Washington has a riverfront treasure that far too many visitors never see. Anacostia Park, cared for by the National Park Service, stretches for miles along both banks of the Anacostia River in Southeast Washington, offering more than 1,200 acres of meadows, playgrounds and open sky — all completely free.
This is the neighborhood’s front porch and playground at once. Families spread out on broad picnic lawns, kids race across play areas, and anglers cast lines from the riverbank. A skating pavilion — a beloved local institution — welcomes roller skaters, while ballfields and courts keep games going all season long.
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail ties it all together, winding along the water with some of the prettiest views in the city, from quiet marshes to the downtown skyline. Walkers, runners and cyclists share the path with herons and osprey, and every season brings a new mood, from spring blossoms to golden fall color.
Best of all, Anacostia Park is a park in full bloom, with ongoing care restoring its riverfront for future generations. Come for a picnic, a bike ride or a sunset stroll — and discover the greener, gentler side of the nation’s capital.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
