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Baseball | Basketball | Bicycling | Boating and Sailing | Football | Hiking | Hockey | Kite Flying | Running | Soccer

Washington is well designed for outdoor sports, with numerous places to play, run, and ride. When the weather is good, it seems all of Washington is out riding a bike, playing softball and volleyball, jogging past monuments, or taking a relaxing stroll. Many of the favorite locations for participation sports are in the shadow of D.C.’s most famous spots, such as Capitol Hill and the White House.

Baseball

Washington Nationals.
Major League Baseball has returned to D.C., where the Washington Nationals of the National League play in their new spectacular home, Nationals Park. Tours ($15) of the state-of-the art stadium are available when the Nationals are on the road and in the morning when the team has night games. Individual game tickets may be purchased at the park or through the team’s website. Seats range from $10 to $325 and inexpensive tickets are often available at the box office on game day. TIP The Metro is a hassle-free and inexpensive way to get to the ballpark. The closest and most convenient stop is the Navy Yard on the Green Line. Parking is scarce. | 1500 S. Capitol St. SE | 20003 | 202/675–6287 | washington.nationals.mlb.com | Station: Navy Yard.

Basketball

Georgetown University Hoyas.
Of the Division I men’s college basketball teams in the area, the most prominent are the Georgetown University Hoyas, former NCAA national champions. The Hoyas became a national basketball powerhouse under their coach John Thompson III, and remain perennial contenders in the national tourney. The Hoyas often play at the Verizon Center. | guhoyas.com.

Washington Mystics.
The WNBA’s Washington Mystics play at the Verizon Center in Downtown Washington. The Mystics perennially lead the WNBA in attendance, despite a losing record. The games are loud, boisterous events. Ticket prices range from $17 to $70, with courtside tickets for $125. You can buy tickets at the Verizon Center box office or through Ticketmaster. The women’s basketball season runs from late May to August. | 6th and F Sts., Downtown | 20004 | 202/432–7328 | www.wnba.com/mystics | Station: Gallery Pl./Chinatown.

Washington Wizards.
The NBA’s Washington Wizards play from October to April at the Verizon Center and feature rising star John Wall. Tickets for individual games cost $40 to $850. The team also offers $16 seats in the upper level and courtside seats for a whopping $2,500. Buy tickets from the Verizon Center box office or from Ticketmaster. | 6th and F Sts., Downtown | 20004 | 202/432–7328 | www.nba.com/wizards | Station: Gallery Pl./Chinatown.

Bicycling

The numerous trails in the District and its surrounding areas are well maintained and clearly marked.

C&O Canal Towpath.
For scenery, you can’t beat the C&O Canal Towpath, which starts in Georgetown and runs along the C&O Canal into Maryland. You could pedal to the end of the canal, nearly 200 miles away in Cumberland, Maryland, but most cyclists stop at Great Falls, 13 miles from where the canal starts. The occasionally bumpy towpath, made of gravel and packed earth, passes through wooded areas of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. You can see 19th-century locks from the canal’s working days, and you may catch a glimpse of mules pulling a canal barge. The barges now haul passengers, not cargo. | www.nps.gov/choh.

Capital Crescent Trail.
Suited for bicyclists, walkers, rollerbladers, and strollers, the paved Capital Crescent Trail stretches along the old Georgetown Branch, a B&O Railroad line that was completed in 1910 and was in operation until 1985. The 7.5-mile route’s first leg runs from Georgetown near Key Bridge to central Bethesda at Bethesda and Woodmont avenues. At Bethesda and Woodmont the trailheads through a well-lighted tunnel near the heart of Bethesda’s lively business area and continues into Silver Spring. The 3.5-mile stretch from Bethesda to Silver Spring is gravel. The Georgetown Branch Trail, as this section is officially named, connects with the Rock Creek Trail, which goes to Rockville in the north and Memorial Bridge past the Washington Monument in the south. On weekends when the weather’s nice, all sections of the trails are crowded. | 202/234–4874: Capital Crescent Coalition.

East Potomac Park.
Cyclists might try the 3-mile loop around the golf course in East Potomac Park at Hains Point, the southern area of the park (entry is near the Jefferson Memorial). Though somewhat less scenic than a run around the Mall, it’s a favorite training course for dedicated local racers and would-be triathletes. | 202/485–9874: National Park Service.

