Roosevelt Island, great family activity.

Theodore Roosevelt Island is located just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington DC. This is probably one of the best park and bike locations due to it's close proximity to most major bike paths.

If you haven't been here before - you are missing out! Amazing statues, lovely views, and a nice easy walk. My kids love playing over here, and there's tons of stuff to climb on for them!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt_Island
http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/modern/trisland.htm

For our walk please note:

1. Kids are welcome and encouraged! Bring a friend if you want!

2. Regular strollers will do just fine on this walk. On the Island itself, it does not have paved walks - but there is a boardwalk, and a heavy duty dirt trail (which is easily passable with a regular stroller - maybe even with an "umbrella" stroller).

3. We're not off roading it, so once you've all seen the main monuments on the Island and the kids have run around for a bit, we can immediately turn back and actually walk the nicely paved trail on GW parkway - heading down towards Gravelly Point and the airport. (It looks like you can just reach up into the sky and pull down a plane, it's really amazing & very cool)!

4. Don't feel that you have to walk the whole way - if you have other things to do, great, no problem!

5. Going over to the Island is great for the "little walkers".... they get to explore safely, and no we're not worried that you're holding us back. This is just a nice way to meet everyone, chat, and get out in the fresh air!!

6. Plan for 2 hours. 30-60 minutes on the Island, and 30 minutes walking down the parkway, then back again. There's ducks to be fed on the way, so perhaps bring some day old bagels or a loaf for the kids to feed the "geese"...

7. The kids should be in their strollers for the walk part down the parkway, (we can't "dawdle" along the GW trail - as there will be many bikes and joggers going past at quite a clip, so it's hard pulling kids out of the way in time)!!!

The weather should be nice out, so come on out & enjoy the fresh air, sights and sounds. Bring a camera - there will be some good picture taking opportunities on the foot bridge, or on the island with the kids. Do bring snacks - there's nowhere there to buy juice or anything. They do have water fountains though! Don't dress them "fashionably".... it's woody, and my kids in particular love to touch and climb on fallen trees, and pick up sticks - so durable - jeans & sweaters, sneakers! Bring some handwipes!

Hope this clears it up! If you now think that this sounds good for you, please RSVP via the link.
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Driving Directions:
The parking area is easily accessible from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway. If you are coming from I-95 to the south, take the Route 1 exit heading north. Next, make a right onto one of the cross streets, go about 3 blocks, then a left onto Washington Street. This becomes the GW Parkway, taking you north past Reagan National Airport to the island.

If you are coming from I-495 to the north., follow the parkway past the island and under the Roosevelt Bridge. Exit at Memorial Bridge (just after stone arch), and head toward the Lincoln Memorial. There is a traffic circle just prior to crossing the bridge. Follow the circle 3/4 the way around, and get back on the parkway heading north.

If you are coming from downtown DC, take Constitution Ave west. Follow signs to I-66. This will take you across the Roosevelt Bridge. Once on the bridge, get in the right lane and take the very first exit on the far side of the river. The parking area is just beyond the bottom of the ramp.