If you’re looking for a date-worthy spot to take your significant other, look no further than these romantic waterfronts. While the Potomac River isn’t exactly swimmable, it’s still somehow charming, especially at night when you can see the lights in the horizon, the cars, the Kennedy Center, or even the city of Rosslyn. These locations are also close to a myriad of restaurants with warm and cozy vibes.
If there were any date-worthy waterfronts left off, be sure to let Curbed know by either leaving a comment or emailing dc@curbed.com.
1. Georgetown Waterfront
This 10-acre waterfront park is more than just a scenic, go-to picnic spot; it’s also a perfect segue to other nearby date locations like a movie theater and the shops and restaurants on M Street NW. In this park, there is a fountain that is perfect for splashing in over the summer.
The view isn’t bad either. From this site, you can see the Key Bridge, the Kennedy Center, and the Potomac River.
2. Tidal Basin
There’s a reason why tourists visit this man-made reservoir every day of the year; that’s because it’s worth the trip. Regardless of whether or not the cherry blossoms are in bloom, there’s a lot to see and do at the Tidal Basin.
Visitors are also able to check off a variety of must-see locations from their bucket list while visiting this waterfront, such as the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and George Mason Memorial.
3. The Yards
For any day of the week, this park is a perfect place to sit back and relax. Bring a picnic. Relax by the wading pool. Go ice skating. Better yet, come for the concerts and stay for the great view of the Potomac River.
4. National Harbor
This Maryland harbor will allow you to soar to new heights, thanks to the Capital Wheel, over 150 stores, and over 30 restaurants, all located in one waterfront location. If you enjoy art, be sure to browse through Art Whino and visit the murals, statues, and 70-foot-wide "giant" nearby.
If you would prefer to be as up close to the water as possible, you can rent a kayak, paddleboard, or pedal boat, or you can take a water taxi.
5. Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Grab yourself a meal in King Street, and then relax by walking along this Virginia waterfront. During the spring and summer, there are often street performers, and visitors can even journey through the Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Honorable Mentions: Hill East and The Wharf (Eventually)
If you wander the waterfronts of Hill East and The Wharf today, you won’t exactly be enchanted by the atmosphere.
At the moment, The Wharf is undergoing major construction. The project is one of the largest mixed-use developments on the East Coast, with four blocks of new buildings, ranging from restaurants to hotels to a movie theater.
When it comes to Hill East, it’s currently a dumping ground and is home to the D.C. General Hospital and the D.C. Jail. Eventually, the area will become a thriving, mixed-use waterfront community. The first phase of the redevelopment is expected to break ground this year with retail and 344 residential units across two mixed-use buildings.
Curbed wouldn’t recommend bringing your date to these locations just yet, but be sure to keep them in mind for the future.
[The above points were listed in no particular order.]