Where to Lock Lips

In the annals of public kissing, the District is often associated with two kinds of puckers: those that fall on babies, and those that fall (metaphorically speaking, of course) on backsides. But what about those of us who prefer our smooches with a smack of romance? According to Michael Christian, who, under the pen name William Cane, literally wrote the book on kissing -- "The Art of Kissing" (St. Martin's Griffin, 1994) -- the vast majority of people (98 percent, to be precise) get a thrill out of public lip locks. And despite its reputation as a buttoned-up city, Washington offers a number of romantic rendezvous for those of us who prefer puckering to politicking. And so, after hours of intrepid field research, it is with extra-chapped lips that we present to you five great places to kiss. (Yes, the life of a reporter is one of great sacrifice.)

AFI Silver Theater

"Kissing in movie theaters has diminished over time," Christian jokes, "maybe because movie prices are going up and people want to get their money's worth." Still, ever since Thomas Edison directed the first on-screen smooch in his 30-second film "The Kiss" (1896), making out and movie theaters have gone together like, well, popcorn and extra butter. If you're in the mood to imitate Bogey and Bacall, head to this historic art deco theater in Silver Spring, which dates back to 1938. The space hearkens back to the glamour of old Hollywood, when a kiss was just a kiss. Plus, the theater's rotating lineup includes new releases as well as old favorites. (Fans of Sir Sean Connery take note: A tribute to the actor's work beyond Bond begins May 26.) 8633 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring. $6.75-$9.25. 301-495-6720.

Gravelly Point Park

This grassy knoll, built on a former landfill just north of Reagan National Airport, is perfect for couples who like a dash of adrenaline with their puckers. With the planes zooming by as low as 100 feet overhead, it can be hard to distinguish an earth-shaking kiss from the thunder of takeoff and landing. Sweet nothings really do become nothing when competing with the rumble of overhead jet engines, but the overwhelming feeling of sonic boom can seem otherworldly. Our tip? Take a blanket and a picnic and make an afternoon of it. The park is open from dawn until dusk, and parking is free (though limited to three hours Monday through Friday). Northbound off George Washington Parkway, Alexandria. Free. 703-289-2500.

Kennedy Center Roof Terrace

According to a 2005 survey conducted by Directive Analytics for Close-Up toothpaste, three out of four adults kiss with their eyes closed. If you happen to be part of the minority who prefers eyes-wide-open kissing, consider taking your sweetie to this dazzling rooftop. Open to the public daily (weather permitting), the terrace provides a walk-around view of the city, with vistas of the National Cathedral, Georgetown University, the Potomac River and the Washington Monument, as well as fleeting glimpses of Arlington Cemetery, the Capitol, the back of the Lincoln Memorial and the dome of the Jefferson Memorial. On the off chance that the smooches don't take your breath away, there's always the scenery to fall back on. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., but access can be limited at times. 2700 F St. NW. Free. 202-467-4600.

Meridian Hill Park

If you prefer your smooches with a bit of Italian flavor (and who doesn't?), then head to Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park. The park's south end features an Italian-Renaissance-style terraced fountain, which sends water cascading down 13 layered basins. (The fountain operates sporadically; on a recent visit, only six basins were full.) Stone benches nestled into the foliage allow for semi-secluded canoodling, while a statue of Dante might inspire a few lines of romantic verse. Or, if you prefer a smooch with a view, head to the northern end of the park, where you can look down at the fountains or out at the top of the Washington Monument. Open dawn to dusk. The park is bordered by 15th and 16th streets NW on the east and west, and Euclid and W streets NW on the north and south. Free. 202-895-6000.

Signers' Memorial

While the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the east side of the Jefferson Memorial are perennial romantic favorites, if you're looking for a less-trafficked spot on the National Mall, Bill Line, National Park Service spokesman, suggests visiting the signers' memorial. Located on a small, landscaped island in Constitution Garden Lake, the memorial itself is a granite slab displaying the names of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. But that's not why it makes the list; the island is slightly off the beaten path, so you won't be dodging tour groups as you enjoy the peaceful sounds of water lapping and birds chirping. "At night you'll see the lights [of the other monuments] close by but somewhere in the distance," says Line, who notes that the spot is a popular one for marriage proposals. Open 24 hours. On the National Mall, just south of Constitution Avenue and 19th Street. Free. 202-485-9880.

What's Appropriate?

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Spokesman Bill Line stresses that the National Park Service is delighted to suggest settings that "might help make the world a nicer, warmer, friendlier and more hospitable place." But he also adds that when it comes to public displays of affection, certain standards of decency apply. Rule number one? "It's pretty obvious . . . [a kiss] should not be so incredibly passionate as to suggest certain activity to follow." In other words, if you find passersby muttering, "get a room," then it's time to disengage. But Line says that couples who find themselves caught up in the beauty of a place and want to share a "10-second kiss on the lips and everyone is fully clothed" should feel welcome. Here are a few other measures of decency:

1. Don't try to set a new record for world's longest kiss. (According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this title belongs to a 30-hour, 59-minute smooch that occurred in 2001 at the television studios of talk show host Ricki Lake.)

2. Be sensitive to those around you. "You don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable," says author Michael Christian. On one "Seinfeld" episode, Jerry is caught making out with his date in a movie theater during a screening of "Schindler's List." Not appropriate.

3. Remember that not all cultures welcome public kissing. While Europeans tend to be more demonstrative than Americans, legislation proposed in Indonesia in 2005 threatened to punish public smoochers with 10 years in prison.