An artsy hidden staircase leads to breathtaking views of San Francisco.

The shelves in the back of this thrift store are devoted to saving, not selling, retro tech.

Surrounded by traditional homes, this Tolkien-esque dwelling stands out on a quiet street in suburban Maryland.

A graveyard that dates back over 200 years stands near a busy shopping center.

An eponymous directional signpost erected by the first president of the United States.

Inspired by a foil-wrapped potato, (seriously) the Markel Building has been deemed one of the 10 ugliest buildings in the world.

This seemingly out-of-place gas station by the Watergate hotel was once described as the most expensive gas station in the world.

The naval commander’s proudest moment in battle is memorialized in this unique tomb at Arlington Cemetery.

This eye-catching sculpture of rural life seems a bit out of place at a suburban intersection in front of a car dealership.

A crescent of 12 simple statues poised on a small windswept island off the coast of Newfoundland.

The tallest The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in the world soars above the Beltway.

A massive, majestic mammal watches over pedestrians from his perch atop a former B.P.O.E. lodge.

A haunting tribute to pioneering photographer Clover Adams.

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

The United States Capitol's former columns still stand.

A celebrity from the late Cretaceous period.

The most accurate timepiece in the world.

An amazing example of early-20th-century architecture, this church features marble transported from Utah.

The actual model from the original "Star Trek" series is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum.

Home to items never before seen by the public.

A muscular Art Deco monument represents the struggle between regulators and unbridled markets.

A gorgeous mural outside a beloved D.C. restaurant pays homage to famous Black Americans.

Washington's iconic carousel has a nice piece of Civil Rights history.

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