Getaway idea: Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.
Rock Creek Park is a 2,000-acre playground located in the nation's capitol.
The park offers visitors a wide variety of activities including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis, exercise trails, sports fields, roller blading, kayaking, canoeing and rowing.
Individuals can also take part in ranger-led programs on national history, recreation and astronomy or visit the park's nature center or planetarium.
Those who would like to know more can use their cell phones to learn about Rock Creek Park and numerous points of interest throughout Washington, D.C. Just look for a "Dial and Discover" sign, call 202-730-9307, and enter the stop number to hear a park ranger give a two-minute narration.
In addition, the park's Carter Barron Amphitheatre offers concerts and Shakespearean theater during the summer months.
General admission to the park is free.
This destination comes from the National Park Getaways series, which helps people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family and friends.
Each Wednesday, the National Park Service posts a new getaway idea on its website, nps.gov/getaways. There's a new park idea every week and most of the activities listed are free, so they're good, budget-friendly vacation options.
