The US capital has plenty of big-time attractions that lure visitors from far and wide. However, to get a glimpse of the real DC, seek out some of the many quirky, unexpected sights tucked among the city’s stately buildings and flowery parks.
It’s easy if you know where to look. Here are nine of the best.
Get to the center of a Zen experience
Georgetown is famed for its shopping, dining, and nightlife. Surprisingly, you might not expect to find an outdoor labyrinth amid the hustle-bustle of the busy Georgetown Waterfront Park. But there it is, with the kayak-filled Potomac River and stately Key Bridge as a backdrop. Walk (or dance or sing) your way to the center of the spiral, then work your way out again. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll find inner peace along the way. You’ll find the labyrinth at the bottom of 33rd St NW.
Peep some crazy gargoyles and grotesques
When the grandiose, neo-Gothic National Cathedral was being completed in the 1980s, children were asked to compete to come up with the best ideas for the gargoyles and grotesques that would adorn the cathedral’s towers. Children’s creativity is boundless, as shown by the wide range of fun and quirky gargoyles and grotesques you can spot today, including a girl with pigtails and braces, a birdwatcher, and even Darth Vader. He’s located high up on the northwest tower; you can see him by exiting the cathedral through the northwest doors or approaching the building from the northwest parking lot. Or join one of the Gargoyle Tours (May through September) to hear the stories behind them all.
See the booth where Camelot was born
A young senator named John F. Kennedy, Jr, proposed to beautiful Jacqueline Bouvier on June 24, 1953, at Georgetown’s historic, intimate Martin’s Tavern. There was no bended knee that evening, or grand words spoken – just a quiet dinner that kicked off the reign of Camelot. A brass plaque at Booth No 3, now known as the “engagement booth,” marks the spot where many a couple has since become engaged. The staff keeps chilled bottles of champagne on hand to toast the veritable flock of lovebirds following in their footsteps.
Seek out America’s first federal monuments
At a glance, DC’s 40 boundary stones – each one a three-foot-tall stone pillar in an iron cage – don’t look like much. However, these unassuming little stones are quite remarkable. Back in the 1790s, a team headed by amateur astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker surveyed the land, establishing the parameters of the new Federal City and marking them with these engraved stones. Among the hustle-bustle of modern city living, 36 original and four replica stones remain. For those without the time to visit all 40, one of the coolest is at Jones Point Park in Alexandria, hidden in the sea wall. Visit their dedicated website for detailed info.
Stand in the footsteps of MLK
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr, made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He addressed a quarter-million people who had gathered for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. That march served as a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement, leading to laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Stand on the exact spot from which he orated, enjoying the magnificent view of the Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, and, in the distance, the US Capitol. The engraved words marking the spot can be found one flight of steps down from the top of the memorial.
Find a bald-headed man who provided reassurance to troops
During World War II, sketches of a big-nosed, bald man peeking over a fence alongside the words “Kilroy was here” appeared globally, wherever battles were being fought. The droll-faced graffiti indicated that an American comrade had been there before, a fact that comforted many a frightened soldier. It’s fitting that there are two of them hidden at the World War II Memorial. Hint: Look for one near the Pennsylvania pillar, behind the gilded fence.
Make a quick trip to the Holy Land
Who needs to go all the way to visit the Holy Land? You can experience some of its most revered sites – or at least excellent replicas – at the neo-Byzantine Franciscan Monastery in DC’s Brookland neighborhood. This oasis of tree-shaded peace harbors copies of such shrines as the Grotto of Gethsemane, Chapel of the Ascension, and Tomb of Mary, along with the Lourdes grotto and St. Francis’ little Porziuncola Chapel. There’s also a rose garden nestled in a stone cloister, with plenty of benches to sit and contemplate. Flowers burst forth in spring, creating a wild extravaganza, though it’s lovely to visit any time of year.
Dive into Barbie Pond on Q Street
This one is quite whimsical, but DC locals adore it. Depending on the season or notable events, a small-pond-bedecked front yard at 1454 1/2 Q St NW, near Logan Circle, is festooned with Barbies and Kens in an ever-changing parade of themes. Catch them jumping out of pumpkins on Halloween, playing hoops during the NCAA tournament, or dressed for Pride. Stop by to see their current theme or check them out on their super-popular Instagram page.
Line up on the field where the football huddle was born
In the 1890s, Gallaudet University’s quarterback, Paul Hubbard, rounded up his players into a tight circle to discuss plays. The players at this deaf university wanted to find a way to hide their plays from the other hearing-impaired team as they signed. Thus, the football huddle was born. The Gallaudet Bison subsequently made their first appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs that year, and other teams began adopting this clever technique to keep their playbook hidden from the opposing team. You can visit the refurbished Hotchkiss Field at Gallaudet University, where it all unfolded. Better yet, if it’s fall, take in a game.
