Best 91 things to do in Washington, DC

Paddle past DC landmarks from Key Bridge Boathouse

Paddle the Potomac by Key Bridge with a 1–4 hour canoe rental

Learn stand-up paddleboarding basics on the Potomac River

Learn kayak basics and practice strokes on the Potomac in 60 minutes

Paddle past DC monuments, then relax with live music at Key Bridge Boathouse

Paddle the calm Washington Channel with easy sit-on-top doubles and flexible 1–4 hour rentals.

Paddle the calm Washington Channel from The Wharf with board, paddle, and PFD included

Paddle the Washington Channel with a single kayak rental at the Wharf

Cruise the Potomac with your own food, drinks, and music on an 18-foot picnic boat.

Walk Georgetown’s port-to-elite story, from the C&O Canal to the Waterfront Park

Walk Cleveland Park from Washington National Cathedral to McLean Gardens

Walk Dupont Circle and Embassy Row for Gilded Age mansions, diplomacy, and scandals

Walk the National Mall and learn the stories behind its monuments and memorial designs

Hike Rock Creek Park from the National Zoo to Pierce Mill and Boulder Bridge

Walk DC’s U Street and trace the legacy of “Black Broadway”

Cruise the Potomac and learn DC design stories from Georgetown to the National Mall

Paddle the Anacostia River with a single kayak rental

Rent a double kayak on the Anacostia River from James Creek Marina

Rent a single kayak at Fletcher’s and paddle the Potomac at your own pace

Rent a stand-up paddleboard at Fletcher’s on the Potomac River

Enjoy a sit-on-top double kayak rental for 1 to 4 hours with gear included

Paddle the Potomac with a stable canoe rental at Fletcher’s

Rent a rowboat at Fletcher’s and explore the Potomac at your own pace

Explore the C&O Canal Towpath or Capital Crescent Trail on an easy-to-ride beach cruiser