10 Places to Propose in DC

Whether you’re planning to stage your proposal during a visit to Washington, DC, or you’re a local looking for exciting places to propose in DC, you’ve chosen a pretty special place to start your engagement. Washington is home to loads of gorgeous neighborhoods, monuments and waterfronts, so finding where to propose in DC is really about which locale suits your personality. We’ve rounded up a list that includes the city’s most iconic spaces, so you’ll know all of your options of places to propose in DC.

Scroll down for the 10 best places to propose in DC.

National Mall

It’s no surprise that the National Mall, which is home to the Jefferson, FDR and King memorials plus the Lincoln monument, is one of the most picturesque places to propose in DC. This all-season collection of American iconography provides some of the city’s most breathtaking backdrops to pop the question. Whether you choose one of the stone monuments or a view of the glittering Reflecting Pool, your proposal will take on special significance here.

National Arboretum

There are few places bursting with more natural beauty than DC’s National Arboretum. Pop the question in front of the rustic National Capitol Columns or take a leisurely stroll or bike ride around the grounds for a more discreet location.

Southwest Waterfront

There’s good reason more Washingtonians are heading southwest for a day or night on the town. The quadrant’s waterfront is home to a new bevy of restaurants and entertainment venues that make a day on the Washington Channel that much more enjoyable. Take your pick of places to propose in this fun neighborhood, as just about any spot offers romantic, glittering waterfront views.

Georgetown Waterfront

One of the things that makes this location among the most perfect places to propose in DC is your love definitely won’t see the proposal coming if you choose the Georgetown Waterfront. This area is just off the historic Georgetown neighborhood, so no eyebrows will be raised if you want to spend a day exploring the shops before heading to the Waterfront to enjoy nice weather with a stroll on the pier overlooking the Potomac River and the Key Bridge.

Rock Creek Park

This expansive public park covers a lot of ground in Northwest Washington, so you’ll want to scout out the most romantic proposal spot before you bring your significant other here. Boulder Bridge has a rugged beauty to it, while Milkhouse Ford includes wrought iron benches that are pretty nice for a cozying up.

The Kennedy Center

Day or night, winter or summer, it’s hard not to gasp at the beauty of Washington when you step onto the balcony of The Kennedy Center. Plus, date night at this venue usually means a fair amount of dressing up, so you know your love will look their best when you ask for their hand in marriage at this location.

The Bishop’s Garden at National Cathedral

The 59 acres surrounding the National Cathedral are known as Bishop’s Garden, and they’re best enjoyed in the spring when most of the flowers and plants are at peak bloom. But, other seasons offer similarly gorg settings as the grounds are home to many romantic stone structures and an antique fountain.

Meridian Hill Park

One of the most public transit-friendly parks, Meridian Hill is full of beautiful nooks and crannies that make it one of the most ideal places to propose in DC. This nearly 200-year-old park was designed to resemble an Italian garden with brooding bushes and the longest cascading fountain in North America.

U.S. Botanic Gardens

Flower fanatics will be in heaven with a botanical garden proposal. This national greenhouse is home to gorgeous exotic flowers and plants that make it ideal for a romantic proposal, but tripods and other professional photography equipment have to be approved before your visit, so keep that in mind if you’re hiring a photographer or videographer.

Nationals Park

A destination for baseball fans in the city, Nationals Park is a great place to propose for couples who love sports. The Park is full of local food vendors who offer up some classic DC fare, including the famous half-smoke chili dog, plus there’s the added possibility of having your proposal broadcast on the jumbotron—just don’t drop the ring when the camera’s on you. (Reach out to Nationals Park’s public relations before game day to let them know you plan to propose at the game, if that’s your plan.)