Gaithersburg, Maryland
U.S. National Prototype Kilogram
This golfball sized platinum iridium cylinder is the official starting point for all national weight calibrations
Places Pengwn Wants to Go
3946
Places I want to go
Places on this traveler's wishlist.
Baltimore, Maryland
Mr. Trash Wheel
This bug-eyed water wheel uses the power of the Sun to clean up Baltimore Harbor.
Alexandria, Virginia
Mount Vernon Slave Cemetery
The graveyard holding the remains of George Washington's slaves was forgotten for nearly 200 years.
Baltimore, Maryland
Edgar Allan Poe’s Grave
The trials and tribulations of marking Poe’s grave.
Baltimore, Maryland
Bromo-Seltzer Arts Tower
Baltimore's classic clock tower was once topped by a rotating, 20-ton medicine bottle.
Baltimore, Maryland
National Museum of Dentistry
George Washington's dentures and Queen Victoria's dental instruments are in the nation’s official museum of the dental profession.
Fort Washington, Maryland
Fort Washington
This fort down the Potomac from Washington, D.C. was once the only defensive fort protecting the capital.
Alexandria, Virginia
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
This stately building in Alexandria, Virginia was built by Freemasons to honor one of their most famous members.
Washington, D.C.
Capital Transit Co. Streetcar Barn
Before Metro, Washington had a robust streetcar network—and you see the remains of this infrastructure if you know where to look.
Washington, D.C.
Titanic Memorial
This lonely waterfront memorial to the men of the Titanic was erected by the "Women of America."
Washington, D.C.
Peacock Room
This stunning blue and gold room changed cities twice before becoming part of the Smithsonian.
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.
USS Missouri Model Ship
The U.S. Navy’s preposterously detailed mini battleship took 77,000 hours to complete.
Washington, D.C.
Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon
The remains of Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, serve as a tool to educate about conservation.
Washington, D.C.
Starship Enterprise NCC-1701
The actual model from the original "Star Trek" series is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Washington, D.C.
USNO Master Clock
The most accurate timepiece in the world.
Washington, D.C.
First FDR Memorial
One of the most influential presidents in U.S. history wanted only this plain, elegant monument as his lasting memorial.
Washington, D.C.
Secret Entrance to the White House
The winding route passes through an enclosed alleyway, two tunnels, and leads to the White House basement.
Washington, D.C.
National Archives Vault
An atomic bomb-proof strongbox protects the U.S. Constitution from terrorists and thieves.
Washington, D.C.
Churchill and Mandela Call and Response
When it comes to handsignals (and colonialism) rock always beats scissors.
Washington, D.C.
Letelier-Moffitt Monument
A diminutive memorial marks the site of a successful assassination by a right-wing death squad in America's capital.
Washington, D.C.
The Brewmaster's Castle
This grand gothic brewery has been pumping out suds for over a hundred years.
Washington, D.C.
Temperance Fountain
A much-maligned monument to teetotalism.
Washington, D.C.
Space Window at the Washington National Cathedral
A tiny piece of the Moon is embedded in this stained glass masterpiece.
