5.  The National Cathedral  – Take a “Behind the Scenes” tour and get a chance to climb to the top of the Tower at the Cathedral for one of the best views in Washington.  The National Cathedral is located on the highest point in DC, providing views of downtown and even into nearby Maryland and Virginia.  Fee. 

4.  Upper Deck Seats at Nationals Ballpark  –Take part in America’s pastime, baseball.  In Washington, DC, the Nationals are one of Major League Baseball’s newest teams with one of the newest stadiums around.  For 6 months of the year baseball is in season (April –September) and a perfect opportunity to grab affordable seats in the upper deck at Nationals’ Ballpark.  Bring your camera -- along with the baseball players and cheering fans comes solid views of the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.

3.  The Old Post Office Pavilion  – The clock tower at the Old Post Office Pavilion stands at 315 feet tall; just over half the height of the Washington Monument at 555 feet – but you can have practically the same views of DC without waiting in line. This location is one of Washington’s best-kept secrets. 

2.  Georgetown Waterfront  – Nothing beats a sunny afternoon sitting by the Potomac River enjoying a cold beer and people watching.  The Georgetown Waterfront offers a variety of restaurants with patio dining and plenty of people watching.  The Kennedy Center stands front and center just down the river with the neighboring infamous Watergate Complex.  Just across the Potomac is the busy metropolis of Roslyn, a neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, as well as the wildlife refuge at Theodore Roosevelt Island, named after the president who created the U.S. National Park system.

1.  POV at the W Hotel  – The new W Hotel has by far the best view from any hotel in Washington.  At 15^th  Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, the Hotel’s POV Rooftop Bar and Lounge provides views of the White House, U.S. Treasury Department, Washington Monument, and Jefferson Memorial – among many others - all while sipping some of the best handcrafted cocktails in the city.  Bring your camera -- you might just catch the Presidential helicopter landing on the south lawn of the White House.