Washington, D.C.
International Temple of the Order of the Eastern Star
Obscure Freemasons still live in D.C.’s largest private residence.
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Places I've been
Places this traveler has marked as been there.
Washington, D.C.
Barbie Pond on Q Street
A rotating cast of guys and dolls in front of a Washington, D.C. building.
Washington, D.C.
The Capitol Stones
Enormous piles of historically significant stones, dumped by Congress in a forest, and abandoned for 60 years.
Washington, D.C.
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Largest Roman Catholic church in North America.
Washington, D.C.
The K-9 of the Korean War Veterans Memorial
Those with a sharp eye can find the hidden image of a German Shepherd on the memorial's Mural Wall.
Permanently Closed
Washington, D.C.
Church of Two Worlds
A Spiritualist house of worship where believers communicate with the dead in the spirit world.
Washington, D.C.
Dumbarton Oaks
The Byzantine, pre-Columbian, and medieval art at this stately mansion are some of the most under-appreciated collections in D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Jean Jules Jusserand Memorial
An obscure federal monument honors the French diplomat who served as Ambassador to the U.S. during WWI.
Washington, D.C.
USNO Master Clock
The most accurate timepiece in the world.
Permanently Closed
Washington, D.C.
Riggs Bank
The bank that helped fund the Mexican-American War and the purchase of Alaska met its downfall after helping Augusto Pinochet launder money.
Washington, D.C.
Peirce Mill Spy Station
Cold War intelligence agents monitored communist embassies from an attic in a former pigeon coop.
Washington, D.C.
The Cuban Embassy's Hemingway Bar
When it opened during the final years of the embargo, all the drinks and cigars were free.
Washington, D.C.
Washington Family Church National Cathedral
An amazing example of early-20th-century architecture, this church features marble transported from Utah.
Washington, D.C.
The L. Ron Hubbard House
Also known as the Founding Church of Scientology.
Washington, D.C.
Overthrust Fault
A surprising, but overlooked example of geology in the middle of the nation’s capital.
Washington, D.C.
Hinckley Hilton President's Walk
A hidden passageway now marks the site of an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan that some say broke a 140-year-old curse.
Washington, D.C.
House of the Temple
This imposing Masonic temple a mile from the White House was the first public library in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Ben's Chili Bowl Mural
A gorgeous mural outside a beloved D.C. restaurant pays homage to famous Black Americans.
Washington, D.C.
Serenity Statue
This poor little statue is the most vandalized memorial in Washington.
