Virginia Avenue, Washington · 1972 and 1975
Two buildings face each other across a road. The film was shot in one of them, and in a city that was not Washington at all.
Lookout
A fan location list gives the floor of the Democratic offices and the room number of the burglars’ lookout. Pick one floor on each side and see whether the sight line holds. The towers are a diagram, not a survey.
The Watergate · 2600 Virginia Avenue
The old Howard Johnson · 2601 Virginia Avenue
Pick a floor in the Watergate and a floor in the old Howard Johnson.
A fan location list says the break-in was filmed at the Watergate complex, and that the Democratic offices were on the sixth floor.
The same list says the security guard Frank Wills, who found the taped door, recreates the moment on the exact spot.
A working complex of homes, offices and a hotel by the Potomac. Virginia Avenue and the riverside path are public; the Watergate Hotel next door takes guests.
A fan location list says the lookout scenes used the former Howard Johnson Motor Lodge at 2601 Virginia Avenue, across from the Watergate. It is now student housing.
The list gives the lookout as “Base 1”, on the balcony of Room 723.
Now a student residence hall of George Washington University. Look from the pavement on Virginia Avenue; do not go in.
Foggy Bottom, Washington
A hotel on the Potomac at 2650 Virginia Avenue, in the same complex as the break-in scene. Pictured: the Watergate, 2005.
Check roomsCut list
Eight scenes. Switch each one from what the film says to where it was shot. 5 were shot in Washington. 3 were built or borrowed in California.
Showing what the film says each scene is.
On screen
After the Post refuses to let the film shoot in its newsroom, it is measured, photographed and rebuilt in Burbank.
On screen
The break-in is filmed at the Watergate, with the guard Frank Wills recreating his discovery on the spot.
On screen
The burglars’ lookout, “Base 1”, is filmed from a balcony of the Howard Johnson across the road.
On screen
The reporters sort book-request slips in the Main Reading Room; the camera rises to the dome.
On screen
Woodward catches a cab outside the Kennedy Center on his way to meet Deep Throat.
On screen
Bernstein meets his phone company contact in Lafayette Park.
On screen
City Hall plays the Miami County Justice Building, where Bernstein meets Martin Dardis.
On screen
Deep Throat’s meetings are filmed in a Century City car park, not in Washington.
Capitol Hill, Washington
Free entry with a timed ticket, and short Main Reading Room walkthroughs on set days. Check the Library’s page for times.
Plan a visitBurbank, Los Angeles
Tours of the Burbank lot where the Post newsroom was rebuilt. The set itself is not known to survive. Check the tour page for days and prices.
See the tourClose
The Watergate, the old Howard Johnson, the Kennedy Center and Lafayette Park are streets away from one another. The Library of Congress needs a timed ticket. In California, City Hall is seen from Spring Street, the Century City garage is not open, and the Burbank newsroom set is not known to survive.
8 places to look at in Washington and California. Five were shot where the film says; three stood in for somewhere else.
Pins mark public places; private homes are named but not pinned.
Building reference · Public access · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A working complex of homes, offices and a hotel by the Potomac. Virginia Avenue and the riverside path are public; the Watergate Hotel next door takes guests.
Building reference · Public access · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Now a student residence hall of George Washington University. Look from the pavement on Virginia Avenue; do not go in.
Building reference · Public access · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Free, but timed-entry tickets are required. The Library’s own page lists short Main Reading Room walkthroughs on some days; check it for times.
Building reference · Public access · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A working performing-arts centre beside the Potomac, a short walk from the Watergate. Check its own site for opening times.
Area reference · Public access · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A public park north of the White House. Check access before you go.
Washington, DC · 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Foggy Bottom
A fan location list says the break-in was filmed at the Watergate complex, and that the Democratic offices were on the sixth floor.
A working complex of homes, offices and a hotel by the Potomac. Virginia Avenue and the riverside path are public; the Watergate Hotel next door takes guests.
