This post is one in a series of Ten 3-Mile Walks Around Washington, DC. The pins in the map below show where I stopped to take pictures but also serve to outline the route!
Theodore Roosevelt Island is in the Potomac River between the Arlington, VA neighborhood of Rosslyn and the Washington, DC neighborhood of Georgetown. A footbridge takes you from the VA side to the island and once there you are in a different world.
For a city park, it is remarkably peaceful! The stretch of water by the footbridge is narrow and calm and often hosts kayaks, canoes and on this day, a paddle-boarder.
The island is filled with gentle hiking trails and different eco-systems. Marsh, swamp, and soft green forest are all found here. At the edges of the island the urban cityscape is plainly visible but for most of the walk you find yourself in a different world.
For this 3-mile walk I did a wide circuit around the perimeter of the island, and then wound in to the interior. In the center is a plaza and monument to Theodore Roosevelt, including a 15-foot statue of TR himself.
The plaza is a pleasant park with fountains and different levels. It is an idyllic spot for picnics, families out for a hike, and joggers.
It’s a little tricky to get there because you have to be on the north-bound George Washington Parkway–which sounds easy enough, but try it!
Once there you can hike in any direction. On the DC side of the island a wide boardwalk keeps you out of the swamp and marshy areas. Along with ducks and wildflowers you will also see great views of Georgetown, Key Bridge, Rosslyn, and the Roosevelt Bridge.
The view of Georgetown’s Washington harbor on this day included a glimpse of the Pirate Ship.
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