28 Apr Gravelly Point: Picnic + Watch Planes Fly Overhead

Arguably the best place to have a picnic in Arlington, VA is at Gravelly Point. Why? It is located right next to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and planes thus fly directly overhead. They fly so close to the ground sometimes it feels as though you can jump out and touch them. If you want to learn all about how to plan your perfect picnic day at Gravelly Point, then keep reading below!

Contents:

1) Location of Gravelly Point

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) Best Time to Visit

4) Background

5) Things to Do at Gravelly Point

6) Recommended Items to Bring to Gravelly Point for a Picnic

1) Location of Gravelly Point

Gravelly Point is a small peninsula located on the eastern edge of Arlington, VA. Moreover, it is located right next to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

For reference, it is approximately a 20 minute drive (with minimal traffic) from downtown Washington, DC. Moreover, you can see the Hains Point Loop Trail in East Potomac Park if you just look across the Potomac River.

Where to Park for a Picnic at Gravelly Point? 

There is a specific parking lot dedicated to Gravelly Point. Even though the park can get quite crowded, you are usually able to find a spot since the parking lot is fairly large.

Watching a plane fly overhead while picnicking at Gravelly Point

Nearby Airports

The closest airport to Gravelly Point is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. It is only a 5 minute drive away. You know it is close by when you can see planes flying directly overhead. Additionally, the Dulles International Airport is located 45 minutes to the west.

Please keep in mind that public transportation is not readily available from Ronald Reagan Airport to Gravelly Point since they are right next to each other. Instead, it is only about a 25 minute walk. On the other hand, there is public transportation available from Dulles Airport. However, be aware that all options require you to walk about 20 minutes from the last metro station to Gravelly Point. There is no metro station directly next to Gravelly Point.

Additionally, you can rent a car from the airport or utilize a ride share service such as Uber.

Lodging

Arlington, VA has hundreds of lodging accommodations available for your visit. Stay in Pentagon City to be close to shopping, Clarendon to be close to the going out scene, and Ballston to be close to some amazing restaurants.

Additionally, you can stay across the river in Washington DC. If you prefer to be near a bunch of shops and restaurants, then stay close to Dupont Circle or Logan Circle. On the other hand, stay close to Adams Morgan or Shaw if you want to be near the going-out scene.

View across the Potomac River from Gravelly Point

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

You can enjoy a picnic at Gravelly Point anytime from 6:00am to 10:00pm. Outside of those hours, they close off the parking lot to visitors by setting up a gate.

Additionally, there are portable toilets available at Gravelly Point.

Do I Have to Pay an Entrance Fee to Picnic at Gravelly Point? 

Ready for some great news? There is no entrance fee. You can thus add a picnic at Gravelly Point to your weekend itinerary for DC or make it your next date night at no cost to you. That means you will have even more money to spend on food. Moreover, there is no parking fee.

A picnic at Gravelly Point is one of the best date spots, but check out 20+ more date night ideas in Arlington, VA if you have already crossed this off your list.

A plane flying just overhead of people picnicking at Gravelly Point

3) Best Time to Visit

Honestly, anytime is a good time to visit and have a picnic at Gravelly Point. Planes will be flying directly overhead no matter whether it is the summer, autumn, winter, or spring season. However, summer is generally the busiest season for airlines. This means you might see an additional plane or two fly overhead in summer compared to other seasons.

I visited once on a Wednesday evening in spring. Planes were flying overhead and then landing at the airport approximately every 5 minutes. We stayed for a bit over an hour, which means we saw around 20+ planes!

Additionally, you will probably want to visit on a day with nice weather. On the other hand, maybe a picnic in the rain is on your bucket list!

Estimated Visit Time for a Gravelly Point Picnic

You can truly spend as much time at Gravelly Point as you wish. However, I recommend you spend at least 30 minutes to get the full experience. Bring a picnic, some blankets, and lay down on the grass as you watch the planes fly overhead. Time will pass by quicker than you realize.

Planes flying overhead at Gravelly Point as sunset approaches

4) Background

Gravelly Point was not always a park, but rather it used to be someone’s residence. The original owner built a house known as Abingdon in 1746. However, the owner later sold the residence to President George Washington’s stepson. George Washington’s granddaughter was born on the property.

