Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Bethesda

"Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the conservatory features more than 20,000 plants, including exotic flowers and fruit species. First Street and Maryland Avenue, SW. The sprawling lands of the National Mall & Memorial Parks include the Mall, the public promenade extending from 3rd Street near the Capitol to 14th Street, including the:"

"With all of its vintage theaters and gleaming government buildings, you might not expect Washington, DC to have a lot of greenery. However, the United States Botanic Garden would prove you wrong. It’s a natural oasis in the middle of an urban landscape, and it’s hands-down one of the best places to visit in the city."

"The kids can enjoy a scavenger hunt that sends them to identify plants and get a stamp in their passports. Stop by the Children’s Garden to play in the playhouse, pump water, dig with shovels, and occasionally help a staff member plant a flower or two!"

"The national Arboretum is one of my favorite spots in all of DC.It is huge and full of many different gardens you can visit year round. One of the most famous is the bonsai tree garden which includes trees that are hundreds of years old. The flowers and gardens are a great spot to escape the big city feel and learn about the different plants that live all over the world."

"Open every day except December 25th, the National Arboretum provides incredible beauty no matter the season. Visit the grounds to see plenty of nature, trees, and paths, all of which appear differently based on the time of day and season. Visit during various times of year to watch the seasons change artfully."

"The Tidal Basin is perhaps best known for the National Cherry Blossom Festival it hosts each spring, but this DC reservoir has a lot more going for it. You’ll find few places in the city better suited for exploring, owing in part to the staggering amount of iconic monuments located at Tidal Basin. The main 3 are the Jefferson Memorial, the MLK Memorial, and the FDR Memorial."

"Needless to say, Tidal Basin during the Cherry Blossom Festival gets very VERY crowded. Best time to photograph would be around 7 AM during a weekday, when DC residents are working and tourists are asleep. Tripods are allowed but actual use may be challenging if you go during a peak..."

"Take a walk along the Tidal Basin, basking in the scent of cherry blossoms and the cool breeze along the Potomac River."

"Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the Potomac River off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The park is open year-round and offers hiking and a statue of Roosevelt. Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States."

"Theodore Roosevelt Island is one of the Washington, DC attractions that every outdoors lover should see. There are miles of trails to hike and explore. They offer ranger-led programs and ranger-led "safaris"."

"Go for a walk in the peace and quiet of the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Extra plus: little to no tourists tour the island."

"The beautified Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park in Columbia Heights has hosted a drum circle every Sunday (weather permitting) for four decades, inspiring dance and — more recently — a thriving scene of circus artists who juggle, do tightrope walking and demonstrate impressive hula-hooping and human-pyramid skills. While not everyone is happy to see this event become a tourist attraction, it's still a peaceful way to picnic and enjoy a community."

"This sprawling DC urban park is conveniently located in the trendy Columbia Heights neighborhood. One of the gorgeous features of the park is its thirteen-basin cascading fountain, which just so happens to be the longest in the country. The park also has many other notable monuments, such as statues of Joan of Arc and Dante and the James Buchanan Memorial."

"Also known as Malcolm X Park, this 12 acre park is perhaps the most popular park on this list. But being a bit out of the way of Washington’s many tourist traps, it’s almost never overly crowded. Plus, for those willing to trek up the steep hill, it remains a treasure."

"Yards Park overlooks the Capitol Riverfront and hosts events throughout the year. It’s complete with cool architecture,  a dog park, views of the Anacostia River, boardwalk, grassy areas, and dining options. You can spend a whole day here just exploring, and trying one of the many restaurants they offer for brunch, lunch or dinner."

"Couple at Yards Park Bridge in Capitol Riverfront - Washington, DC. DC’s lively Capitol Riverfront neighborhood is home to the always-exciting Yards Park, which has an iconic bridge and plenty of adventures nearby, like Ice Cream Jubilee for when you’re feeling extra sweet."

"If you love unique architecture the bridge at The Yards if a fantastic spot to capture day or night. I wouldn’t recommend heading here too late since you’ll be hassled by security guards after 10pm. To avoid large crowds avoid this spot when a National’s game is happening."

