Ecotraveler...

WASHINGTON, DC:

A CAPITAL CITY FOR ECOTRAVELER

Many people think of Washington, DC as pure urban and suburban sprawl. But political maneuvering isn't the only sport enjoyed in our nation's capital. A wide variety of outdoor activities abound for the ecotraveler in search of more than museums and monuments.

It's hard to believe that a metropolitan area could offer so many outdoors options. However, Pierre L'Enfant's original plan for the city called for a magnificent world capital filled with wide avenues and spacious parks for all to enjoy. Along with an expanding business sector, all governmental officials are making sure the Washington area remains a showcase and place of beauty for all Americans.

A Washington visitor staying downtown is within a walk or subway ride of national and local parks, bicycling, running, paddle-boating, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, windsurfing, and hiking. More than 8,500 acres of parklands within the city limits offer residents and visitors outdoors recreation opportunities year-round.

Further afield, kayaking, rock climbing, parachuting, and hang-gliding are just a short drive from downtown. Less than an hour outside the city, ecotravelers can hike the Appalachian Trail, charter a deep-sea fishing boat, bicycle through historic battlefields and through the rolling countryside, or go boating on the Chesapeake Bay.

The National Park Service (National Capital Region) maintains most of the parkland within the city, including the city's many monuments and memorials. An excellent example of their environmental preservation is found in Rock Creek Park, located in northwest Washington.

Rock Creek Park, offers 15 miles of hiking trails, a jogging trail with 18 par-course stations, horseback riding, golf, and picnic areas. The park also contains the Rock Creek Nature Center, featuring a variety of educational programs for all ages. Rock Creek Park is accessible from a variety of points throughout northwest Washington and even from several Metro (subway) stops.

Another downtown capital attraction offering a variety of recreational activities is the historic C&O Canal Park. Beginning in Georgetown, the canal extends 184.5 peaceful miles to Cumberland, Maryland. During the summer, the National Park offers rides on old-fashioned, mule-drawn barges.

Running parallel to the Potomac River, the canal has a pathway which is perfect for hiking, biking, and jogging. The area abounds in wildlife, including beaver, fox, raccoon, and a variety of waterfowl. During the winter, city residents and visitors can often enjoy ice skating on many sections of the frozen canal.

Washington has been described as a "European-looking" city, due to its broad tree-lined avenues and low skyline. The city's spaciousness and trails make it an ideal cycling city. One of the best rides is the paved trail 25 miles out to Mount Vernon, the home and burial place of George Washington, one of the nation's original ecotravelers.

Boating is also a popular activity in Washington. This can mean canoeing, sailing, kayaking, and even whitewater rafting. Some nearby possibilities include the Potomac River, the C&O Canal, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Shenandoah River.

Other capital ideas in the great outdoors include: windsurfing on the Potomac River in front of the Kennedy Center; rollerblading through the acres of parks along Constitution Avenue; jogging (and even cross-country skiing) along the monumental National Mall or through one of the city's historic neighborhoods; or hiking through silent wilderness and spotting local wildlife on Theodore Roosevelt Island, just five minutes from downtown Washington.

Capital city ecotravelers should contact the Washington DC Convention & Visitors Association at 1212 New York Avenue NW, Ste. 600, Washington, DC 20005, 202-789-7000.