If you are in need of a quick outdoor adventure that everyone in the family will love, look no further than Theodore Roosevelt Island, your "island getaway" right off the GW parkway! This 88.5-acre island is located in the Potomac River. It is a wilderness of forests, swamps, trails, and wildlife, featuring a plaza in the center, with a giant statue of Theodore Roosevelt.
Kids will love the entrance to the island, which is via a marvelous wooden footbridge, straight out of your favorite fairy tale. It's also a lovely place to take a photo or two, with Georgetown in the background. Once there, you will have a few options for 3 mellow hikes. The short .3-mile Woods Trail leads through and right around the memorial on gravel and paved grounds. The .75-mile Upland Trail loops through the woods along the whole length of the island. And the 1.5-mile Swamp Trail includes both a dirt path that winds through woods and a boardwalk running over a swampy area lined by cattail, trees, and wild grass.
The plaza itself is a great area for kids of all ages to explore, with plenty of interesting architectural elements like giant staircases, fountains, and huge stone tablets that are great for reading and learning about the 26th President, as well as for playing hide-and-seek. My 5 yo enjoyed riding his scooter in the parking lot and over the bridge, but the island itself is not suitable for scooter/bikes.
I love taking out-of-towners here, especially people who might already be familiar with DC's major memorials and sights. This place is a bit off-the-beaten track and really feels like a little mini-adventure. Plus, if you take the foot trail that circumnavigates the entire island, each bend in the path reveals the likes of the Georgetown waterfront, Georgetown University, the Kennedy Center and much more.
The stuff you need to know:
Getting there: Drivers can only reach Theodore Roosevelt Island from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. After Memorial Bridge, follow the sign to turn right into the parking lot. Park in a designated space! Police regularly tickets drivers who have parked on the grass. Note that while the parking lot is large, it fills up EARLY on nice weekend days.
By Metro, the island is a 10-15 minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station. From the station, walk toward the Key Bridge. A short connecting trail leads downhill from the downstream side of the bridge, across the parkway, and into the parking lot at Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Restrooms: The island has restrooms! However, after October, the restrooms are locked and you will be relegated to port-a-potties.
Eats and Drinks: There are no amenities on the island, but the plaza is a nice place for a picnic.
