Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 : Outdoor Activities – Top 10 Spectator Sports

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.

Thompson Boat Center

• 2900 Virginia Ave, NW

• 202 333 9543

• Open 9am–6pm daily

Washington Sailing Marina

• 1 Marina Drive, Alexandria, VA

• 703 548 9027

• Open 10am–5pm daily

In-Line Skating

Rock
Creek Park has been named one of the top 10 sites in the nation for
in-line skating, but most bike trails allow skaters as well. You can
rent skates and protective gear from one of the numerous in-line skating
companies in the area.

Running

Runners
are everywhere in Washington. The Mall is popular, as are the walkways
around the Tidal Basin, Georgetown Waterfront, the C&O Canal, and Rock Creek 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.

Bike the Sites

• Old Post Office Pavilion, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

• 202 842 2453

• 
  www.bikethesites.com
  

Golf

There
are over 100 golf courses in the vicinity. The famed Congressional
Country Club private course in Bethesda is one of the most historic in
the world. The East Potomac Park course is public, as is the Rock Creek
Park Golf Course. Langston Golf Course was among the first
African-American courses in the US.

East Potomac Park

• 972 Ohio Drive, SW (Hain’s Point)

Rock Creek Park Golf Course

• 16th St & Rittenhouse Rd, NW

Langston Golf Course

• 26th St at Benning Rd, NE

Hiking

The 4-mile (7-km) Western Ridge Trail and the 5-mile (8-km) Valley Trail, both in Rock Creek Park,
are scenic and gentle. The 11.5-mile (18.5-km) Capital Crescent Trail
follows the old B&O Railroad route through Georgetown north to
Bethesda. Trail information is available at www.washdc.org/trail.html.

Informal Team Sports

Volleyball,
dodge ball, rugby, softball, team Frisbee, and even polo are played on
various fields at the western end of the Mall.

Tennis

The East Potomac Park Tennis Center is operated by the National Park Service. Indoor and outdoor courts are available.

East Potomac Park Tennis Center

• Ohio Drive, SW

Horseback Riding

The
Rock Creek Park Horse Center provides scheduled trail rides and riding
lessons for all levels. No experience is necessary for the guided rides,
and the center provides the required helmet and other necessary
equipment.

Rock Creek Horse Center

• 5100 Glover Rd, NW (at Hain’s Point)

Climbing

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

• 240 314 8643

• 
  www.rockville.md.gov
  

Washington Redskins

The
National Football League Redskins are a year-round obsession. Games are
at FedEx Field in Maryland. No single-game tickets are sold.

Washington Wizards

The National Basketball Association team plays at the Verizon Center. Buy tickets at the box office.

Washington Capitals

The National Hockey League team plays home games at the Verizon Center.

DC United

Robert F. Kennedy Stadium is home to professional soccer.

Robert F. Kennedy Stadium

• 2400 E Capitol St, SE

• 202 547 9077

Baseball

American League baseball at Nationals Park in D.C., and Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Washington Mystics

The women’s basketball professional league plays home games at the Verizon Center.

Washington Freedom

Professional women’s soccer draws young fans to the RFK Stadium.

Georgetown University Basketball

Fast-paced action at the Verizon Center.

University of Maryland Athletics

ACC champion football and national basketball teams lead a varied program.

• College Park, MD

• 202-397-SEAT

Naval Academy Football

The spectacle and tradition at these games is unmatched. Schedule and ticket info: 800 US4 NAVY or 410 293 2700.