clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Meridian Hill Park
Meridian Hill Park
Photo via Rudi Riet

The 23 best places to make out in D.C., mapped

View as Map
Meridian Hill Park
| Photo via Rudi Riet

Valentine's Day is here, and it's time to get reservations scheduled, boxes of chocolates purchased, and mints handy for some lovey-dovey snog sessions. If you're looking to get out of the house and search for the most romantic spots in Washington, D.C., we've got you covered with a map of the 23 best places to make out. We also included a few locations in the D.C. Metro area for any commuters using this list.

You don't need rose petals, candles, or cologne to make your significant other fall in love with you. All you need is the beauty of Washington, D.C.

[UPDATE 2/14/17: New images and three new locations have been mapped.]

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

The Tidal Basin

Copy Link
Take a walk along the Tidal Basin, basking in the scent of cherry blossoms and the cool breeze along the Potomac River.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/ForestWander

The C & O Canal Bridge

Copy Link
The food, the sights, and the atmosphere of Georgetown are enough to get anyone in a lovey-dovey mood. Take a walk under the bridge of the C & O Canal, and you've officially hit it big with one of the best dates ever.
Photo via Aaron Garza

The Reflecting Pool

Copy Link
While you can't exactly take a swim in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, you can still feel calmed by its glassy presence.
Photo via Shutterstock/S.Borisov

Rock Creek Park

Copy Link
Venture away from the city by exploring the hiking trails of Rock Creek Park. This park isn't very well known, so you won't find too many tourists there.
Photo via John Bense

Constitution Gardens

Copy Link
Make a picnic for you and your significant other for a trip to the Constitution Gardens. Maybe even grab yourself a few slices of bread to feed the ducks at the pond.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/NCinDC

Spanish Steps

Copy Link
Sometimes, all you need is a good view. If you're heading to Kalorama, the Spanish Steps provide a wide look at the neighborhood.
Photo via Jessica

9:30 Club

Copy Link
The music, the lights, and the experience — you're bound to have a good time at the 9:30 Club.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Wiseman

Kogod Courtyard

Copy Link
The indoor-outdoor courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery may not be the most private location on our map, but it is one of the most romantic. After strolling through the hallways of the museum, you can take a rest under the glass canopy of the Kogod Courtyard, enjoying the good company of your significant other.
Photo via NCinDC

Meridian Hill Park

Copy Link
The lush gardens, the cascading fountain — everything about the Meridian Hill Park is romantic. On the weekend, the park becomes much more active with dancers, hula hoopers, and the famed drum circle.
Photo via Rudi Riet

National Arboretum

Copy Link
The Corinthian columns at the National Arboretum were originally a part of the U.S. Capitol building. Now, they stand amidst cherry blossoms.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

The Kennedy Center

Copy Link
By stepping onto the balcony of the Kennedy Center, guests are able to enjoy a sparkling cityscape that's difficult to compete with.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Tom

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Copy Link
See one of the most beautiful fountains in Washington, D.C. at the FDR Memorial.
Photo via Roger Foley, courtesy The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Franciscan Monastery

Copy Link
Described as "an oasis of peace," the Franciscan Monastery is the perfect place to see some architectural beauty in the District that's not a memorial or a monument.
Photo via Mr.TinDC

The National Harbor

Copy Link
What's more romantic than a ferris wheel? Take a walk on the sandy beach of the National Harbor, maybe stay a night at the Gaylord National Resort, and see the best view of the Potomac River from the Capital Wheel.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/MamaGeek

Uptown Theater

Copy Link
This 1930's theater is the last movie palace in the District, making it one of the best places to catch a movie and one of the best places to make out. Just grab a seat on the balcony.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Carol M. Highsmith

Old Town Alexandria's Waterfront

Copy Link
Old Town Alexandria is the perfect location for a day trip with highlights like the Torpedo Factory Art Center, various retail and restaurants, and the waterfront, itself.
Photo via ehpien

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Copy Link
Go for a walk in the peace and quiet of the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Extra plus: little to no tourists tour the island.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot

Dumbarton Oaks

Copy Link
The National Geographic ranked Dumbarton Oaks as one of the top 10 gardens in the world.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

