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The 7 Best National Parks in Washington DC, District of Columbia (DC)
Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. Attracting as many school field trips as it does travelers the district offers a peek into the country’s democratic origin. There are plenty of free museums to take advantage of but the real draw here is the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Spend some contemplative time at the Reflecting Pool within the National Mall, among the most patriotic places in the country.
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1. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By jinxminx888 - Takoma Park, United States
I have been to Kenilworth many times over the years and like to get there every summer. It used to be a privately owned aquatic plant selling business and now it is a national park! It is free to enter and small enough to see the whole thing. There is a small visitor center with bathrooms and water fountains and a tiny gift shop, and a main area of ponds. Many of them are filled with lotuses, which are absolutely magical when they bloom in the summer, and they bloom for a long time. Toward the back left as you face the ponds is a boardwalk trail out to the swamp where you can see redwinged blackbirds, herons, egrets, muskrats, etc. and to the right is the Anacostia River, with a trail through the woods that connects up to the Anacostia River Trail, which is a bike trail that connects up as part of a 25 mile trail system that runs through Maryland and DC. I often see something cool on the trail - a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar, a rabbit, a turtle... There are both waterlily and lotus ponds. They are all beautiful, though the lotuses are more spectacular. You will hear the croak and splash of frogs as you walk through, though they are hard to see. There are also a lot of geese around, so watch your step - it can also be muddy after a rain - if you take the boardwalk to the swamp, you'll see why. There's not a lot of shade, so it's hot in the summer but it's so worth a visit. It's just a very unique national park, and extremely beautiful. It's off the regular tourist trail but definitely worth a visit in the summer months. I also love it in the late fall - there are lots of lotus pods around. I hope to go in the snow some time. Fantastic for photography. My one complaint is it closes so early on summer evenings. Did I mention it's free??
