When you come to this park what you get is a mixed bag of out-of-town visitors, groups of occasional demonstrators, and mounds of homeless people. Not so many locals here that just come to hang out at the park. It's somewhat cleaner than most of the other parks around the city, and that's probably due to it"s proximity to the White House. So I don't really think this is a destination park. It is more like a meeting point where visitors congregate and then plan to circle back to once they an on leaving. I saw a couple of vendors selling over-priced hot dogs and soda, but nothing there of any major significance. I do believe it is safe though, as the entire area is teaming with secret service police. I will still roll through there on my bike, but I'm probably not going to plan a visit with the family. read more

Lafayette Park - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A great park to see the White House from a different perspective. This is the closest to the White House you can get as well. Plenty of security of course and tends to be where protesters are always setting up. The park itself is nice with several monuments to see and open space to enjoy. read more

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Pretty cool statue in Lafayette Park which is right in front of the White House. It's a beautiful little park that is maintained and has a number of statues throughout read more

Lafayette Park - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Lafayette Park is by the White House. It is a popular spot to wallk by, hangout, picnic, lolligag, take pictures or protest. read more

Lafayette Park - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Visited this park last year for a short time, pre-covid. It sits right in front (or is it behind?) of the White House. There are many barriers blocking the fence, protesters, and just kind of a sketchy situation at times. There was even a mini concert happening while I was passing through the crowds. Security is high and many tourists rolling through. I can't imagine how crazy it's probably been over there these past few weeks.. The park itself has a bit of history with some interesting statues, many benches to sit, and grassy areas. I could imagine people come here to get a break and enjoy the park on sunny days. I'd only recommend a quick stop here as the protestors, the yelling, and all the hustle and bustle just wasn't my jam. The views weren't the greatest either as you're pretty far away from the White House itself due to the barriers. Luckily there was a tour group that came through while I was there and I heard the guide saying the view from the south lawn was much better and so I headed that way. He was right! read more

Lafayette, merci. This is a wonderful park, gracefully situated in front of the White House. Be sure to visit all five statues and you will see that most of them are not native born Americans. Interesting history here and every day there is an interesting protest or a group of tourist gathering to take photos. Wonderful lunch spot or pace back-and-forth and take it all in. read more

Lafayette Park (i.e. the park next to the White House) has gone downhill of late. For one thing, extra barriers have been erected in front of the White House fence (because people jumped the fence). They look temporary, but they seem to be effectively permanent, and the situation is shoddy and makes it harder to get the pictures that people come here for. Additionally, it's often the site of protests. For those of you who are not locals, the March on Washington and Dr. King's famous speech happened once and it's been all downhill since then. Most protests accomplish nothing other than being a nuisance to anyone passing by, regardless of who's protesting or why. I hate bringing a visitor here to get the DC experience and running into one. The park is still worth passing through most days, always bearing in mind that security is high around here so be cautious and listen. read more

Finally reopened. This is a lovely little park. Many statues dedicated to heroes of the American Revolution. Being across from the White House, the ability of the public to enjoy it is often disrupted. read more

Lafayette Park - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Lafayette Park is a place where tourists and locals blend. It's a medium sized park behind the White House near other tourist destinations like the Renwick Gallery. Because of that, it attracts many tourists from all around the world. If you meander through the park, you'll notice dozens of benches scattered throughout the park. It's these benches that bring the locals. Downtown DC office workers often bring their lunch or a good book on a sunny day on their work breaks and enjoy the park. Because of these two worlds, the park is also a fun place to people watch. You'll see politicians, tourists, and locals alike. It's fascinating! read more

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My family and I came by Lafayette Park due to a tour we took while we were in D.C. It is a beautiful park with statutes of French heroes who fought for/alongside America including of course The Marquis De Lafayette who the park is named after. Oddly, though, it seems that in the Park there is actually one American who does have a statute there (apart from The Marquis because he was technically given honorary U.S citizenship). Andrew Jackson also has a statute in the Park...when I asked the tour guide why that was when this park was to honor French heroes...she said he was President at the time and Jackson always did what he wanted... shrugs shoulders...guess he did... Cool park....pass by and relax here while in DC while at the same time check out the statutes of some great American and non American heroes. read more

