5. The Willard InterContinental (Washington, D.C.)
Few hotels can claim a legacy as storied as the Willard InterContinental. A fixture since the early 1800s, the Willard has welcomed figures from Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King Jr. During the Civil War, it served as a refuge for politicians and military leaders, while its grand halls buzzed with secret meetings throughout Prohibition. The Willard’s corridors have witnessed pivotal moments in American history, adapting to every era with grace. For more on its remarkable past, explore Smithsonian Magazine’s coverage of this national treasure.
