Woodrow Wilson Plaza

During the Summer there are free concerts. They have a large patio area and on Fridays a Farmers Market full of food and fruits and vegetables. There’s always something going on in the plaza and the best part is it’s free. It’s situated between the Reagan Building, and the Clinton Building so the architecture is stunning as well. Nice place to relax and people watch.

Pros:
–The modern retro cobblestone surface. It’s like you’re getting a foot massage for free every time you stroll across the plaza!
–EPA’s stunning silver flower statues; nothing says critical habitat protection like a giant ornamental rose, amiright?
–The towering facades of the Ariel Rios — er, I mean, William Jefferson Clinton buildings, whose colonnades can be seen on the magical opening credits of everyone’s favorite DC-​inspired TV show, House of Cards.
–Free entertainment brought to you by Live! featuring everything from Chaka Khan to the Mysteries of Alain Nu, «the Man who Knows.»
–Capital Harvest on the Plaza — though, honestly, at this point it’s less of an actual farmer’s market (with veggies, fruits and such like) and more of a roving food court/​haute-​cuisine-​supplies-​for-​federal-​yuppies mart.
–The occasional presence of bagpipe bands for Border Patrol functions. Man do those things echo!
Cons:
–The extremely tall, weird brown metal statue. What IS that thing?
–The proximity of Ronald Reagan food court. Worst ever.
–The lack of climate control. Summers too warm. Winters too cold.
.. . and WORST OF ALL
–The disappearance of the amazing bartender with the heavy pour now that Aria is shuttered.

Nice place to relax when visiting DC. Lots of close landmarks.

I walk across this plaza everyday. Some interesting landmarks in the winter include a huge silver rose, a huge silver lily, and a bronze vertical shoe stretcher type sculpture. Ariel Rios (North and South), the home of EPA is to your left. Straight ahead, you have the infamous ex-​Interstate Commerce Commission and ex-​Customs and Border Protection buildings which also house EPA. Aria restaurant is to your right. The Ronald Reagan ITC is also to your right. And the namesake Woodrow Wilson Center for International Peace is to your right.
By the way, in the summer, this plaza jams live music at lunchtime. If you can grab a panini sandwich from Aria Fresca ~~AND~~ find a table with an umbrella, you’ll be set.
I love the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.