While Away a Sunny Spring Day at Meridian Hill Park
Getting outside to enjoy a bit of fresh air is important, and among DC area locals, Meridian Hill Park is a favorite destination for doing so. Located on the site of John Porter’s 1819 mansion, the park today preserves the estate’s formal Italianate gardens, filled with statuary, dramatic fountains, and ornamental plants. The park’s lower level is fairly formal, with its reflecting pool and plaza, while the park’s upper level feels a bit more natural, thanks to a woodland area and an overlook point. Both offer nice opportunities to take a leisurely stroll, or to find a shady bench where you can sit down and enjoy the view.
The park is also home to important US history, as the mansion became President John Quincy Adams’ private residence after his term in Washington ended, and the estate was used as a campsite for Union troops during the Civil War. The park is part of the National Park system, and entry is free of charge.
