See the City from the Sky: Washington Monument Extended Hours

ALL SUMMER, the National Park Service has kept the Washington Monument open till 10 p.m., allowing people to see the city at night from 500 feet in the air.

You can get tickets earlier in the day from the Monument Lodge, then return at night to see Washington laid out at your feet and all lit up like a postcard. The extended hours end on Labor Day.

What are you waiting for? It's free. It's a great spot for a date — but make sure to ascertain whether your inamorato has acrophobia first. Otherwise, well, you might look back and laugh on your fifth anniversary, but no promises on that.

» Washington Monument, 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NW; through Monday, free, 202-426-6841. (Smithsonian)

Photo by Jill Karnicki/The Washington Post