DC Off the Mall

So your friends and family are in for the weekend and the last thing you want to do is go to the Mall and see the monuments, visit the Smithsonian museums, and take the White House tour again! School is out for the summer — you want to be outside doing things that don’t feel like education. Well, there is more to do in DC than tour the Mall.

When you think of the District you really don’t think of action adventure, but the truth is we Washingtonians can surprise you. So maybe it is not climbing Mount Everest but it is exciting all the same. You can bike, sail, wind surf, paddleboat, kayak, hike, and much more.

Here are top ByGeorge! picks of things to do off the Mall:

Teddy Roosevelt Safari
A 60-minute free tour of Roosevelt Island is something fun for everyone. Stroll along the trails and view a variety of vegetation and watch for many of the resident animals in the park. Call 703/289-2552 for more information.

Rock Creek Odyssey
You can enjoy moderately strenuous two- or four-mile guided hikes that discuss and explain the effects of the creek on the plants and animals of the park. There are free weekend hikes available; call 426-6908 for more information. Or ride horseback through the trails for $25 per hour. Riding lessons also are available at the horse center. Learn privately ($65) or in a group ($35) setting. Call in advance to reserve space for tours and lessons, 362-0118.

Atlantic Kayak Company
You can kayak on the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay all day and all night if you like. There are many outings from which to choose. Short trips and instructional sessions are available. Prices vary from $40–$125 depending on the excursion you choose. Call 703/838-9072 or 301/292-6455 for more information.

Washington Sailing Marina
Boat rentals begin when the water hits a cool 60º and run until mid-October. With three different kinds of sail boats you can choose the one that’s right for you. The Island Boat rents for $17 per hour, the Flyer Scot for $19 per day, or the Sunfish for $10 per hour. On-the-water certification from a recognized sailing school is required. Or take a two-day course that will teach you all the skills you need to sail a boat. Call 703/548-9027 for reservation information.

Fletcher’s Boat House
Since 1850, Fletcher’s is the best spot on the Potomac for fishing and small boat recreation. Row boats and canoes are $11 each. Even if you can’t fish you can learn. They can license you for $7–$10. Call 244-0461 to reserve your boat today.

Tidal Basin
At the north end of the Tidal basin you can rent paddle boats! A family favorite for generations. Four-seaters are $16 per hour and two-seaters are $8 per hour. Reservations are necessary for large groups. Call 479-2426 for more information.

Bike the Sites
Experience Washington, DC, from the seat of a bike by taking one of the many guided tours. Three-or five-hour tours cost between $40 and $85, but the fees include bike, helmet, water, and snacks. Call 966-8662 for more information.

Hains Point
Full-service golf courses with 36 holes, 100-stall driving range, mini golf, and the beauty of the Potomac River. An 18 hole day is $20–$25 and you can drive the course in style with your very own golf cart for an additional $21.50. Call 488-8087 for more information.

—Jessica Lang