Roosevelt Island is an 88-acre natural area dedicated to the 26th president of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt was a major advocate for nature conservation and added almost 230 million acres of protected land during his term in office. It is very fitting that the monument to his legacy is a nature preserve.
The Island, accessible only by foot, is made up of two and a half-miles of trails that wind through three major ecological zones: upland forest, swamp, and tidal marsh. The trails are very easy and kid-friendly.
The island gets pretty busy on the weekends and the small parking lot fills up quickly. If you don’t have a car, you can take the Metro to Rosslyn station and walk from there. If you’re up for a long walk, I would recommend starting in Georgetown, walking along the waterfront, crossing the Key Bridge, and then making your way to the Island.
Find your way with 101 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
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