What are must-see places for a tourist in DC? (Looking to do stuff besides museums, so particularly outdoors.)

Thanks.

Outdoors ideas:
1) Theodore Roosevelt Island Park -- Small undeveloped island park in the Potomac River, accessed from the Arlington side just south of the Key Bridge. Excellent views of Georgetown and the Kennedy Center. Great stop on a bicycle ride along the Potomac down to National Airport.

2) Gravelly Point Park -- Small park on the Potomac River immediately north of the runway at Reagan National Airport. Accessible by car or bicycle. Absolutely amazing views of airplanes landing overhead.

3) Great Falls National Park -- National Park just outside the Washington Beltway (495) with trails and an observation point over a wide, rocky waterfall in the Potomac River. Great views. For an even better experience, go to the park on the Maryland side of the falls for a boardwalk through a nature preserve to view the falls.

4) Mt. Vernon -- Visit George Washington's historic home. Bring the kids in the warmer weather for outdoor demonstrations. Walk along the peaceful Potomac River.

5) Annapolis, MD -- Great day trip to the Maryland capital town just 30 minutes outside Washington, DC. Visit the historic capital building and tour the Naval Academy. Just outside town, view the enormous Chesapeake Bay Bridge, an engineering marvel.

6) National Zoo -- great scenery along with the animals. Combine with a visit to the National Cathedral. End the day at Cactus Cantina Mexican restaurant just up the road. Great homemade tortillas and lively scene with local families and college students (huge waits on weekends -- be forewarned)

7) Stroll around the monuments near the Lincoln -- the Korean War Memorial has lifelike statues of soldiers. The Vietnam Memorial is moving. And the Roosevelt Memorial (not too far away) has beautiful granite waterfalls and statues depicting Roosevelt's presidency.

8) Go ice skating in front of the National Archives in the winter months.

Other ideas:

1) Georgetown University -- Stroll around campus like an alumnus!! Look for the Village A apartment complex, and walk up the metal stairs to the top. Walk along the roof while enjoying a view of the Kennedy Center, the town of Georgetown, Rosslyn, and the Potomac River. Visit Dahlgren Chapel in the small courtyard behind Healy tower. Support the students by purchasing a beverage or snack at Vital Vittles in the Leavey Center, and then take the elevator to the 2nd floor esplanade to look out over the campus -- you'll see sunbathers on the esplanaded lawn in warmer months. When leaving campus, stop by the "Exorcist Stairs" at Prospect & 36th Streets. You can also drop by the Tombs restaurant across the street for a pint with "fellow" Hoyas.

2) Union Station -- Even if you don't plan to ride the train to DC, be sure to visit Union Station, one of the most beautiful stations in America. The Rotunda is so spectacular that it is rented out by Georgetown University for a senior class ball each year. The area is also featured in one of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels. Tip: just a short walk outside you'll find popular Irish pubs such as the Dubliner and Kelly's Irish Times filled with locals and students.

3) National Gallery of Art -- While this museum is "on the beaten path," check their program calendar for free concerts in the West Gallery's Garden Court. The setting is intimate and classic -- you'll feel like you're listening to classical music in Greece or Italy's ancient courtyards.

Wow, I'm VERY impressed. Thank you very much for your help and all the great recommendations! This is great. Report It

Arlington National Cemetery, changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...very impressive, also visit some very famous burial plots, the Kennedy's among them.
The buildings are impressive..Supreme Court, The Pentagon, White house, Capitol Bldg. all worth while even for a drive by. The hub of America's laws and standards. The Washington Zoo is another place of interest with exotic animals to view and some to mingle with. The Panda bears were there when I visited

Old-town Alexandria, my favorite place in the DC area. Lots of shopping, tourist attractions, all within about two square miles.

Off the beaten tourist-track, check out the National Arboretum, the Franciscan Monastery in the Brookland neighborhood, or the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, across the Anacostia River. (You'll have to drive to these locations, although the monastery is reachable from the Brookland/Catholic University Metro station.)

Plus there's always the National Zoo.

There's Old Town Alexandria, that's really neat to see. And to see Washington D.C. at night, is really something to see. Then were are other tours you may want to look into.

Here's a link for your research:
http://washingtondc.nyctourist.com/washi...

Arlington National Cemetary and the National Zoo are both great things to see outdoors.

Walk around the Tidal Basin; several memorials there.聽 And visit the zoo.聽 Both are free!聽 Botanic gardens is worthwhile, too; it's on the SE corner of the Mall, between the Nat. Museum of the American Indian, and Capitol Hill.