United States Naval Observatory
The agency that discovered the moons of Mars and still sets the nation's clocks also happens to be where the Vice President sleeps.
Coming soon on iOS — be first to walk Washington offline.
Active since 1830 — when it began as the Depot of Charts and Instruments — this Navy facility measured the speed of light, discovered the moons of Mars, and produced data for the first radio time signals. It moved from Foggy Bottom in 1893 to escape light pollution, making it one of the very few pre-20th century astronomical observatories still operating inside an urban area.
What to look for
- The Vice President's official residence, on this campus since the 1970s — science and executive power sharing the same grounds
- The northwest end of Embassy Row placement, chosen in 1893 specifically to escape Foggy Bottom's city-center light pollution
- The institutional link to John Quincy Adams, who signed the founding bill in 1825 and personally spent nights here charting stars
Located in Northwest Washington D.C. at the northwestern end of Embassy Row. It is an active military facility — public access is not detailed in available sources, so confirm tour availability directly before visiting.
United States Naval Observatory is one of 37 sights worth the detour in Washington, all bundled offline in Voyage GO — download the Washington pack and it sits on your map with no signal, filling your travel passport the moment you walk past.
More to see in Washington
- White HouseBritish forces torched it in 1814. It has been the U.S. president's home and office ever since.
- The PentagonDesigned and built in 16 months during World War II — 17.5 miles of corridors, a five-acre central courtyard, and a 9/11 memorial at the exact point of impact.
- United States CapitolEvery street address in Washington DC radiates outward from this building — it is literally the zero point of the city.
- Washington MonumentThe faint color seam partway up the shaft marks where construction stopped for 23 years.
- Smithsonian InstitutionBritish scientist James Smithson left a bequest that became 157 million objects, 21 museums, and a zoo — almost all free to walk into.
- Arlington National CemeteryThe ground holding 400,000 graves was seized from Robert E. Lee's own family over an unpaid tax bill in 1864.