Outdoors

13. Stroll through the historic, 10-acre formal gardens of Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, where a 1944 international conference met to lay the framework for the United Nations. Now the mansion contains galleries of Byzantine and pre-Columbian art. Entrance to the gardens is at R and 31st Sts. NW; +1 202 339 6410.

14. Go green at the U.S. Botanic Garden where 4,000 plants are on display, including several rare and endangered varieties of orchid. 100 Maryland Ave. SW; +1 202 225 8333.

15. Enjoy a quiet walk along the C&O Canal towpath. It runs 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD, along the Potomac River. For trailhead locations and general information, visit bikewashington.org.

16. Picnic in woodsy Rock Creek Park, which spreads across 3,000 acres of the greater Washington area. You can also hike, jog, or rent a kayak at the Thompson Boat Center.

17. Meander through the lovely Bishop's Garden alongside the soaring Gothic edifice of the National Cathedral, the sixth largest cathedral in the world. Massachusetts and Wisconsin Aves. NW; +1 202 537 6200.

18. Be on the lookout for bald eagles on little-known Theodore Roosevelt Island, a woodland sanctuary in the Potomac created in honor of President Roosevelt. Accessible by the northbound lanes of George Washington Memorial Parkway.

19. Find a favorite plant at the 446-acre National Arboretum, with its collections of boxwoods, holly, magnolia, and Asian plants, among others. 3501 New York Ave. NE; +1 202 245 2726.

20. Pay a visit to the giant panda Tai Shan and his equally adorable parents Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, at the National Zoological Park. Also trek the zoo's Asia Trail for a glimpse of sloth bears and red pandas. 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW; +1 202 633 4800.

21. Jog or bike along the popular Crescent City Trail, which runs 11 miles from Georgetown to Silver Spring, Maryland. Formerly a disused, single-track rail line, the current hiker/biker trail passes over four historic bridges, through two historic tunnels, and alongside parks, wooded areas, and scenic views of the Potomac.

22. Combine fresh air and art at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, where sculptures, such as the immense looming Spider, are sprawled throughout the gardens. The warm-weather fountain becomes a popular outdoor skating rink in winter. 7th St. and Constitution Ave. NW; +1 202 737 4215.