Georgetown Waterfront Park

Georgetown Waterfront Park, a sub unit of Rock Creek Park, is an urban park located on the Potomac River the Key Bridge and 31^st streets that opened in 2011. There aren’t any defining attractions at the park other than it offers a place to sit and enjoy sites on the river. Visitors are welcome to relax on benches or on the grass. It is a great place to hang out if you live in Georgetown, and hanging out is what most people in the park were doing when I visited.

Relax on the grass or on the benches

Crew team rows past the Georgetown Waterfront Park

There are very few trees, so the view of the Potomac is unobscured. You have a nice view downriver towards the Kennedy Center and the old Watergate Hotel, which is now a high end apartment complex.

View of the Watergate Hotel (left) and the Kennedy Center (right)

A concrete promenade runs along the river for the park’s entire length. Near 31^st Street is a set of stone stairs that lead down to the water (intended to be seating for sculling events) and a fountain that kids enjoy running around in.

Fountain at Georgetown Waterfront Park

Relaxing along the Potomac River

The promenade continues past the park, and once beyond the borders you will find riverside cafés and bars. There is also a place where you can pick up a tour boat that will take you down the Potomac to the Jefferson Memorial and back.

Cafes and tour boat dock

For those wanting to kayak, canoe, paddle board, or scull on the Potomac, continue a little farther down the shoreline to the Thompson Boat Center. This rental facility is operated by a National Park Service concessionaire. In addition to watercraft, you can rent bikes. See the Thompson Boat Center web page for complete details.

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