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The Best Outdoor Parks for Date Day Plans
Parks are the perfect place for a socially distanced lunch with friends or a scenic date out of the house. Here are some popular parks in Washington, DC that are open for locals and visitors to enjoy. Note that the National Park Service requires masks be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Visit the Service's website for more information. U.S. National Arboretum The beloved U.S. National Arboretum is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on their guidelines, visit this page before going. Note that the Administration Building remains closed. The Arboretum aims to increase the aesthetic, environmental and economic importance of landscape and ornamental plants. The gorgeous, 446-acre property makes for an inspiring and visually captivating visit at any time of the year. Rock Creek Park Washington, DC’s Rock Creek Park – which is made up of 1,700 acres of National Park Service land from northwest DC into Maryland – is a popular retreat for the city’s outdoor enthusiasts. With lush greenery, miles of trails and picnic areas, a nature center, golf course, horse stables, amphitheater and even a planetarium, Rock Creek Park is packed with locals and visitors alike year-round. You can grab a picnic blanket and food from Adams Morgan or Upper Northwest before you go. There is parking, but spaces can be limited on the weekend. Malcolm X Park Malcolm X Park, also known as Meridian Hill Park, is a neoclassical-style, 12-acre, landscaped urban park established in 1912. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, the multi-tiered park has a cascading waterfall in its lower area that is the perfect setting for a lunch with friends and loved ones. There are notable statues of Joan of Arc and Dante and a memorial to President James Buchanan. Don’t forget to grab food and drinks from the Columbia Heights neighborhood. The park is open during daylight hours and is following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities. Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill Lincoln Park in Capitol Hill is the largest in the neighborhood and features statues of President Abraham Lincoln and educator and Civil Rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. The park is popular for dog-walking and contains plenty of room for kids to stretch their legs. Grab a bench in the park to enjoy the sounds of nature and some primo people-watching. There are some areas of the park that are closed off. Constitution Gardens Situated between the Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, Constitution Gardens and its peaceful pond have been described as a hidden oasis in the middle of the city. This is the perfect spot to rest after a long day of sightseeing, or when you want to grab a quick view of the monuments when you’re in the neighborhood. Yards Park If you want to splash around, head down to Yards Park in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood. Located near Nationals Park and Navy Yard, the park provides green space and water features along the Anacostia River. At night, you can marvel at the illuminated dancing fountain. If you’re feeling adventurous, take your date through the Canal Basin and Waterwall where you can wade together while holding hands. If you bring your furry friend along, head over to the dog run area. If you’re just looking to picnic and talk with friends, hang out on the Great Lawn. National Mall As America’s most visited national park, the National Mall is where the past, present and future collide. It’s centrally located in DC, stretching more than two miles from the Lincoln Memorial on the west end to the U.S. Capitol on the east end. You can run the length of the Mall or rent a bike from Capital Bikeshare to get around. The Mall has also been known to host exercise classes on sunny days. Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard.” Montrose Park If you’re out in Georgetown and you’re looking for some green space, head to Montrose Park. The 16-acre park is located on the heights overlooking the most historic neighborhood in the city. You can trot along the Rope Walk among the Osage orange trees, or sit and enjoy the sounds of nature at one of the many picnic tables.