Mall.
Each day bicyclists cruise the Mall amid the endless throngs of runners, walkers, and tourists. There’s relatively little car traffic, and bikers can take in some of Washington’s finest landmarks, such as the Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pool, WWII Memorial, and the Smithsonian’s many museums, as they travel from the Lincoln Memorial all the way up to the Capitol and back (about a 4-mile loop). Those looking for a longer trek can extend their ride up and down Independence and Constitution avenues.

Mount Vernon Trail.
Mount Vernon Trail, across the Potomac in Virginia, has two sections. The northern part, closest to D.C. proper, is 3.5 miles long and begins near the causeway across the river from the Kennedy Center that heads to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It then passes Ronald Reagan National Airport and continues on to Old Town Alexandria. This section has slight slopes and almost no interruptions for traffic, making it a delightful biking route. Even relatively inexperienced bikers enjoy the trail, which provides wonderful views of the Potomac. To access the trail from the District, take the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge or the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge, also known as the 14th Street Bridge. South of the airport, the trail runs down to the Washington Marina. The final mile of the trail’s northern section meanders through protected wetlands before ending in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The trail’s 9-mile southern section extends along the Potomac from Alexandria to Mount Vernon.

Rock Creek Park.
Rock Creek Park covers an area from the edge of Georgetown to Montgomery County, Maryland. An asphalt bike path running through the park has a few challenging hills but is mostly flat, and it’s possible to bike several miles without having to stop for cars (the roadway is closed entirely to cars on weekends). Bikers can begin a ride at the Lincoln Memorial or Kennedy Center, pass the Washington Zoo, and eventually come to the Washington, D.C., line, where the trail separates, with one part continuing to Bethesda and another to Silver Spring. Fifteen miles of dirt trails crisscross the park; these are best for hiking.

Information

Washington Area Bicyclist Association.
WABA provides an organizational home for bike enthusiasts across the Washington metropolitan area. Members conduct local outreach to encourage biking, do advocacy for better bike lanes, and educate the public about bike safety. WABA also provides an institutional structure for those looking for organized longer rides. | 1803 Connecticut Ave., 3rd fl., Upper Northwest | 20009 | 202/518–0524 | www.waba.org.

Rentals and Tours

Big Wheel Bikes.
Big Wheel Bikes, near the C&O Canal Towpath, rents multispeed and other types of bikes hourly or for the day. Rates range from $5–$10 per hour and $25–$100 per day. There is a three-hour minimum. Tandem bikes, kids’ bikes, and bikes with baby carriers are also available. A second location is near the Capital Crescent Trail. There’s also an Alexandria branch if you want to ride the Mount Vernon Trail. | 1034 33rd St. NW, Georgetown | 20007 | 202/337–0254 | www.bigwheelbikes.com | 2 Prince St. | Alexandria, Virginia | 22314 | 703/739–2300.

Bike and Roll.
Bike and Roll is a tour company that offers three-hour, 4- to 8-mile guided tours of Downtown Washington. The company offers tours that range in cost from $35 to $50, and bike rental is included. Bike and Roll has locations at the Old Post Office Pavilion and at Union Station. Advance reservations are required. Tours start from the Mall. | 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Downtown | 20004 | 202/842-2453 | www.bikethesites.com.

The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove.
The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove, next to the C&O Towpath and Capital Crescent Trail, rents fixed-gear bikes for $7 per hour and $28 per day. | 4940 Canal Rd. NW, at Reservoir Rd., Georgetown | 20007 | 202/244–0461 | www.fletcherscove.com.

Capital Bikeshare.
One of the nation’s largest bike-share programs lets you pick up a bike at one of 140 stations located around Washington and Arlington, Virginia, and then return it at a location near your destination. Using a credit card to pay the $7 24-hour membership fee at a bike station kiosk, you receive a code to unlock a bike. The membership entitles you to an unlimited number of rides during the 24 hours. The first 30 minutes are free, then different rates apply; a 90-minute trip is $4.50. Bikers provide their own helmets. TIP Capital Bikeshare is designed for quick, short trips. A bike rental shop may be a better option for visitors needing a bike for a full day. | 877/430–2453 | www.capitalbikeshare.com.

