Watergate Steps

This is a very relaxing place to sit and think, read, and Potomac-​watch. And occasionally to people-​watch. It’s an outstanding place to watch the sunset. Joggers also seem to enjoy using the steps to further abuse the poor legs that already had to do significant work just to get there. One historical point: from the 1930s until the 1970s, the steps also served as bleachers for orchestra performances from a barge moored in the river.
If you don’t know where these are, they’re located beside the DC terminus of the Memorial Bridge and alongside the Rock Creek Parkway, between the sculptures of the Arts of War and of the Arts of Peace, across Lincoln Memorial Circle from the back of the Memorial. It a much simpler location than it sounds, I promise! It’s easily accessed directly from Memorial Bridge, or by crosswalks from the Lincoln Memorial. Parking nearby is pretty much non-​existent; it’s much easier to park around the monuments or Arlington National Cemetery and walk over, or to walk from one of the Metros. Of the latter, the National Cemetery is closest, while Foggy Bottom, L’Enfant Plaza, and Smithsonian provide access with even heftier walks — I find it completely worth it though.