Polytropa's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place
Leaderboard Highlights
Polytropa's activity rankings
1st
Places visited in Fairfax Station, Virginia
1st
Places visited in Capri, Italy
2nd
Places edited in Ashton-Sandy Spring, Maryland
Loading map...
Washington, D.C.

The Portrait Monument

Rumor has it the uncarved lump behind the three famous suffragists is reserved for the first woman president.
Meg Added by Meg
Washington, D.C.

Bare-Chested George Washington

Perhaps the most scandalous statue of America's first president.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Roman Legionnaire Modesty Shields

Railroad officials in the early 1900s sought to spare travelers the sight of Roman soldiers’ private parts.
Sydney Rose Added by Sydney Rose
Washington, D.C.

Rayburn House Office Building

One critic described it as "middle Mussolini, early Ramses, and late Neiman-Marcus." Another called it an architectural "natural disaster."
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Inaugural Parade Center Line

A line of blue paint marks the route of the inaugural parade.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Senate Corncob Capitals

Corn-inthian columns with a uniquely American take on neoclassical architecture.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Walter Johnson Statue

This statue of one of baseball’s greatest pitchers looks like something out of a sci-fi horror movie.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
Washington, D.C.

Watergate Gas Station

This seemingly out-of-place gas station by the Watergate hotel was once described as the most expensive gas station in the world.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Washington Monument Marble Stripe

Look closely and you’ll notice that the color changes a third of the way up the tower.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

The Preamble in License Plates

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution written entirely from vanity license plates hangs in the Smithsonian museum.
e1savage Added by e1savage
Washington, D.C.

Capitol Building Tunnel System

Members of Congress have traveled between the buildings on Capitol Hill for a century hidden from tourists, press, and storm clouds.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

USNO Master Clock

The most accurate timepiece in the world.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Largest Roman Catholic church in North America.
AllisonEng Added by AllisonEng
Washington, D.C.

The Mutilated Currency Division

An obscure public service from the U.S. government that redeems burnt, moldy, and soiled old greenbacks.
Added by Joshua Sack
Washington, D.C.

Renwick Gallery

The first purpose-built art gallery in the United States is once again open as a center of craft arts.
Added by lionsinwanderland
Washington, D.C.

Starship Enterprise NCC-1701

The actual model from the original "Star Trek" series is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Pankhearst Added by Pankhearst
Washington, D.C.

Inside the Capitol Dome

The walls of the iconic dome are hollow and have a secret stairway.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe

A museum cafe showcases Native American dishes and indigenous ingredients from across the Western Hemisphere.
Rohini Chaki Added by Rohini Chaki
Washington, D.C.

Summerhouse

A hidden gem on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
VC Nickels Added by VC Nickels
Washington, D.C.

National Building Museum

Fittingly, America's museum of architecture is itself a magnificently designed old building.
Elliot Carter Added by Elliot Carter
Washington, D.C.

International Spy Museum

Home to items never before seen by the public.
caraobrien Added by caraobrien
Washington, D.C.

The Exorcist Stairs

The site of the climactic scene from the classic horror film is now a historic landmark.
Leslie McIntyre Added by Leslie McIntyre
Charlottesville, Virginia

Ix Art Park

An abandoned textile mill that is now home to art and concerts.
apbreuhan Added by apbreuhan
Williamsburg, Virginia

Lord Botetourt

Affectionately known as "Lord Bot," this historic statue has a cult social media following and rightly claims to be “the most metal inhabitant of the Wren Yard.”
Added by NefertitisNeck