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Damn, there's lots of fat squirrels here. Guess living in DC they get fat just like the politicians wallets on Capitol Hill. Pretty nice park right across the street from the White House. Clean overall and plenty of spots to sit at and eat lunch. Good place to people watch. You can also view the police force standing guard along the street by the White House, and if you have a keen eye, see the snipers located on the rooftop of Obama's crib. Just don't do anything stupid like running around the park naked. Those cops don't look too amused standing out in the cold and rain. read more

And to Think That I Saw It in Lafayette Park (After the fashion of Dr. Seuss's, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street") ********************************************** When I sit at my desk And am feeling kind of antsy I head out of the office But for no place too fancy "John K. keep your eyes open," My suite mate farewells "And tell me what's out there The sights, sounds, and smells" A bare-breasted maiden Offers Lafayette a saber In exchange for her cloak Like he's doing her a favor I'm not making it up I don't really have to Take a look for yourself now At Lafayette's statue Michelle goes through the gate The guards don't detain her As she walks in the White House With Speaker John Boehner I'm not making this up And I make this prediction That in Lafayette Park Truth is stranger than fiction I saw Nature Boy Elijah A self-professed vegan Sitting on a park bench By Supreme Court Justice Kagan I'm not making this up He wore a loin cloth of denim Elena asked his opinion On U.S. versus Glenham I return to my office and recount what I've seen My suite mate rebukes me, "Your eyesight's not keen" "Stop telling such outlandish tales stop turning minnows into whales" Now say what you will It wasn't a lark And to think that I saw it In Lafayette Park read more

Lafayette Park - Setting up for a protest - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is a really nice park located in the Lafayette Square. The park is adjoining to the national historic landmark district. It is a very clean park and very well maintained. This park was used as a race track, a graveyard, a zoo, a slave market in the park. Now a days it has most of it's guests as tourists who are visting White house. An ideal spot to relax and for people watching. read more

Smallish park that's right across from the White House, it has some interesting statues and usually a few protesters hanging around. I'm pretty sure it has the same statue of Andrew Jackson that's downtown in my hometown of Jacksonville so that's kinda unique. Its worth checking out if you're in the area for sure. read more

Lafayette Park - The park's namesake - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Located directly across the street from the White House, Lafayette Park is a lovely place to relax. I took a bag of vegan baked goods from Sticky Fingers here and enjoyed them with my platonic life partner in crime and my favorite Washingtonian. Park yourself on a bench and watch the world go by. read more

The weather has been lovely (thanks to Hurricane Alex imo) and Lafayette Park was the middle ground btw my friend and I. I have to thank my friend for suggesting this park because I've never realized how close it is to my work (~10 min walk). Plenty of benches to sit and eat your lunch. There were a few couples smooching/ cuddling etc but hey I'm not really looking. Great spot to tourist watch or out of the ordinary folks if you know what i mean. =) read more

Lafayette Park - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is the park behind The White House. There's really not much special about it. It's a small city park. What makes it stand out is the fact that it's right by The White House and that you'll undoubtedly get to see some protestors and church groups and whatnot. The reason I come here is simple: It's where I take my dog to pee and poop. There is a public restroom. There are two crappy-ish fountains. My dog loves them in the fall and winter when they're turned off, but full of leaves. They're great fun for him to run around in. There's no trash cans - absolutely none. A few benches. And plenty of squirrels. This isn't a place I would come sit and have lunch or anything. In fact, aside from walking through it to go to The White House or taking my dog here, I see little reason to come here. read more

This 7-acre park gets pretty busy, most likely due to it being along the north (closest viewing point) side of the White House. It has many benches and the protesters and anybody mad with the government sets up shop there on the south center of the park. There are 5 revolutionary war hero statues in the park at the four corners, with the centerpiece being Andrew Jackson. read more