Unfortunately, a fire destroyed essentially all of Abingdon in 1930. There were some structural remains left after the fire, but those were removed in the late 1990s. You can now find the remains within an exhibit at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Additionally, it is said the name Gravelly Point came from the fact that there is so much gravel in the area.

A plane flying overhead at Gravelly Point

5) Things to Do at Gravelly Point

I might be a bit biased, but I love Gravelly Point. My first date with my partner occurred at Gravelly Point where we got to know each other as we watched the planes fly overhead. While Gravelly Point is a great picnic spot for a first date or even thirtieth date, it is also a great spot for a bunch of other activities as well.

Once you cross out all of the activities below, head over to the nearby town of Pentagon City for additional things to do.

Picnicking

Enjoying a picnic might just be the most popular activity at Gravelly Point. I mean, who does not love a picnic with good food and even better views? There is a large grass field as well as a few picnic tables, so you should not have any trouble finding a spot. However, please note that the picnic tables are often occupied. I would thus recommend you plan to bring blankets and have your picnic in the grass.

Sushi picnic at Gravelly Point

Watching Planes Fly Overhead

No matter what you are doing at Gravelly Point, you can also take time to watch the planes fly overhead. That is the main attraction after all! However, also be aware that you are going to hear the planes flying overhead. Since they are so close to the ground when passing by Gravelly Point, they are also quite loud.

Whether you see more planes landing vs. taking off over Gravelly Point depends on the current wind direction. When the wind is primarily heading in a northern direction, then planes will take off over Gravelly Point. When the wind is reversed, then planes will be landing over Gravelly Point.

Picnicking with a plane flying overhead at Gravelly Point

Playing Sports 

Gravelly Point is also a prime spot to enjoy some sporting activities due to its large grass field. Grab a group of friends and enjoy an active afternoon in the park. For example, you can bring spikeball, cornhole, frisbees, a volleyball net, etc.

Biking

If you live in the Arlington area, I am sure you have heard of the Mount Vernon Trail. It is a 18 mile (~29 kilometer) trail that runs between Mount Vernon and Theodore Roosevelt Island. Moreover, it passes right by Gravelly Point. You can thus walk, run, or bike to Gravelly Point from another location or hop on the Mount Vernon Trail at Gravelly Point.

For some nearby hiking trails in the area, check out Scott’s Run Falls in McLean, VA as well as Billy Goat Section A in Potomac, MD.

Mount Vernon Trail running through Gravelly Point

Boating

In addition to a large grass field, picnic tables, and the Mount Vernon Trail, Gravelly Point is also home to a boat ramp. If you have your own boat, you can launch from the boat ramp and park in one of the longer parking spots that accommodates trailers. Additionally, I have previously seen a couple of people fishing around the boat ramp area.

You can also launch here if you own a kayak or canoe. For example, I own an inflatable kayak, and I have launched from Gravelly Point before to then kayak in the Potomac River.

On the other hand, maybe you prefer paddle boats? Then just head across the river and rent paddle boats on the Tidal Basin.

Sunset at Gravelly Point

6) Recommended Items to Bring to Gravelly Point for a Picnic

1. Water bottle: I bring water with me essentially everywhere I go. Water is even more important during the summer in DC, for it can be pretty hot and humid at that time of year. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

2. Picnic supplies: In my opinion, Gravelly Point is the best place to have a picnic in Arlington, VA. You can pack all kinds of picnic food, such as chips, salsa, cheese, crackers, meats, etc. On the other hand, you can choose the easier picnic route and just order take out from a restaurant.

3. Blankets: Gravelly Point has a large grass field with a few picnic tables. However, it is quite likely the picnic tables will be occupied when you visit. Therefore, I recommend you bring along a blanket or two so you can lay down on the ground. Watching the planes fly overhead is even more impressive as you lay on the ground and stare straight into the sky.

Hygiene Items to Enjoy a Gravelly Point Picnic

4. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Having a picnic at Gravelly Point for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin.

5. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin your picnic. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet. 

PIN IT to save it for later!

For a more relaxing activity, buy tickets for a nearby lantern festival: Lantern Festival in Washington, DC.

Or spend the day with dolphins: Kayaking with Dolphins in Virginia Beach.