Florida Ave Playground

Florida Ave Playground at Florida Avenue NW serves the Shaw and LeDroit Park neighborhoods — two of Washington DC's most rapidly evolving residential communities in central NW. While the playground itself is a standard DC Parks and Recreation outdoor facility, its location in one of DC's most vibrant dining and cultural neighborhoods makes it a useful base for a family half-day.

The playground equipment serves toddlers through elementary-age kids with age-appropriate structures in an urban park setting. The 4.1-star rating reflects a functional but not destination-level playground experience — it serves local families well but is primarily a neighborhood asset rather than a cross-city attraction.

What elevates a visit here is the surrounding neighborhood. Shaw is one of DC's most exciting restaurant neighborhoods, with acclaimed spots like Compass Rose, Doi Moi, Espita Mezcalería, and numerous other establishments within a short walk on 7th Street NW and adjacent blocks. The U Street corridor — home to DC's historic jazz scene and a current hub of nightlife and dining — is a 10-minute walk.

For families, this means a free playground visit can be paired with excellent and often affordable dining in a genuinely fun neighborhood.

Shaw-Howard University Metro station (Green/Yellow Line) is accessible, making this playground reachable without a car from various parts of DC. Street parking on Florida Ave and adjacent streets is typically available.

For families staying in Shaw, LeDroit Park, U Street, or Columbia Heights, Florida Ave Playground is a convenient free outdoor option embedded in one of DC's most interesting neighborhoods.