At more than 1,700 acres, Rock Creek Park is more than twice the size of New York’s Central Park. It’s also one of America’s oldest city parks, established in 1890 by Congress. Enjoy the shade and the streams, and keep an eye out for woodland creatures.

Even if you’re not religious or spiritual, you can still appreciate how ornate and immense the National Cathedral is. It’s the fourth-tallest structure in D.C., the sixth-largest cathedral in the world. and the second-largest cathedral in the U.S. It also has a Darth Vader sculpture on the top of its west tower.

At no cost, you can see pandas nearly every day of the year. The National Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the U.S., and it houses a variety of species including cheetahs, elephants, and apes. The zoo also hosts events for humans of all ages, like ZooLights and Brew at the Zoo.

You can relax or hike at Theodore Roosevelt Island, a living memorial to America’s 26th president located on the Potomac River. The car-free island is somewhat secluded and is great to view from a kayak or canoe.

When this mansion was constructed in 1905 as the winter residence of a U.S. diplomat, it was known as one of the city's most fashionable. The 50-room home offered a walled garden, tennis court, and three-story carriage house. Presidents William H. Taft and Calvin Coolidge were regular visitors. The property later reopened as a house museum in 1939.

You don't need to cough up too much money to enjoy a performance at the Kennedy Center, the nation’s living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Though big-ticket shows can carry a hefty price, the center offers free performances daily at the Millennium Stage, no tickets required. The center is set to expand in 2019.

At the southern end of Columbia Heights, Meridian Hill Park—also known as Malcolm X Park—is a sight to behold. During the warmer months, the park offers a serene escape from the city with a tranquil waterfall and a regular drum circle. In the winter, it’s a great place to have a snowball fight.

This basilica in Brookland is the largest Catholic church in North America, one of the ten largest churches in the world, and the tallest habitable building in D.C. Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, among other luminaries, have visited the church.

In Brookland, the public can discover this oasis of peace, home to a thriving Franciscan community. Guests are able to walk in for a tour, but groups of six or more require a reservation.

Technically this park is located in Arlington, Virginia, but it's worth the bike ride or jog to go see. Prepare yourself a picnic and enjoy views of the District. Expect some noise, though: The park is right faces the runway of Reagan National Airport, so expect a plane to rush overhead every few minutes.

Adjacent to the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, a 6.1-acre block hosts a sculpture garden, a cafe, and a fountain used as an ice-skating rink in the winter. Touching the sculptures is forbidden, as is riding a bicycle or skateboard.

Near the U.S. Capitol, you can walk inside one of the oldest continually operating botanic gardens in North America. The garden features rare and endangered plants as well as roses, orchids, and fruit. Located outside is the Bartholdi Fountain, an elegant cast iron structure that stands 30 feet tall and weighs more than 15 tons. It was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor behind the Statue of Liberty.

This park is relatively recent to the District and quite fun to visit. Along with several retail and restaurant options nearby, you can also enjoy the view of the Anacostia River, dip your toes in the pool, and have a picnic on the grass. Be sure to take a stroll along the award-winning, 200-foot pedestrian bridge.

Each year, this award-winning company puts on myriad comedies and tragedies, by more playwrights than just the Bard. The group was formed in 1970 and operates both Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) and the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW).

In addition to fresh meats, cheeses, and produce, you can also find handmade items sold at Eastern Market, in Capitol Hill. At its flea market, jewelry, vintage records, and furniture abound.

When this site opened in 1938, it was one of the city’s earliest movie theaters. But during the 1968 civil unrest that rocked D.C., the site was damaged and closed. It reopened in 2006 as a vibrant performing arts space on H Street NE.

The 446-acre arboretum hosts the columns that originally supported the U.S. Capitol building’s old East Portico. The site also features a major center of botanical research as well as a 390-year-old bonsai tree that survived an atomic bomb. What a great place to see foliage!

Managed by the National Park Service, this 700-acres site is perfect for scenic, quiet walks removed from city life. Expect an array of rare waterlilies and lotuses in addition to Kenilworth Marsh—the District’s only remaining tidal marsh.

Built in the 1920s, this 25-acre estate allows visitors to get an inside look at the former home of cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. The former mansion houses a collection of imperial Russian and 18th-century French decorative art. Outside, there are green spaces that include a rose garden and a Japanese-influenced garden.

Situated on a hill in Historic Anacostia, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site preserves the home the abolitionist icon occupied while living in D.C. Tours usually last about 1.5 hours and happen regularly. The site also offers one of the city’s greatest views of the National Mall and downtown.

Among other historic homes in the District, Lincoln’s Cottage, located east of Petworth on the grounds of the Old Soldiers’ Home, stands out for its tranquil setting. The home, where Lincoln lived for more than a quarter of his presidency, hosts tours and events, including weddings.

During the fall, be sure to check out a Washington Wizards or Washington Capitals home game at Capital One Arena, located in Penn Quarter across from the National Portrait Gallery. There are a few concerts and other events scheduled at the arena as well.

Before it gets too cold, have a picnic or go for a jog or walk along the Georgetown Waterfront. It’s a peaceful place for pedestrians and you can admire the Francis Scott Key Bridge from the walkway.