Top Parks in Washington, United States

This is a perfect place to spend the sunset time in summer in Washington DC. There are many restaurants and you will enjoy the ambience.

Clean, lots of seating, some greenery, could use a little more shade in summer (but will have some when young trees get taller). Right next to Planet Word museum (free) inside Franklin School building.

Overall it's a nice park but the staircases were very poorly designed. At least six people over the last year and a half have sustained serious injuries because the steps don't have handrails and they don't look like steps. Similar step designs have been outlawed in other jurisdictions because they're so dangerous. So just beware.

It's my favorite go to place at night. So lively and quiet at the same time! Love that place.

Attended the Heal & Meditation 🧘‍♀️ event and it was awesome sauce 😁 I was born in Meridian Towers and swam in the water that used 2 be here (was named Malcolm X Park then); the architecture is AMAZING, not 2 mention the breath taking views...planning 2 bring my son 4 the drumming gathering on Saturdays; so happy I found this park again 😍

Benjamin Banneker (November 9, 1731 – October 19, 1806) was an African-American naturalist, mathematician, astronomer and almanac author. A landowner, he also worked as a surveyor and farmer.

Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African-American mother and a father who had formerly been enslaved, Banneker had little or no formal education and was largely self-taught. He became known for assisting Major Andrew Ellicott in a survey that established the original borders of the District of Columbia, the federal capital district of the United States.

Beautiful little park in the city actually has a cute pond not something you see in the city often

Meridian Hill Park in DC is an absolute gem! 🌳🌷🌿 This urban oasis offers a perfect escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The beautiful cascading fountains, serene atmosphere, and lush greenery make it a peaceful haven for relaxation and picnics. The park's historic elements, like the Joan of Arc statue and the Italian Renaissance-style terrace, add a touch of elegance and charm. The regular drum circles and cultural events create a vibrant and welcoming community atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a tranquil retreat or a social gathering spot, Meridian Hill Park has it all. A definite 5-star rating for this beautiful park that truly captures the essence of DC's diverse and dynamic spirit! 🥁🌈🏛️ #MeridianHillPark #UrbanOasis #HistoricCharm #CulturalHub #CommunityVibes #DCExploration #FiveStarExperience"

During my day trip to Washington DC, I stumbled upon the picturesque Georgetown Park, and it proved to be an absolute highlight of my visit. Nestled in the charming Georgetown neighborhood, this park offers a perfect blend of serene harbor front views, leisurely activities, and a touch of local charm.

As I approached the park, I was immediately drawn to the captivating harbor front views. The tranquil waters of the Potomac River shimmered under the gentle sunlight, creating a soothing ambiance that instantly put me at ease. The sight of boats gently swaying on the water added a touch of nautical charm, evoking a sense of wanderlust and adventure. Had it not been a sweltering hot day, I would have rented a kayak too for a bit.

One of the unique aspects of Georgetown Park is the opportunity to interact with boat owners. As I strolled along the harbor, I had the pleasure of engaging in brief conversations with some friendly boat owners, who shared their passion for sailing and life on the water. Their warmth and enthusiasm were infectious, and it gave me a glimpse into the tight-knit boating community that adds to the park's charm.

After relishing the harbor views, I found the perfect spot in the park to simply chill and unwind. The lush greenery and well-maintained pathways created an inviting atmosphere for relaxation. Whether it was sitting on a bench, watching the river flow by, or simply taking a leisurely stroll, the park provided a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Another highlight of Georgetown Park is its proximity to the historic C & O canal. After enjoying the tranquility of the park, I made my way to the nearby C & O canal, which was an enchanting walk through history. The canal's towpath offers a scenic route with beautiful scenery and serves as a testament to the city's rich heritage.

Overall, Georgetown Park is an absolute gem that should not be missed during a trip to Washington DC. The captivating harbor front views, the friendly boat owners, and the serene atmosphere make it an ideal destination to unwind and immerse yourself in the beauty of the city. Whether you're looking for a peaceful place to relax or eager to explore the historic C & O canal, this park has something for every traveler.

If you find yourself exploring the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington DC, I highly recommend visiting Georgetown Park. It's a serene oasis that will undoubtedly leave you with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty and local charm of this vibrant city.

Every Sunday there is a drum circle. Gritty and shirtless. YUMMY lol
Please hear the short videos below.

