One of the constants in D.C., regardless of administration, is seeing Marine One take off from the White House.
Leaving the White House
Marine One lands on the South Lawn of the White House shortly before the President’s departure.
Take off happens quite slowly, so you can watch Marine One gradually gain elevation against the White House.
By the Monument
Marine One flies low when it passes the Washington Monument, so it can look like it is right next to the flags or the Monument.
Decoy formations
For security reasons, Marine One flies with decoys, usually in a formation of three helicopters.
Special times
Departure of President Trump at the end of his first term, 1/20/21
Flying over the “In America: Remember” flags, an installation commemorating deaths from Covid.
Christmas decorations at the White House:
How to see Marine One
Timing
The Presidential schedule is usually available after midnight of the day before, and multiple sites will publish it online. If it says that the President will depart the White House for Andrews Air Force base, that’s almost always going to indicate a flight from the White House by Marine One. The helicopter generally arrives about 15 minutes before the scheduled departure, and lands on the South Lawn.
Where to watch
Constitution Avenue is temporarily blocked to traffic right before a departure of Marine One, but usually security allows pedestrians to stand by the south gate on Constitution, where you can easily see Marine One.
Marine One usually flies a path that goes by the Washington Monument both coming in and going out, so anywhere on the Monument grounds can offer a good view. And as you can see from one of the photos above, it is also possible to view the South Lawn from the top of the Washington Monument.