The Tidal Basin
9810 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
All Day
$
outdoor-adventures, run
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Tucked away parallel to the banks of the Potomac River is a paved, 1.5 loop pathway around the iconic DC tidal basin.
Known best to be the home of the iconic cherry blossom trees (almost 4,000 of them!), this 1.5 loop trail winds around the body of water known as the Tidal Basin. This is a great stroller-friendly path for kids of all ages that has great views of the Washington Monument, the Arlington skyline, and has many memorials dotted around its path. You’ll be sure to see lots of geese and ducks swimming and waddling around depending on the time of year!
You are able to start walking on the Tidal Basin from Maine Avenue SW or Ohio Drive SW. From those two roads, there is a small path that leads down to the water level of the Tidal Basin (you’ll see signs for the paddle boats!). You can either start walking to the left or right! The cherry blossom trees provide great shade from the early spring to late fall, but always remember sunscreen and a hat for a long day exploring around the city!
To the left, you will be walking toward the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Take a moment to sit on the steps and gaze at the Washington Monument! Once you pass the Jefferson Memorial, you continue on the paved path over a small bridge and back down to the water level of the Tidal Basin. This section runs parallel to West Potomac Park if you want to stop and run around in the lush green grass! You may even see a few intramural softball or kickball teams playing! Continue walking on the path, you may need to duck under some cherry blossom branches, until you reach the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial. You’ll end the loop by crossing over the Kutz Bridge which gives a beautiful view of the Jefferson Memorial and planes taking off from Ronald Reagan International airport. If you decide to head to the right, you’ll see these landmarks in opposite order :)
Things to note: Depending on the tides, the pathway could be subject to flooding. There are no rails that line the pathway next to the Tidal Basin’s body of water, be sure to keep an eye on the little ones! And please do not break off any branches or blooms from the cherry blossoms, no matter how beautiful! Bathrooms are located on the West Potomac Park side of the Tidal Basin, next to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial