Washington is the capital of the United States, a planned city of 68 square miles on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. It holds the three branches of the federal government, the Smithsonian museums (free to enter), the National Mall monuments and a wide range of neighborhoods, and receives more than 20 million visitors a year.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Washington.
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- urban riverfront promenade, picnics and sunset strolls
- Riverfront promenade
- Fountain and lawn
- Restaurants nearby
- Kayak and canoe rentals at Key Bridge Boathouse
- Capital Crescent Trail access
- No swimming
Georgetown Waterfront Park
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not allowed; plan on walking, cycling or paddling instead
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- polished waterfront district, dining and live music
- Waterfront promenade
- Piers and fountains
- Restaurants and music venues
- Water taxi to Georgetown and Alexandria (seasonal)
- Pedal-boat rentals
- No swimming
The Wharf (Southwest Waterfront)
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted; the draw is the promenade, dining and events
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- iconic memorial setting, crowded at blossom time
- Paddle-boat rentals (seasonal)
- Cherry blossom trees
- Views of the Jefferson Memorial
- Walking loop (about 2 miles)
- No swimming
Tidal Basin
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted; plan on walking or paddle boating
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- quiet, local, open-air riverside loop
- Waterfront loop for walking and cycling
- Fishing
- Picnic areas
- Golf and mini-golf at East Potomac Golf Links
- Seasonal public pool near the park entrance
- No swimming in the river
East Potomac Park (Hains Point)
Editor’s tip. Swimming in the river is not permitted
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- quiet urban nature refuge, birdwatching and trails
- Nature trails
- Wetlands wildlife viewing
- Bird watching
- No swimming in the Anacostia River
Kingman and Heritage Islands
Editor’s tip. Swimming in the Anacostia River is not permitted
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- quiet fishing-camp feel beside the C&O Canal
- Boat rentals (rowboats, canoes, kayaks)
- Fishing
- C&O Canal towpath
- Picnic areas
- No swimming
Fletcher's Cove
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted because of strong river currents
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- community riverside park, picnics and trails
- Riverfront trails
- Boat ramp
- Outdoor public pool (seasonal)
- Picnic shelters
- No swimming in the river
Anacostia Park
Editor’s tip. Swimming in the river is not allowed; use the seasonal pool instead
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- quiet garden and wetland boardwalk
- Water lily and lotus ponds
- Boardwalk through marsh
- Free admission
- Visitor center
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted; the draw is the gardens and wetlands
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- quiet forested memorial island, nature walks
- Wooded trails
- Memorial plaza
- Kayak launch at nearby Key Bridge Boathouse
- No swimming
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted; the draw is the trails and memorial
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- open lawn with jets roaring overhead
- Grassy riverside park
- Plane spotting from the runway approach
- Picnic areas
- Mount Vernon Trail access
- No swimming
Gravelly Point Park
Editor’s tip. Swimming is not permitted; the draw is plane spotting and views
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- family-friendly bay beach, calm and shallow
- Sandy Chesapeake Bay beach
- Swimming (lifeguards in summer; confirm dates at dnr.maryland.gov)
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Picnic areas
- Per-vehicle entry fee in USD
Sandy Point State Park
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends to beat the queue at the entrance
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- small-town bayfront, boardwalk and ice cream
- Public Chesapeake Bay beach and boardwalk
- Restaurants and shops
- Fishing pier
- Check town website for swim advisories
North Beach, Maryland
Editor’s tip. Check the town website for swim advisories before entering the water
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- nostalgic river resort town, relaxed and low-key
- Potomac River beach town with a public beach
- Boardwalk
- Restaurants
- Check local swim advisories before entering the water
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Editor’s tip. Check local swim advisories before entering the water
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- classic boardwalk beach resort, busy and lively
- Atlantic Ocean beach
- 3-mile boardwalk
- Lifeguards in season
- Hotels and restaurants
Ocean City, Maryland
Editor’s tip. Swim only when lifeguards are on duty and heed flag warnings about rip currents
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- lively oceanfront resort, boardwalk and surf
- Atlantic Ocean beach
- Oceanfront boardwalk
- Lifeguards in season
- Water sports rentals
- Hotels and restaurants
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Editor’s tip. Swim only in lifeguarded areas and heed rip current flag warnings
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Washington’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Georgetown Waterfront Park?
No. Swimming in the Potomac River is not permitted here, and the park is a promenade rather than a swimming beach.
From the Georgetown Waterfront Park editorial.
How do visitors get to Georgetown Waterfront Park by Metro?
There is no Metro station in Georgetown. The closest is Foggy Bottom-GWU on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, roughly a 20-minute walk, or a DC Circulator or bus to M Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW.
From the Georgetown Waterfront Park editorial.
Is there a swimming beach at The Wharf?
No. The Wharf is a waterfront promenade on the Washington Channel and swimming is not permitted.
From the The Wharf (Southwest Waterfront) editorial.
How far is The Wharf from the National Mall?
It is about 1.5 miles from the National Mall. The Waterfront Green Line station is roughly 0.4 miles from the main piers.
From the The Wharf (Southwest Waterfront) editorial.
Can visitors swim in the Tidal Basin?
No. Swimming is not allowed. The basin is used for walking, photography and seasonal paddle boating.
From the Tidal Basin editorial.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom at the Tidal Basin?
Peak bloom usually falls between late March and early April, though the exact dates vary each year with the weather.
From the Tidal Basin editorial.
Can visitors swim at Hains Point?
Swimming in the river is not allowed. A seasonal public pool operates near the park entrance as an alternative.
From the East Potomac Park (Hains Point) editorial.
How do visitors reach East Potomac Park without a car?
Take the Metro to Smithsonian station, then use Capital Bikeshare or walk. Public transit does not run onto the peninsula.
From the East Potomac Park (Hains Point) editorial.