Adorable pond in the middle of SWDC community. It is quiet and pleasant to frequent with a book and…read morea cup of coffee. There's a mini playground and a Little Free Library that brings so much character to the pond. Definitely recommend visiting when warmer.

This is such a beautiful spot to take a stroll or just sit and listen to the water and the ducks. I…read morewouldn't suggest being there later in the day, as the crowd of people seemed to change, and it wasn't as comfortable anymore.

Mitchell Park is a park in Kalorama in Northwest D.C. near all the embassies and mansions like that…read moreof Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. In fact, Ivanka Trump hosted her son's 2-year-old birthday party in the park. Despite how fancy it is, it's open to all. Near the Spanish Steps, there's a grassy area with benches for people to enjoy and walk their dogs. The back of the park has a large basketball court and a playground near a historic house. There's a sand pit for kids and two playground areas.

Pretty! I happened to find it among embassies. Beautiful violet irises. Hydrangeas will bloom soon…read more There is a baseball field too. Clean and organized well. There is a small playground too. One old man was sitting on a bench with a tiny dog right after the rain. What a view!

A cute little park off of Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown. When you enter the park, you go up a few…read morestone steps on a 'hill' to a larger area with scattered benches. You can sit back and soak in some rays, or dive into a book for some quiet reading. It seems as if you're actually walking up a hill to leave the hustle and the bustle behind. The park itself is well-maintained and has beautiful colorful flowers during the Spring time. Parking can be found around the area as well as metered parking up along Wisconsin. It's a nice little treat to find! +off of Wisconsin Avenue +limited street parking

Book Hill Park is a small park on a hill just behind the Georgetown Neighborhood Library. After…read moreclimbing up some steep steps to the top of the hill, you'll find some benches and a bit of a view looking down at Georgetown (maybe taller folks have a better view, but my view was mostly obstructed). It's a nice place to make a stop if you're in the neighborhood. I stopped by last weekend with my coffee and book and just relaxed for a few minutes. It's a nice little spot in Georgetown.

We were biking around the area looking for a fun neighborhood park that offered some low key fun…read morenearby! This park definitely hit all the high notes! It's conveniently located near all the popular stores without feeling like it's wedge unsafely or unnaturally in the area. We stayed on the playground portion but the water area also looks cool & refreshing on those hot days of summer! Highly recommend checking out this park with your little one.

this park appears to only be open if you participate in a paid preschool co-op. We are visiting. It…read morewas locked when we came at 8 AM on a Tuesday in May.

Want to pretend you are in a foreign land for a few minutes? Seek out the Spanish Steps, in…read moreKalorama. A peaceful hidden gem with European vibes, providing a romantic spot and scenic view. A fountain sits amidst the steps. Pros: Accessibility: Nestled in Kalorama, but walk-able distance to the West End neighborhood, as well as Georgetown. Once you climb the stairs, you get a beautiful view of Dupont Circle. Views: A great place to watch the sunset, or sunrise over Dupont. The mix of the brick and cobblestone on the street, contrasted with the stone stairs, gives the area an old and beautiful European flair. I think this would be a great (and not cheesy or basic) spot for DC wedding, prom, brides-party, or engagement pictures. I have gotten the best picture lighting here in the "golden/sunset" evening hours between 5-8 depending on the season. Not busy: This spot is a bit hidden, and not super touristy, which adds to its charm. Never super busy, it truly is a great place to "get-away" from the busyness of the city. Dog friendly: My pups enjoy walking up and down the steps on their daily walks. They seem to enjoy sitting at the top and looking at the view as well (at least I tell myself they enjoy it as much as me!) A dog friendly spot! Decently maintained: The stairs and surrounding area seem well-maintained overall, and not in decay. Some small chips of stone, but overall, in good condition. I am glad that this spot is being preserved and cared for! Shady: The Spanish Steps make a great spot to read a book or to cool down after a run through DC. Also would be a nice place to have a relaxing lunch. The steps are surrounded by big trees, which provide shade, and the fountain has a cooling effect. Cons: Water sometimes a bit dirty: Not disgustingly so, but water is sometimes a bit dirty in appearance, though I think this would be hard to manage. My pups still try to drink it when I walk them by the fountain, so they seem A-OK with it! Other: Once you reach the top of the stairs, there are some markers indicating the history. Below the staircase, on the street, there are additional historical markers with text about the neighborhood, as well as with information on some of the noteworthy individuals represented in statues at nearby embassies.

The Spanish Steps is a slice of Europe in the middle of DC. They are several layers of stone steps…read moreconnect Dupont Circle with Kalorama. There's a fountain half way up the steps and a brochure that speaks to its history at the very top. Once at the top, it's a beautiful view of Dupont Circle. Fun fact: The city does not maintain the Spanish Steps, the community does. The neighborhood pays for its upkeep and preservation. Thanks, Kalorama!

Near the Metro and many restaurants, bars, and shops along Georgia Avenue NW is a recreation center…read morerun by the city. Park for free along the street and walk into a large outdoor space with a field surrounded by rowhouses and a playground with two areas with equipment. My five-year-old daughter loved the playground, especially the climbing ropes. If you go, note that there's barely any shade so plan accordingly. We got so hot visiting in August that we left after 30 minutes.

So many rooms! Looks like a school, I'm assuming it was at one point. Turf soccer field. Lots of…read moreexercise equipment, computer lab, gymnasium, but not a lot of parking.

May the force be with you…read more Walking through the Shaw District it was nice to see all of the graphic art. Loved the Star Wars themed murals at Stead Park. Luke Skywalker. Darth Vader. Stormtroopers. Yoda. So much fun. Definitely look around on your neighborhood walk. Do or do not. There is no try.

Looks really cool but it's currently under construction. The sign says it will be open in the…read moresummer of 2023.

This area is markedly elevated above the street and was not a public space of any note until…read morerelatively recently. The area has a playground, a fountain, and some nice views. You could walk down the street and not realize how much space there is at the top of the stairs, but it's worth taking a look.

On the site of the 1905 McMillan Reservoir Sand Filtration Plant that helped purify the city's…read morewater during typhoid outbreaks. Back then, neighbors would walk along its promenade until a fence blocked the area off during World War II. Decades later, after much controversy, people are welcome to walk on the site again. Visiting with my seven-year-old daughter and her friend, they absolutely loved the recreation area of the development. Here's what it has. 1) Playground: Its new, large and comes with equipment for both smaller kids and older. There are two big slides and a sand pit. Although it's open, there are a few places with shade structures. 2) Splash Pads: There are two where kids can run through. 3) Recreation and Aquatic Center: There's a building open with restrooms, rooms, and more. There's also a new swimming pool for people to do laps. 4) Amphitheater: Surrounding the splash pads is a community amphitheater. 5) Walkway: Along the perimeter is a long walkway good for walking and jogging. It goes by a large grass field, workout stations, and a restored Memorial Fountain. 20 silos and two sand filtration are preserved and people can go inside the silos. There's easy street parking nearby.