Beautiful park area. Kids enjoyed playing in the water there. It's a nice neighborhood with pretty apartment's. Parking lot nearby where you can park for$2 an hour.

There hasn't been a stabbing nearby for weeks, the smell of the homeless camp in the summer is particularly aromatic in 90-degree weather.

Joe Jenkins is a superstar everyone go hear him song 🎶 he need a major recording deal he always got Georgetown lit good vibes come out Saturday and Sunday for a amazing time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Yards Park in Navy Yard, Washington, DC, is a true urban oasis. The park offers a range of attractions, from the stunning waterfall to the performance venue and expansive grassy areas. The riverfront boardwalk adds a charming touch, providing picturesque views. What sets this park apart is the plethora of restaurants nearby, making it a perfect spot for food lovers. Additionally, The Yards Park is an excellent space for children. With its splash zones and ample space for running around, kids can have a blast while parents relax and enjoy the surroundings. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family outing, The Yards Park offers a delightful experience that caters to all.

Beautiful water front on Potomac River for a nice outing either on weekdays or weekends.

Has options for ferry rides. Stunning scenery interlaced with green patches and walkways.

Roadside parking is free on weekends. Nice place for tourists to have a taste of magnanimity of US.

Beautiful small park! Lovely vibe and scenery

I went on a weekday so it was not as busy, which was nice. Took a nice stroll on the boardwalk next to the river and took some nice pictures. Had dinner next to the water, and it was very pleasant. Grabbed ice cream on the way back to the car. Only thing to note, the parking garage charges $50 dollars to park, another one was $30, but if you park at the little parking lot at the end of the boardwalk, it is only about $6-12!! So park there! :) Nice for dates, family, exercise, walking your puppy.

A very nice and well-kept park. Went there for juneteenth celebration. They had a very enjoyable event going.

Clean friendly positive energy both relaxing and you energetic hope me and my children both staff and guests we're warm welcoming with excellent hospitality and service

A nice neighborhood park. The fountain is not functioning otherwise this would be a great park. There are restrooms and also several placards with snippets of information.

The District Winery was a chic spot at the Yard. I was able to take my dog to outer seating of the restaurant. We stuck with the appetizers menu. They were tasty and the flavors rich. I had the sweet chicken and Caesar salad with real anchovies. We also ate garlic shrimp and they had a special on oysters and we drank red wine. The cost about 50 each.
The scenery of boats and the bridge were lovely.
We sat in an enclosed patio which can open,, so the rain was a pleasure.

it's a beautiful park, but it does need some cleaning. There were still leaves from last fall, bushes are over growing, in some areas weeds are visible on stairs and of course cascading waterfall was not turned on and it had lots of trash.

I went there to do a photoshoot for a client because of this waterfall, so it was disappointing to find it not on.

Beautiful fountains in a quiet spot in an otherwise very busy area. Interesting history

You can have a beautiful sunset there.
Ambiance is do nice for having dinner or running.

Beautiful spot to rest and relax in the city.

Ducks, squirrels and chirping birds all around

A great local neighborhood park with impressive stairs and stonework, gardens and landscaping, benches, and plenty of green space to have a picnic or do whatever. Not close to the metro, and parking is tight, but if you're in the area, it is a nice place to hang out, gather, and people watch. It is always busy. Another nice little dc park.

It's always nice to walk around this area. The challenge is to find a nice street parking spot. Otherwise you can pay for the parking garage. There are a lot of restaurants around the area. You can grab something to eat outside next to water. Nice view both for day time and night time. great for kids too. There are a lot of ducks.

The place is good for walking, you just need to pay more attention to cleaning the local signs for people to pay attention to removing their dog's feces. put more grams in the missing parts. And I don't know if it's because it's spring or it doesn't work. But there should be water so that the place is more beautiful and people can enjoy the beauty of the place.

Great outdoor space. Very kids friendly. There are some tables that locals use to eat or just take in the sun. Plenty of other seating area. Landscape is very nice.

One of the best local parks for waterfront views and wide open spaces. Families with kids and dogs are a common site at this neighborhood green space. During warm months, Yards Park boasts a waterfall, swimming area for kids, and performance venue, while the boardwalk remains open year round. Look out on the Anacostia River to see rowing crews, sailboats and people fishing off the pier. A short walk to food, drinks, ice cream and Nationals Park.

