Editor’s Note: Want to watch the D.C. fireworks on July 4 from high above Rosslyn? Free tickets are available (2 per person) on a first-come, first-served basis, starting Friday, June 29 at 10 a.m. Details here.
The panoramic views are certainly Instagrammable. You’re standing high above the Potomac looking out at the iconic landmarks that form the skyline of our nation’s capital. Nearby guests remark that they feel like they’re in New York City. But make no mistake; this is Rosslyn, and this is the new observation deck at JBG Smith’s CEB Tower at Central Place.
This unique perch, which opened on June 21, features 360-degree views of Arlington and the District on two floors, with unimpeded sight lines to the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, Tyson’s Corner and points beyond, as far as Silver Spring, Maryland. (Look closely and you might even catch a glimpse of your own house.)
Thanks to glass floor-to-ceiling windows, no view is a bad view, making the deck a prime spot for taking in the city’s beauty, high above the hustle and bustle. Ticketed admissions are scheduled by the hour, but once you’re in, you’re free to stay for as long as you like (even if it means lingering until you get that perfect sunset selfie).
Though breathtaking vistas are the main attraction, visitors can also enjoy coffee, tea, wine and appetizers from the deck’s cafe and brush up on some local history. The “Windows into History” exhibit features 14 interactive touch screens offering fun facts about the D.C. region. Taking your particular vantage point into account, the system will display the historic landscape of the area before you with information about significant events that took place there.
Of course if you’re afraid of heights, this might not be the attraction for you. The outdoor terrace reaches 430 feet high (the Washington Monument, by comparison, tops out at 555 feet). Tickets at the box office are $22 per adult and $12 for youth, but Arlington County residents gain free admission. The Observation Deck is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on weekends. More ticket and entry information can be found here.