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Nature|Parks & Gardens

You Can Watch Planes Land At This Underrated Park In Washington DC

Gravelly Point Park offers spectacular views of planes landing near Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC.

Published Aug 25, 2017

Written by 

Maura

Living in DC has many perks. One of them is that we have close proximity to Ronald Reagan National Airport. If you have ever flown into Reagan, you know that you get beautiful views of the city and the monument as you land. But you may not know that you can enjoy fantastic views of the planes as they come in at a small park just outside of DC. Gravelly Point Park is one of the best places to watch planes land in DC.

Gravelly Point is a small grassy park that’s open to all. It’s a few hundred feet north of Ronald Reagan National Airport just off the Potomac River.

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There aren’t many features at Gravelly Point. It’s just an open field with a few picnic tables.

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There is a bike trail that many joggers and bikers use to connect to the Mount Vernon Trail.

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But no one really comes here for anything other than the views. The views of the planes coming in are quite spectacular.

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To decrease noise, planes land along the Potomac until their final descent. When they are a quarter of a mile from the runway, they turn and cut across the park to land.

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Gravelly Point is perfectly situated right next to the airport, giving unobstructed views of the landings.

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The planes get so close you might just feel like you can reach out and grab them. Sometimes you can see the planes take off from Gravelly Point but it depends on the direction of the wind.

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Gravelly Point is a great spot to pack a picnic of bring the family. Dogs are welcome, as well. However, it can be noisy. It's best to plan accordingly if you have smaller children or nervous animals.

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There is nothing quite like watching these planes fly just overhead! So pick a nice day, grab a blanket, your phone for photos and head out to Gravelly Point Park.

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Gravelly Point is off of George Washington Memorial Parkway. There is a small parking lot and you can also ride the bike trail there. It is free and open to the public!

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If you're looking for more fantastic parks near DC, you definitely should visit the one with the most stunning views of DC.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Secret Garden In Washington DC You’re Guaranteed To Love

The Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral is a hidden gem and the best secret garden in Washington, DC.

Updated Jul 16, 2024

Written by 

Maura

Hidden behind one of the most well-known churches in the country is one of the most beautiful prettiest gardens to visit in Washington, DC. Designed to be a 'Garden for the Ages,' The Bishop's Garden on the grounds of the National Cathedral is the best secret garden in Washington, DC.

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The Washington Cathedral's surrounding 59-acre garden was originally designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. in 1907.

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The designers aimed to create a garden that reflected the 14th-century Gothic cathedral's ambiance while incorporating indigenous plants.

The garden's privacy was intentional, designed to be a private space behind the Bishop's house.

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However, the garden became more public, and a larger entrance was built through the Norman Arch at Norman Court.

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The garden is a blend of circular paths, bright light and shade, framed views, and Gothic architecture.

There are many hidden peaceful spots throughout the garden to sit and enjoy.

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The Garden is open year-round for visitors, and if you need to escape into a secret garden in DC, a visit is suggested!

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With the many different types of plants and flowers in the garden, it’s a beautiful place to visit any time of year.

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You can take a self-guided tour of The Bishop’s Garden, or you can schedule a docent-led group to learn more about the plants and history of the garden.

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While perusing The Bishop's Garden, be sure to check out some other notable highlights amongst the grounds, like Cathedral Garth and All Souls Memorial Garden, Peace Cross, Prodigal Son, Olmsted Woods, and Amphitheater.

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For up-to-date information, visit the official website of The Bishop's Garden DC and the Facebook page of this secret garden in DC!

What's one of your favorite Washington DC gardens? Let me know - I'd love to hear your recs on the best gardens in Washington DC! And if you're looking for fun things to do in DC, check out these one-of-a-kind experiences or take a peek at these fantastic Washington DC hikes under three miles that you'll absolutely love!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/dc/best-washington-dc-hikes-3-miles/

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Tiny Park Near DC That’s Home to Incredible Ruins

Discover the hidden ruins of Abingdon Plantation near Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC, a historical site often overlooked by tourists.

Published Dec 29, 2017

Written by 

Maura

You would think that in a historical place like DC that every single memorial or ruin would be a huge tourist attraction. But there is so much history in this city that not all of them make it into the organized tours. If you want to visit a secret ruins and experience a unique part of history, head to the incredible unknown ruins of Abingdon Plantation.

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The ruins of Abingdon Plantation are located in one of the most trafficked areas in the DC area but no one seems to know they are there. They lay on the property of Ronald Reagan National Airport.

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The remains of the plantation are just a few hundred feet away from the North Terminal. From far away, they just look like a small park.

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Courtesy of Wikipedia

In fact, you can even see the site from the passing Metro line but you'd never know this grassy knoll is home to ruins of a Revolutionary War era plantation.

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Courtesy of Wikimedia

The Abingdon Plantation was built in 1695 by the Alexander family and later, it was purchased by George Washington's stepson so the family could be close to Mount Vernon.

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The house would survive through the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. However, it burned down under mysterious circumstances in 1930. The RF&P Railroad wanted to build on the site and it is suspected that they invited their employees to "strip the area" to save on demolition costs.

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Eventually, the area surrounding the ruins became the airport. While the area was in danger of complete destruction, a group of preservationists fought to protect the ruins and won.

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Now, the ruins are set in a small park that anyone can visit. Visitors can read about the history of the plantation and explore the small foundation of the home that still exists.

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The next time you have some extra time and are near the airport, take a drive and explore this little known memorial.

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Did you know this memorial existed? Check out other ruins around DC on these amazing hikes.

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