C & O Canal

The C & O Canal is the 'nickname' of the national park Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The park provides a place for visitors from Washington, Maryland and Virginia to enjoy the outdoors. The canal starts in Georgetown then flows for 13 miles to Great Falls Park in Virginia. A Visitor Center in the park has maps for visitors to use on tours that can be taken by foot, bike or a mule-drawn boat.

There are many attractions available for visitors at the park; these include Fletcher's Boat House which provides an area to bike, walk, jog or rollerblade. Bathrooms and a large picnic area are located here along with an area to rent rowboats, canoes or bikes.

A great place at the park to fish is at the Chain Bridge which was originally built for cattle to cross the Potomac. Fish that can be caught include perch, catfish, striped bass and other types of freshwater fish.

Great Falls Park is located on the Virginia side of the canal, this park is popular for picnic's, hiking and viewing the rapids. Visitors can also visit Glen Echo Park which features a children's museum, two children's theatres, galleries and workshops. Guests can even ride on the 1921 carousel. Each weekend the restored ballroom hosts dances.

There are plenty of areas for picnics at the park but there is no place to dine. A tavern was once operational at the park; this has now been transformed into a place that displays the history of the canal through pictures. This spot is also where the mule-drawn boat rides begin.