Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Tiptoe among lily pads, and maybe have a picnic lunch alongside a frog or turtle, in the only national park property devoted entirely to aquatic plants. Located along the Anacostia River in northeastern Washington DC, this park offers plenty to see and do.

Trails weave in and out of forested land and bring you upon a vista you may never see anywhere else. Man-made ponds border natural wetlands to give you an idea of what this part of the city used to look like before civilization crept in. The amazing part is that thousands of lilies float on top of the water. They bloom every July, which serves as the time frame for the annual Lotus and lily festival in Anacostia Park.

This area was originally set aside as a park in 1791 when Washington DC's master plan said this green space should be reserved for public use. For 26 years, a Civil War veteran owned the property and began growing aquatic plants. The rest is history. When the government took over the property, it decided to keep things as they were.

Aside from walking trails, bring a picnic lunch to dine among the lily pads as if you're in a fairytale. There's no need to kiss any frogs, though. They're too busy hopping among the lily pads. Campsites near this park offer a fantastic way to enjoy the natural beauty of the nation's capital.