Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

200  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Sports and Outdoor Activities

Washingtonians are known for putting in long hours –
whether on the floor of the Senate, the office of a federal
agency, or in a newsroom. They compensate, however,
by taking their leisure hours very seriously by rooting for
their favorite teams or spending as much time as possible
outdoors. You can join in the fun at the Nationals Park
Stadium or the Verizon Center, both of which attract
hordes of fans. You can meet joggers, cyclists, and in-line
skaters on the Mall and around the monuments.
Spectator Sports bars. The DC United soccer
Fans of the NHL Capitals (National team plays at the RFK Stadium. Cyclists enjoying the fine weather
Hockey League), the NBA College sports are also very outdoors in Washington, DC
Wizards (National Basketball popular in DC – you will find
Association), and the WNBA Washingtonians cheering either
Mystics (Women’s National for the Georgetown Hoyas or Cycling
Basketball Associ ation) should the Maryland Terrapins. Base­ Rock Creek Park is one of
purchase tickets at the Verizon ball fans lend their support to Washington’s greatest treasures
Center, an impressive sports the Washington Nationals at and offers amazing respite from
arena that opened in 1997 and Nationals Park Stadium in the busy city life. Closed to traffic on
has helped revitalize the southeast of the city. weekends, it is a great place for
downtown area. cycling. Another popular trail is
Depending on the season, the Capital Crescent, which
you might also see Disney on Fishing starts on the C&O Canal
and Boating
Ice, the Harlem Globetrotters, towpath in Georgetown
or the Ringling Brothers From April to and runs to Maryland.
Circus. Visit the Verizon’s October, to fish or One of the more beautiful bike
National Sports Gallery, boat on the Potomac trails in the area will take you 16
which houses sports River, head to Fletcher’s miles (26 km) to Mount Vernon.
memorabilia and inter­ Boat House at Canal and Bikes can be rented at Fletcher’s
active sports games. Reservoir Roads. You will Boat House, Thompson’s Boat
There is plenty to eat need to obtain a permit Center, Bike and Roll, Capital
at the Verizon Center, if you are between 16 and 64, Bikeshare, or Big Wheel Bikes
but you may prefer Redskins team which lasts for a year but does in Georgetown. For maps or trail
to slip out to one member not cost much. You can fish from information call or write to the
of the restaurants the riverbank or rent a row­ Washington Area Bicyclist
in Chinatown, which surrounds boat, canoe, or kayak, which are Association, or consult one of
the venue. available by the hour or the day. the bike rental shops in the city.
If you are not a season­pass In Georgetown there are boats
holder, it is very difficult to get a for rent at Thompson’s Boat Tennis, Golf, and
ticket to a Washington Redskins Center and Key Bridge Boat
game at the FedEx Field House. Fletcher’s sells snacks; if Horseback Riding
stadium, but you can always you go to Thompson’s or Jack’s Many neighborhood parks have
watch the game from one of there are cafés and restaurants outdoor tennis courts, available
Washington’s popular sports along the waterfront. on a first­come, first­served
basis. Two public clubs in the
city accept reservations: East
Potomac Tennis Center at Hains
Point, and the Rock Creek
Tennis Center. Each has
outdoor and indoor courts.
If you want to take in views
of the monuments while walk­
ing the golf fairways, go to the
East Potomac Golf Course &
Driving Range. (There is an
18­hole miniature golf course
here as well.) Two other courses
are open to the public: Langston
Fans enjoy a game at Nationals Park Stadium Golf Course on the Anacostia

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