East Potomac Park

This 328-acre finger of land extends south of the Jefferson Memorial from the Tidal Basin, between the Washington Channel to the east and the Potomac River to the west. Some locals consider this one of the city's best-kept secrets, with playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts, swimming pools, a driving range, one 18-hole and two 9-hole golf courses, miniature golf, and a pool. There's also a scenic riverfront trail that winds around the park's perimeter, making it popular with walkers, runners, bikers and skaters. Double-blossoming Japanese cherry trees line Ohio Drive and bloom about two weeks after the single-blossoming variety that attracts throngs to the Tidal Basin each spring.

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