6 Best Sights in D.C. Waterfront, Washington, D.C.

Soccer is incredibly popular in the nation's capital, finding a major following among the international residents who miss the big matches of home, as well as families whose kids play the sport. In 2018, fans of Washington’s Major League Soccer team, D.C. United, were wowed with the opening of Audi Field, an innovative, 20,000-seat stadium near the revitalized Southwest Waterfront and just a few blocks from Nationals Park. In addition to 31 luxury suites, the facility boasts 500,000 square feet of on-site retail, office, and residential space. The team’s 2018 acquisition of the international superstar Wayne Rooney only fueled the excitement, and he has now returned as the manager.

Established in 1807 "for all denominations of people," this cemetery is the final resting place for such notables as U.S. Capitol architect William Thornton, Marine Corps march composer John Philip Sousa, Civil War photographer Mathew Brady, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, and many members of Congress. Air Force veteran and gay rights activist Leonard Matlovich is also buried here under a tombstone that reads "When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one." The cemetery is about a 20-minute walk from the Capitol. You can take a self-guided tour year-round during daylight hours; pick up a map at the gatehouse or download one from the cemetery website. On Saturdays and some Sundays from April through October, you can join a one-hour docent-led tour at 11 am. Check the website for all kinds of themed tours and other events, including film screenings during the summer. 

Exotic water lilies, lotuses, hyacinths, and other water-loving plants thrive in this 8-acre sanctuary of quiet ponds, protected wetlands, and marshy flats, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The gardens' wetland animals include turtles, frogs, beavers, spring azure butterflies, and dozens of species of birds, which may be seen along the 1½-miles of walking trails. Watch out for the Lotus and Water Lily Festival in July.  Visit in July for the peak lily bloom; 9 am is the best time to see early morning blossoms.

There's a tiny, child-friendly museum in the visitor center. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. The nearest Metro stop is a 10-minute walk away, but there is ample free parking. Exit gates are locked promptly at 4.

Just over a decade ago, Nationals Park opened and brought new life to the Navy Yard area, where new bars and restaurants are constantly springing to life. The ballpark hosts 81 games per season, and while Nats fans come out in droves, the park isn't just for lovers of the game. Nationals Park was created to bring high-quality entertainment to the District and now has a reputation for some of the best outdoor concerts in the area, with past performances by Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Taylor Swift, the Eagles, and James Taylor. Whether you come for a game or concert, there are plenty of retail spaces and food-service venues like the Budweiser Terrace with its happy hour, a Ben's Chili Bowl, and Shake Shack. There are also activities and areas for children and families with the brand-new Kids Play Area and the state-of-the-art Nursing Mothers Lounge.

A pioneer in the community museum movement, in a historically Black neighborhood in Southeast Washington, this museum examines the impact of contemporary social issues on urban communities, including environment, urban life, and encounters with other cultures. The engaging exhibitions employ video, art, crafts, and photography, along with dynamic public programs including musical performances, crafts workshops, and storytellers. The museum's striking facade features traditional African design elements: brickwork patterns evoke West African kente cloth, the concrete cylinders reference the stone towers of Zimbabwe, and diamond-patterned adornments resemble those found on the adobe houses of Mali. The museum is near the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. There's free on-site parking.

The history of the U.S. Navy, from the Revolution to the present, is chronicled here, with exhibits ranging from the fully rigged foremast of the USS Constitution (better known as Old Ironsides) to a U.S. Navy Corsair fighter plane hanging from the ceiling. All around are models of fighting ships, a real Vietnam-era Swift boat, working periscopes, and displays on famous naval battles along with portraits of the sailors who fought in them. In front of the museum is a collection of guns, cannons, and missiles. The Navy Art Collection, including many works by Navy artists, is also housed in the museum. Explore the Cold War Gallery in Building 70 with exhibits that explore the Navy's response to the threat of Soviet military power and communist ideology.

All visitors to the museum must have a valid photo ID and report to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the Washington Navy Yard's primary access gate at 11th and O Streets. The VCC is only open weekdays until 3:30 pm. If you're planning to visit the museum on the weekend, you must be pre-vetted. A Base Access Pass Registration must be filled out seven days before your visit. Call 202/433–3018 for access-related questions.