George Washington Memorial Parkway

Address:Turkey Run Park
McLean, Virginia
Tel: (703) 289-2500

Travel the Capital's "Road to Adventure!" Originally designed as a grand gateway to the Nation's Capital, the George Washington parkway connects a variety of park sites that provide opportunities for natural exploration and active recreation.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway was built in memory of the nation's first president and is one of Virginia's most scenic drives, as well as a major commuter route. During low traffic hours, you can drive the entire route in about 45 minutes through Old Town Alexandria, otherwise, it's a four-lane road with no traffic signals nor stop signs, that preserves the natural scenery along the Potomac. The Parkway connects the historic sites that relate to George Washington: Mount Vernon, the nation's capital, and the Great Falls of the Potomac where the President was an engineer—all accessible by the same road that George Washington frequently traveled on by horse. The George Washington Memorial Parkway also offers drivers a break from the urban pollution and traffic of metropolitan D.C. and protects the Potomac River from commercialization and urbanization. A drive along the George Washington Parkway links a group of parks where millions of people each year run, hike, and bike. Along the way, be sure to check out Theodore Roosevelt Island, an 88-acre wooded preserve and bird sanctuary (connected to the parkway by a footbridge just south of Rosslyn) for a stroll or picnic and don't miss the 2½ miles of hiking trails through its forest.

The George Washington Parkway is a narrow road that run adjacent to the Potomac River. Because of its proximity to the wooded riverbanks, drivers need to watch out for deer and wild turkeys that may have wandered out to the winding road. The Parkway is accessible from I-495, I-95, and I-66, so if you're driving up or down the coast, or just in the Virginia/D.C. area, the Parkway would be a great option for an off-interstate scenic experience!