Went for Petalpalooza. It was very nice, but unfortunately, I didn't see any cherry blossoms as they had bloomed early. The event was more child centric, but I still enjoyed everything they offered. The fireworks were worth the wait until night.

I saw this on Google Maps, and since it was on my way to the Heurich House, I decided to stop by. It is the saddest park I've ever seen. Sonny deserves better.

Little plaza with fountain. Chairs and bar style seats to look out over the water.

Cool place for Magnolia

The sunset over the Potomac is magical. Perfect place to sit and enjoy the view. I feel super relaxed every time I'm here.

The full blooms are gone already but this is a real nice and peaceful place amidst all the surrounding traffic with good quick eats shops nearby

Really enjoyed chilling in this park during sunset. Super clean and well maintained. Feels like a mini escape in the middle of the city.

A nice small park especially in the cherry blossom season. The Chinese Magnolia trees blossom quite early on, early march in 2023.

Beautiful place to see the Saucer Magnolias

One of my favorite places to visit in bloom. Plus it's close to SecreTea which is a must visit.

What a lovely place to spend time at. There are plenty of benches to take a breather but you can also spread a blanket on the lawns and have a picnic on a good day. My favorite time is the evening when the city lights come on, it is quite a view!

Great day with the family great time visiting all the monuments bathrooms could be just a little bit cleaner food trucks in the area make it fun ice cream in the park could be more garbage cans but overall a great experience! A little traffic in the evening hours going home! Safe fun great time!

The loveliest spot during cherry blossom season hands down

Was on my way to the Solid Property Office to take care of some business.

Strolling through Franklin Park on my way from the metro to Planet Word was a nice alternative to sidewalks. Well kept and pleasant. There are lots of benches and a small play area. This isn’t a big park but it will be a nice place for people to gather before and after visiting Planet Word at the Franklin School. Several restaurants with take out in the area and a good size for small groups to find each other make a good meeting point.
It was clean, felt safe, and had a pleasant vibe.

They drain this pond by the end of October then there's no pond until next spring. When there's water it's lovely.

Always drove this past this park and wanted to have a picnic here. Grabbed some lunch from a near by restaurant with my daughter and sat down. Great location in the city. It wasn’t busy midday during August. (Fairly hot outside) One thing I will warn visitors is that there is sacristy of shade in this area.

The park was great it was nice and clean but they do need to have a restroom but the water falls were nice for the kids

It was a lovely day to spend time sharing my lunch with the birds after visiting the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery!❤

Come on that is not a park.

Beautiful park in a welcoming community. Had an awesome facility for my family of four.

A lovely little oasis in the middle of international office buildings, and busy commuter traffic.

Love love love it here. Such a chill vibe and I love the ducks. Awesome seating arrangements and love the fountain lights in the water.

Kinda goofy tables/art installation but they are still tables which I appreciate on these beautiful fall days.

This is a very nice and well-maintained little pond. The ducks and some other wildlife may follow you around in the hopes that you'll cough up some food, but you shouldn't be feeding them (bread is particularly bad for the ducks), and many signs tell you not to do that. There are plenty of seats in a variety of locations, so you can choose how much shade you want to be in. There are larger seating areas suitable for small groups to meet up as well. If you're in the area visiting, I highly recommend stopping by. You may run into a homeless man with a big green military bag (who told me a tad aggressively not to get him on camera) but he seems to be a harmless fellow; I saw him sitting and speaking to someone else who was in the park, and I don't think he meant to be threatening.

I bet if this was in the navy yard , waterfront etc. Area this park would have been renovated woth better love maintenance.

Small park at 18th & Pennsylvania Ave NW, life like large crow sculpture, benchs and beautiful tiled picnic tables. Stop by a sit a spell for a break in the city.

Great park need more love with maintenance and upkeep so much history .. wish national services better monitor the area and gave a great staff member their to tell the wonderful history on the place

The bathrooms were closed and when you have parties or just enjoying the day you want to be able to use the rest room,so you might want to choose another park.

UPDATE: As of May 3, 2021, there is a group of about 10 young ducklings at the pond. Visit soon to see them!

