The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Hidden Washington, D.C.

Discover 157 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

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The former columns of the U.S. Capitol date from 1829.

Washington, D.C.

National Capitol Columns

The United States Capitol's former columns still stand.

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One the many bathrooms in the Mansion.

Washington, D.C.

The Mansion on O Street

With over 100 jam packed rooms to explore and elaborate tea services and events, the Mansion on O is a hidden treasure.

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The stairs at night

Washington, D.C.

The Exorcist Stairs

Site of the climactic scene from The Exorcist.

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Added by Leslie McIntyre

Washington, D.C.

International Spy Museum

“They say you're judged by the strength of your enemies”—James Bond, Quantum of Solace.

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Added by caraobrien

Darth Vader grotesque on the northwest tower of the Washington National Cathedral.

Washington, D.C.

Darth Vader Grotesque at the Washington National Cathedral

The sci-fi villain is a little known inhabitant of the Washington National Cathedral.

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Added by Mark Casey

The Brewmaster's Castle

Washington, D.C.

The Brewmaster's Castle

This grand gothic brewery has been pumping out suds for over a hundred years.

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Added by bachrach44

Historian Bill Lebovich at 2016 Obscura Day tour of the Stones.

Washington, D.C.

The Capitol Stones

Enormous piles of historically significant stones, dumped by Congress in a forest, and abandoned for 60 years.

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Added by davidplotz1

The moon rock is located in the center of the red planet in the Space Window's upper half

Washington, D.C.

Space Window at the Washington National Cathedral

A tiny piece of the moon is embedded in this stained glass masterpiece.

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Added by Leslie McIntyre

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Recent Washington, D.C. Activity

jeffreydnunez has been to Temperance Fountain

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Stories About Washington, D.C.

The three corpse flowers in the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory, on August 11.

3 Corpse Flowers Are About to Bloom in Washington, D.C.

They're expected to open up right around the solar eclipse on August 21.

by Kelsey Kennedy

August 11, 2017

The Route 66 record holder was bested by a bigger rocking chair in Illinois.

How the U.S. Lost the Title for the World's Largest Chair

After a century of states battling it out for the honor, the current record holder is in... Austria.

by Kavya Ram Mohan

The whole collection, back in the vault.

The Folger Shakespeare Library Will Lend Chilly Readers a Handmade Shawl

The reading room's head of circulation has created an informal lending library of coziness.

by Sarah Laskow

The White House

Found: The Earliest Color Footage of the White House

It features Herbert Hoover playing with a six-pound medicine ball.

by Sarah Laskow

It still works, too.

Found: A Miniature Working Model of the National Archives Vault

It had been forgotten down in the basement.

by Elliot Carter

Hang in There, Garbage Truck Raccoon

We salute your adventurous spirit.

by Erik Shilling

February 17, 2017

The McMillan plan reimagined the Mall.

The Park Service Just Spent $40 Million on Grass and Will Not Let Inauguration Ruin It

The National Mall must be protected.

by Sarah Laskow

January 18, 2017

Poor little fella

Five Architectural Easter Eggs Hiding on Gothic Cathedrals

It takes a sharp eye to spot these sneaky sculptures.

January 16, 2017

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