Gravelly Point Park
Gravelly Point Park
4.5
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4.5
275 reviews
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156
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22
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1
JNYCwriter
New York City, NY7,506 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
As a diehard travel enthusiast there is nothing more enjoyable than watching a jet fly over and land. There are not too many viewing points in the United States that beat Gravelly Point for up close plane viewings take offs and landings. Gravelly Point is an inlet and a small body of water separates the point from the airport. There is no charge to watch and there is parking. There are also some awesome views of Washington. Tip: A fun way to get there is via the bike trail. Sit back, bring a bottle of wine and enjoy.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thebigmare
Arlington, VA8 contributions
Gravelly Point is a great place to watch 4th of July fireworks! Don't drive though, the parking is awful. Then after the fireworks the traffic is ridiculous! Take the metro and walk 10-15 minutes to find a good place along the water. Take bug spray!
Written May 26, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hazem_MD
Kuwait City, Kuwait7 contributions
I reiterate "the bigmare" that this is indeed a not bad at all location to watch the 4th of July fireworks. A lot of people go there, but at the same time, you can't call it a crowd. Here are my tips:
1- You might try to drive, but if you don't find space to park, park in the nearest metro station and walk. I took the metro, but when I arrived, I found there were a couple of empty spots. in the park. Driving out of the park is hard as there are much more pedestrians.
2- I took metro to Crystal City, and then walked to the park using the Mt Vernon Trail. It took me 25 min, with a double stroller, loaded with two toddlers. I'm attaching the map with the walking path. The park is where my path ends (with the arrow).
3- I returned from the Regan Airport Station. It's much closer (about 15 min), but you have to walk through the airport premises and parking lots. I made this decision when I saw about 2/3 of the crowd leaving in the direction of Crystal City.
4- Viewing direction: Once in the park, look in the direction of the monument. The fireworks come up to its left. Make sure the monument and enough viewing area to its left are not obstructed by trees. I liked the location because I don't like when the fireworks blow up on top of my head. If you want to be just under the fireworks, go the mall.
5- There is a sign on the entrance that says the parking lot is closed 10pm to 6am, but I'm sure 4th of July is an exception.
6- No landing or taking-off planes disturbed the show.
1- You might try to drive, but if you don't find space to park, park in the nearest metro station and walk. I took the metro, but when I arrived, I found there were a couple of empty spots. in the park. Driving out of the park is hard as there are much more pedestrians.
2- I took metro to Crystal City, and then walked to the park using the Mt Vernon Trail. It took me 25 min, with a double stroller, loaded with two toddlers. I'm attaching the map with the walking path. The park is where my path ends (with the arrow).
3- I returned from the Regan Airport Station. It's much closer (about 15 min), but you have to walk through the airport premises and parking lots. I made this decision when I saw about 2/3 of the crowd leaving in the direction of Crystal City.
4- Viewing direction: Once in the park, look in the direction of the monument. The fireworks come up to its left. Make sure the monument and enough viewing area to its left are not obstructed by trees. I liked the location because I don't like when the fireworks blow up on top of my head. If you want to be just under the fireworks, go the mall.
5- There is a sign on the entrance that says the parking lot is closed 10pm to 6am, but I'm sure 4th of July is an exception.
6- No landing or taking-off planes disturbed the show.
Written July 5, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England5,009 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
Best plane spotting place I’ve ever experienced. A wonderful scenic spot on the return past Reagan National Airport where families congregate for picnics, bike rides, and ball playing. You can see jets arrive in the distance, hug along the Potomac, bank a sharp right to avoid entering D.C., and then fly directly overhead, landing approximately 100 yards beyond the water.
It required a cab ride to get here because we hadn’t rented a car, but my son got some terrific photos and we all had major thrills watching the air traffic up close and personal. You can even feel and smell the departing air traffic lined up on the runway.
The highlight was perhaps near the end when, for some reason, we experienced the “wake” of an Airbus A320 – remnants of sound lingered after the plane flew overhead as if an echo had returned from the dead. Highly recommended!
It required a cab ride to get here because we hadn’t rented a car, but my son got some terrific photos and we all had major thrills watching the air traffic up close and personal. You can even feel and smell the departing air traffic lined up on the runway.
The highlight was perhaps near the end when, for some reason, we experienced the “wake” of an Airbus A320 – remnants of sound lingered after the plane flew overhead as if an echo had returned from the dead. Highly recommended!
Written July 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
weekendwonder1
Washington DC, DC700 contributions
This is the best place in Washington to watch airplanes take off and land. It is great any time of the day or night. You can have a picnic or relax under the takeoff or approach pattern from National Airport. Bring a blanket and food then lay back and watch the planes. Depending on the wind they may land over your head or takeoff. Later night is very cool with the lights on the planes. Fun time for all. Bring your ear plugs in your sensitive.
Written August 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kingshott
Brighton, MI151 contributions
We found this informaion on Gravelly Point Park on the net. How crazy to be standing 500 ft from the touchdown of planes landing at Reagan National Airport. You line yourself up with the center of the runway and watch planes land, with them approxiamately 100 - 200 feet above your head. Access is only from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway.
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Written July 20, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Telf
Washington DC, DC100 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Situated on the Potomac river with stunning views of DC. Great place to relax and watch the planes land/takeoff. Food and ice cream trucks on site. Great place for family adventure.
Written November 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curtis B
25 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Lots of people like to be right under the belly of the airplanes as they take ofd or land. This is the closest park area for that.
Written August 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michelepH87DD
lombard, United States21 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
this is a great place to go in the Arlington area. you can watch the planes take off and land from Reagan airport. you can really feel the power of the planes and as you wave at the planes you feel the passengers are waving back. that's how close the planes are! beautiful park for kids to roam....picnic area too! loved it with our family!
Written June 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brellie
Washington DC, DC1,764 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
You can get to this from the GW Parkway going north from the Regan airport. The exit is before the 14 Street bridge. It is a great place to picnic and watch the airplanes land. You can almost see the faces of the passengers. VERY NOISY. Free parking.
Written January 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would I be able to take a small grill and grill hot dogs at Gravelly Point?
Written May 27, 2020
I believe you can but it's best to go during the day and ask an officer if you can. Plenty of parking in the paved lot. No services however, at best a Port-o-let. Good luck.
Written April 20, 2020
Last time went I was at the end where planes were taking off from. How do I go to the other side, where the plane lands. Is there any gps address I can use? Thanks in advance!
Written January 26, 2020
Being at the north end of the airport, Gravelly Pt is your only spot up close to the runway. At the south end there's a bay and you can see the planes from a park called Dangerfield Island, which has a nice waterside restaurant. But Gravelly is much closer.
Depending on the winds the planes land to the north or to the south. Go to a planespotter's website if you want to see conditions before you drive there.
Written January 27, 2020
We are planning on stopping by here in August. Obviously it is much cooler to see planes land than take off but I heard it all depends on wind direction. (north for landing and south for taking off). For example, I looked today and the wind was 3 mph out of the WEST. So what does that mean.....? Will the planes be landing or taking off over Gravelly Point?
Written July 21, 2019
If i launch my boat there do i have to be off the water by 6pm?
Written June 26, 2019
i have never taken a boat out here..the DC Duck Boats come in here, but I don't know about private boats.
Written June 27, 2019
I did not see any signs prohibiting alcohol. The park is open access. There are never any officials patrolling the park/
Written December 30, 2018
DreDre58
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Can you shoot fireworks at gravelly point park?
Written July 2, 2018
Since it’s on the path of final approach into Reagan National I think you’d be in serious trouble if you set off fireworks there.
Written July 21, 2018
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