Locations in the House of Cards Title Sequence
House of Cards is an American political drama television series set in present-day Washington, DC. While most of the show is filmed in Maryland or on a sound stage, the locations and monuments in the main title sequence were shot by Andrew Geraci and District 7 Media in DC between March and August in 2012. (You can read more about the making of the opening sequence on Momentum.)
This page intends to document the locations and memorials in each of the 37 time-lapse shots in the intro. Shots are numbered in the order they appear.
Note that after I compiled much of this information, I found the Opening Credits Locations on the House of Cards Wikia. Note that their shot numbers are one off from mine. I incorporated a few additional tidbits of information from there. You should also take the House of Cards Walking Tour hosted by DC By Foot.
DC from Rosslyn
From Rosslyn (specifically Top Of The Town) looking east across the Potomac River into DC. The Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Bridge (left) and the Arlington Memorial Bridge (right) are visible. The Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts are all visible.
Pennsylvania Avenue
On Pennsylvania Avenue looking southeast at about 12th. The J. Edgar Hoover Building (FBI HQ; left) and the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building (right) are visible, with the U.S. Capital in the background. The shot was taken from the Old Post Office Pavilion tower.
North Capitol
Looking down North Capitol from the T St. bridge towards the U.S. Capital.
Townhouses on North Capitol
Same location as 3; townhouses on North Capitol.
Super Liquor
On North Capital at R. You can read more about Super Liquor on Ghosts of DC.
North Capitol
Same location as 3.
Union Station
Looking up at the arcade arches at the entrance of Union Station.
Ronald Reagan Building
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.
Grant Memorial
Looking west at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial down the National Mall towards the Washington Monument.
Seasons 2 & 3
In Seasons 2 and 3, shot #9 is instead of the Winfield Scott Hancock statue on Pennsylvania Ave.
Grant Memorial
Closeup of the Cavalry Group statue on the north end of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
Grant Memorial
Closeup of lions at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
World War II Memorial
A plaque at the National World War II Memorial on the Mall, looking west towards the Lincoln Memorial.
Seasons 2 & 3
In Seasons 2 and 3, the shot is the same as #1.
EPA Building
The William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building, home of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
EPA Building
Same as #13.
Grand Army of the Republic Memorial
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial at 7th and Pennsylvania Avenue.
John Marshall Park
John Marshall Memorial Park on Pennsylvania Ave.
John Marshall Statue
The Statue of John Marshall at John Marshall Memorial Park on Pennsylvania Ave.
Underpass near L'Enfant Plaza
View of the Capitol building from beneath the overpass on South Capitol near L'Enfant Plaza.
Underpass near L'Enfant Plaza
Same as #18.
The Woodies Building
The Woodies Building, former home of Woodward & Lothrop department store.
DC from Rosslyn
From Rosslyn (around the Arlington National Cemetery) looking into DC. The Arlington Memorial Bridge and Little Island are visible in the foreground, with the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument in the distance.
Seasons 2 & 3
In Seasons 2 and 3, the shot is the same as #9.
Anacostia River
South bank of the Anacostia River with the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge and Nationals Park in the background.
Nats Park
Same as #21.
DC from Rosslyn
Same as #1, with a tighter shot.
Newseum
On Pennsylvania Ave. at the Newseum facing the U.S. Capitol.
Intersection at 10th & G
The intersection of 10th and G.
Hopscotch Bridge
H St. bridge—the Hopscotch Bridge—where train tracks split for Union Station.
Lion
A lion at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
Lion
Same as #28. Planes landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are visible, as well as the National Gallery of Art.
Train Tracks
Railroad tracks near L’Enfant Plaza, looking towards the U.S. Capitol.
Train Tracks
Same as #30
Grant Memorial
Closeup of the Gen. Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
DC from Rosslyn
Same as #1.
The Progress of Railroading
Figure of Thales (electricity), part of The Progress of Railroading memorial on top of Union Station.
Kennedy Center
Same as #1, with a closup of the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge and The Kennedy Center.
U.S. Capitol
U.S. Capitol at the Capitol Reflecting Pool with the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial in the foreground.
DC from Rosslyn
Same as #1.