Ready for D.C.’s most unknown hidden spots & secret gardens?

I call two cities home: Cairo and Washington DC. Home can sometimes feel redundant or routine, but the beauty of these two metropolitan cities is that there is so much more than meets the eye. I strive to find the off the beaten path attractions and obscure places everywhere I go. You can check out my Cairene tourist post here.

Now – welcome to the Capital of the United States, land of the Smithsonian’s, temperamental weather and a rich food scene. Now without further ado, here are hidden gems in DC from a local tourist. I present to you a fusion of photo opportunities, picturesque architecture, religious buildings & historic lands. If you’re looking for weekend getaways from Washington DC, we’ve put together a list of our favorite nearby trips here.

As on ode to the capital, we’ll start off with the Capitol Summerhouse. Built and designed to putt off “complaints that visitors to the Capitol Building could not find water or a place to rest on their journey.” In its past life, the hexagon shaped resting area had a fountain in the middle that provided drinking water from a spring. Now, it’s only a decorative addition to the space.

The Estates, the Gardens the Acres.

If you’re visiting DC you ought to go to Georgetown, a historic strip of colorful homes, commercial stores and restaurants & a Potomac river walk. What’s a hidden gem in Georgetown? We were taken back by the beauty of the Dumbarton Oaks estate. The residence and accompanying gardens were home to Robert Woods Bliss, a decorated diplomat and art collector. Originally built in the mid-19th century this estate was completely renovated and expanded over time and now houses massive collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art. The gardens still remain our favorite discovery, wander the tens of acres of land and discover the Orangery greenhouse and terrace, the Lover’s Lane Pool and much more.

Enid A Haupt Garden a glorious 4.2-acre public garden in the Smithsonian complex surrounded by the Smithsonian Castle and the very colorful Arts and Industries Building. The Arts & Industries building has a quite compelling façade inspired by Greek, Byzantine, and Moorish designs. But let’s get back to the garden – with many terraces, seating areas and small outdoor exhibits, it’s a perfect place to wander and learn about the history of the Parterre, the Moongate Garden and the cast iron Renwick Gates.

Moving onto more hidden estates – check out the Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. Once owned by philanthropist and businesswoman Marjorie Post – also the woman who built Mar-a-Lago, this massive estate is a hub of art collections, jewelry, antiques, and exquisite gardens.

Hillwood Estate’s Japanese Styled Garden deserves it’s own section solely because of its beauty and tranquility. See for yourself.

Not So Popular National Monuments & Museums

Often overlooked is the U.S. National Arboretum,although it’s ultimately a center of botanical research its most charming attraction is the National Capitol Columns set. The twenty-two Corinthian columns were originally part of the U.S. Capitol’s structure but were later removed. They are quite stunning and will give you immense Rome feels. Check them out for yourself!

Located on the grounds of the Arboretum is yet another secret attraction: the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Its oldest resident? An almost 400 year old Japanese white pine named Yamaki Pine. Navigate the different pavilions and gardens showcasing intricate collections of Bonsai.

Many of you may have heard of the Wharf, but not many know about the Titanic Memorial just a few minutes away. It’s quite literally a memorial for those who gave their lives to save women and children during the Titanic disaster. The thirteen-foot tall figure was unveiled in 1931, and is honestly quite small compared to many of DC’s famed monuments, but a forgotten memorial nonetheless.

Art Museum of the Americas is a small art gallery that was once the residence of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). This is a wonderful place that consistently exhibits modern and contemporary art from Latin America and the Caribbean. Why we really came here? One hundred percent for the gloriously Azul courtyard you see in the photos here. Rumor has it that this courtyard was commissioned by the Secretary General to permanently showcase Aztec architecture, art and history.

The Old Post Office and Clock Tower, now overshadowed as the Trump Hotel, probably offers one of the best views of our nation’s capitol. The tower itself is a solid 315 feet high, and few people know that you can actually go all the way to the top. There is so much history packed into this building that you have to visit for yourself!

Visually Appealing Architecture

You might find yourself venturing in Ford’s Theatre to learn about the impactful assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Head across the street to Ford’s theatre’s Education Center, where you can find an extensive exhibit covering the former President’s life, political career and of the course the assassination. But more obscurely, you’ll find a 34-foot tribute famed as the Lincoln Book Tower. It’s essentially located in the gift shop area, towers through 3 floors of the exhibit and is compiled of over 6,800 books.

Let’s talk about visually appealing architecture, although not a hidden attraction per se – but the Conrad Hotel’s interior is a creamy galore. Yes, it’s just a hotel, and holds no real substantial historic value but hats off to the Swiss architecture firm that so eloquently designed the interior curved atrium, the windy walls, and rounded edges. Definitely a win in for architecture photographers and lovers of all things interior design!

A technicolored church you say? Check out Blind Whino (Culture House) originally a Baptist church in Southwest DC, now a tie-dye splattered nonprofit art and performance venue. As an art object itself, the space empowers artists in the community and gives them a platform to exhibit art in various forms! Check out their events here.

SPIRITUAL HAVENS

Enjoy the sanctuary that is the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. In the heart of the up and coming Brookland neighborhood is this historic monastery that was built in 1880. The monastery offers garden tours on the weekends where you get to explore beautiful gardens and replicas of various renowned shrines. The architecture is noteworthy; its style resembles Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

I hope you liked our unknown attractions in D.C., stay tuned as we continue to grow this list. Let us know in the comments what other places you consider hidden gems in the nation’s capital.

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