Daily Daydream: Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, D.C.

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

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E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

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Why not spend Presidents’ Day honoring our 26th President by visiting his living memorial? Theodore Roosevelt Island is designed to honor the conservationist by being an outdoor haven smack in the middle of the nation’s busy capital city. Located in the Potomac River, this 88.5-acre park is popular with joggers, walkers, and dog owners.

As anyone who’s ever visited the Washington, D.C., area knows, the city’s traffic can be brutal. So this car-free island offers a nice escape from honking and exhaust, and is even free of bicycle traffic! (Walking is the only permitted way to get around the island, and there are numerous trails to explore.)

Go in the summer and enjoy the slightly cooler air, amazing views of downtown Washington, and quiet.

Where is it? In the Potomac River, in Washington, D.C. The nearest airport is Reagan National ( (check prices).

Where to stay? Stay near the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge at the all-suites State Plaza Hotel. You’ll have easy access to the island, as well as the major sights of the capital city.

What else should I know? The island is free to visit!

Who’s it for? History-lovers, bird-watchers, and Washingtonians who need a few hours away from traffic.

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(Photo: Shutterstock/Caitlin Mirra)

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