Tagged : recreation

Photo: Tim Evanson

One of DC’s busiest parks is about to get a makeover. It’s a long overdue welcome for patrons of downtown’s Franklin Park.

First imagined as a park in the 1800s, the last major improvements to the park were made in the 1930s. At that time, crews added in new trees, an oval fountain, a circulation system and a flagstone plaza.

Flash forward to the mid 1970s and the park received some renovations, but not enough to drastically alter the park’s appearance. That’s why Franklin Park looks much the same today as it did many decades ago.

An $18 million renovation project aims to change that by bringing new life to the park. The city-funded project is expected to take about a year to complete, meaning most of the work should be

Rich with places to see and experience, unsurprisingly DC is tops with when it comes to many travelers. Now, though, it seems DC is getting a big nod from one of the world’s largest publications.

The New York Times just came out with its list of the top 52 places to visit in 2020, and DC came in at number one. The Times goes beyond the typical attractions, like the White House and area monuments, instead focusing on some of the specific reasons why a trip to DC this year makes sense.

Many travelers already know that Washington DC is full of free museums. This year, in particular, is a good year to visit because it marks the 100th anniversary of the year women secured the right to vote. Expect special exhibits marking the occasion at places like

Photo: legalnonresident

If you’re looking for a place to ring in the New Year, DC is full of options. We found several “can’t miss” New Year’s Eve activities going on in and around the DC area this year. From a masquerade ball to a family-friendly celebration, it’s all happening this New Year’s Eve.

Capital Gatsby Gala

Take a trip back to the roaring 20s at The Showroom with the Capital Gatsby New Year’s Eve Gala. The event features multiple food stations and an open bar, plus a champagne toast at midnight.

International Spy Gala

Play the part of James Bond for the night with a spy-themed celebration.  The International Spy Gala is a black-tie optional gala at the Washington Plaza Hotel. The evening features an international buffet, an

Photo: DC Gardens

Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown is getting a new greenhouse. The new project is part of an effort to further improve energy savings and sustainability of the campus and its gardens.

A New York-based architectural firm is spearheading construction of the new greenhouse. Crews plan to use energy efficient climate control and solar panels in its construction. They also aim to improve irrigation. It’s all reportedly part of a three-year plan to help benefit the estate and increase its offerings.

In phase two of the project, architects are additionally planning to renovate the property’s existing greenhouse. Constructed in the mid 1920s, it’s said the old greenhouse will retain its original design but be updated to help support the

From shopping and dining to water sports and entertainment, there’s plenty to explore at National Harbor. Set right alongside the Potomac River, the waterfront destination is home to dozens of restaurants, countless stores, numerous hotels, residences, and a marina.

For hotels and entertainment, head to the MGM casino resort or the luxurious Gaylord National. There are also several other hotels in National Harbor to choose from, while a new Hyatt Place remains under construction right now.

For nightlife, options extend to a dueling piano bar, the lively Cadillac Ranch or a local Irish pub. For those of all age to experience some fantastic views high above the harbor, be sure to take a spin onboard the Capital Wheel.

There’s also a paint bar

If you enjoy the opportunity to get out and enjoy nearby greenspace, DC is the place to be. DC-area parks were just named tops in the nation.

The Trust for Public Land comes out with a ranking of urban parks and recreational space each year in the nation’s 100 largest cities. This year, the ranking put DC at the very top of the list for its ParkScore.

The ranking looked at how close people live to public parks, the size of those parks, the amount of land a city devotes to its parks and the amount of money a city spends on its parks. The study also considered park amenities, such as playgrounds, rec centers, splashpads, public restrooms, basketball hoops and dog parks.

While DC trails other cities in terms of the number of playgrounds, it does

Photo: akunamatata

Whether you’re an avid runner or just like to take an occasional jog around your neighborhood or through the park, Arlington is a great place to get in some exercise. While there’s plenty to do, see and experience living in Arlington County, it’s specifically tops when it comes to running.

The county was just named the top spot for runners for the second year in a row. The ranking comes from SmartAsset, a financial website that commonly tracks consumer-oriented things, including the best cities for runners.

According to SmartAsset, when comparing the number of races per 10,000 residents, Arlington has more than any of the other 97 cities it studied. Some options for the spring include Crystal City 5K Fridays, held in

Graphic: Capitol Trails Coalition

A “Bike Beltway” could someday become reality for the DC area. Transportation planners are currently working on a visionary plan to construct not only a large biking loop but also a regional bike trail network that connects up with the surrounding suburbs.

The 60-mile loop alone encircles the entire region, taking cyclists through Maryland, Virginia and DC. The plan involves using interconnected trails running from the Arlington County-DC border down to Alexandria, and then continuing on into the Maryland suburbs. While some trails already exist, the plan involves filling in the gaps, and upgrading sections of some of the existing trails along the way.

Its part of a much larger plan, however, aimed at

Graphic: OLA and Olin Studios

DC has some big plans for its visionary new 11th Street Bridge Park. Modeled after such locations as New York’s High Line, the park will eventually transform an old Anacostia River crossing into DC’s first elevated public park.

Scheduled to open in 2023, the park plans to link up the Capitol Riverfront with Anacostia, together sharing in cultural space and green space, high above the river. While bringing in such features as an amphitheater and an environmental center, the park aims to cover about three-acres with plazas, performances and public art.

The grand plan, however, involves much more than just an eventual park constructed in the area. Supporters hope that it will also someday serve as more of a way to

While its known widely by two different names, Meridian Hill Park is a true gem of the DC area. Right in the middle of DC, the park sits high up on a hill, with 12 full acres of shaded walkways, landscaped lawns and a majestic fountain.

The urban park is actually part of the Columbia Heights neighborhood, but neighbors of nearby Adams Morgan also delight in close proximity to the park. Designed and constructed in the early 1900s, the National Park Service maintains the location, found just to the north of the White House.

Once known as Peter’s Hill, the area gained the name Meridian Hill in the early 1800s, and then served a prominent role in the Civil War when Union troops camped on its grounds. Years later, a wealthy landowner pushed for a