DK Travel : Washington, D.C. : Outdoor

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Bartholdi Park and Fountain

The French sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834–1904), also created this reflection of belle époque majesty. The 30-ft (9-m) sculpture’s three caryatids support a circular basin surmounted by three tritons. A small garden surrounds the fountain like the setting for a gemstone.
Baseball

American League baseball at RFK Stadium in D.C., and Camden Yards in Baltimore.
Boating

Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown rents kayaks and canoes to reach Roosevelt Island and tour the waterfront. The Washington Sailing Marina rents sailboats for excursions on the Potomac. Call about certification requirements.
C&O Canal

Canalboats on this 184-mile (295-km) waterway, dating back to the early 19th century, carried cargo between Maryland and Georgetown for 100 years before the railroad put it out of business. The canal is now a National Historical Park, a haven for walkers and cyclists along its towpath and for canoeists and boaters in its waters. Catch a mule-drawn boat ride at Georgetown or Great Falls.
Climbing

The city of Rockville has a climbing gym in its Civic Center Park.
Cycling

Both Thompson Boat Center and the Washington Sailing Marina rent bicycles. The C&O Canal towpath is easy to reach and very scenic. Another favorite route is the Mount Vernon Trail along the George Washington Parkway to Mount Vernon. Bike the Sites offers tours and rentals.
DC United

Robert F. Kennedy Stadium is home to professional soccer games.
Dumbarton Oaks

Magnificent trees, including ancient oaks, soar above the park and gardens surrounding this historic Federal-style house. Designed by Beatrix Jones Farrand, the gardens range from formal to more casual settings. From March to October they are ablaze with wisteria, roses, lilies, perennial borders, and chrysanthemums. Pools and fountains tie the verdant ensemble together (see Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens).
Enid A. Haupt Garden

This “rooftop” garden is inspired by the culture on display beneath it in the Smithsonian Museums. The Island Garden beside the Sackler Gallery reflects the Asian world, with its moon gate, pools, and cherry and beech trees. The Fountain Garden, next to the Museum of African Art, sets a Moorish tone, with cascading waters and shaded seats.
Georgetown University Basketball

Fast-paced action at the MCI Center.