Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Bethesda

"The national Arboretum is one of my favorite spots in all of DC.It is huge and full of many different gardens you can visit year round. One of the most famous is the bonsai tree garden which includes trees that are hundreds of years old. The flowers and gardens are a great spot to escape the big city feel and learn about the different plants that live all over the world."

"Open every day except December 25th, the National Arboretum provides incredible beauty no matter the season. Visit the grounds to see plenty of nature, trees, and paths, all of which appear differently based on the time of day and season. Visit during various times of year to watch the seasons change artfully."

"Tucked away in a 38-acre wooded area of footpaths, streams formed by the nearby Potomac and lush greenery, is this little oasis perfect for some outdoor communing with friends or family. There’s a lot to take in here with the surrounding log cabins, the winding Potomac River Trail, and there’s even a blacksmith shop with a working forge. The park provides interpretive environmental education programs for all ages and for a wide variety of audiences including small groups."

"Military RoadLength: 1.4 milesDifficulty: Moderate to difficultBikeable: NoTrail Map:ViewDescription: To the east of Military road, this trail features a forested area and rocky stream that runs down to the Potomac River and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. There are several areas where you will have to cross the stream. On the west side of Military road, you will find hilly, wooded trails around Gulf Branch Nature Center."

"Nature Centers provide kids with lots of hands-on opportunities to explore our environment. From Rock Creek Park to Montgomery County, MD, to Arlington, VA, year-round naturalist guided programs will give you insight into the natural habitat of the Washington, D.C."

"More than 44 acres of plants and trees indigenous to the Potomac River Valley have been curated by the Winkler Botanical Preserve, which is managed by a private, non-profit organization with a mission to provide free environmental education for the students of the Alexandria City Public Schools and is open daily for visitors. The preserve also offers popular nature camps in summer and during spring and winter breaks. Admission is free and visitors can enter the preserve through an open gate in a small apartment complex parking lot between 8:30 a.m."

"Winkler Botanical Preserve stretches for over 44 acres and you will find a beautiful array of flora and fauna that typifies the Potomac River Valley. The preserve here aims to showcase the natural beauty of Virginia, and is open to the public daily. You can walk around and take in the trails here and get up close to the picturesque plant and wildlife that abounds."

"Address: 301 South Harrison StreetLength: 1.2 milesDifficulty: Easy to difficultBikeable: Paved trail yes, natural trail noTrail Map:ViewDescription: This beautiful and secluded 95.5 acre park offers a whole host of family activities. Trails throughout this park offer a beautiful setting for bird watching and other outdoor activities. There are sightings of everything from woodpeckers to wood ducks and warblers."

"The Nature Center is the first stop for visitors to Rock Creek Park, a natural area in northwest D.C. Ranger-led programs and some of the park's shorter trails begin at the center, where visitors can find trail maps, a planetarium, and a children's discovery room."

"This place is the ultimate romantic destination since Paris has officially claimed the title for most romantic city in the universe, and this is a Parisian restaurant. Not only does it have fantastic classics like steak frites and beef bourguignon, a cozy dining room and enchanting patio, but it also has a canal right next to it where you can stroll along into the moonlight afterwards. This is the ultimate wine-and-dine experience."

"Being just a stone’s throw away from the mesmerizing waterfront park in Georgetown, this one has a clear location advantage over the others on this list. Just imagine having a great French dinner here with your partner and then going on a walk, hand in hand, in the park along the Washington Harbor. Oh I know it sounds just perfect and that’s exactly why we have previously listed it as one of the D.C."

"For those of us who can't afford a romantic getaway to France, this restaurant is a great way to feel like you are there. Executive Chef Brendan L'Etoile has put together a Southern French cuisine menu that is fine dining in taste but won't leave your wallet reeling. Entrée choices include truite grenobloise (sautéed trout) and loup de mer (Mediterranean sea bass)."

"restaurateur Ashok Bajaj (Rasika, Bindaas, Sababa) introduced this modern French replacement to the Oval Room with a fresh backdrop of pop art, mirrored tiles, and a bigger bar where customers can sample a strong wine list. Tyler Stout, formerly executive chef at Troquet on South in Boston, says he’s shooting for a Michelin star with creative first courses like kanpachi crudo featuring green strawberry, lime, and rhubarb consomme. Traditional French fare includes a beef tartare topped with foraged greens and salmon coulibiac in puff pastry."

"With a decor designed by award-winning Thomas Pheasant, Matisse Restaurant offers a simple, yet elegant dining room. Exceptional service sets off the ambiance, and you'll enjoy att..."

"Modern French/Mediterranean cuisine is Matisse's specialty, and their brunch menu allows diners to sample this flavor fusion. Duck confit hash takes a traditional French preparatio..."

"The chilling story of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination comes to life in the very place he was mortally shot on April 14, 1865. After being closed for 103 years, Ford’s Theater was restored and reopened in 1968. Serving as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln and his love of the performing arts, the Theater is a live, working theater that plays host to a variety of plays by some of the country’s most talented playwrights, actors and artists."

"Despite being the place where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Ford’s Theatre is still open today, and it’s still bringing plays, musicals, speeches, comedy shows and other live events to the residents of Washington, DC. The venue is small and cozy. It retains a lot of its original decor from the 1800s, including red carpets and golden railings in front of the balcony seats."

"Ford’s Theatre is worth a visit even if you only take a peek inside. This Washington, DC attraction is famous for Lincoln’s assassination. They offer tours of the theatre and tell stories, including the history of the Lincoln assassination."

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