East Potomac Park

Numerous trails attract pedestrians, runners, and cyclists. Public recreational facilities at the park include multiple golf courses, a tennis center with more than 20 courts, an outdoor Olympic-size pool, and several athletic fields. There’s a large picnic area and a playground at Hains Point, at the southern end of the park. Fishing is also a popular activity here, as is watching planes take off and land at Reagan National Airport.

East Potomac Park features on a number of sightseeing tours, particularly during cherry blossom season. The park is also close to other landmarks on the National Mall, making it easy to see multiple sites on one visit. 

• Don’t forget your camera, as there are plenty of scenic spots and views to photograph.
• Picnic areas may require a permit at certain times.
• Fishing is permitted with a Washington DC fishing license.
• Pets are allowed on trails and outdoor areas, but must be leashed at all times.

The park is accessible by road via Ohio Drive SW. Find parking along the park perimeter and near Hains Point, though the spots fill up quickly on weekends. The closest metro stations are Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza, and the National Mall Circulator bus stops nearby. On foot, follow trails that lead from the Jefferson Memorial. A public floating dock on the Washington Channel allows access to visitors on paddleboards, and in kayaks, canoes, and dinghies.

The prettiest, though also busiest, time to visit is in spring, when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. Certain facilities, such as the swimming pool, are only open during the summer. The park can get very busy on weekends. Arrive early to beat the crowds, or visit during the week.

West Potomac Park is situated across the Tidal Basin from East Potomac Park. It’s the site of several important memorials including the Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Martin Luther King Jr. memorials, as well as more than 1,600 cherry blossom trees.