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    The Francis Scott Key Bridge

    4.4 (31 reviews)

    The Francis Scott Key Bridge Photos

    Recommended Reviews - The Francis Scott Key Bridge

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    Mike R.

    Feel mixed sentiments on this bridge. From an architecture standpoint, it is stunningly beautiful. That cannot be denied. For those of us who like to hike or bike, there's a section of the bridge reserved for us slower folks. I say this with a mischievous grin. The bridge can be a traffic jam. Hiking, biking, maybe even crawling on your hands and knees could improve your speed over it. Georgetown is a popular place. This is the main way to get there from Virginia. Be sure to have YouTube documentaries on your Bluetooth.

    The view from the Francis Key Scott Bridge on a somewhat cloudy day.
    Seth F.

    What's with all the hype? The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a bridge and, in all honesty, not much more. I've awarded it one (1) star on the very basis that it fulfills its purpose as a bridge: it allows vehicles and pedestrians to cross the Beautiful and Majestic Potomac River to go from Arlington, VA to Washington, DC or from Washington, DC to Arlington, VA. The additional two (2) stars are attributed to the other key characteristic of the Francis Key Scott Bridge: it is The Windiest Place in the DC Metro Area. I have nothing more than tangential evidence, but I recommend walking over the Francis Key Scott Bridge on a cold February night to get the full experience of the blustery wind bashing your face. Other than that, there's really not much to say. The traffic on the Francis Key Scott Bridge is abysmal. Drive at your own risk. In other reviews, my fellow Yelpers praise The Beauty of the Francis Key Scott Bridge. I'm sorry, what? Please elaborate? Yes, sometimes the view of the District from the Francis Key Scott Bridge is nice. But the Francis Key Scott Bridge itself leaves much to be desired. It's a slab of rapidly degrading concrete and not much more. Make use of this three (3) star establishment to cross the river, but don't expect much more.

    Westbound view
    Matthew S.

    No, this bridge is not much of a bridge. It is not the Brooklyn Bridge, the Bay Bridge, or the Golden Gate Bridge. Essentially, it is a landmark, but not a particularly well known one. It does not have to be. This bridge gets you from Rosslyn, Virginia to Washington, D.C. (Georgetown more specifically). It crosses the Potomac River, and you get some fantastic views of the Watergate Hotel and the Kennedy Center to the east. To the west you get to see downtown Rosslyn and a great view of the Mount Vernon trail as it heads away from the city. And yes, it is a nice vantage point to see planes landing into DCA when they are using the River Visual to land on Runways 19 and 15. There are pedestrian walkways on both sides of the bridge, allowing for easy foot traffic to get to either side without having to risk your safety. In addition, there are high guardrails to prevent you from falling, but I think they are more there to prevent suicides. I could be wrong though. In any event, this was real cool to cross in-person. I have crossed this bridge on several occasions via car, but I got to experience something new trying it this way. If you have a moment take a photo from where you are on this bridge, it is quite a sight.

    Ann C.

    For driving, this major artery bridge spanning the Potomac between Rosslyn, VA and the eastern tip of Georgetown, DC, is a nightmare: at best, a slow crawl with a mix of incompetent and aggressive drivers; at worst, a parking lot/traffic snarl with a mix of incompetent and aggressive drivers. Oh, and an occasional large Georgetown University transport bus (typically driven by a passive-aggressive driver) thrown in. Still, it's a beautiful bridge (in need of done maintenance) especially at sunrise and sunset, with a gorgeous view of the Kennedy Center, waterfront, and the Washington monument from one side, and the routes of Georgetown University and the tree-lined banks of the majestic Potomac on the other. Decent for walking across, just be very watchful when either using the crosswalk on the western side of the bridge across the northbound exit ramp to the Whitehurst Freeway, or the crosswalk on the eastern side to get across the intersection with M Street.

    Precious K.

    To really get a sense of a bridge you need to see it from the top and from bellow. Have seen the view from here so many times (trust me you will see it too if you get stuck in traffic here so much). And when I get bello it for a walk I can watch the people stuck on the bridge, knocking I will join them soon... Do not expect the Verrazano bridge of NYC or the Golden gate of SF, but still nice area for a walk. And if it is freezing, and the temperature frees the top of the river, it is stunning. Take couple hours, go out.

    This is a beautiful bridge. Too bad guardrail blocked the view
    Arlene M.

    The Key bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges connecting Northern VA to Georgetown and downtown DC. Unfortunately as a passenger in the car I wasn't able to get very good pictures of it. We crossed it mid morning from the George Washington Memorial parkway to K Street. Named after the author of the "Star Spangled Banner" this bridge has been here for many years. As you cross the bridge you get some breathtaking views of the city. We really didn't encounter any traffic problems since it was after morning rush hour. I guess timing is everything when it comes to crossing it.

    Elsie W.

    Lovely little bridge. I've made it a point to run or do some kind of exercise when I'm on vacation. So when I found out this bridge was right next to my hotel, I was ecstatic. It was a half mile run early in the morning, officially crossing over from VA to DC. Ran a little more on M street, observed a pair of lovers sitting near the canal, and listened to the birds. Enjoy.

    Mary Kate E.

