Beyond the typical tourist sights of a city, there are often other places which are worthwhile for the traveler. I call these spots “hidden gems,” and I am always looking for them in literature or when speaking to locals. Here is a collection of these “gems” for Washington, DC, our nation’s capital.
Einstein Memorial — located on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences Building (2100 C St, NW), across Constitution Ave from the National Mall.
Albert Einstein Memorial
The Awakening — this larger than life statue of a giant emerging from beneath the ground used to reside at Hains Point, in the Tidal Basin, but has been recently moved to the new National Harbor area, across the Potomac in nearby Maryland.
The Awakening
Game Fish — this intriguing and entertaining work of art is located in one of the Smithsonian Institute’s lesser known buildings, the Renwick Gallery. It is located on Pennsylvania Avenue, at 17th St, near the White House. The piece is a nostalgic and witty play on words.
Game Fish
Roosevelt Island — an island in the Potomac, this place contains the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, a tribute to our nation’s most environmentally-conscious president. The island lies west of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, between Arlington and DC.
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial
Library of Congress, Jefferson Building — located near the Capitol Building, this stately, ornate construction houses a huge reading room, The Great Hall, which sports a stained glass ceiling, 75 feet above the floor.
Library of Congress
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — located north of the National Mall area, this is the largest Roman Catholic Church in the United States.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Supreme Court Building — located near the US Capitol this gleaming white marble building houses the nation’s highest court.
Supreme Court Building
