Aug 25, 2025

Roosevelt Island Washington DC

Outdoor monument to a president

""Roosevelt Island" in Washington DC is an 88-acre natural reserve area. How fitting it's dedicated to Teddy Roosevelt, a big nature conservation advocate."

Roosevelt Island is an 88-acre natural area dedicated to the 26th president of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt was a major advocate for nature conservation and added almost 230 million acres of protected land during his term in office. It is very fitting that the monument to his legacy is a nature preserve.

The Island, accessible only by foot, is made up of two and a half-miles of trails that wind through three major ecological zones: upland forest, swamp, and tidal marsh. The trails are very easy and kid-friendly.

The island gets pretty busy on the weekends and the small parking lot fills up quickly. If you don’t have a car, you can take the Metro to Rosslyn station and walk from there. If you’re up for a long walk, I would recommend starting in Georgetown, walking along the waterfront, crossing the Key Bridge, and then making your way to the Island.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Roosevelt Island

US$

free

find your way in Washington DC, download our app.

Find your way with 101 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Washington DC guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Washington DC

GoodWood

For a vintage-chic home

"GoodWood" in Washington DC looks like a general store, but it holds many vintage treasures. It's like an antique store that doesn't take itself too seriously.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Lydia

Strohl

Sep 12, 2025

Cafe Citron

Spanish conversation and dancing

Everyone's been to "Cafe Citron" in Washington DC - for the lovely South American food, the free salsa lessons & Spanish conversation practice happy hour!

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

JR

Denson

Sep 11, 2025

Bombay Street Food 3

Spice it your way

"Bombay Street Food 3" in Washington DC features Indian and Indo-Chinese foods. Its street food versions have less heavy cream and more spice & herbs...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Strohl

Sep 11, 2025

DC Writer's Homes

Follow In their footsteps

What do Langston Hughes, Tallulah Bankhead, Ezra Pound, Roald Dahl and John F. Kennedy have in common? Find out at "DC Writer's Homes"...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Lydia

Strohl

Sep 11, 2025

The Salsa Room

Dance all night

There are a lot of places to dance salsa in DC, but "The Salsa Room" is one of my favorites. I like how patrons who show up are really here to dance....

002-building
Art & culture
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

East Potomac Golf Links

In the shadow of the Mall

"East Potomac Golf Links" in DC is probably my favorite place to play golf in the whole world. The view is amazing - and it's surprisingly affordable!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

Hill Center DC

Events on Capitol Hill(ish)

"Hill Center DC" is an events facility with all kinds of activities, from wine tastings to ASL & cooking classes. It's a real under-the-radar location!

002-building
Art & culture

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

The Bullpen

Chill outdoor hangout

"The Bullpen" in DC is a great outdoor venue to go and hang out. I like going when they have special happy hour during Nationals home baseball games...

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

NoVA Ultimate Frisbee

Play near the Pentagon

There's an ultimate frisbee pick-up game that's been going on for years in a park across from the Pentagon City Mall in DC. It's so friendly and laid back there!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

DC Brau

The DC beer

Dublin has Guinness. New York City has Brooklyn Brewing. And DC has "DC Brau." It isn't just a local beer. It's the local beer...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

Port City Brewing Company

Local brew

"Port City" isn't just one of my favorite beer companies locally in Washington DC, it's one of my favorite beer companies ANYWHERE. Try their porter...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

JR

Denson

Sep 8, 2025

Canal Park Ice Rink

Chill ice skating

The "Canal Park Ice Rink" in Washington DC is somewhat of a hidden gem in a quiet neighborhood but w/ plenty of nice things to do around...

002-building
Art & culture

by

JR

Denson

Sep 3, 2025

Heading to Washington DC?

101 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

101 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Washington DC

Get to know our other Spotters from Washington DC

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
65
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters