nandi's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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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.
Washington, D.C.

District of Columbia Center Point

A little marble compass above George Washington's (empty) tomb in the Capitol marks where D.C.'s four quadrants intersect.
Washington, D.C.

Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega

The "lovely red Vega" of the legendary record-settling pilot.
Washington, D.C.

Watergate Steps

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

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

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

Reading Room at the Folger Shakespeare Library

Home to a vast and influential collection of Shakespeareana.
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.
Washington, D.C.

Misspelling at the Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial has inspired many, even though a word on the inscription appears to be spelled incorrectly.
Wheaton, Maryland

Brookside Gardens Reflection Terrace

Hidden within an idyllic suburban garden is a memorial dedicated to the victims of a terrifying spree of killings committed on U.S. soil.
Germantown, Maryland

Black Rock Mill

Built in 1815, the stabilized ruins of the grist mill and sawmill are now gated, but interpretive displays on the features and functions of the mill preserve its history.
Baltimore, Maryland

Patterson Park Observatory

This Asian-inspired tower in a lush urban park provides spectacular panoramic views of Baltimore.
Kensington, Maryland

Washington, D.C. Temple

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

The Awakening

The 72-foot giant escaped confinement in a large patch of mulch only to be reburied in the sandy shores of the Potomac River.
Silver Spring, Maryland

Wheaton Station Escalator

The longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere takes over three minutes to ride down.
Bethesda, Maryland

Glen Echo Amusement Park

Once home to seven different roller coasters, Glen Echo has undergone many transformations since its founding in 1891.
Fort Meade, Maryland

National Cryptologic Museum

A priceless collection of the Nation's cryptologic history.
Berlin, Maryland

Assateague Island

The land is home to swimming ponies and a legendary 18th-century treasure.
Bethany Beach, Delaware

Chief Little Owl

This monumental sculpture that welcomes visitors to Bethany Beach is a tribute to a regional Nanticoke Indian Tribe leader.
Lewes, Delaware

Bunkers of Cape Henlopen State Park

World War II-era bunkers are hidden under the beaches of this picturesque park, which is still scattered with wartime watchtowers.
Washington, D.C.

Secret Entrance to the White House

The winding route passes through an enclosed alleyway, two tunnels, and leads to the White House basement.
Washington, D.C.

Watergate Fountain

The word "Watergate" will forever be associated with the infamous scandal in 1972, but this fountain is famous in its own right.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Jefferson Rock

This shale formation along the Appalachian Trail once inspired the third president of the United States.
Springfield, Virginia

Snydenstricker Schoolhouse

The last early 20th-century schoolhouse in Fairfax County has galvanized the community and engendered a spirit of service among residents.
Frederick, Maryland

Carroll Creek Covered Bridge

This hidden treasure provides a charming access point along the south side of Baker Park.