Meridian Hill Park Upper Terrace
Perched at the highest natural point in central Washington D.C., the upper terrace of Meridian Hill Park — also known as Malcolm X Park — offers a sweeping southward view over the city's rooftops toward the Washington Monument. The formal cascade fountain below you and the Capitol dome in the distance make this one of the most photogenic free viewpoints in the entire city.
The View and the Setting
The park's Italian Renaissance terraced design frames the view deliberately: from the balustrade at the top of the 13-cascade waterfall, the city unfolds in a clean south-facing panorama that is especially golden at late afternoon.
The 12-acre park was designed in the early 20th century and the stonework — travertine-style concrete, formal urns and a reflecting pool — gives the whole scene a European grandeur that feels surprising in a residential neighbourhood.
Beyond the View
On Sunday afternoons, the park hosts one of D.C.'s longest-running drum circles, a tradition that has continued for decades and draws hundreds of participants and spectators.
The bronze equestrian statue of Joan of Arc near the upper entrance is one of only a handful of statues of a named woman on public land in Washington D.C. — worth a look before you leave.
More of Adams Morgan
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Adams Morgan →
