Things to do in Washington, DC

Get up close to wildlife of Washington

Vast, beautiful and just outside central DC is Rock Creek Park. Bisecting the city north of the Anacostia River, it is an impressive 809 hectares (2,000 acres) of thickly forested hills. Offering abundant hiking trails, the park is a wildlife haven and visitors can glimpse raccoons, coyotes and deer.

Watch an American football match

Although not hugely successful in recent years, the city is home to Washington Redskins (www.redskins.com). The American football team has an impressive trophy cabinet of no fewer than five NFL championships. Games take place at the FedEx Field in Maryland; plan early to secure tickets.

Lace up and take to the ice

Although considered a Southern city, Washington’s winters are cold in the extreme. While that’s not so wonderful for sightseeing, winter is when the city’s al fresco ice rinks flourish. Lace your skates for the beautiful Canal Park (tel: +1 202 465 7012; www.canalparkdc.org/ice-rink), which runs lessons for all abilities.

See the city's sights from a Segway

The motion and controls may feel strange at first but a spin on a Segway is hard to beat. Washington‘s Segs in the City (tel: 1 800 734 7393, in the USA only; www.segsinthecity.com) is more than a brilliant pun, with hire, classes and tours of the main monuments.

Shuck some of the world's best oysters

Chesapeake Bay is famous for its wonderful oysters and just over 30 miles from Washington DC. The city has no shortage of oyster bars, try the family-run Rapphannock Oyster Company (tel: +1 804 204 1709; www.rroysters.com) in Union Market and wash down the catch with a local craft beer.

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