Lafayette Square

Pennsylvania Ave NW & 16th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001, USA

Address:	Pennsylvania Ave NW & 16th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Phone:	+1 202-619-6344
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.4
Working:	Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 33

Jimmy Peterson

Ive been visiting Lafayette Park (LP) since I moved to Hampton Roads five years ago. I cant believe Ive 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 isnt 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 visit to the zoo.

Kannan Manohar

Planned as part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion, this square was originally called "Presidents Park", which is now the name of the larger National Park Service unit. In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson had Pennsylvania Avenue cut through the park, separating it from the White House grounds. In 1824, the park was officially renamed in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French military leader whose involvement was crucial in securing victory in the American Revolutionary War.

David Valente

Its a great park for walking through or snapping photos in. I used to eat my lunch here quite often, but the secret service kicks everyone out of the park and tapes it off regularly for who knows what - clearly because it abuts the White House. Theres only so many times your lunch can get interrupted by grumpy federal agents before you stop enjoying a park. It could also use more benches in the shady sections. Bottom line, good for tourists, not so great for residents.

Stephen Michael Fox Jr

One of the more beautiful small parks in DC, Lafayette Square is best known for its frequent and continual succession of various protests due to its strategic location across from the White Houses north facade and pedestrian plaza. The park itself provides a beautiful vantage point for snapping some great pics of the White House with the Washington Monument rising behind it. A great place for a respite after walking around DC and all the sites to take in.

Tom Saffell

Good place to sit near the White House. Not as many bums as Franklin Square, probably due to Secret Service presence. Neat statues of foreign fighters for the American Revolution, too, including von Steuben, Rochambeau, Kosciuszko, and Lafayette, of course. Later ruined by the same statue of Jackson that every city has plopped in the middle of the park, but still a good park all the same.

Ray Chen

A great staging area before you plunge yourself into the madness that is the viewing area of the White House. Its a quaint spot, with nicely aged trees that offer that much needed shade on those suffocatingly hot DC summer days. Be warned, if youre not into having your pictures taken, dont go near here. You will be filmed from every angle this side of Hollywood

Petra Holden

Lovely park across from the White House, although it has as many homeless and protesters as tourists. When I visited today, the birds were singing, the tulips were blooming, and the smell of urine was very obvious. The statues are worth a visit, however, and the views of the big House are iconic.

Rob Young

The best view of the white house here and the best statue of Andrew Jackson (wonder how long it will stay there, (political correctness may invade)? Many other statues in the park as well. Lafayet and others I didnt know. So much traffic that there is very little grass.

Khaydar Makhmadiev

За 170 лет после последней войнушки на территории самих Штатов все построено красиво и романтично.

Brad Kirshenbaum

There are many circles in DC. And, while round and efficient, give me a square any day of the week. 4 equal sides to represent the equality that exists in our nation. Lafayette Square is more than a place, it is a beacon of hope.

Tyler Sims

This a small plot of land that typically has a lot going on. Usually, you can spot unique locals or protests going on around this area of town. Other than that, the park does not off much more than a quick photo opt.

Aspen Knight

This square will look spectacular once the renovation is completed. I took this photo yesterday, 09/13/2017, at sunset. I love the flowers planted around the square and that no vehicles are allowed around it.

Diana M Perez

Es un lugar muy custodiado. En primavera y verano puedes solo relajarte en este lugar

Angélica Garcia

Great spot for people watching or to sit down with a bite to eat for breakfast or lunch. Always well-kempt (as its across from the WH, of course) and usually full of tourists doing touristy things.

Alyssa Foley

The statues are all magnificant, and of cource the view of the White House is great. However, the lawn and fountains are not well maintained, and some of the park benches seems pretty beat up.

Pei-Hsuen Liao

DC has a lot of great mini parks but this is one of the best. Love the benches for relaxing, the pink magnolia trees, the brick buildings and stately statues, and proximity to White House.

Mike Samras

Kind of dirty and often blocked off (at least the road to the north of the White House) but its a nice central park in DC. The farmers market on Vermont just adjacent is small but good.

Jose de la Plata

Hermoso parque, vista a la Casa Blanca. Lugar tranquilo y relajante.

Christopher Marx

Such an appropriately situated garden dedicated to the man who so adored & emulated Washington. A lovely place to contemplate the magnitude of a single mans life.

SERGIO VEGA

Recomendable si quieres pasear por esta gran ciudad

Echo 8 Kilo

Good place to see the WH without the crowds of the fence line and Pennsylvania Ave. Slightly elevated so can get good pictures of WH grounds.

Juarez B F CARDOSO

Como ir a Washington DC e não ver a casa branca?

Shankar Kulumani

Nice park right next to the White House. Probably the safest patch of grass in DC since there are always a dozen armed officers around.

Ayesha Ikram

Not the very best time to go when we went there because other than the white house the rest of the buildings were under construction.

Will Stallworth

Great little park where you can watch tourists go crazy over seeing squirrels and protesters, while they take pictures of everything