This is one of our favorite hiking trails in the area. There is plenty of parking and its free…read more Also it has always had the right amount of people (not too many to make it crowded and not too few to make you feel you are alone in the wilderness). There are a variety of paths of varying difficulty levels (some are flat and some you might have to put a little effort into). Another nice thing is that there is lots of coverage so even on warm days the tree cover keeps it cool. I would recommend sneakers or hiking shoes (hiking shoes would be best post rainy days as the train can get muddy). It's a great place for a family adventure in nature.

What a fun trail! it has some easy parts and some challenging…read more There were many scenic resting/stopping points along the trail..perfect for resting or photo ops. A couple porta potties are available at the start of the trail, along with some picknic tables and an amazing rocky/cliff like view. We saw a guy doing handstands...a little too bold! There were an abundance of stink bugs, but that comes with nature. I can't promise this is kid-friendly with all the challenging parts, although there were a few there! There is enough parking, first come first server deal....with HIking it's always best to get there early enough to avoid crowds and enjoy nature better. A $20 parking fee is required at the entrance.

Plummers Island is an island covering 12-acres seated in the Potomac River approximately nine miles…read moreupriver from Washington, DC. Owned by the U.S. Nationals Park Service, the island purportedly holds the distinction of being the most scientifically studied island in North America. Every plant species present in this island has been catalogued and its DNA analyzed. Getting to the island is most easily done by boat or kayak, or you can attempt to forge the waterway at the island's southeastern tip, where there is a makeshift log bridge.

This 12-acre island is located in the Potomac River in Maryland. You have to do a short hike to…read moreget here through the forest and then cross some rocks or ride a small boat. A cabin is located at the top of the island and has some nice views. The Washington Biologists Field Club takes care of the island and conducts research there.

This climbing spot is more than that. The Billy Goat Trail goes through it passing stunning rock…read moreformations that bleed into the Potomac River. There's a large parking lot with restrooms, drinking fountains, and clear signage. It's also close to many other things to do in the area like Lockhouse 10, Glen Echo, and more.

I love the Canal Tow Path. I have run along it a couple dozen times. I usually enter in Georgetown…read moreor at Fletcher's Cove. But I also start at Carderock for a change or if that is how the race is set up. I don't do much in the park itself. But I see it is a lovely, underused facility (which I don't want to ruin). There is, as people have mentioned, a military facility nearby. I wonder as I drive around, if they are conducting surveillance or if you'd get in trouble for doing something such as taking photographs. I've never had an issue though, if you were wondering. I have gotten lost, however, because it's not quite clear (and GPS is not precise) how you get to where you want to go once you take the exit. I recommend Carderock highly for a hike. I believe it also is a nice place to hang out, even if you don't get to the trail (but why would you go here and not at least take a gander at the water).

This place is huge. You can explore in DC or Maryland. There are trails for bikes or you can take a…read moreleisurely drive or walk. The trails in Takoma Park Maryland are convenient to travel when visiting friends.

Love a accessible national park via public transit! The views are absolutely stunning with the high…read moreterrain spots, the creek, and endless amount of foliage along the winding path. We had great animal encounters with squirrels, ducks, snakes, and deer! Its the perfect place to retreat from the city and go on a walk with nature, even on a hot day. The grounds are well labeled and urban enough where you're not worried about getting trapped in the woods. There is also a designated picnic area we saw families enjoy.

