New York City has its
Central Park; Washington D.C. has Rock Creek Park. A beautiful green swath
slicing north to south through Washington, it is abundantly endowed with just
the right kind of trees to explode into a symphony of color each October. In
all fairness to the State of Maryland, this specially protected 'green' area
starts just northeast of Gaithersburg, well north of the Washington in central
Montgomery County. It even includes a good-sized lake, Needwood Lake, which,
in itself, is a prime destination for leaf-lookers in the Greater
Washington-Baltimore area.
Washington's portion
of Rock Creek Park is in Northwest Washington. Missouri Avenue slices the park
in half. (Missouri Ave becomes Military Rd in the park.) From the Capitol
area, take N. Capitol Ave out to Missouri (about the 5400 block) and turn
left. Then follow Missouri to the park.
From the Mall area,
take Virginia Ave (which splits off Constitution just after 17th) to the
southern park entrance. Virginia becomes the Potomac and Rock Creek Pkwy
which, eventually, becomes Beach Drive. When you get to Military Road, turn
right and right again on 16th Street right after you exit the park. 16th takes
you back to the Mall area.
The Washington
("National") Zoo is located in the Park. In fact, when drive through
the tunnel you will be under the zoo. North of the zoo you will encounter
many, many picnic areas.
There are excellent accommodations for leaf-lookers in
the Greater Washington area. Many are outright economical. A Washington map
(and index) is available at reservations-network.net.
Just click on the community of choice. Enter your the dates you'll need the
accommodations, indicate the acceptable price range and check the amenities
you desire. A list of accommodations will then
appear. Select from the list to make your reservation. It is easy to make your
reservation and save money, too.