"Three blocks north of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Founders Park is a peaceful riverside garden in Old Town Alexandria where the public can stroll along the shore, walk their dogs, play volleyball, have a picnic and enjoy the flowers and greenery of Northern Virginia. Park Features: Dog exercise area, volleyball court, benches, walking paths"

"Just north of the Tall Ship Providence, Founders Park hosts community events and is another nice spot for a picnic. The park is a pretty place to walk with pretty gardens, flowering trees, and benches with a river view."

"Green Spring Gardens, spanning about 31 acres, is a historic garden featuring a plantation house constructed between 1777 to 1784."

"Shouk shook up the idea of eating a plant-based meal — at least in DC, where there weren’t many vegan options for a long time. Leaning on Israeli and Middle Eastern culinary traditions, these flavor-packed and satisfying pitas and bowls are well-assembled and totally satisfying ($9.75). The cauliflower version features the cruciferous veg tucked into a pita with tomato, scallion, tahina and parsley."

"If you can't make it to Israel (or more importantly to Israel's food scene) any time soon, Shouk is the next best thing. Some popular menu options include the Black Bean Bowl with sweet potato, red pepper, tomato, arugula, and spicy harissa, and the Shouk Burger with roasted tomato, pickled turnip, arugula, charred onion, and tahini served in a pita. Shouk will leave you, well, shook."

"Everything offered at Shouk is "'whatever your diet is' friendly," so you can bring all of your friends to this plant-based K Street eatery. Choose from seven different pita creations, or go for the rice and lentil bowl option to enjoy your veggies sans-pita. You can also get a pita pizza, fries, soup, salad, a tomato "burger," and house-made drinks."

"Teaism Penn Quarter is a traditional tea house that serves a variety of coffees and teas, along with sandwiches, snacks, cookies, and bento boxes in a bright and sunny ambiance. The menu features starters of three-way beets with goat cheese, beets, and flatbread served with roasted and pureed chickpeas, coriander, kale salad, and fried Brussel’s sprouts. Entrees feature South Indian vegetable curry, okonomiyaki Japanese cabbage pancakes, and black bean cake, alongside soups, sipping broths, fresh salads, a variety of sides and decadent desserts."

"Address: 301 South Harrison StreetLength: 1.2 milesDifficulty: Easy to difficultBikeable: Paved trail yes, natural trail noTrail Map:ViewDescription: This beautiful and secluded 95.5 acre park offers a whole host of family activities. Trails throughout this park offer a beautiful setting for bird watching and other outdoor activities. There are sightings of everything from woodpeckers to wood ducks and warblers."

"Tucked away in a 38-acre wooded area of footpaths, streams formed by the nearby Potomac and lush greenery, is this little oasis perfect for some outdoor communing with friends or family. There’s a lot to take in here with the surrounding log cabins, the winding Potomac River Trail, and there’s even a blacksmith shop with a working forge. The park provides interpretive environmental education programs for all ages and for a wide variety of audiences including small groups."

"Military RoadLength: 1.4 milesDifficulty: Moderate to difficultBikeable: NoTrail Map:ViewDescription: To the east of Military road, this trail features a forested area and rocky stream that runs down to the Potomac River and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. There are several areas where you will have to cross the stream. On the west side of Military road, you will find hilly, wooded trails around Gulf Branch Nature Center."

"Nature Centers provide kids with lots of hands-on opportunities to explore our environment. From Rock Creek Park to Montgomery County, MD, to Arlington, VA, year-round naturalist guided programs will give you insight into the natural habitat of the Washington, D.C."

"More than 44 acres of plants and trees indigenous to the Potomac River Valley have been curated by the Winkler Botanical Preserve, which is managed by a private, non-profit organization with a mission to provide free environmental education for the students of the Alexandria City Public Schools and is open daily for visitors. The preserve also offers popular nature camps in summer and during spring and winter breaks. Admission is free and visitors can enter the preserve through an open gate in a small apartment complex parking lot between 8:30 a.m."

"Winkler Botanical Preserve stretches for over 44 acres and you will find a beautiful array of flora and fauna that typifies the Potomac River Valley. The preserve here aims to showcase the natural beauty of Virginia, and is open to the public daily. You can walk around and take in the trails here and get up close to the picturesque plant and wildlife that abounds."