Twice a year, the Washington Ringing Society leads a guided tour to the top of the National Cathedral. A trip to the top costs $20, but in return tour guests enjoy a up-close demonstration of the ringing of the Cathedral’s bells, as well as some of the highest panoramic views in the city, with sight-lines stretching as far west as the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Along Wisconsin Avenue, between the Russian Embassy and the National Cathedral, a stretch that breasts the apex of one of the city’s highest hills, are several high-rise apartment buildings. The roofs of buildings like the Wisconsin House, Sherry Hall, Garfield House, and others, offer fantastic views of the entire city, the Potomac, Rock Creek Park, Arlington, and beyond. Grab a cocktail, put your feet up, and watch the planes fly in and out of Reagan.

These apartments above the Columbia Heights Metro offer four different rooftop terraces. That’s four different places from which to glare down with judgment at the U Street hipsters, the AdMo frat-stars, the Dupont yuppies, and the scandal makers on Capitol Hill. Afterwards, you can look out towards the sunset and contemplate the pitfalls of stereotyping.

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This memorial, more often known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, is one of the best spots in the D.C. area for getting some top-notch views of the city. It's also one of the best in the area for checking out the Fourth of July fireworks.

This mansion, otherwise known as The Robert E. Lee Memorial and the Custis-Lee Mansion, was once the home of General Robert E. Lee. It overlooks both the Potomac River and the National Mall with additional views of the Arlington National Cemeter.

The straight-laced ambiance of the restaurant atop the world-famous Kennedy Center has about as much spunk as a Weekly Standard staff meeting. What’s worse, the food is overpriced and boring. But the view is unbeatable. Grab a cocktail, skip the mediocre fare, and gaze back down the Potomac at the picturesque Georgetown waterfront.

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In March of 2017, the Old Post Office's clock tower finally reopened after being closed for some time due to renovations. To enter the clock tower, admission is free with hours running from Thursday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a last entry at 4:30 p.m. The tower is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For the political wonks and ladder climbers on the Hill, few buildings offer better aerial glimpses of the city’s political landmarks and monuments. After a long day brown-nosing inside the Rayburn, come back to the perfect view of Washington’s political might. When the weather’s right, condo-owners here can recline with a glass of scotch and reflect on the tenets of game theory while staring out the Washington Monument and all its symbolic glory. If you’re not lucky enough to have an apartment in one of these buildings, or friends living in them, all hope is not lost. There are several bars and restaurants, as well as a park and a church, around the city that offer views on par with the rooftops listed above.

From the Hank Greenspun Terrace on Pennsylvania Avenue, find yourself some of the best views of the Capitol from up high. Unfortunately, if interested in venturing to this location, you'll have to be willing to pay around $20 to enter the Newseum. It's all worth it, though.

This view from the Harbour Square co-op in Southwest D.C. is close to the Washington Channel and has an excellent view of the Harbour. Also, as one tipster pointed out, when the fireworks go off at nearby Nationals Stadium, there's a good view of those as well.

Runners, cyclists, and cherry blossom enthusiasts know that Hains Point provides great views across the Potomac into Virginia and Southeast D.C. Even though massive sculpture "The Awakening" has since moved to a new home in Maryland, Hains Point is worth the trip for seeing sunsets like this.

While it may seem hard to believe that such breathtaking views can come from a two story home, the vantage point from this Anacostia landmark across the river is impressive.