Scenic Drive on the George Washington Memorial Parkway

The George Washington Parkway runs the Virginia bank of the Potomac, a designed scenic road with the river on one side, forest on the other, and the monuments across the water.

Washington DC · Drive · about 30 min · 12 miles · Pleasantness: Very High

Why this route is pleasant

• Follows the Potomac River the whole way
• Forested banks and a true scenic-parkway design
• Views across the river to the DC monuments
• Overlooks above the river gorge
• Connects to Mount Vernon at its southern end

What you'll see

• The Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial across the river
• Theodore Roosevelt Island's wooded shore
• Planes dropping into Reagan National over the water
• Old Town Alexandria's waterfront

Best time to go

Early spring, with the cherry and dogwood blooming along the river, or a clear fall afternoon.

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