Things to Do This Week in Washington, DC
Monday Edit media ARTECHOUSE ISEKAI: Blooming Parallel Worlds ARTECHOUSE welcomes visitors to its seventh annual installation dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the cherry blossoms in DC. The museum treats your eyes to an exhibit inspired by the Isekai genre of Anime, allowing for the exploration of alternate universes stacked with colors, adventures and immersive technologies. Plus, discover Gachapons hidden throughout the exhibit to win prizes from local businesses or snag a book from the 'Isekai Library'. Make sure to take advantage of tickets with a 10% discount. Tickets (10% off) ARTECHOUSE, 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024 Edit media Pixar Putt Pixar Putt at The Wharf Go to infinity and beyond this summer with whimsical, Pixar-themed mini-golf. The outdoor pop-up is open daily at The Wharf for a limited time and includes 18 interactive putt-putt holes inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, from Toy Story and Monsters, Inc. to Turning Red and Inside Out. Book your tee time for a daytime outing or an 18+ after-hours activity. Tickets 580 Water Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 Tuesday Edit media National Theatre MJ Winner of multiple Tony Awards, this breathtaking musical centers on Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous Tour, providing a rare look into the creative process behind one of the most dynamic entertainers of all-time. Created by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the acclaimed production makes its DC debut at The National Theatre. Tickets The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004 Edit media Capital One Arena Usher After dazzling the world with his performance at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, Usher treks to DC during his world tour for back-to-back nights of concerts at Capital One Arena. The multi-platinum artist has more than enough hits to pack an evening full of iconic R&B. His jaw-dropping dance moves are another reason you can’t miss this eight-time GRAMMY winner’s show. 7 p.m. | Tickets Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 Wednesday Edit media Signature Theatre Soft Power Billed as a “visionary musical fantasia,” Soft Power details the story of a Chinese American playwright attacked by an unknown assailant soon after the 2016 election. The playwright then imagines a Golden Age musical comedy featuring a Chinese theater producer and Hillary Clinton. The new political satire from Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori debuts at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va. Tickets Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206 Edit media 9:30 Club Washed Out The stage name of Ernest Greene has become synonymous with blissed-out, sun-drenched electronic pop. You likely know “Feel It All Around” due to its status as the opener for IFC’s long-running Portlandia, but the music of Washed Out has continued to evolve to offer an endearing mix of synth pop, rock, hip-hop and free jazz. 7 p.m. | Tickets 9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 Edit media The Atlantis Perpetual Groove Founded in Savannah, Ga., the band known affectionately known as “PGroove” comes to Dave Grohl’s Atlantis space for a night of blissed-out jamming. Fans have labeled the group’s signature sound and light-filled stage show as “Trance Arena Rock” after years of stunning crowds on the international jam band circuit. 6:30 p.m. | Tickets The Atlantis, 2047 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 Thursday Edit media Smithsonian American Art Museum Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island In his DC debut, Tuan Andrew Nguyen presents his video work The Island (2017) alongside the sculpted headdress Bidong Spirit I, which was created specifically for the film. Both works were inspired by and reference the Malaysian island of Pulau Bidong, a landing place for Vietnamese escaping by boat after South Vietnam’s collapse in 1975. 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Free Admission Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004 Edit media DCBX DC Bachata Congress Ranked as the best Latin dance festival in the U.S. five times, DCBX takes over the nation’s capital for five days each summer. Veterans and newbies of dancing bachata, the sexier-than-salsa dancing style from the Dominican Republic, will have plenty of chances to strut their stuff, from concerts to contests to workshops. Tickets The Westin Washington DC Downtown, 999 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 Edit media The Kennedy Center MAMMA MIA! Even though it’s become widely known as a successful film franchise, the stage rendition of MAMMA MIA! remains an absolute musical powerhouse. The essential hits of chart-topping Swedish group ABBA serve as the soundtrack to a daughter’s journey to find the father she’s never known, which prompts the arrival of three men from her mother’s past. Set on a sun-strewn Greek island, the joyous production will be a summer highlight at the Kennedy Center. Tickets The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566 Places to Stay Edit media Need some inspiration for a place to stay in between events? Washington, DC is filled with a multitude of hotels to fit your needs. Whether you are looking for that specialty boutique hotel or booking at your favorite hotel brand, Washington, DC's booking engine has it all. Find your stay today! #Only1DC Photo of the Week Do you know where you’ll be dining pre- or post-event? From pop-up restaurants to Michelin-starred hot spots to laid-back food halls, our DC food guide is perfect for helping you plan a more memorable experience.
