DC is a city of monuments and museums. We are filled with incredible man made wonders. Not only do we have one of the most incredible man made wonders of the country, the Washington Monument, but we also have many other beautiful and architecturally amazing wonders here. While not a complete list, these are 16 of the most enchanting man made wonders in Washington DC.
- The Octagon House
Flickr/NCinDC The name is misleading for the Octagon House. It’s actually a six-sided building, as opposed to eight sided. The three story irregularly shaped home is a dramatic departure from other buildings of its time.
- Embassy of Finland
Facebook/Embassy of Finland in Washington DC The Embassy of Finland stands out among its Embassy Row neighbors. The contemporary building is a tribute to the spirit of Finland. The Embassy hosts tours once a month so visitors can see the building up close.
- United States Botanic Garden
Flickr/NCinDC The Stunning Botanic Garden Conservatory stands out in downtown DC with its glittering dome made up of glass windows and shiny steel.
- Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson Building
Flickr/NCinDC The architects of the Thomas Jefferson Building won a competition to design the building in 1873. The from to fhb building features nine busts of prominent men between the gothic columns. Inside you will find some of the most beautiful interiors from American sculptors and painters.
- Francis Gregory Library
Facebook/Friends of Francis Gregory Library This community library near Fort Davis Park, features diamond-shaped cut outs for windows creating a checkered pattern and allowing for a light-filled library with beautiful views of the surrounding woods.
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Flickr/Lawrence OP Styled in the Byzantine-Romanesque style, this one of a kind shrine has 70 chapels inside it. It’s one of the largest churches in the world.
- Bridge at Yards Park
Flickr/Photo Phiend The footbridge is the iconic piece of Yards Park. This contemporary futuristic bridge is meant to be a link for present and future trails and you do get the feeling you are walking into the future as you walk through it.
- National Cathedral
Flickr/Coreys’World It took 83 years to complete the National Cathedral! This beautiful cathedral features 215, stained glass windows, a 676 foot high tower and 112 gargoyles adorning the outside walls.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
Flickr/Rex Hammock One of the newest buildings in DC, the National Museum of African American History and Culture was designed to represent the past, present and future of the African American experience. Wrapped in ornamental metal lattice, this impressive building is worth a visit!
- Meridian Hill Park
Flickr/NCinDC Meridian Hill was designed to look and feel like an Italian garden.It features an Italian Renaissance style terraced fountain, ornate statues and French style gardens.
- National Museum of the American Indian
Flickr/Ayrcan The five story museum was designed to mimic natural rock formations shaped by wind and water over thousands of years.
- St. Coletta School
Facebook/St Coletta of Greater Washington St. Coletta School is a bright and fun design that stands out in its Southeast neighborhood. The school is a school for children and adults with disabilities. The architect wanted the design to resemble playfulness.
- Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
Flickr/Richard Nix Martin Luther King Jr was a man who was larger than life and left an impact that was larger than life. So it’s no wonder his memorial reflects that. The 30 feet memorial was based on a line from the famous “I Have A Dream” speech: “Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
- Hirshhorn Museum
Flickr/kyle.tucker95 Home to modern and contemporary art and it’s architecture reflects its focus. The architect, Gordon Bunshaft, designed the building to be a large piece of functional sculpture. It has a hollowed-centered, elevated cylinder and curved galleries throughout the building.
- United States Capitol Building
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich The Capitol building with its impression Capitol domes and marble columns, it’s a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. Today the Capitol building covers over 1.5 million square feet and has over 600 rooms!
- Washington Monument
Flickr/actor 213 Yes, the Washington Monument has to be on the list! Known as one of the seven man-made wonders of the US, this iconic 555 ft tall monument is quintessentially DC.
How many of these wondrous places have you already visited? Share below!
Flickr/NCinDC
The name is misleading for the Octagon House. It’s actually a six-sided building, as opposed to eight sided. The three story irregularly shaped home is a dramatic departure from other buildings of its time.
Facebook/Embassy of Finland in Washington DC
The Embassy of Finland stands out among its Embassy Row neighbors. The contemporary building is a tribute to the spirit of Finland. The Embassy hosts tours once a month so visitors can see the building up close.
The Stunning Botanic Garden Conservatory stands out in downtown DC with its glittering dome made up of glass windows and shiny steel.
The architects of the Thomas Jefferson Building won a competition to design the building in 1873. The from to fhb building features nine busts of prominent men between the gothic columns. Inside you will find some of the most beautiful interiors from American sculptors and painters.
Facebook/Friends of Francis Gregory Library
This community library near Fort Davis Park, features diamond-shaped cut outs for windows creating a checkered pattern and allowing for a light-filled library with beautiful views of the surrounding woods.
Flickr/Lawrence OP
Styled in the Byzantine-Romanesque style, this one of a kind shrine has 70 chapels inside it. It’s one of the largest churches in the world.
Flickr/Photo Phiend
The footbridge is the iconic piece of Yards Park. This contemporary futuristic bridge is meant to be a link for present and future trails and you do get the feeling you are walking into the future as you walk through it.
Flickr/Coreys’World
It took 83 years to complete the National Cathedral! This beautiful cathedral features 215, stained glass windows, a 676 foot high tower and 112 gargoyles adorning the outside walls.
Flickr/Rex Hammock
One of the newest buildings in DC, the National Museum of African American History and Culture was designed to represent the past, present and future of the African American experience. Wrapped in ornamental metal lattice, this impressive building is worth a visit!
Meridian Hill was designed to look and feel like an Italian garden.It features an Italian Renaissance style terraced fountain, ornate statues and French style gardens.
Flickr/Ayrcan
The five story museum was designed to mimic natural rock formations shaped by wind and water over thousands of years.
Facebook/St Coletta of Greater Washington
St. Coletta School is a bright and fun design that stands out in its Southeast neighborhood. The school is a school for children and adults with disabilities. The architect wanted the design to resemble playfulness.
Flickr/Richard Nix
Martin Luther King Jr was a man who was larger than life and left an impact that was larger than life. So it’s no wonder his memorial reflects that. The 30 feet memorial was based on a line from the famous “I Have A Dream” speech: “Out of a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”
Flickr/kyle.tucker95
Home to modern and contemporary art and it’s architecture reflects its focus. The architect, Gordon Bunshaft, designed the building to be a large piece of functional sculpture. It has a hollowed-centered, elevated cylinder and curved galleries throughout the building.
Flickr/Daniel Mennerich
The Capitol building with its impression Capitol domes and marble columns, it’s a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture. Today the Capitol building covers over 1.5 million square feet and has over 600 rooms!
Flickr/actor 213
Yes, the Washington Monument has to be on the list! Known as one of the seven man-made wonders of the US, this iconic 555 ft tall monument is quintessentially DC.
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