Located right behind the white house, or is it in front of the white house (I always forget), this park is home to protestors, homeless people, insane weirdos who want to talk to the President, lots of security personnel, shockingly young white house employees, friendly squirrels, and lots and lots of rats. Often the fountains aren't working, sidewalks are broken, or the driveway roped off--and sometimes you get all three! Reasons to come here: - bike polo played in the driveway between the Treasury Dept and commercial bank buildings - trying to get to the Renwick Museum - rat watching, this could be your Big Year right here! - connoisseur of force protection by the Secret Service - protesting something - you work in the white house complex, or one of the white house complex offices on the sides of the park - you are trying to cycle around town and must take the crappy bike path that goes through the park in the most inconvenient and dangerous way possible - you're a groupie for the band that plays in the park for evening commuters - you're a tourist and someone told you this was a good place to go - you want to get your news broadcasts about the White House live AND in person! There's often live taping of reporters in the park because the white house makes a decent backdrop. - you're appealing a case to the Federal Circuit Court on the side of the park - you're on a DC tour, especially a nightly ghost tour (lol) I dislike how dirty, full of trash and homeless people, and unkept this park is. It's always broken down and disgusting. The fountains often don't work and they are not complex fountains. The flowers are planted repeatedly because nobody takes care of them and they die quickly. I don't understand why the President can't look out of the window and do something about the park service budget. This park is gross. The secret service agents who mill about this area are actually pretty nice. They are basically tour guides while maintaining some sense of security. So that's one positive in a place that deserves little. Also, a hidden positive for this park is it has some of the best red bud trees and magnolias in the spring. The red buds here are incredible, some of the best in the city. The pink magnolias are also beautiful and while not special in any way, are just great to look at. Those are great reasons to come here, in addition to my list above. read more

A very fat squirrel walked up to my foot, looked me dead in the eye, smacked my face and took the last bite of my Potbelly sandwich. In shock, I glanced around for witnesses, only to find a young couple smoking pot, a golf cart cavalcade of park rangers and a, um, "mortgage-free theorist" pushing a mobile sign that announced "Obama went to India to Consult with the Dalai Lama on How to Kill ME." Then I woke up, only I didn't wake up because I was awake and that all happened. WTFDCILY read more

Since January 1981, a dough faced woman has manned a tent across from the White House in some never ending fast promoting nuclear disarmament. One might have thought the fall of the Berlin Wall would have sent her packing but no steadfast is she and sadly, she won't be leaving anytime soon. Since 2003 she has been joined by a handful of other singers, shouters and pamphlet distributors against the war. Ignorant of all of this are the beefy squirrels who run to and fro in the daytime while the park becomes a veritable rat kingdom upon sunset. See even the rats are up in arms over this current president! Durign the daytime, its not mobbed but populated with Washingtonians who know this is great place to sit, eat, relax and people watch. read more

Great place to meet your friends for lunch if you work in the downtown area. You're likely to see: Protesters Bums The White House Cool Statue Crazy People People lounging/sleeping on the grass an 8th grade tour Tourists in general Secret Service The President's Helicopter(s) read more

Largest population of tree squirrels in the DC Metro area, there are brown, black and even little baby squirrels haha. This park is right around the corner from me and across the street from the White House. I hear that the Obama's dog, Bo, goes for walks here. I have yet to see him though. This park has lots of different trees and plenty of paths and benches to chill at. There are two fountains full of ducks too. If you have time, bring some bread or nuts to feed the ducks and squirrels, they will come right up to you and basically feed from your hand. Come out, take a stroll and then catch a view of the White House! read more

Lafayette Park - Parks Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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If you work in the downtown area, this is a lovely spot to eat lunch at. It's big, and you can dine on the grass or on a bench, whichever you prefer. There is something so cool about eating your sandwich with the White House in the background. Reminds you how awesome it is to live in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, when I went today, they were mowing the lawn with a lawnmower from the 1950s, so I didn't quite have the serene lunch that I was looking for. But, thankfully most of the time it's a great, quiet lunch spot. read more

Okay, the park is gorgeous, as well as the statues in it. But what's up with all the crazy protesters? Don't get me wrong, I believe in our freedom of speech. But parents bringing their kids on vacation shouldn't have to deal with huge color photos of aborted babies steps away from the square and the White House. Or some person wearing an aluminum foil hat in a tent protesting nuclear war. But the Lafayette Park itself is beautiful and historic, and worth the visit. read more

It's a beautiful park right outside the White House. It was raining so I just walked through the park rapidly. Overall, it was a pleasant view! read more

Contrary to the other more dingy parks downtown rhis was actually really nice & peaceful.. maybe it's cloe to the Whitehouse so there are more police around? read more

Lafayette Park is a nice little downtown splash of green. It it were taken care of like Hyde Park in London and if there were a few less vagrants and protesters it could be a five such is the price of trickle down economics. read more

We ate a picnic lunch here on the 4th of July. Picture if you will, us under some trees overlooking the Whitehouse while a pro-pot rally takes place 10 or 20 metres to our right. The road in front of us, and them, is lined with police cars, seemingly ready to bust them all at a moments notice, only to end up escorting the rally down to The Mall. A unique experience to say the least! read more