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D.C.'s top 10 places for crying in public, mapped

Including outside the White House, inside the National Cathedral, and in front of fellow NFL fans

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If you feel like sightseeing while weeping, why not try the nation’s capital? It is a place renowned for its history and for its ability to tug on the heartstrings with more than 200 years of drama.

Here are the top 10 spots, then, for crying in public in D.C. Send us any choice ones we might’ve missed too.

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Washington National Cathedral

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The soaring Neo-Gothic church is cool and general quiet, with numerous nooks and crannies for settling in and sobbing.

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Smithsonian National Zoological Park

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The National Zoo is a magical and mystical place, smelling of cotton candy, imagination, and unwashed rhino. You can go to the zoo and see some of the world’s most interesting animals. They’re stuck there and can’t leave.

You’re stuck too. You can relate to these creatures and weep with them.

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FedEx Field

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Washington’s NFL franchise may never return to the Super Bowl, but you can visit any time and have yourself a Super Bawl. Toward the end of the season every late fall, there’s usually plenty of seats.

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The Exorcist Steps

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Although the inspiration for the movie takes place in another state, the eeriness of this filming location pairs well with crying. The filming house is located at this address as well.

However, it looks a mite different than it did in the early 1970s, mainly because you’re lying on the lawn weeping.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/SDC

The White House

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Every year, hundreds upon thousands flock to the gates of the White House, armed only with giant Nikon cameras and childlike curiosity. They leave those gates in front of Lafayette Square imbued with a sense of wonderment. Not you.

The exterior of the White House in Washington D.C. The building has columns flanking the entrance area. Shutterstock

International Spy Museum

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There is a place to honor those brave souls of the International espionage world, both real and fictional: The International Spy museum, located in the heart of Chinatown.

Added bonus to the museum: You won’t be ostracized for pretending like you’re not crying. In fact, you will be commended for it: Secret agents applaud your commitment to secrecy and your penchant for whispering.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Marcus Qwertyus

Ford's Theatre

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This spot is hopefully obvious, right?

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Lincoln Memorial

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Ah, the majesty of the Lincoln Memorial. There is no place in the nation’s capital that can make you feel so small and insignificant. This is a tremendous place to cry if you're feeling small.

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National Air and Space Museum

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The District’s aviation museum will take you to new heights! But it will also leave you plenty of capacious room to weep quietly at the majesty of it all. Or at something else.

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Gravelly Point Park

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Gravelly Point is a sprawling meadowland populated with people. Sightseers can be seen, showing their children how to fly kites or meeting some buddies for a friendly soccer match. One can also take a date there and enjoy the scenery.

You two lovebirds can gaze upon the polluted Potomac River or the airplanes buzzing overhead from the neighboring Washington Reagan Airport.

But, do you have a date?

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Greenmars

Washington National Cathedral

The soaring Neo-Gothic church is cool and general quiet, with numerous nooks and crannies for settling in and sobbing.

Shutterstock

Smithsonian National Zoological Park

The National Zoo is a magical and mystical place, smelling of cotton candy, imagination, and unwashed rhino. You can go to the zoo and see some of the world’s most interesting animals. They’re stuck there and can’t leave.

You’re stuck too. You can relate to these creatures and weep with them.

Shutterstock

FedEx Field

Washington’s NFL franchise may never return to the Super Bowl, but you can visit any time and have yourself a Super Bawl. Toward the end of the season every late fall, there’s usually plenty of seats.

Shutterstock

The Exorcist Steps

Although the inspiration for the movie takes place in another state, the eeriness of this filming location pairs well with crying. The filming house is located at this address as well.

However, it looks a mite different than it did in the early 1970s, mainly because you’re lying on the lawn weeping.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/SDC

The White House

Every year, hundreds upon thousands flock to the gates of the White House, armed only with giant Nikon cameras and childlike curiosity. They leave those gates in front of Lafayette Square imbued with a sense of wonderment. Not you.

The exterior of the White House in Washington D.C. The building has columns flanking the entrance area. Shutterstock

International Spy Museum

There is a place to honor those brave souls of the International espionage world, both real and fictional: The International Spy museum, located in the heart of Chinatown.

Added bonus to the museum: You won’t be ostracized for pretending like you’re not crying. In fact, you will be commended for it: Secret agents applaud your commitment to secrecy and your penchant for whispering.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Marcus Qwertyus

Ford's Theatre

This spot is hopefully obvious, right?

Shutterstock

Lincoln Memorial

Ah, the majesty of the Lincoln Memorial. There is no place in the nation’s capital that can make you feel so small and insignificant. This is a tremendous place to cry if you're feeling small.

Shutterstock

National Air and Space Museum

The District’s aviation museum will take you to new heights! But it will also leave you plenty of capacious room to weep quietly at the majesty of it all. Or at something else.

Shutterstock

Gravelly Point Park

Gravelly Point is a sprawling meadowland populated with people. Sightseers can be seen, showing their children how to fly kites or meeting some buddies for a friendly soccer match. One can also take a date there and enjoy the scenery.

You two lovebirds can gaze upon the polluted Potomac River or the airplanes buzzing overhead from the neighboring Washington Reagan Airport.

But, do you have a date?

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Greenmars