Thompson’s Boat Center.
In addition to its access to the river, Thompson’s Boat Center allows easy access to the Rock Creek Trail and the C&O Towpath and is close to the monuments. Adult single-speed bikes are $7 per hour and $25 per day. Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis. | 2900 Virginia Ave. NW, Foggy Bottom | 20037 | 202/333–4861, 202/333–9543 | Nov.–Feb. | Station: Foggy Bottom/GWU.

Washington Sailing Marina.
Washington Sailing Marina rents all-terrain bikes for $8 per hour and $25 per day. The marina is on the Mount Vernon Trail off the George Washington Parkway, south of Ronald Reagan National Airport. | 1 Marina Dr. | Alexandria, Virginia | 22314 | 703/548–9027 | www.washingtonsailingmarina.com.

Boating and Sailing

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the great sailing basins of the world. For scenic and historical sightseeing, take a day trip to Annapolis, Maryland, the home of the U.S. Naval Academy. TIP The popularity of boating and the many boating businesses in Annapolis make it one of the best civilian sailing centers on the East Coast.

Potomac River.
Canoeing, sailing, and powerboating are popular in the Washington, D.C. area. Several places rent boats along the Potomac River north and south of the city. You can dip your paddle just about anywhere along the river—go canoeing in the C&O Canal, sailing in the widening river south of Alexandria, or even kayaking in the raging rapids at Great Falls, a 30-minute drive from the capital.

Rentals

Belle Haven Marina.
Belle Haven Marina, south of Reagan National Airport and Old Town Alexandria, rents two types of sailboats: Sunfish are $30 for two hours during the week and $35 for two hours on the weekend; Flying Scots are $46 for two hours during the week and $54 for two hours during the weekend. Canoes, jon boats, and kayaks are available for rent at $20 for two hours. Rentals are available from April to October and prices for full-day rentals are available on the website. The marina takes reservations, which are useful during peak-season weekends. | George Washington Pkwy. | Alexandria, Virginia | 22307 | 703/768–0018 | www.saildc.com.

The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove.
The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove, just north of Georgetown, rents 17-foot rowboats for $12 per hour and $22 per day. Canoes are available for rent at $12 per hour and $24 per day. Single kayaks are $10 per hour and $28 per day, while double kayaks are $17 per hour and $40 per day. | 4940 Canal Rd., at Reservoir Rd., Georgetown | 20007 | 202/244–0461 | www.fletcherscove.com.

Thompson’s Boat Center.
Thompson’s Boat Center is near Georgetown and Theodore Roosevelt Island. The center rents canoes for $12 per hour and $24 per day. Single kayaks are $10 per hour and $28 per day, and double kayaks are $17 per hour and $40 per day. Rowing sculls are also available, but you must demonstrate prior experience and a suitably high skill level. Note: Thompson closes from Halloween through early March, based on the water’s temperature. | 2900 Virginia Ave. NW, Foggy Bottom | 20037 | 202/333–4861, 202/333–9543 | www.thompsonboatcenter.com | Station: Foggy Bottom/GWU.

Tidal Basin Boathouse.
The Tidal Basin Boathouse, in front of the Jefferson Memorial, rents paddleboats beginning in mid-March and usually ending in October. The entrance is on the east side of the Tidal Basin. You can rent two-passenger boats at $12 per hour and four-passenger boats at $19 per hour. | 1501 Maine Ave. SW, The Mall | 20024 | 202/479–2426 | Station: Farragut West.

Washington Sailing Marina.
The Washington Sailing Marina rents sailboats from around mid-May to October, or until the water gets too cold. Aqua fins are $15 per hour or $40 for three hours. The 19-foot Flying Scots are $23 per hour and $80 for four hours. | 1 Marina Dr. | Alexandria, Virginia | 22314 | 703/548–9027 | www.washingtonsailingmarina.com.