As of April 2021, The SW Duck Pond is 100% open! There are new pipes, a cluster of three small new islands, and a brick maze design where the little playground used to be. There are more fountains (that now glow at night) and the benches and red rocking chairs are back too. And there are also some patio lights hanging over near the little library on the NE corner of the park. Looks like the patio lights are going to extend all the way to the SW Library, which re-opens in early May 2021.

At the edge of L'Enfant Plaza where it connects to the District Wharf is a small concrete park with a fountain named after Benjamin Banneker, a freed slave who became a famous scientist and inventor. The park comes with tables and benches making it a popular spot for an outdoor lunch when the weather permits. It also offers beautiful views of the National Mall, the Spy Museum and the District Wharf. There are stairs that take you to the District Wharf and the water.

Cute little park near Dupont circle

Nice park! Great place for an impromptu yoga class!...Wonder why the name changed to Meridian Hill?

Nice park to stop and take a breath while I was two footing it around town. Got approached by the panhandlers but that's anywhere anymore.

Great place to chill.. Great places to dine.. Very Convenient to Metro if you don’t want to drive and park. I love the history behind this location. I have seen all of the transformations. Wonderful views close to the waterfront! You can even do your grocery shopping. Oh, And did I say that you feel safe here as well!

Neat park located in the middle of the East bound and West bound roadways of E St., West of the White House grounds. Would be great for a picnic, but there not much here, and the proximity of the homeless camp make it less appealing as the encampment grows. Closed 9PM to 8AM.

This park should not be rented out. It doesn't even have a restroom. There restroom is closed down. The parking lot is very small. There is a small splash park where the water comes from the ground for the kids. However, its definitely not worth renting. When we had a park for my daughter there was two other families and they were fighting over tables. I won't be going back.

Fort Greble is a family fun park in SWDC! Filled to have fun! With a water splash park, soccer field, climbing park, basket ball courts, grill area, trails and more! Contact your ANC for permits for parties! Have fun!

Nothing in this park displays anything about Sonny Bono

This was a good place to stop in the shade and relax. It was quiet and peaceful.

Nice enclave in a busy part of town. Lots of shade and benches. I was disappointed that the raven sculptures weren't there anymore. Nice place to eat lunch if you work in the area.

Named after one of the architects of the Federal City. The park overlooks the SW Waterfront and views over to the International Spy Museum at L'Enfant Plaza. Has a water fountain, but I have have never witnessed the fountain in use during my visits.

The birds....they stare 😬

On a more serious note, it's a nice little park that's steps away from the World Bank with a good amount of benches and lawn space available for enjoying a meal outside, assuming DC weather cooperates anyway.

I've been coming to this park since I was in high school, that was in the early 2000s. I mention that because the park itself hasn't changed in all these years but the surrounding area has changed drastically!!!

There are no more river views (which I loved) due to the new hi-rise buildings that occupy the redeveloped Wharf... However it is still a nice spot relax and enjoy the sound and sight of the water fountain, as well as see planes take off from RR National Airport...

Also take some time to learn about Benjamin Banneker and the history of that section of Southwest DC on the information boards...

Gorgeous little park hidden in the center of George Washington University

Lots of comic value after visiting this park. This park is in such a sad state. Nice plaque!

five stars for kitch value alone.
Hard to see if you are in traffic. Go slowly, go back, turn around...but heck! Sonny Bono!

This park is not as well maintained as it deserves to be. A quiet place on a quiet street with nice views. That is soon to change with all the new development and the Spy Museum moving to this locality.

Monroe Court at The George Washington University is a beautiful outdoor space with flowering cherry trees, benches and a central fountain. It is located in Foggy Bottom just south of Midcampus Walk and immediately north of Monroe Hall.

Poor Sonny. This is a pretty pathetic park. It is tiny, uninviting, and not well kept. There are a few seats, which are glorified rocks. Not at all a place anyone would want to sit and relax except to stop and tie one's shoe and then move on.

Depending on when you're there, the fountain may or may not be working. If it's not working then this "park" will seem like a desolate, abandoned wasteland. It will have great potential, as the Wharf area that it overlooks is in full blown construction right now. Once that's finished it should be a very nice view overlooking the water.

On second thought, just wait a year and you'll be much happier that you waited

I sat on a modernist toadstool with my friend Rachel. We made a memory. (Sniff!)