    The oldest bridge that goes over the Potomac completed in 1923 is liked just as much as it is hated. If you are trying to commute into Georgetown or back into Virginia - chances are you've been stuck in a lot of ungodly traffic at one time or another. On the other hand, some people love it; especially bikers and pedestrians since it offers a lovely view of both sides of the Potomac. When you get a lovely sunrise or sunset is the best time to be there. The namesake of this bridge is after the gentleman who wrote the Star Spangled Banner on September 14, 1814. He was inspired to write that after the Battle at Fort McHenry. FS Key had a home in Georgetown, so the fact that they would name the bridge after the fact isn't so far-fetched. If in Georgetown and you need a metro immediately - the best option is to walk to Foggy Bottom metro or to Rosslyn (Arlington) to catch it using the Key Bridge as your access point. It is highly doubtful they will ever expand the metro to Georgetown.

    Blurred picture of the Key Bridge
    Alicia G.

    As someone without a car, you may wonder why I'm writing a review for a bridge. I go on photowalks fairly often and earlier this spring/summer, I took the metro to Rosslyn and then walked over the Key Bridge to Georgetown and then walked even further to K St before hopping on the Farragut North metro to get home. The Key Bridge is where I took some pictures of the waterfront at night. Only 2 or 3 turned out well due to the wind and my inability to keep from shaking. (This is where a tripod would have been helpful...) but I enjoyed my evening on the bridge. There is plenty of walking space on both sides which bikers can also take advantage of. I will be back to take more pictures soon, now that I bought a tripod. Back when I did have a car, I tried not to use the bridge too often as the traffic of M St and Wisconsin really irritated me. But if you're driving here during a low-peak hour of the day, it's not too bad.

    Usagi T.

    I have a massive fear of heights. This fear, besides making me a victim of many jokes, hoaxes and teasing, prevents me from doing a great deal of things such as hang gliding, skydiving, flying without alcohol, using many, many escalators, and of course, crossing bridges. I was very surprised to learn a few years ago I can in fact cross the Key Bridge without falling to the ground and beginning a massive anxiety attack. For that I am very grateful. This is a beautiful, well constructed bridge on a small portion of US Route 29 which links the very corporate, shadowy Rosslyn, VA to the bright, open and sunny outdoor mall that is Georgetown, Washington D.C. Besides the regular motor traffic, you'll find a great deal of university students, young professionals and tourist either walking, jogging or biking across. I've even stopped on it to hoop dance here. The pedestrian area is nice and wide, which is probably why I can venture across, as long as I walk away from the rail, closer to the motor traffic...and certainly never look down. Tip: Always watch for the bikers, they never slow down. This is now the only way I access Georgetown since parking is a major pain in the rear. Besides, I honestly enjoy the walk and the views of the Potomac. Walking across the bridge into VA at night has often sparked a creative surge of thoughts which has triggered melodies for my song writing & music mixes. My grandmama would be proud of me, though I still cannot use those darn Rosslyn Metro escalators.

    View from the Key

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    Ask the Community - The Francis Scott Key Bridge

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    Executive Office of the President

    Executive Office of the President

    4.5(2 reviews)
    1.6 miFoggy Bottom

    What's prettier than the White House, the Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian put…read moretogether? Yes, Ariana Grande is a good answer, but I was looking for the Executive Office on 17th St! A long time ago, the love of my life used to say that this building was the highlight of her trips to DC, and I can see why. I remember walking with her in the pouring rain next to it, and taking pictures of her exposing herself in front of it. Times change... But this building never did. It's glorious and resplendent. It reminds me of something in France, but better kept, perhaps. It looks palatial. If the White House is a little underwhelming then this executive office is completely awe-inspiring. It's level with the Capitol as my favourite building in the DC area, and is the easiest 5-star rating I've given since my Cousin Daniel got drunk and showed me the ropes.

    Didn't really have a lot of time to roam around Pennsylvania Ave. And my friend and I, being…read moreslightly less than ignorant didn't know that the BACK of the WHITE HOUSE would be on Pennsylvania Ave. ** Not impressed** So our pictures we're not exactly anythng to brag about. So we decided to take pictures in front of the Executive Office of the President where the FRONT of this architecture was much more impressive than the BACK of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. Still a great experience to roam DC and take in the history and political side of the US. (You don't get much of that or appreciate it as much coming from the west coast. Hence, the ignorance of the FRONT vs the BACK of the WHITE HOUSE. =X)

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    The White House - The Blue Room

    The White House

    4.1(764 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    We were very fortunate to be on a visit to the nations capital when the spring garden tour was…read morehappening at the White House. This is a once a year event for only two days that is free to the public that allowed us to get an up close look at the White House Gardens /grounds and the outside of the White House to include a chance to see the presidential limousine "the beast". The grounds were absolutely beautiful and it was a real treat, possibly once in a lifetime, to be so close to the White House. NICE!!! As this trip was with our grandkids it gave us a great deal of satisfaction of being able to share such a memorable and lifelong memory with them. it is truly nice to see times like this when our government offers up such unique viewing opportunities to the general public.

    Came here with Steven and hate that it was fenced off. I had to edit this photo to remove the black…read morefence in the way of the White House view, haha! A lot of vendors here to sell trinkets and souvenirs that are not badly priced. If you are using Google Maps to navigate, it will take you to roads that do not exist or closed off, so do not expect that the navigation will take you directly to the front of the White House when you go. Surprised that the grass was not super duper green because I figured that there would be staff that made sure everything outside looked perfect to public eye. Couple of security guards sprinkled around the vicinity who do 100% ID card checks if you try to enter. I forgot the name of the art museum, but it is right by the White House, which I thought made for a beautiful stroll if you want to appreciate the downtown city more than the historical significance that the White House offers, but the cultural valuables that populate Washington DC, too! Thank you for the welcoming staff here who were so passionate about the artworks that it made you excited to learn all about them, too

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    The Francis Scott Key Bridge - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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