Washington, DC is a stunning city with marvelous architecture, as well as the best breathtaking views. It’s a picturesque paradise, with hundreds of spots that are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. This highlights some of the best views in DC, the nation’s capital. Enjoy these breathtaking vistas and overlooks!

Best Views in Washington, DC in 2023

Great Falls Park

The 800-acre park along the Potomac River is one of the most stunning natural landmarks in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The park is popular among locals but is frequently neglected by visitors. The vistas from Great Falls Park are spectacular and stretch for kilometers down the river. Hiking routes can be found on both banks of the river in Maryland and Virginia.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a stunning edifice that commands a prominent position on the National Mall. From the monument’s steps, visitors can see the reflecting pool, the World War II Memorial, and a beautiful view of the United States Capitol Building in the distance.

Jefferson Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial is a dome-shaped rotunda that honors our third president and is one of Washington, DC’s most magnificent sites. During cherry blossom season, the Tidal Basin is covered in pink. One of the nicest vistas of the White House may be seen from the memorial’s top stairs.

Washington Monument

Mount Vernon, George Washington’s former home, is a lovely 500-acre estate with an excellent location along the Potomac River and magnificent picturesque vistas of the Washington, DC area.

Skydome Restaurant at DoubleTree

This retro restaurant’s scarcely detectable rotation provides excellent opportunity to explore a variety of perspectives. If you start your tour at the host stand, the first thing you’ll notice is the balconies of surrounding apartment complexes, which are scarily close. There’s no need to hurry; you’ll have plenty of time to appreciate military contractors’ outdoor furniture. Your table will then direct you to the vast expanses of the Pentagon’s many parking areas. You can see the Washington Monument and Reagan-bound planes if you squint and the weather is clear. It’s okay to be envious the passengers onboard have a lot better view than you, and possibly nicer cuisine as well.

The View of DC

The observation deck at the top of the Central Place Plaza building delivers just what it promises: breathtaking views of all of Washington, D.C.’s landmarks, from the Kennedy Center to Congress and all the way east to the Basilica. The tower’s westward views are less spectacular, though a touch-screen display does its best to make Northern Virginia sound intriguing. This hyperlocal history appears to appeal to The View of D.C.’s key demographic: Arlington residents who get in free and the out-of-town visitors they bring with them.

The Old Post Office Tower

Donald Trump pledged to keep the Old Post Office building’s historic bell tower open to the public when he leased it from the federal government in 2013. But how can the hotel’s affluent guests avoid mixing with the sweating masses? The answer is a distinct entrance for regular travellers, followed by a maze of long halls that appear to be designed to separate the hoi polloi from the hotel’s respected guests. Along the way, you’ll come across historic exhibitions that celebrate the Trump Hotel’s elegance and glitz.

POV at the W Hotel

The best seats at this rooftop bar are roped off in the southern corner for event goers and VIPs. These fortunate people have unrivalled vistas of the whole Mall and are so near to the Washington Monument that they could practically strike it with paper airplanes. Don’t be jealous, though; the west-facing balcony has views that are nearly as beautiful. During a recent weekday visit, I had a front-row seat to watch the sun set behind the White House.

Iwo Jima Memorial

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial gives a visual representation of the flag hoisting by five Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman, which heralded the end of World War II. The memorial, located in Rosslyn, Virginia, boasts a beautiful perspective of Washington, DC and is a prime venue to watch the 4th of July fireworks.

The Capital Wheel

The National Harbor Capital Wheel soars 180 feet over the Potomac River waterfront, affording amazing views of the Washington, DC area, including the White House and the United States Capitol Building, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, and parklands across the region.

Washington National Cathedral

The National Cathedral is a magnificent English Gothic cathedral with excellent architectural sculpture, wood carving, gargoyles, mosaics, and over 200 stained glass windows. The pinnacle of the Gloria in Excelsis Tower, Washington, DC’s highest point, provides spectacular views of the city.

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