Off the beaten path · Washington DC
Hidden gems of Washington DC
Beyond the National Mall, Washington is full of quiet gardens, house museums and unexpected views. Here are our favorite lesser-known spots, most of them easiest to reach by car.
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Gardens & nature
Green escapes
U.S. National Arboretum
Hundreds of acres in Northeast DC, home to the original Capitol columns standing in a meadow.
Dumbarton Oaks
Terraced formal gardens and a museum in Georgetown.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Water lilies and lotus blooms along the Anacostia, best in midsummer.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
A wooded island memorial in the Potomac, reached by footbridge from Virginia.
Museums & houses
Lesser-known museums
Hillwood Estate
Marjorie Merriweather Post’s mansion, gardens and collection of Russian and French art.
Kreeger Museum
Modern art in a striking house near Foxhall.
President Lincoln’s Cottage
Lincoln’s summer retreat, where he developed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Planet Word
A museum of language in a historic downtown school.
Washington National Cathedral
Gothic architecture, gardens and a Darth Vader gargoyle to find.
Glenstone
A contemporary art museum and landscape in nearby Potomac, Maryland (free timed passes).
Getting there
Why a car helps
Many of these spots sit in residential neighborhoods or far from the Metro. A chauffeur can link three or four of them in a relaxed day, with no parking to find.
FAQ
Hidden gems questions
What are the best hidden gems in DC?
Our favorites include the National Arboretum, Dumbarton Oaks, Hillwood Estate, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and President Lincoln’s Cottage.
Are these places free?
Some are free, like the Arboretum and Kenilworth; others, like Hillwood and Dumbarton Oaks’ gardens, charge admission or need timed tickets. Check before you go.
Can we combine hidden gems with the monuments?
Yes. A full-day tour can mix a few classic monuments with quieter spots.
Explore beyond the Mall. Book your chauffeur.
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