DC is a very interesting place. There is so much unique history and fascinating places here. Millions of tourists come to DC every year because you can see things that you just can’t find anywhere else. While the typical marvels of DC usually include the White House or the Washington Monument, we found some incredible places you might not know. Here are 11 marvels in Washington DC that must be seen to be believed.
- Kogod Courtyard
Flickr/Kevin Harber Kogod Courtyard is part of the National Portrait Gallery and features an incredible, dramatic glass ceiling. The wavy glass and steel roof appears to be floating above the courtyard, allowing in beautiful natural light. The Kogod Courtyard has free WiFi, making it one of the most popular open spaces in DC.
- Pope Leighey House
Flickr/Cliff While technically located outside of DC in Northern Virginia, you still won’t want to miss the Pope Leighey House. Built by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Known as a “Usonian” house, Wright designed this and about 100 more like it as affordable housing for Americans in the 1930s. This innovative house is often viewed as the origins of innovative ideas that influenced modern American homes.
- Capitol Columns
Flickr/clio1789 The Capitol Columns located at the National Arboretum were once a part of the East Portico of the Capitol in 1828. They now sit on a foundation of stones in front of a reflecting pool on the Ellipse Meadow in the Arboretum, providing a stunning view for visitors.
- The Big Chair
Flickr/BeyondDC The Big Chair is a Washington DC landmark! Originally built as an advertisement for a furniture store in the 1950s, this 19 1/2 feet tall chair is a replica of a Duncan Phyfe chair and weighs around 4,500 pounds!
- The Tidal Basin
Flickr/Ron Cogswell The Tidal Basin is right at the heart of four of the most popular monuments in DC : the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Memorial and the FDR Memorial. This is a man-made reservoir and is one of the most impressive views in the entire district.
- Multiverse
Flickr/NCinDC The Multiverse is a complex light sculpture by Leo Villarreal located in the National Gallery of Art. Experience a unique and mesmerizing experience as you walk through the concourse between the East and West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
- The “I See Something New” mural.
Flickr/Christina B Castro Washington DC has incredible art outside of museums as well and wall murals are one of the more prominent and popular examples of this. The “I See Something New” Mural is a visual tribute to the man hidden treasures inside of DC.
- Cherry Blossoms
Flickr/David Clow The cherry blossoms every spring should be on ever visitor and resident of DC’s must-see list. Every spring the city becomes transformed with pink, thanks to the cherry blossoms. The gorgeous trees were a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo City in 1912.
- Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Flickr/Robert Lyle Bolton The lush green and pink lotus and water lilies that fill up the acres of water gardens is a breath-taking sight for anyone who has never seen them before at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
- Darth Vader at National Cathedral
Flickr/logan hicks There are thousands of gargoyles (decorative architectural creatures with a drain spout for rain) and grotesques (which do not have a drain spout) on the National Cathedral. And Darth Vader is one of them. Because he is a villain, they placed him on the dark, north side of the Cathedral which is fitting.
- Blind Whino
Flickr/Forsaken Fotos No list of marvels in DC would be complete without the Blind Whino! This old Baptist Church was redecorated with a large-scale multi-colored wall. While no longer an operating church, the building is now used for community and cultural events.
Flickr/Kevin Harber
Kogod Courtyard is part of the National Portrait Gallery and features an incredible, dramatic glass ceiling. The wavy glass and steel roof appears to be floating above the courtyard, allowing in beautiful natural light. The Kogod Courtyard has free WiFi, making it one of the most popular open spaces in DC.
Flickr/Cliff
While technically located outside of DC in Northern Virginia, you still won’t want to miss the Pope Leighey House. Built by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Known as a “Usonian” house, Wright designed this and about 100 more like it as affordable housing for Americans in the 1930s. This innovative house is often viewed as the origins of innovative ideas that influenced modern American homes.
Flickr/clio1789
The Capitol Columns located at the National Arboretum were once a part of the East Portico of the Capitol in 1828. They now sit on a foundation of stones in front of a reflecting pool on the Ellipse Meadow in the Arboretum, providing a stunning view for visitors.
Flickr/BeyondDC
The Big Chair is a Washington DC landmark! Originally built as an advertisement for a furniture store in the 1950s, this 19 1/2 feet tall chair is a replica of a Duncan Phyfe chair and weighs around 4,500 pounds!
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
The Tidal Basin is right at the heart of four of the most popular monuments in DC : the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Memorial and the FDR Memorial. This is a man-made reservoir and is one of the most impressive views in the entire district.
Flickr/NCinDC
The Multiverse is a complex light sculpture by Leo Villarreal located in the National Gallery of Art. Experience a unique and mesmerizing experience as you walk through the concourse between the East and West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
Flickr/Christina B Castro
Washington DC has incredible art outside of museums as well and wall murals are one of the more prominent and popular examples of this. The “I See Something New” Mural is a visual tribute to the man hidden treasures inside of DC.
Flickr/David Clow
The cherry blossoms every spring should be on ever visitor and resident of DC’s must-see list. Every spring the city becomes transformed with pink, thanks to the cherry blossoms. The gorgeous trees were a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo City in 1912.
Flickr/Robert Lyle Bolton
The lush green and pink lotus and water lilies that fill up the acres of water gardens is a breath-taking sight for anyone who has never seen them before at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.
Flickr/logan hicks
There are thousands of gargoyles (decorative architectural creatures with a drain spout for rain) and grotesques (which do not have a drain spout) on the National Cathedral. And Darth Vader is one of them. Because he is a villain, they placed him on the dark, north side of the Cathedral which is fitting.
Flickr/Forsaken Fotos
No list of marvels in DC would be complete without the Blind Whino! This old Baptist Church was redecorated with a large-scale multi-colored wall. While no longer an operating church, the building is now used for community and cultural events.
Can’t get enough of DC? Keep the tour going with these 15 absolutely amazing places in Washington DC!
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