East Potomac Park

Washington, DC


Although only a stone’s throw from the National Mall, for tourists, East Potomac Park may as well be in Siberia. The pleasant, green, cherry-blossom-lined expanse is a lovely spot for walking, fishing and general gamboling. Cyclists flock to the scenic 5-mile loop that Ohio Dr makes as it zips around the park's circumference. The East Potomac Park golf course lies at the center.

The park sits on a finger of land that extends southward from the Tidal Basin into the Potomac River. On foot, you can access it by following trails that lead from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial under the bridges. If you drive out this way, you can park on the shoulder of Ohio Dr.

Transportation

  • metro: Orange, Silver, Blue Line to Smithsonian

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Washington, DC attractions

1. Jefferson Memorial

0.3 MILES

Set on the south bank of the Tidal Basin amid the cherry trees, this memorial honors the third US president, political philosopher, drafter of the…

2. George Mason Memorial

0.31 MILES

This little oasis of flowers and fountains honors the famed statesman and author of the Commonwealth of Virginia Declaration of Rights (a forerunner to…

3. Benjamin Banneker Park

0.53 MILES

The park honors Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806), a self-taught African American astronomer, mathematician and one of the original surveyors of the 10-sq…

4. Artechouse

0.53 MILES

Straddling technology, art and science, this 15,000-sq-ft, three-level state-of-the-art digital gallery mesmerizes with large-scale, interactive, multi…

5. Tidal Basin

0.59 MILES

The 2-mile stroll around this constructed inlet incorporates the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson memorials as well as the Floral Library…

6. Bureau of Engraving & Printing

0.59 MILES

Cha-ching! The nation's paper currency is designed and printed here. Guides lead 40-minute tours during which you peer down onto the work floor where…

8. International Spy Museum

0.65 MILES

One of DC’s most popular museums, the International Spy Museum delivers fun, interactive exhibits portraying the flashy, over-the-top world of…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/washington-dc/capitol-hill-south-dc/attractions/east-potomac-park/a/poi-sig/1333440/1329650",
      "destination": "Washington,-DC",
      "continent": "North-America",
      "country": "USA",
      "city": "Washington,-DC",
      "position": "superzone"
    }