Rock Creek Park is a natural oasis in Washington, DC where you can run, hike, picnic, and more. It is a recreational resource for the nation’s capital that was founded in 1890 by the United States Congress. It consists of 1,800 acres that cut through northwest Washington DC, providing an outdoor haven for people and wildlife. An oasis of nature in a bustling city, Rock Creek Park consists of hardwood trees, a bubbling brook, and rocky ridges. Inside the park, you’ll find exciting activities to place on your to-do list. Here are some things you can find in Rock Creek Park.
► Enjoy the park’s many trails
The asphalt trails in the park were constructed to be mostly flat to allow walkers, hikers, runners, bikers, and rollerbladers the opportunity to travel freely without encountering a lot of roads and cars. Parts of the park are closed to automobiles on weekends, making for a safe and healthy place to exercise and escape the city environment.
► Ride horseback
Can I ride a horse in the middle of a city? According to Personal injury Lawyers in Washington, DC, the answer is Yes! Rock Creek’s equestrian trails wind lazily through groves of trees. Visit both Rock Creek Horse Center and Meadowbrook Stables.
► Enjoy live music and entertainment
The Carter Barron Amphitheatre is an outdoor venue in Rock Creek Park with 4,200 seats. It hosts concerts, plays, festivals, and the popular Citi Open tennis tournament every July.
► Stargaze indoors
In the Rock Creek Park Planetarium, special software projects an image of the night sky onto the dome-shaped ceiling. Park rangers at the planetarium discuss the solar system, the galaxy, and the astronomy beyond in free programs. You can buy tickets at the Nature Center next door. Kids must be five years of age or older to participate.
► Check out Peirce Mill
Peirce Mill is a 19th-century gristmill operated by the National Park Service. The stone structure was built in 1829 to process grain by a Quaker farmer. At a later date, during the Civil War, it became a sawmill and orchard. Then, in 1918, Peirce Mill became a Tea House; and today serves as a historic landmark.
► Learn about nature with the whole family
See exhibits on plants at the Nature Center, or pick up a map and explore. The Children’s Discovery Room has educational activities and games and activities, keeps live fish, turtles, snakes, and a beehive. A family-friendly half-mile trail stretches out from the Nature Center. Kids can memorialize their visit by getting a “passport” at the Nature Center. As the children visit the various sites, they can add stamps to their passports.
► Walk where Honest Abe did
Stroll in the same places as President Abraham Lincoln did when he toured Fort Stevens during the Civil War. As he met with the Union troops, Fort Stevens took enemy fire. There’s a granite boulder marking the incident.
► Other things to do
If you want to play tennis, the Rock Creek Tennis Center is open year-round. If you prefer, play 18 holes of golf at the public Rock Creek Golf Course. The course has elevation changes, narrow fairways, and dense woods, making it entertaining and challenging for beginners and experienced players alike.
Or, pack a picnic and stroll the trails with a Park Ranger. The land that makes up Rock Creek Park remains beautifully preserved with miles of trails to explore and recreational activities, too. Indeed, Rock Creek Park is a refreshing contrast from the city that surrounds it.
