One-hundred-year-old Anacostia Park has 3.5 miles of paved trail along the river, a roller skating pavilion, and public access to boating and fishing. If you have kids, you can pretend to be pirates on the ship-shaped playground in the park. Leashed dogs are welcome at all National Parks, so bring your puppy for a day of hiking and exploring the beautiful natural grounds. The only aquatic garden in the National Park Service, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a beautiful part of the Anacostia Park that boasts 30 acres of ponds with water lilies and giant lotus flowers and original greenhouses from the original owner, Walter Shaw.

Nicknamed “America's front yard,” the National Mall extends from the Lincoln Memorial on the west end to the United States Capitol on the east. This two-mile stretch of land, dominated by the view of the towering Washington Monument, is America’s most visited national park, with cultural institutions, art galleries, and memorials, sculptures, and statues. You can wander along the tree-lined streets with your dog to take in the amazing, historic scenery, or you can visit some of the world-class museums such as the Smithsonian Institution Museums, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the National Air and Space Museum.

Rock Creek Park was the third national park to be designated by the federal government, in 1890. This 1,754-acre park offers over 32 miles of hiking trails, a Nature Center and Planetarium, and even horseback riding. If you want help, Rangers regularly lead planetarium shows and hikes. In addition to Civil War fortifications and Colonial houses, you can see Peirce Mill, a working grist mill first built in 1829 and restored by the park service in the 1930s. In the summer, there is a concert series at Carter Barron Amphitheatre. For some water fun, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddleboards. Leashed pets are welcomed throughout the park, a favorite among dog boarders and sitters in Washington, DC.

The U.S. National Arboretum is 446 acres of gardens, exhibits, and long-term botanical research. Its intent is to increase the importance of landscape and ornamental plants, which makes it a beautiful place to wander any time of the year. There is even a popular National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, where you can see a collection of artistically sculpted miniature Japanese and Chinese trees. The Arboretum also houses 22 Corinthian columns that once supported the east portico of the U.S. Capitol. Another great picture-taking sport is the azalea blossoms, located near the Capitol Column Overlook and the Flowering Tree Walk.