Last updated: March 24, 2022
Place
Watergate Steps
![Steps lead down to a road and the Potomac River. The Arlington Memorial Bridge can be seen on the left.](/common/uploads/place/import/78fb92cc-dec8-4fca-b90b-9c328edb6bad_image_350.jpg)
Quick Facts
Location:
Washington, DC
Amenities
2 listed
Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible
These curved steps leading down to the Potomac River were conceived as part of the Lincoln Memorial grounds as a ceremonial entrance to the city. Shortly after their construction, the brand new National Symphony Orchestra adopted the steps as a seating are from summertime concerts. The orchestra played to audiences of up to 10,000 people from a floating floating on the Potomac. More frequent air traffic from the nearby Washington National Airport put a stop to the concerts in the late 1960s.