You're walking up 22nd St, between Decatur Pl and S St NW, and suddenly an enchanting staircase appears. The Spanish Steps, as they're known, were modeled on those in Rome's Piazza di Spagna. Why are they here? The rise up to S St was deemed too steep, so city planners built the steps to bridge the gap. Climb up for an atmospheric view of Embassy Row.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
14.34 MILES
One of America's most visited historic sites, Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington.
2.36 MILES
The legendary exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum include the Wright brothers' flyer, Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St…
2.2 MILES
Two buildings. Hundreds of masterpieces. Infinite enjoyment. It's easy to spend a full day at the National Gallery of Art, which showcases a whole range…
1.69 MILES
Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric…
National Museum of African American History & Culture
1.79 MILES
Located in Washington, DC, the sensational National Museum of African American History & Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African…
2.7 MILES
Since 1800, this is where the legislative branch of American government (ie Congress) has met to write the country's laws.
1.29 MILES
Play image association with the words “Washington, DC,” and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president’s pad is…
2.22 MILES
Sprawling across hills above the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for America’s most revered…
Nearby Washington, DC attractions
0.11 MILES
Studio Gallery shows contemporary works by more than 35 emerging DC-area artists. Paintings, sculpture, mixed media and video are represented. The…
0.17 MILES
Congressman Alexander Stewart built this show-stopper of a home in 1909 in the grand court style of Louis XIV. In 1941 the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg…
0.18 MILES
This Georgian-revival mansion offers guided hour-long tours focusing on the 28th president’s life and legacy. Genteel docents discuss highlights of Wilson…
4. Turkish Ambassador’s Residence
0.18 MILES
Edward Everett, inventor of the grooved bottle cap, commissioned the imposing 1914 manor that is now the Turkish Ambassador’s Residence. George Oakley…
0.19 MILES
The country's first modern-art museum (opened in 1921) houses a small but exquisite collection of European and American works. Renoir’s Luncheon of the…
0.19 MILES
An impressive sculpture fronts the building: a life-size, cross-legged St Jerome dreaming over his book, by renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović.
0.19 MILES
Want to take a trip around the world? Stroll northwest along Massachusetts Ave from Dupont Circle (the actual traffic circle) and you pass more than 40…
0.23 MILES
The Society of the Cincinnati is a private patriotic group that educates the public about the Revolutionary War. Who knew? What’s key here is the chance…