U.S. Botanic Garden

Copy Link
Love is in the air, and it smells like roses. Take a whiff of the lush gardens in the U.S. Botanic Garden to spice up your date with your significant other.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Ingfbruno

Moongate Garden

Copy Link
What's more romantic than kissing in a garden inspired by Beijing's Temple of Heaven?
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Sarasays

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

Copy Link
This beautiful museum and estate offers a collection of 18th and 19th century French art and art treasures from Imperial Russia. There are also lovely gardens that should offer a scenic area for kissing. Don't pick the flowers, though!
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Jllm06

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Copy Link
Whether you're religious or not, it's undeniable that this church is one of the most beautiful in Washington, D.C. Find yourself a quiet corner when the church is empty and give each other a friendly peck or two before gaping at the mosaics inside the building.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Copy Link
Some of the best views of the city can be found at the Frederick Douglass House. Perfect for a romantic getaway. Here, you can also learn about Frederick Douglass, himself, in his former home.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress

The Tidal Basin

Take a walk along the Tidal Basin, basking in the scent of cherry blossoms and the cool breeze along the Potomac River.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/ForestWander

The C & O Canal Bridge

The food, the sights, and the atmosphere of Georgetown are enough to get anyone in a lovey-dovey mood. Take a walk under the bridge of the C & O Canal, and you've officially hit it big with one of the best dates ever.
Photo via Aaron Garza

The Reflecting Pool

While you can't exactly take a swim in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, you can still feel calmed by its glassy presence.
Photo via Shutterstock/S.Borisov

Rock Creek Park

Venture away from the city by exploring the hiking trails of Rock Creek Park. This park isn't very well known, so you won't find too many tourists there.
Photo via John Bense

Constitution Gardens

Make a picnic for you and your significant other for a trip to the Constitution Gardens. Maybe even grab yourself a few slices of bread to feed the ducks at the pond.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/NCinDC

Spanish Steps

Sometimes, all you need is a good view. If you're heading to Kalorama, the Spanish Steps provide a wide look at the neighborhood.
Photo via Jessica

9:30 Club

The music, the lights, and the experience — you're bound to have a good time at the 9:30 Club.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Wiseman

Kogod Courtyard

The indoor-outdoor courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery may not be the most private location on our map, but it is one of the most romantic. After strolling through the hallways of the museum, you can take a rest under the glass canopy of the Kogod Courtyard, enjoying the good company of your significant other.
Photo via NCinDC

Meridian Hill Park

The lush gardens, the cascading fountain — everything about the Meridian Hill Park is romantic. On the weekend, the park becomes much more active with dancers, hula hoopers, and the famed drum circle.
Photo via Rudi Riet

National Arboretum

The Corinthian columns at the National Arboretum were originally a part of the U.S. Capitol building. Now, they stand amidst cherry blossoms.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

The Kennedy Center

By stepping onto the balcony of the Kennedy Center, guests are able to enjoy a sparkling cityscape that's difficult to compete with.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Tom

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

See one of the most beautiful fountains in Washington, D.C. at the FDR Memorial.
Photo via Roger Foley, courtesy The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Franciscan Monastery

Described as "an oasis of peace," the Franciscan Monastery is the perfect place to see some architectural beauty in the District that's not a memorial or a monument.
Photo via Mr.TinDC

The National Harbor

What's more romantic than a ferris wheel? Take a walk on the sandy beach of the National Harbor, maybe stay a night at the Gaylord National Resort, and see the best view of the Potomac River from the Capital Wheel.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/MamaGeek

Uptown Theater

This 1930's theater is the last movie palace in the District, making it one of the best places to catch a movie and one of the best places to make out. Just grab a seat on the balcony.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Carol M. Highsmith

Old Town Alexandria's Waterfront

Old Town Alexandria is the perfect location for a day trip with highlights like the Torpedo Factory Art Center, various retail and restaurants, and the waterfront, itself.
Photo via ehpien

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Go for a walk in the peace and quiet of the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Extra plus: little to no tourists tour the island.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot

Dumbarton Oaks

The National Geographic ranked Dumbarton Oaks as one of the top 10 gardens in the world.