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To cool down and relax, especially during DC's muggy summers, head to this riverside park. A favorite among locals, Hains Point is a peninsula of land jutting out into the confluence of the Potomac River and the Washington Channel. Let the cross breezes revitalize you as you stroll along the river, picnic or take the kids to the playground. Best of all, kids love climbing "The Awakening"—a huge statue of a man seemingly climbing up out of the ground.
A popular outdoor destination for children, college students and nature lovers, this park lies north of Georgetown. Woodlands surround a recreation area with tennis courts, picnic tables, and a playground. A gorgeous green expanse filled with pretty tree-lined pathways, shaded areas, and lush, well-maintained gardens, it is fantastic for all kinds of visitors as they can indulge in outdoor activities, serene strolls, or picnics. Special features include a boxwood maze, and Lovers Lane, a cobblestone walkway on the western portion of the park. To explore more elaborately designed grounds and an elegant estate, visit Dumbarton Oaks next door. Admission is free.
Canal Park
Canal Park is a paragon of creative and sustainable urban planning in the heart of Capitol Hill. Design firm OLIN, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Planning has revamped a disused bus parking station into this beautiful garden and won international awards for the same. The elongated park features colored dancing fountains and uses water recycling methods that have won it LEED Gold certification. Modern art and sculptures dot the entire garden, while the expansive lawns are the site of public games, storytelling events, farmer's markets, festivals, environmental workshops and art exhibitions. In fact, it has become a hub for both free and paid cultural and community events in Capitol Hill. Every winter, the on-site ice rink opens up for a new season, where children and adults alike can enjoy hours of ice skating. This garden is also home to Park Tavern Restaurant, a beautiful spot for both alfresco and sustainable dining.