Football

Washington Redskins.
The Washington Redskins have become one of the top three most valuable franchises in the NFL based on its 1983, ’88, and ’92 Super Bowl wins. As a result, despite the franchise’s dry spell, diehard fans snap up season tickets year after year. Even though FedEx Field is the largest football stadium in the NFL with 91,000 seats, individual game-day tickets can be hard to come by if the team is enjoying a strong season. Your best bet is to check out StubHub (www.stubhub, the official ticket marketplace of the Redskins. Tickets can range anywhere from $75 to $1,200, depending on the match-up.)

TIP Game tickets can be difficult to get, but fans can see the players up close and for free at training camp, held in August. The Redskins invite the public to attend their training camp in Ashburn, in nearby Loudoun County, Virginia. Camp begins in late July and continues through mid-August. The practices typically last from 90 minutes to two hours. Fans can bring their own chairs, and the players are usually available after practice to sign autographs. Call ahead to make sure the practices are open that day. A practice schedule is on the team’s website. | 301/276–6000 FedEx Field stadium | www.redskins.com.

Hiking

Great hiking is available in and around Washington. Hikes and nature walks are listed in the Friday “Weekend” section of the Washington Post. Several area organizations sponsor outings, and most are guided.

Billy Goat Trail.
The challenging Billy Goat Trail starts and ends at the C&O Canal Towpath below Great Falls and has some outstanding views of the wilder parts of the Potomac, along with some steep downhills and climbs. | MacArthur Blvd. | Potomac, Maryland | 20854 | 301/413–0720 | www.nps.gov/choh.

Huntley Meadows Park.
A 1,460-acre refuge in Alexandria, Huntley Meadows Park is made for birders. You can spot more than 200 species—from ospreys to owls, egrets, and ibis. Much of the park is wetlands, a favorite of aquatic species. A boardwalk circles through a marsh, enabling you to spot beaver lodges, and 4 miles of trails wend through the park, making it likely you’ll see deer, muskrats, and river otters as well. The park is usually open daily dawn to dusk. | 3701 Lockheed Blvd. | Alexandria, Virginia | 22035 | 703/768–2525 | www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley.

Potomac-Appalachian Trail Club.
The Potomac-Appalachian Trail Club sponsors hikes—usually free—on trails from Pennsylvania to Virginia, including the C&O Canal and the Appalachian Trail. | 118 Park St. SE | Vienna, Virginia | 22180 | 703/242–0315 | www.patc.net.

Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club has many regional outings; call for details. | 202/547–2326 | www.sierrapotomac.org.

Fodor’s Choice | Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Theodore Roosevelt Island, designed as a memorial to the environmentally minded president, is a wildlife sanctuary off the George Washington Parkway near the Virginia side of the Potomac—close to Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, East Potomac Park, and the area near the Kennedy Center. Hikers and bicyclists can reach the island by crossing the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge or walking from the Rosslyn Metro. Many birds and other animals live in the island’s marsh and forests. It’s an easy but scenic stroll of good length, so surprisingly close to the city. | Turkey Run Park, George Washington Memorial Pkwy. | 20037 | 703/289–2500 | www.nps.gov/this.

Woodend.
A self-guided nature trail winds through Woodend Nature Sanctuary, a verdant 40-acre estate that is the suburban Maryland headquarters of the local Audubon Naturalist Society. So bring those binoculars! On the grounds is a mansion, also called Woodend, designed in the 1920s by Jefferson Memorial architect John Russell Pope. You’re never far from the trill of birdsong here, as the Audubon Society has turned the place into something of a private nature preserve, forbidding the use of toxic chemicals and leaving some areas in a wild, natural state. Programs include wildlife identification walks, environmental education programs, and a weekly Saturday bird walk September through June. A bookstore stocks titles on conservation, ecology, and birds. The grounds are open daily sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. | 8940 Jones Mill Rd. | Chevy Chase, Maryland | 20815 | 301/652–9188, 301/652–1088 for recent bird sightings | www.audubonnaturalist.org.

Hockey

Fodor’s Choice | National Gallery of Art Ice Rink.
The National Gallery of Art Ice Rink, surrounded by the museum’s Sculpture Garden, is one of the most popular outdoor winter venues in Washington. The art deco rink is perfect for a romantic date night, a fun daytime kid activity (when it’s less crowded), or for just enjoying the wintry views of the National Archives and the sculptures as the sun sets. In spring the rink becomes a fountain. Admission is $8 for adults, skate rental is $3. | Constitution Ave. NW, between 7th and 9th Sts., Downtown | 20565 | 202/216–9397 | www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.htm | Station: Archives/Navy Memorial.

