If You’re on a Date in DC, Make Sure to Check Out One of the District’s 30+ National Parks

The Short Version: With 30+ national parks and hundreds of local parks, Washington, D.C., earned the top spot in the Trust for Public Land’s 2024 Park Score Ranking. We talked to Elliott L. Ferguson, II, from Destination DC to learn more about the capital’s park system and how daters can get the most out of nearly 10,000 acres of public land.

When I moved to Minneapolis earlier this year, one thing stood out to me compared to all the other cities I’ve lived in: the public outdoor space. In Minneapolis, it feels like the most beautiful areas in the city are accessible and available to all. 

The Chain of Lakes, the Mississippi River Gorge, Minnehaha Falls, Boom Island– these are just some of the locations that have beautiful parks and public access. I live a 10-minute walk from a lake and a five-minute walk from a park with a public pool.

The parks are one of my top choices for dates. Everybody’s familiar with them, odds are somebody lives close to one, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops in the vicinity to keep things interesting. 

Plus, being outside in a public space and doing something as low key as a walk keeps expectations in check and nerves to a minimum.

Minneapolis is ranked #2 by the Trust for Public Land in its 2024 Park Score ratings, with a score of 82.5 points. 

In the top spot, with a score of 84.8 points, is none other than our nation’s capital and the home of the best parks system in the United States.

Ninety-nine percent of Washington, D.C., residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. That means if you’re dating in the district and the parks aren’t a part of your date location repertoire, they need to be.

We talked to Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO of Destination DC, about the capital’s parks system, the best outdoor spaces for date night, and how you can get the most out of DC’s numerous local and national parks. 

Most Americans are familiar with DC’s most iconic landmarks and public spaces. Elliott gave us some insider tips for finding local spots for a casual date night, plus some info on where to go to explore some hidden gems.

“When it comes to parks and gardens, few cities can match DC’s offerings, no matter the season,” Elliott said.  “That means no matter where you meet for a date, you’re not far from an iconic national park or neighborhood gem.”

Elliott started with the Trust for Public Land’s recent annual ranking and what it reflects about the area’s parks system. This is the district’s fourth year in the ranking’s #1 spot.

Every year, the Trust for Public Land scores urban areas and cities across the country according to 14 measures in five categories: acreage, investment, amenities, access, and equity. 

The Trust for Public Land’s scoring system is detailed and complex, and a city’s score reflects a variety of factors. A score reflects more than how many parks a city has or what percentage of residents live within walking distance of public space. 

It also shows how much money public and private entities are putting into the parks system, how access to parks and public land differs across race, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries, and the quality of amenities across the park.

Washington, D.C.’s score of 84.8 is the average of the scores across the five categories. The district scores the highest in the nation for equity, investment, and access. 

Hear me out: Public land is an asset to your dating game. More than giving you a great spot to go on your next date, public land makes cities and communities better. They give people of all backgrounds and means a place to connect with our natural surroundings and each other.

When you live in a strong and active community, your dating odds increase. You have more daily opportunities to meet people in your area for friendship, community, and potential romantic connections. 

Let’s get to specifics. Elliott steered daters looking for a full day of fun to the U.S. National Arboretum, the 1,700 acres of Rock Creek Park, or to the iconic National Mall and the Memorial Parks for a stroll.

“The National Mall is more than America’s front yard. It’s also DC’s backyard,” Elliot told us. “There is no shortage of sights for a selfie in our nation’s capital. My tip is to visit at night. Enjoy a nighttime bike tour for a reminder of how stunning the monuments are, especially when lit.”

The National Mall is a great spot for a walk after dinner and drinks, or even a good place to take a stroll before wrapping the night up. When it comes to exploring parks outside of the iconic district landmarks, Elliott said you have plenty of choices. 

“The options feel endless,” Elliott said. “Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is a magical place to visit, especially when the waterlilies are in full bloom in the summer.”

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is one of the district’s national parks and is an oasis hidden in the city. Elliott told us the best time of year to visit the park is from June to August, when you can find the aquatic gardens in full bloom and local fauna at maximum activity. 

Kenilworth Park is the namesake of its surrounding neighborhood and is situated along the Anacostia River. It’s a great location for a spring, summer, or fall date to enjoy hikes, picnics, or bike rides. 

“Tudor Place Historic House & Garden and Dumbarton Oaks are beautifully landscaped sites to visit for romantic strolls,” Elliot said.

Tudor Place is a mansion in Federal-style architecture on five acres in the heart of Georgetown. The estate is open for walking tours and close to restaurants, art galleries, and coffee shops. Even better, two local parks are within a two-block radius, so you have plenty of options to extend your stroll. 

Nearly every park in the district is close to other fun date activities. But you can find top-tier food, coffee, beer, and wine within the limits of the parks themselves. Elliott filled us in on how you can make a park date extra special for a memorable date night.

“Indulge in afternoon tea at Hillwood Mansion, Museum, & Gardens,” Elliott said. “The new Bar Americano brings a Parisian flair to the National Mall with lattes and wine. The Pavillion Café at the National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Garden is a perfect stop before or after ice skating in the winter.”

Let’s break down Elliott’s suggestions. The Hillwood Mansion is in Northwest Washington just outside the southwest corner of Rock Creek Park. You can spend the day exploring the expansive park and end the day with a relaxing cup of tea and a walk through the museum.

Bar Americano is the perfect spot for a daytime National Mall coffee date or a late afternoon glass of wine. You can enjoy a warm beverage after winter ice skating with stunning views of the mall and National Gallery at the Pavilion Café. 

Whether you’re a DC local or taking a weekend trip with your special someone, you don’t have to leave the city to enjoy the great outdoors. Washington, D.C., may only be about 68.3 square miles, but about 15 of those square miles are parks– there’s no end to what you can explore.

Elliott told us that the capital’s parks strive to be welcoming and accessible so every kind of dater can find an outdoor date that perfectly suits their needs. Being useful to every kind of resident– and dater– in the district is one of the parks system’s main goals. 

“D.C. prides itself on being an accessible city, and its parks and gardens are committed to providing seamless experiences for all visitors,” Elliott said.