"Lunch and Checkers in the Square If you end your White House tour around lunchtime, head over to one of the many eateries on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 17th and 18th streets, and pick up lunch to go. At the cash register, ask for two extra paper bags. Then head back toward the White House and make your way to Lafayette Square to eat. Named after Pierre Lafayette, a designer of the city's layout, Lafayette Square is a pretty little park that is very popular with locals—who will be doing the same thing as you. It’s a wonderful oasis in the middle of the city, and a great spot for people watching. There are plenty of benches to sit on—in sunny spots or under the shade of the trees.If you're lucky enough to score a table, you get to play checkers. Sounds corny, but it’s fun. Take the two paper bags and fold and rip each one into 12 square pieces to fit the game board in front of you. Last time I went with a friend, we didn’t have a pen on us, so we just ripped off the corner on 12 of the pieces of paper and called them the red pieces. We couldn’t quite remember the game rules, so we had to quickly surf the Web for them. Next thing we knew, we were having a blast and almost missed getting back to the office on time!"

"Park Break One deceptive thing about D.C. is that it looks like a small place, but it’s surprising how much walking you do when you're here. Walking in and between the museums, monuments, and other landmarks, you’ll be exhausted if you don’t pace yourself. So here’s a bit of advice from a local: Take lots of breaks. One of my favorite spots to rest for a few minutes or eat a bite is Bartholdi Park, located in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol, across the street from the Botanic Garden. Most visitors spend their time in the Botanic Garden; few cross the street to this little park. Bartholdi Park was developed as a demonstration garden where folks could learn about and get planting ideas for landscaping their home gardens. For most visitors, it’s less about seeing how plants grow than making use of the benches, tables, and chairs that the park has to offer—not to mention wonderful views of the Capitol and the glass conservatory of the Botanic Garden. A small fountain sits in the center of the garden and helps to drown out the noise from the traffic going up and down Independence Avenue. You won’t even feel like you’re in the heart of the tourist area. A bit of history trivia: The beautiful fountain was created by Frederik Auguste Bartholdi (the park bears his name) who went on to gain fame as the architect of the Statue of Liberty. Metro stop: Federal Center SW"

"The Washington National Cathedral stands high over D.C. as a beacon of faith for the nation. The impressive Gothic architecture evokes comparisons to Notre-Dame (despite being built more than half a millennium later). Flying buttresses, spires, and stained glass windows inspire heavenly awe, while statues of modern missionary and civil rights figures such as Mother Teresa, Helen Keller, and Martin Luther King, Jr., ground us in earthly good works. The stained glass Space Window includes a lunar rock donated by the crew of Apollo 11, reminding us of our small place in the universe. Bring binoculars to scan the gargoyles for a Star Wars surprise, and climb the steps to the towers for panoramic city views. While overseen by the Episcopalian church, the cathedral welcomes all people."

"Georgetown Green Once upon a time, there was a run-down parking lot located under the Whitehurst Freeway leading into Washington, D.C. It wasn’t a place that anyone, even someone who needed to park a car, would think of coming. Thanks to the persistent efforts of the citizens of Georgetown, that rundown parking lot has been transformed into a much welcomed and needed piece of green space. Completed in 2011, Georgetown Waterfront Park is the newest multi-use urban park in D.C. One of the main features of the park is a path that runs along the natural curve of the river. It’s perfect for strolling and is extremely popular for joggers and bicyclists connecting with the Capital Crescent Trail. At one end of the park is a mixed-use complex called the Washington Harbour. There, you’ll find a few waterside restaurants where you can eat while enjoying views of the Kennedy Center, Roosevelt Island, the Key Bridge, and the skyline of Rosslyn, Virginia. It’s a perfect place for a bit of happy hour. If you have little ones with you, this is a great little spot for letting them run around. During the warmer months, the water fountain is turned on, and it's popular for kids who enjoy darting in between the waterspouts. During the winter months, the open space at Washington Harbour turns into an outdoor skating rink. The highway is still here, but what was once a scary place is now a spot I come to when I need a break from shopping in Georgetown!"

