10 Best Seats in Washington, D.C.
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One thing I’ve learned about Washington, D.C. since living here is that you have to slow down and rest sometimes. It’s such a great city with so much to offer that I think we sometimes forget to stop and smell the cherry blossoms (see what I did there?). Here are fun and worthwhile options for the 10 best seats in Washington, D.C.!
1. Window Seat Please
If you’re flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, start off right by picking the best seat on the plane.
When arriving, make sure you’re in a left side window seat, and when departing, the right side is best. This has mostly been true in my experience, but I have had some flights take a different path. If it’s a clear day, you’ll get great shots of the monuments and Tidal Basin.
2. Speaking of Monuments
This stretch of the Tidal Basin is always less crowded, since it’s the opposite side when coming from the National Mall. Also, there are benches placed at great locations, so you can enjoy the view in (almost) any weather.
3. Go Early or Stay Late
While we’re talking Tidal Basin, another great place to sit and take in the views is on the edge of the basin itself, especially at dawn (for some people) or dusk (for sane people who like to sleep). Bonus: there are less people around at these times. I took the above shot during peak cherry blossom season.
Tip: Check the time of sunrise or sunset and plan to get to your preferred spot 30 minutes before, so you can get the best seat and catch all the variations of colors.
4. This Seat’s Taken
Ok you can’t really sit in this seat. It’s kind of frowned upon. But you can see Honest Abe on his mighty perch at the Lincoln Memorial, along with his entire Gettysburg Address etched into the wall on his right and his Second Inaugural Address on his left. And really I don’t blame you for wanting his seat. It’s got a killer view of the Reflecting Pool and Washington Monument.
5. Secret Garden
The Enid A. Haupt Garden isn’t necessarily a secret, but it’s definitely a hidden gem. Located behind the Smithsonian Castle (which is also a good spot), this garden is a peaceful refuge from the bustle of the National Mall. Although it’s especially beautiful when the magnolias are blooming in April, it doesn’t get nearly as crowded as areas with cherry blossoms, thus making it a top spot to sit back and enjoy the blooms. And it’s equally beautiful other times of the year too.
6. The National Gallery of Art
No visit to D.C. is complete without at least a few museum stops. My personal favorite is the National Gallery of Art, which has a whole building for modern art and one for classical art. Here you can see famous art from Picasso, van Gogh, da Vinci, Monet, Degas, Pollock, just to name a few. The best part of this museum though is the peaceful atmosphere. You immediately feel yourself relaxing once you walk into the calm, cool, quiet interior. This is the perfect place to take a breath and enjoy some amazing art.
Tip: Get a map when you enter. This place is huge! If you want to see something in particular, the map will be a life-saver.
7. The Phillips Collection
There are so many great museums that I cannot possibly list them all in this post. But my 2nd favorite museum for a quiet and relaxing rest is The Phillips Collection. An underrated museum in Dupont Circle, America’s first museum of modern art features works from Renior, El Greco, Rothko, and many others. The exhibits are laid out in the perfect way for a casual meander or a more lengthy perusal.
8. U.S. National Arboretum
If you’re looking to explore outside of the National Mall, D.C. has some great options. The National Arboretum is one such place.
From Bonsai collections to former U.S. Capitol building columns, the Arboretum has tons of great outdoor adventure. The columns in particular are a popular and picturesque place to visit.
9. Dumbarton Oaks
Probably my favorite place in the DMV area is Dumbarton Oaks, an historic estate in the Georgetown neighborhood. It has a free museum, but the best part is the stunning garden. Stay tuned to read more about this and other underrated D.C. attractions.
Tip: Although peak bloom is in April, it’s gorgeous all year-long. The winter months offer free admission to the garden as well, which is still surprisingly green.
10. Into the Wild
If you’re looking to branch out even further from D.C., check out Great Falls Park in McLean, VA. Only 14 miles up the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Great Falls boasts beautiful rapids and waterfalls with multiple hiking trails for all levels. It also has a visitor center and tons of picnic areas to make it a full day trip.
Tip: Come early. There’s plenty of parking, but the line to get into the park builds up during peak months.
Bonus: Play Ball
For sports fans, don’t miss out on taking a seat at Nationals Park, home of the World Series Champion Washington Nationals. The stadium is found in Navy Yard, which is a cool neighborhood to check out as well.
Enjoy these 10 best seats in Washington, D.C. and let me know of any other spots to check out!
15 Comments
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Mariah French
I grew up really close to DC and it’s still one of my favorite places to be. Thanks for doing it justice with this list!
Jordan
Hi Mariah,
Oh, thank you so much! That means a lot coming from a local. I have lived in D.C. for a year now, and love it.
Lisa
Such a wonderful post. We did not know about some of these places to visit, especially the Secret Garden and Dumbarton Oaks. We haven’t been to DC in forever, perhaps a trip is on the horizon.
Jordan
Hi Lisa,
There are so many hidden gems in D.C. Dumbarton Oaks is probably my favorite. I hope you get to visit again soon!
Jasmine
I have not been to DC since I was a kid! I plan to visit soon so thank you for sharing the 10 best seats! Your photos are beautiful
Jordan
Hi Jasmine,
I hope you have a great time when you visit. There are so many great things to do here. Another one not on this list is Hillwood Estate.
Kristi Corder
This is an amazing post. I enjoyed my visit to D.C. when I went in April. I’d love to go back and go to some of these spots that I missed the first time around.
Jordan
Hi Kristi,
There is so much to do in D.C., it’s hard to see everything. But it’s such a fun city! Did you catch the Cherry Blossoms in April?
Adrienne
Great article and beautiful pictures. Thanks for your insight.
Brenda Doro
This is a great post! I imagine me and my best friend sitting discussing paintings. Being from the New England and having relatives in the Washington, DC area, we made semi-annual visits to DC. I remember laughing so hard at the “Lions, Tigers & Strollers” sign at the Zoo — Oh, My! We visited when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and sat on the mall imagining and discussing what the city was like in times gone by. We loved to just find a bench at the botanical gardens and smell the air! P.S. I am currently living in Northeast Georgia!
Jordan
Hi Brenda,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the feel of this post. It was a bit different for me, but I thought it was a good way to highlight the city. And small world that you are now in Georgia! Where exactly in Georgia are you?
Holly Bird
Washing DC is on my bucket list..I have traveled to so many places and DC is always te one I say one of these days! I just love your post..It makes me ready to go now!! Thanks you for sharing these inspiring places
Jordan
Hi Holly,
I hope you can make it one day. It’s such a wonderful city, and I love how many free things there are to do.