Washington Capitals.
One of pro hockey’s top teams, the Washington Capitals play home games October through April at the Verizon Center and feature one of hockey’s superstars, Alex Ovechkin. Seats on the main level range from $90 to $310, and those in the upper deck range from $35 to $60. Tickets can be purchased at the Verizon Center box office or from Ticketmaster. | 6th and F Sts., Downtown | 20004 | 202/432–7328 | www.washingtoncaps.com | Station: Gallery Pl./Chinatown.

Kite Flying

Kite Festival.
The Smithsonian’s annual Kite Festival gives kids and adults a chance to enjoy a day of kite flying on the National Mall. Held in connection with the Cherry Blossom Festival in April, the granddaddy of kite festivals features kite battles and incredible kite-flying exhibitions. | Downtown | 20013 | 202/357–3030 | www.kitefestival.org | Station: Smithsonian.

Running

Running is one of the best ways to see the city, and several scenic uninterrupted trails wend through Downtown Washington and nearby northern Virginia. It can be dangerous to run at night on the trails or on the Mall, although the streets are fairly well-lighted. Even in daylight, it’s best to run in pairs when venturing beyond public areas or heavily used sections of trails.

C&O Canal Towpath.
The 89-mile-long C&O Canal Towpath in the C&O National Historical Park is a favorite of runners and, mostly gravel and dirt, is easy on knees and feet. Most popular is the stretch between the Key Bridge in Georgetown and the Boat House at Fletcher’s Cove, about a 4-mile round-trip. | www.nps.gov/choh.

Fodor’s Choice | Mall.
The most popular running route in Washington is the 4.5-mile loop on the Mall around the Capitol and past the Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pool, and the Lincoln Memorial. At any time of day hundreds of runners and speed walkers make their way along the gravel pathways. For a longer run, veer south of the Mall on either side of the Tidal Basin and head for the Jefferson Memorial and East Potomac Park, the site of many races.

Mount Vernon Trail.
Across the Potomac in Virginia is the Mount Vernon Trail. The 3.5-mile northern section begins near the pedestrian causeway leading to Theodore Roosevelt Island (directly across the river from the Kennedy Center) and goes past Ronald Reagan National Airport and on to Old Town Alexandria. You can get to the trail from the District by crossing either the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge at the Lincoln Memorial or the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge at the Jefferson Memorial. South of the airport, the trail runs down to the Washington Marina. The 9-mile southern section leads to Mount Vernon.

Rock Creek Park.
The most popular run in Rock Creek Park is along a trail that follows the creek from Georgetown to the National Zoo, about 4 miles round-trip. In summer there’s considerable shade, and there are water fountains and an exercise station along the way. The roadway is closed to traffic on weekends.

Information and Organizations

For low-key group runs, check the D.C. Road Runners’ website (www.dcroadrunners.org). Pacers (www.pacers.com), a popular running-store chain, has weekly group runs at its six locations. Information on weekend races around Washington and comprehensive listings of running and walking events are posted online by a local publication, the Washington Running Report (www.runwashington.com).

Fleet Feet Sports Shop.
Most Sunday mornings the Fleet Feet Sports Shop sponsors informal runs through Rock Creek Park and other areas. Runners gather at the store just before 9 am to embark on the 5-mile runs. | 1841 Columbia Rd. NW, Adams Morgan | 20009 | 202/387–3888 | www.fleetfeetdc.com | Station: Woodley Park/Zoo.

Soccer

Fodor’s Choice | D.C. United.
D.C. United is one of the best Major League Soccer (U.S. pro soccer) teams. International matches, including some World Cup preliminaries, are often played on RFK Stadium’s grass field, dedicated exclusively to soccer play. Games are April through September. You can buy tickets, which generally cost $23–$52 at the RFK Stadium ticket office or through the team’s website, which offers special youth pricing. | Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, 2400 E. Capitol St. SE, Capitol Hill | 20003 | 202/547–3134 | www.dcunited.com | Station: Stadium.

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