"Richard's Constitution I’m very lucky. I get to spend my days in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! One thing that makes D.C. so special is the amount of green space that we have in the city. Constitution Gardens is just a few blocks from my office, and it’s often my lunchtime escape destination. This time of year, the Canada geese are frequent visitors. I love going down to the pond to watch them and the last of the out-of-town tourists wander by. Paved paths gently meander through the park, and there are always people jogging and bicycling. It’s a popular place for both locals and tourists. From my favorite spot, I can see the Washington Monument to my left and the Jefferson Memorial to my right. Nearby are the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial. When you stroll through this 50-acre spot of greenery, it’s hard to imagine that it was once underneath the water of the Potomac River. It took the US Army Corps of Engineers several years to dredge up the land to create the park. Around the time of World War I, the US government used the land for “temporary” office buildings for the US Navy. The buildings remained on the site until the 1970s when President Richard Nixon ordered that the structures be removed and the area reclaimed as a U.S. national park. (D.C.’s not a state, so there are no state parks here.) From one who often retreats to this pretty oasis in the city, thank you, Richard Nixon!"

"Once an encampment for Union troops during the Civil War, 12-acre Meridian Hill Park is now a central gathering space for friends and fitness enthusiasts. Running groups, yoga classes, and personal training sessions all meet at this urban hilltop park, no matter the season. Stroll around the perimeter to admire the 13-basin, Italian-style cascading fountain—the longest in North America—as well as statues commemorating figures such as Joan of Arc. In fair weather, join the hundreds who flock here over the weekends for picnics, impromptu sporting matches, and dog walking (and watching), as well as the Sunday drum circle whose rhythms have been sounding into the night since the 1950s."

"Whether you have a green thumb or just love to bask in nature, you'll want to check out the National Arboretum before you bid D.C. adieu. Spring is one of the best times to visit, when the azaleas, rhododendrons, and native trees are in full bloom. Summer visitors will enjoy beds of colorful annuals and perennials. And any time of year, be sure to stroll through the Bonsai Pavilion, where you can see an amazing collection of Japanese and Chinese bonsai plants, some more than 400 years old. Bring along a picnic lunch and head to the spot where the original columns from the U.S. Capitol are located—you'll never forget the view."

"Rock Creek Park is the main stretch of woodland that runs through the city's northwest corridor. If you want to escape the mob of tourists on the Mall, or you just want to spend time in an urban oasis, head to Rock Creek Park. Any section between the Kennedy Center and Pierce Mill has features aplenty—running/biking trails that follow the twists and turns of the creek, tennis courts, idyllic scenery, and the occasional distraction like the National Zoo. On weekends, Beach Drive, located just north of Pierce Mill, is closed to vehicular traffic, transforming into an ideal trail for running or biking. To enter the park at Pierce Mill, take the Metro to Van Ness/UDC and head down Tilden Street. It will be about a 15-minute walk to the mill. For those looking for a more strenuous workout, a hike or a run on the Western Ridge Trail might just fit the bill."

"Lovers' Lane D.C. is one of the few cities to have one of these—officially, that is. Sandwiched between Montrose Park and Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens, this picturesque trail starts near 31st and R Streets NW in Georgetown and cuts through Rock Creek Park out to Massachusetts Ave/Embassy Row. The lane received its name in 1900, long after it earned its reputation as a popular trysting place."

"Snallygaster DC Named for the mythical dragon-like beast said to terrorize the region at the turn of the century, Snallygaster is DC's largest beer festival. It features a beastly display of over 250 unique craft beers, sourced from the best local, domestic, and international craft breweries along with food trucks, live music, entertainment, and games. As you walk around, choose and taste from a overwhelming array of autumn seasonals, German and Belgian-style beers, pumpkin ales, cask ales, barrel-aged brews, craft cans, new releases from the nearby local brewery Bluejacket, as well as artisanal ciders."