D.C.'s first central library was born out of a chance encounter with the philanthropist whose name it bears.

This stunning blue and gold room changed cities twice before becoming part of the Smithsonian.

You could be standing at the site of one of D.C.'s most fatal tragedies and not even know it.

The privately owned cemetery that holds room for Washington's finest when they step down from life.

The most accurate timepiece in the world.

Decades before the scandal, this staircase on the river was a literal "water gate."

A much-maligned monument to teetotalism.

This lovely pocket park is one of the most under appreciated in D.C.

When it comes to handsignals (and colonialism) rock always beats scissors.

Located inside a former record pressing plant, this recording studio pays homage to the techniques and gear of a bygone age.

This titanic oil company sign is a reminder of the Americana boom of the 1970s and also its commoditization.

The first rural cemetery west of the Mississippi is home to the elaborate tombs of St. Louis' local beer barons.

One man's unrequited love stands in a glass box forever.

A chessmaster's dream destination.

This mosaic-covered bar is brimming with curated curios.

A kitschy, creepy St. Louis mainstay.

The Old Courthouse takes visitors on a captivating trip through St. Louis' timeline.

Less a museum than a bizarre fantasy world created by artists and engineers.

A creepy sculpture of a decapitated head invites viewers to see St. Louis through its empty eyes.

A giant ball made from pieces of an old Jeep.

A model of a dinosaur that was named for Andrew Carnegie stands outside the museum that also bears his name.

With 3,000 bikes on display, the world's largest bicycle museum includes some famous rarities.

The largest university building in the West is a gothic masterpiece containing dozens of theme rooms based on different countries.

A quiet, gothic haven nestled between Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill and Point Breeze neighborhoods.