10 Ways to Explore Outdoors in Capitol Riverfront

With a view of the Anacostia River, miles of recreation trails, open-air sports stadiums and multiple parks, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the outdoors in Capitol Riverfront. From athletes and sports fans to nature lovers and everybody in-between, the neighborhood has an outdoor activity for everybody to enjoy. Read on for the best ways to get outside in Capitol Riverfront this summer.

Rent a Kayak from Ballpark Boathouse
Discover Capitol Riverfront from the Anacostia River with a Ballpark Boathouse kayak rental. Anticipated to open this summer after a pandemic hiatus, the boathouse offers single and double kayak rentals at hourly rates, and season passes for a summer of paddling. Ballpark Boathouse: Potomac Avenue + First Street in SE, DC; www.boatingindc.com // @boatingindc

Run a DIY 5K Along the Anacostia River
The 20-mile-long Anacostia Riverwalk Trail runs along both sides of the Anacostia River. Use an app like Strava to map your own 5K course on the trail for yourself and friends. When you finish your run, use the app to post your 5K course as a segment, which other users can then see and run, creating a leaderboard of the fastest times on that stretch of the trail. www.capitolriverfront.org/go/anacostia-riverwalk-trail

Picnic at a Neighborhood Park
Pack a lunch or grab food to go from a local restaurant and bring it to one of the green spaces in the neighborhood. Canal Park’s northern block features an open green space perfect for a picnic followed by yard games. At Yards Park, the terraced lawn steps provide a view of the river and boardwalk for a scenic picnic with friends or family. Canal Park: 200 M St. SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org/canal-park // @canalparkdc | Yards Park: 355 Water St. SE, DC; www.capitolriverfront.org/yards-park // @yardsparkdc

Discover the Neighborhood’s Public Art
Capitol Riverfront is filled with public art including the recent “Beauty of Buzzard Point” mural by Kaliq Crosby and Rose Jaffe, which features D.C. icons like Frederick Douglass and Marvin Gaye. To make sure you don’t miss any of the neighborhood’s art installations, the Capitol Riverfront BID has partnered with Traipse to create a walking tour and puzzle hunt that details the history and design behind the neighborhood’s art. To participate, download the Traipse app, search for Washington, D.C. tours, and find the one titled “Capitol Riverfront – History & Design Hunt.” The Beauty of Buzzard Point: S Street at First Street in SW, DC; www.traipse.co // @gotraipse 

Recreation cycling. Photo courtesy of Capitol Riverfront BID.

Bike to Nearby Riverfront Destinations
The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail isn’t just for running. Grab your bike or rent one from one of the 11 Capital Bikeshare stations in the neighborhood, and ride to nearby riverfront destinations. The trail runs throughout Anacostia Park and off the trail, the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Kingman Island are two bikeable spaces that show off the District’s unique wetland ecosystems. Anacostia Park: 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE, DC; www.nps.gov/anac // @anacostianationalpark | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, DC; www.nps.gov/keaq // @kenilworthnps | Kingman Island: 3101 Benning Rd. NE, DC; www.kingmanisland.com // @doee_dc

Take a Boat Tour with Anacostia Riverkeeper
If you feel like hitting the water without the work of paddling yourself, Anacostia Riverkeeper provides free, educational boat tours funded by D.C.’s disposable bag fee. On the tour, learn about the history of the river, the environmental challenges it faces today and the conservation work being done to preserve its beauty. In Capitol Riverfront, tours leave from a wheelchair-accessible landing in Diamond Teague Park. Diamond Teague Park: 100 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.anacostiariverkeeper.org // @anacostiariverkeeper

Take a Class at Trapeze School New York
At the Trapeze School New York (TSNY), people of all fitness levels and athletic abilities can give the flying trapeze a try. At the hour-and-a-half-long first class, beginners learn safety basics and their first off-the-ground trick: a knee hang. After the first class, returning students can build on their basic skills to learn more tricks at their own pace. TSNY Washington D.C.: 520 Tingey St. SE, DC;
www.washingtondc.trapezeschool.com // @tsnydc

River recreation. Photo courtesy of Capital SUP.

Attend a D.C. United Game at Audi Field
Audi Field is welcoming fans back to live sports at a limited capacity in the open-air stadium. D.C. United has home games scheduled throughout the summer, with options to purchase tickets for single matches or full-season memberships. Tickets are sold in pods of one to six people, making it the perfect way to reunite with a close group of friends. Audi Field: 1711 First St. SW, DC; www.dcunited.com // @dcunited

Spend the Day at Nationals Park
On home game days, celebrate the Nationals all day in and around Nationals Park. Before, during or after the game, head to the Bullpen for hot dogs and drinks with friends. During the third through seventh innings, the Bullpen serves drinks at a $5 happy hour price. For a more laidback feel, head to Sandlot Southeast for a cold-pressed juice cocktail and food served in partnership with Uber Eats. The Bullpen: 1201 Half St. SE, DC; www.thebullpendc.com // @thebullpendc | Nationals Park: 1500 South Capitol St. SE, DC; www.nationals.com // @nationals | Sandlot Southeast: 71 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.sandlotsoutheast.com // @sandlotsoutheast 

Take Sailing Lessons with DC Sail
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to sail, DC Sail is the place for you. Lessons are available for kids and adults with any level of sailing experience. DC Sail also offers themed cruises on their 65-foot schooner, American Spirit, that range from sunset sails to July 4th firework cruises. Diamond Teague Park Piers: 99 Potomac Ave. SE, DC; www.dcsail.org // @dc_sail

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