Georgetown Waterfront Park

The Potomac riverfront in Georgetown is one of the few places in DC where you can sit outside, watch the water, and not feel like you're competing for space with a tour group.

What it's actually like

The park runs along the river between the Key Bridge and Washington Harbour. Benches, grass, a promenade, and the kind of view that explains why people pay Georgetown rents. At sunset the light on the water and the bridge is good in a way that photographs never quite capture.

On weekday evenings it's calm. On summer weekends it fills up, but the space is big enough that it doesn't feel crushing. The outdoor restaurants at Washington Harbour are right there if you want food, or you can just bring something and sit on the grass.

What to know

Parking in Georgetown is its own separate problem. Take the Metro to Foggy Bottom and walk down, or get dropped off. The C&O Canal towpath starts nearby if you want to extend the trip into an actual walk or bike ride along the river.