Washington, DC · 2601 Virginia Avenue NW, at New Hampshire Avenue
A fan location list says the lookout scenes used the former Howard Johnson Motor Lodge at 2601 Virginia Avenue, across from the Watergate. It is now student housing.
Now a student residence hall of George Washington University. Look from the pavement on Virginia Avenue; do not go in.
Washington, DC · Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE
A fan location list says the Main Reading Room in the Jefferson Building is where the reporters sort White House book-request slips.
Free, but timed-entry tickets are required. The Library’s own page lists short Main Reading Room walkthroughs on some days; check it for times.
Washington, DC · 2700 F Street NW, Foggy Bottom
A fan location list says Woodward catches a cab outside the Kennedy Center on the way to his first meeting with Deep Throat.
A working performing-arts centre beside the Potomac, a short walk from the Watergate. Check its own site for opening times.
Washington, DC · Pennsylvania Avenue and H Street NW, north of the White House
A fan location list says Bernstein meets his phone company contact in Lafayette Park.
A public park north of the White House. Check access before you go.
Stay
A hotel in the complex where the break-in was filmed.
Foggy Bottom, Washington
A hotel on the Potomac at 2650 Virginia Avenue, in the same complex as the break-in scene. Pictured: the Watergate, 2005.
Check roomsGo there
The Library of Congress, the Burbank lot, and walks of Washington and Los Angeles.
Capitol Hill, Washington
Free entry with a timed ticket, and short Main Reading Room walkthroughs on set days. Check the Library’s page for times.
Plan a visitBurbank, Los Angeles
Tours of the Burbank lot where the Post newsroom was rebuilt. The set itself is not known to survive. Check the tour page for days and prices.
See the tourWashington, DC
Live marketplace results for walks of central Washington. Check which routes pass Lafayette Park or Foggy Bottom.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursLos Angeles
Live marketplace results for movie location tours in Los Angeles. Check which pass City Hall.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursWhat’s on
Nothing dated for the film is listed at these places now.
No current dated events are listed. Check providers for the latest programme.
Dates, prices, rooms and stock change: confirm with the provider before you travel or buy. A stay or tour is described as a filming location only where the card says so.
Every place and moment behind this page, with sources.
8 of 8 places · 8 of 8 stories
2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Foggy Bottom
The break-in is filmed at the Watergate, with the guard Frank Wills recreating his discovery on the spot.
2601 Virginia Avenue NW, at New Hampshire Avenue
The burglars’ lookout, “Base 1”, is filmed from a balcony of the Howard Johnson across the road.
Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street SE
The reporters sort book-request slips in the Main Reading Room; the camera rises to the dome.
2700 F Street NW, Foggy Bottom
Woodward catches a cab outside the Kennedy Center on his way to meet Deep Throat.
Pennsylvania Avenue and H Street NW, north of the White House
Bernstein meets his phone company contact in Lafayette Park.
200 North Spring Street, downtown Los Angeles
City Hall plays the Miami County Justice Building, where Bernstein meets Martin Dardis.
Beneath the former ABC Entertainment Center, 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City
Deep Throat’s meetings are filmed in a Century City car park, not in Washington.
Warner Boulevard, Burbank
After the Post refuses to let the film shoot in its newsroom, it is measured, photographed and rebuilt in Burbank.
Places to stay
A notable hotel in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles · Source · Check dates on Expedia (Ad / affiliate)
A downtown landmark that has stood in for hotels in dozens of films, Ghostbusters among them.
506 South Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, 90071 · Source · Check dates on Expedia (Ad / affiliate)
Inside the United Artists Theatre building.
939 South Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, 90015 · Source · Check dates on Expedia (Ad / affiliate)
What’s on
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood · 50 m from Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank
The Regent Theater · 850 m from Los Angeles City Hall
The Regent Theater · 850 m from Los Angeles City Hall
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Links go to each venue’s or organiser’s own site. Check dates, access and availability there before you go.
Every place in All the President’s Men leads somewhere else.
