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Where to Get the Best Views of Washington DC

Updated: September 1, 2023

DC does not have tall buildings to obstruct the views from some of the taller buildings and locations from which you can see the memorials, the Capitol building, and other famous landmarks.

This post covers the best places to go to get a bird's-eye view (or as close to it as you can get) of the city. 


One of the most popular views of Washington DC is from the Washington Monument.

It is the tallest building in Washington DC (though there is no law that says it has to be!) so you can see nearly all of the city from the top.

You do need tickets to get to the top of the Washington Monument but we have a post all about how to do that.

If you are not able to get tickets or would rather have a view of the DC skyline with the Washington Monument in it, we have some suggestions for alternatives to Washington Monument for great views of Washington DC:


OLD POST OFFICE PAVILION CLOCK TOWER

This magnificent building used to be our post office! It is now the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

One of the regulations in leasing this government property was that the hotel must allow non-guest access to the clock tower, which will still be managed by the National Park Service.

Read more about the Old Post office here!


CAPITOL BUILDING

There are two ways to get a nice view of the National Mall from the US Capitol Building. One requires some political pull and the other is open to everyone.

If you can finagle a tour of the Speaker's Office, you'll be able to stand on the balcony on the west side of the Capitol looking down the National Mall to view the U.S. Grant Memorial, Washington Monument, Smithsonian Castle, and Lincoln Memorial

This can be hard to do and is really luck of the draw, but when arranging your guided tour of the Capitol through your congressperson just ask if it's possible!

Alternatively, the view from outside at the top of the stairs on the west lawn of the Capitol is just as lovely.

That view is available 24/7, no ticket or security required. (See a video here).

The only exception is if they are setting up for an event, like Inauguration, as the West Lawn is closed for set up. This is a great stop on the way to our Capitol Hill & Library of Congress Walking Tour.

For more on visiting the U.S. Capitol Building, click here.


 

NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

The Washington National Cathedral sits atop the highest point in DC.

This makes it the perfect place to see the city from, even though it's a bit out of the way, nestled in a residential area.

You can take a self-guided walk up to the Pilgrim Observation Gallery by using the elevators near the front entrance to the Cathedral by the gift shop on the main level.

The Cathedral also offers Tower Climbs which are guided tours that get you closer looks at gargoyles, stained glass and of course - the view. These are generally only offered in Spring.

For more on visiting the National Cathedral, click here.


KENNEDY CENTER

The Kennedy Center is one of the most popular performing arts centers in the nation.

With over a million visitors annually, the center puts on a large number of performances throughout the year, some of which are free!

The best part about the Kennedy Center is the Rooftop Terrace, which is completely free and open to the public and gives you an amazing 360 view of Virginia and Washington, DC.

You can go during the daytime before a performance or come in the evening to see the city lit up and maybe catch a proposal, as it's one of the most romantic spots in Washington, DC!  


 

AIR FORCE MEMORIAL

The Air Force Memorial can be seen from most of DC - which means you can see a lot of the city from there as well. 

The three silver spires you see lit up at night? That is the US Air Force Memorial, located across the river in Virginia.

Located not far from Arlington National Cemetery, the view from this memorial offers a great shot of the city and the cemetery as well. 

While a bit out of the way for most people visiting Washington, DC, the Air Force Memorial is accessible by metro, car, and some bus tours.


DCA NATIONAL AIRPORT

Flying into Washington DC's local airport, DCA - sometimes referred to as Reagan Airport, though no local calls it that - gets you the perk of getting a great aerial view of the city. 

Where to sit on the plane to view DC:

  • Inbound Flight: Left Side
  • Outbound Flight: Right Side

It all depends on the wind, so we cannot guarantee this advice will work, but the majority of landings come in from the same direction.

Just remember, as soon as they announce descent into Washington, DC make sure you keep your nose to the window for the chance of a great view!


Other Honorable Mentions are rooftop bars.

There are some great places to grab a drink and snack while taking in the view of Washington DC.

Top of the Gate at Watergate and VUE Rooftop at Hotel Washington are the most popular. You can read about rooftop bars in DC here.

About The Author

Canden Arciniega

Follow On Instagram | I'm a historian & tour guide in Washington DC with 4 published books about the city. I have written for HuffPost Travel and have been featured in the Washington Post, WTOP, and numerous other DC papers. I've also been interviewed by the BBC, NPR, Travel Channel and Discovery Family Channel. I am the producer of the podcast, Tour Guide Tell All. I am an authority on D.C. history, and have led tours in the city since 2011. I currently resides in DC, but have also lived in London and South Korea, and have traveled to over 28 countries and every US State but Hawaii. I homeschool my 2 children by exploring the plethora of museums in DC. Read More...
Updated: September 1st, 2023
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