Lafayette Square — Attraction in Washington

So much history happened here and nearby! Spend time to read about the Blairs, Seward, and others. ("Team of Rivals" is a great read.) Picture the People's House without the iron fence and all that security, and queuing up to talk to President Lincoln. Read about the people represented on the statues in the Square and their contributions to the American Revolution. These people, Lafayette, von Steuben, Rochambeau, Kościuszko, left their homelands to support our cause. (Look up the great political debates of the young U.S.!) Remember that ironically people were sold as slaves here! Late June is the best time to visit the park because the sun is far enough north to illuminate the north facade of the White House. Look at the gorgeous Old State and War (aka Old Executive Office Building, aka ... Thanks, Jackie Kennedy, for caring about history and beauty and preserving this historic building from the wreckers.) It's due west of the White House. Enjoy the fabulous Renwick Museum nearby! It is always interesting because of their traveling exhibits. DAR's wonderful genealogical library is about three blocks away, but that's a day in itself. Period rooms here, too. A block west on Pennsylvania Avenue is tiny, triangular Edward R Murrow park, named for first director of the U.S. Information Agency. Murrow, the CBS war reporter, took on and beat Senator...

I've been visiting Lafayette Park (LP) since I moved to Hampton Roads five years ago. I can't believe I've never reviewed LP--in fact, no one has reviewed it. It is located on Granby Street, next to the Virginia Zoo (when you turn into the zoo entrance, you will see the park on the left). There is an additional entrance by Broadway Street and Lavallette Avenue. Here is some info:

LP is a large park (32.3-acres), including lots of green space with grassy fields, old beautiful trees, and nice shade which is a plus during the hot summer sun. In addition, they have picnic tables, a baseball field, tennis courts, and basketball courts. There are three picnic shelters, which can be reserved. Finally, LP has a fairly large playground with a mix of old and new equipment. They have the usual swings and slides, as well as some interesting innovative items; it lets the kids use their creative minds. The playground is meant for kids from toddlers to tweens.

LP isn't the cleanest park, but I have never been inside the restrooms--I will have to check them out next time. I have heard that sometimes the homeless population can be seen at LP during the early morning and evening; I have never seen any during the day. However, my boys always have fun playing at LP, and we have enjoyed this park after a...

Lafayette Square is a seven-acre (30,000 m²) public park located within President's Park, Washington, D.C. directly north of the White House on H Street, bounded by Jackson Place on the west, Madison Place on the east, and Pennsylvania Avenue. It is named for the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), and includes a prominent statue of early 19th century President and general Andrew Jackson on horseback. The square and the surrounding structures were designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1970 Planned as part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion, this square was originally part of "President's Park", which is the larger National Park Service unit that also includes the White House grounds, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and grounds, the Treasury Building and grounds, and the Ellipse. In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson had Pennsylvania Avenue cut through that park, separating what would become Lafayette Square from the White House grounds. In 1824, the park was officially renamed in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French General and military leader whose involvement was indispensable in securing victory in the American...