A new hiking trail with an…read more old mystery The Flintlock Trail is a brand new hiking trail that was officially opened on Nov 10. It's in the Tillinghast Management Area, an almost 2,000 acre chunk of land owned by the Nature Conservancy. The trail is in West Greenwich, Rhode Island but Yelp in their convoluted wisdom insists on locating it in Bethesda, Md. I'm sure I will have to fight to get it changed. It's described as a loop but it's actually several different loops and of course it is easy to get lost. But then that's the real fun of a hike. You will eventually end up somewhere. It's an easy hike, few hills and nicely cleared trails. Mostly white pine with a lot of different hard woods thrown in. Smells really nice and is quite lovely in the New England fall. If you look carefully you will see ancient stone walls and vague impressions of old structures. Like most of this area, the land was obviously used for farming in the past. I didn't see much wildlife but I have heard that plenty of deer, beavers and otters as well as numerous birds and amphibians call this place home. With all the water around I'm sure plenty of insects also enjoy this area in the warmer months. The woods are also used for hunting so it is a good idea, as well as the law to wear bright orange during hunting season to avoid being nailed by some myopic as well as possibly intoxicated hunter. A nice new hiking area that is a pleasant place to spend a few hours with nature. One very enigmatic and mysterious object that we found out of the trail was an old safe. Not just a little bitty thing but a huge, very heavy safe like you would find in a bank or store. Hmmmmm. The door was ripped off and bullet marks were obvious on the front. Can't imagine how that got out here in the woods but I'm sure it has an interesting tale to tell. If it could only speak.

I love this park and all the arts and crafts opportunities (and social dances!) they offer here! My…read morekids took pottery lessons here for years and had a lot of fun...the classes are in the very unique and interesting yurts close to the Arcade building (where the main offices are). I'd also highly recommend the super fun swing dances in the Spanish Ballroom ....the live music is great and the dances are usually well attended, meaning lots of dance partners! I've gone to the contra, swing, and waltz dances (there are free lessons before each), these have all been worthwhile and entertaining. Less well known but equally highly recommended are the folk dance lessons...these are usually given in the space behind the ballroom or in the bumper car pavilion...I really enjoyed these dances and they are quite different from the swing and contra dances. You feel as if you are dancing as a group, even more so than with the contra dances.... I feel it's a great way to bring everyone together, almost like singing in a choir but with dancing... My kids and I have also gone to puppet shows at the park and ridden on the antique carousel (which has limited hours or is often under repair)...there is a little cafe located in a building where I think they also used to have Irish step dance lessons. I believe the cafe is run by the great local bakery, Pralines (which has great sandwiches). The Washington Conservatory is also located at the park and offers music lessons. There is a lot packed into this little park, and the surrounding area also has a lot to offer (it is near one of the small parking lots that has access to C&O canal)

interesting place hidden and nestled in what felt like a secret pathway and maybe even a secret…read moregarden in the forest when I went here with my ex-husband Leo Mejia in 2013! Ill never forget how charming it was but how it hauntingly left something to be desired

I'm definitely revisiting this trail! There's a lovely body of water and tons of rocks in the area…read moreto make it a moderate trail if you wish (blazing your own trail). It's a trail in the middle of the city, except you don't have that city environment when you're on this trail! We had parked in Parking Lot 6, and there was plenty of parking remaining on a Saturday afternoon. When we went on the trail, a part of the road was blocked off to cars, so it's a great place to cycle, walk, or skate. As we walked, we saw a few people on unicycles and roller blading. That part of the trail was an easy walk since it's normally meant for cars. Eventually, we crossed a bridge to head to the not-so-hidden ruins. Apparently, a few months ago, these ruins were open to the public to explore. I visited this today and they were gated/blocked off with a "no trespassing" sign. These ruins are apparently pieces of the US Capitol Building after it was renovated in 1958. From my understanding, they weren't sure what to do with the stones, so they dumped it in this park. Need these ruins is also a horse trail/horse barn area.

Not too much to say this time. This trail is a great relaxing getaway during your lunch break if…read moreyou work nearby or are working from home and need some fresh air. Put those shoes on and hit the trail. You won't regret it

I just finished the Cheat Lite program and could not recommend this program more to new…read moreintermediate boaters. I feel like a confident class 3 boater after this course. We had water levels all over the place this spring and they did such a great job of picking rivers with good water levels and making every trip and practice as fun and safe as possible. The program is extremely popular so make sure you sign up the first day it is offered.

Calleva's River School offers a well-paced series of whitewater kayaking courses to help get your…read morefeet (and everything else!) wet in this exciting sport. The friendly instructors are very knowledgeable and coach to your level of development. This is a great school to build skills and gain an introduction to the community having fun on the Potomac.