Favorite Places for Fun and Fitness by Members of the Washington Spa Alliance

 

Beyond monuments, museums, and Congressional doings on Capitol Hill, visitors to the national capital region enjoy a wealth of sports, culture, history, and fitness attractions. Local members of ISPA recommend these off-the-beaten-track highlights:

 

Run on the Wild Side

Follow historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal from Potomac River on towpath at Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, passing brick warehouses built before the capital city. Based here: Alchimie Forever, Aveda Day Spa, Hela Medi-Spa, Sephora, Bluemercury, L’Occitane.

 

Golf with Monumental Views

From the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, footbridge to public golf course in East Potomac Park, the Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin ringed by monuments to World War II, Vietnam, and Korean war veterans. Note: November 11 is Veterans Day.Contact: Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Pkriel@mohg.com

 

Mini-Marathon on the National Mall

 

• Climb steps of the majestic Lincoln Memorial for panorama of the National Mall.
• Enter West Potomac Park: FDR Memorial, the president and his era. Continue on Independence Avenue to Holocaust Museum. Or cross bridge to Theodore Roosevelt Island nature preserve honoring founder of National Parks.
• Refresh at Willard Intercontinental Hotel and Red Door Spa.

 

Walk with Washington

Alexandria, Virginia, flourished as seaport and trade center in the 1700s. George Washington’s townhouse, apothecary, and church are on a walking tour that starts at Visitor Center near the waterfront Torpedo Factory, now housing artist studios. Nearby, elegant colonial homes, shops, pubs, National Masonic Shrine, and Washington’s plantation home, Mount Vernon. Go by ferry from National Harbor, or mile-long bridge.

 

Commune with Nature

Botanic gardens with spectacular collections, secluded walks: The National Arboretum on New York Avenue northeast of city center has world-class bonsai pavilion; U.S. Botanic Gardens at foot of Capitol Hill showcase indigenous and tropical greenery under glass;

 

Gods & Gardens in Georgetown

Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown: formal gardens, museum of pre-Columbian art.

 

Sea History in Annapolis

Maryland’s capital retains glimpses of early America as well as the U.S. Naval Academy. Yachting haven, town center offers taverns, sporty shops, historic homes, Maryland State House. (Navy football game with Central Michigan Nov. 13)

 

See Stars on Stage

 

• Memorial and showplace on the Potomac River, John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts has rooftop promenade and café with panoramic views of Washington-Virginia, free concert daily at 6 p.m. (For scheduled events: www.kennedy-center.org)
• Downtown: Verizon Center for ice hockey, tennis, and Aveda concept spa.
• New on waterfront: Arena Stage. Check events online: www.CulturalTourismDC.org

 

Bike America’s Avenue

From the White House to Capitol Hill, new bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue trace the route of national events. Two center lanes dedicated for bikes. Rent a bike on Georgetown waterfront. Refresh at rooftop café and Bliss Spa at W Hotel.

 

Take the Waters in America’s Oldest Spa Town

Spend a day in historic Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. Surveyed by young George Washington for a British peer, the town was named Bath, now has 2 bathhouses run by WV dept. of parks (800/225-5982), 6 day spas, homeopathic pharmacy, hiking trails. Museum highlights bathing history. Stay at Country Inn or B&B www.berkeleysprings.com; 800/447-8797.

 

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