Parks & Gardens – DC Jaunts

Malcolm X (Meridian Hill) Park

kenw — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 17:00:27 +0000

Malcolm X Park, a.k.a. Meridian Hill Park, is a National Park area spanning several city blocks north of U Street between 15th and 16th Streets NW–just a 10-minute walk from the U Street Metro station. Stairs, walkways, sculptures, a large cascading fountain and pool make the park worth a visit on a pleasant day. A drumming circle often livens things up on Sunday afternoons. The park is closed at night.

Find more about the park here.

Huntley Meadows (Fairfax County, VA)

kenw — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 16:45:01 +0000

A few miles south of Alexandria, you can walk this scenic boardwalk over the big beaver pond at Huntley Meadows. It’s great for kids and birdwatchers. A large number of bird species, several different turtles and the occasional muskrat are common sightings. A view tower and small nature center enhance the experience.

Details and directions here.

Anacostia Riverwalk

kenw — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 14:54:30 +0000

Awesome lotus bloom during the Lotus and Water Lily Festival at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington, D.C.

" data-image-caption="

Lotus in summer bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/dcjaunts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lotus-bloom-150.jpg?fit=191%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/dcjaunts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lotus-bloom-150.jpg?fit=382%2C600&ssl=1" class="size-medium wp-image-87" src="https://i0.wp.com/dcjaunts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lotus-bloom-150.jpg?resize=191%2C300" alt="Lotus bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens" width="191" height="300" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/dcjaunts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lotus-bloom-150.jpg?resize=191%2C300&ssl=1 191w, https://i0.wp.com/dcjaunts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Lotus-bloom-150.jpg?w=382&ssl=1 382w" sizes="(max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px" data-recalc-dims="1" />

Lotus in summer bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

This new three-mile section of the Anacostia RiverWalk is great for walking or biking–very scenic and family-friendly. The trail extends for many miles both up and down the river, but this new portion is among the best. Access from Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Bladensburg Watefront Park or anywhere along the RiverWalk. The most interesting area to walk is generally north of Dean Ave to Bladensburg Park.

If you vist the Aquatic Gardens in July, you’ll likely catch the awesome bloom of lilies and lotus flowers, or the annual festival if you’re timing is just right. But the gardens are worth a visit anytime.

Welcome to DC Jaunts!

kenw — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:37:25 +0000

DC Jaunts can take you to many great places around the Washington, D.C. metro area (see Our Tours). To explore more on your own, we’ll list some personal and local favorites here on our blog. Many are described in Ken’s award-winning book, A National Jaunt: Footster’s Guide to Washington, D.C.–available here.

We’ll also post various updates, resources and tips of interest to footsters, so visit this blog again to see what’s new. In the meantime, enjoy Washington, D.C.!