Theodore Roosevelt was the US's 26th President after the assination of President William McKinley. Teddy Roosevelt is many times overshadowed by his brother, President Franklin Roosevelt, but Teddy had some equally important accomplishments. For instance, he is a Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War, ensured the construction of the Panama Canal and best known for his favorite proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." He is less known for his conservation work. After he became President in 1901, Roosevelt used his authority to protect wildlife and public lands by creating the U.S. Forest Service and establishing 51 Federal Bird Reservations, 4 National Game Preserves, 150 National Forests, 5 National Parks and enabling the 1906 American Antiquities Act which he used to proclaim 18 National Monuments. During his presidency, Roosevelt protected approximately 230 million acres of public land.
For this reason, it is only fitting that his monument is a nature preserve. The Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial is an island in the middle of the Potomac accessible only from the Virginia side. There are two ways of getting there: drive and take public transportation.
Directions by Driving:
The Island can only be reached from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. After the Memorial Bridge follow the sign to turn right to enter the parking lot. There is a limited number of parking spots.
Public Transportation
The island is 10-15 minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro Station, which is operated by the Orange and Blue lines. When leaving the station, walk towards the McDonald's:
Walk through the little park to the left of McDonald to the stop light.
At the stop light, cross the street towards the Cosi and walk towards the bridge to Georgetown.
Eventually, you will see this sign and the walk path towards the Island.
Be careful, the path is broken up into two lanes. Many bicyclist use this path, so best to stay alert and walk near the grass.
At the end of the bridge, you will be in the parking lot.
Walk the length of the parking lot, you will come to a bridge and the entrance to the National Park.
At the end of the bridge, you are on the island. There are three main trains: swamp, upland, and woods.
When I go to the island, I always do a swamp trail first, which takes you on the edge of the island. I typically go right at the sign and you will eventually hit his fork in the road. If you want to see the memorial, go left and up at this fork, if you want to continue on the swamp trail, go right.
The swamp trail gives you amazing views. Right off, the view is of Rosslyn skyline.
Under the Rossevelt Bridge, one can see the Netherlands Carrolion, located at the Iwo Jima Memorial.
After going under the bridge again, there is a small path that takes you to the "swamp." Take this path, because it leads to some of the best views from the island.
The swamp trail has a very nice boardwalk to walk on compared to the dirt style trails on the rest of the island:
The Watergate
However, no trip to the island is complete until visit Teddy himself:
The Kennedy Center:
The Watergate
Georgetown Harbour
The Francis Scott Key Bridge
However, no trip to the island is complete until visit Teddy himself:
The statue is huge and very Soviet like. The picture does not do the height of the statue justice. When you first see him, it is breath taking. Other than the statue, there are a few fountains and 4 panels with some nice words. When I went to the island, there was no water in the fountains or water fountains.
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