjoy yourself.
Places of interest to visit
One of the best things about Washington, DC is that there are so many things to see and that many of those places of interest are located in the outdoors. If you want to learn and experience some of our nation’s history then you can check out one of the many monuments and stroll down the National Mall, check out the sculpture gardens of the Hirshhorn Museum, visit the National Gallery of Art and even do some running or biking around the many attractions available. Rock Creek Park is a location you cannot miss since it offers a great feel of the outdoors, but without having to leave the city. The park is a nice location for families with children since many of their programs are directed towards the youngest members of the family.
Hiking
Hiking has been the main topic of most of our articles and that is because this is one of the best activities to do around Washington, DC. Not only are there many different choices for you to pick from, but also they are well maintained and diverse enough like to welcome the very beginners and challenge the most daring. Trails can be easy enough for you to finish within an hour and bring along every member of the family, and at the same time, you could actually walk quite a bit of the Appalachian Trail without having to leave home.
* Featured Image courtesy of Pixabay at Pexels.com
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