We went to Dumbarton Oaks on a free day and had kind of mixed feelings. I thought the house was cool, but it left me lacking. It just didn't seem the interesting or that well set up. I think it has potential, but not in love with it. Some of the art on display is very cool, but it is a specific niche that I am just not a huge fan of. The great room is huge and impressive, but besides that I was not impressed. The gardens was a great treasure. We went in the fall/winter so it was not in bloom, but it was still very cool. We enjoyed walking around and seeing all the little sections with plants and cool landscaping. It would be a cool place to take pictures for sure. We really enjoyed walking around and thought the garden was great. There is street parking right up front, so if you get there early you can snag that! read more

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Beautiful, peaceful gardens. $10 during warmer seasons, free during winter. Do you want to see pink trees without the crowds? Along with the Arboretum, this is your place. read more

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Dumbarton Oaks is the perfect escape from the city. In the mood for a garden stroll? Want to curl up against a tree and finish that book of yours? What about stopping to smell the roses? Dumbarton Oaks is a hidden gem that offers all of that and more. Full of magic and enchantment, Dumbarton Oaks is hidden in Georgetown away from the hussle and bustle of M Street. With gardens to explore for hours ($10 pp) and a free museum, it makes for a perfect post-brunch afternoon visit. Honestly, I think I found one of my favorite places in the city. There's just so much to see at Dumbarton Oak. The two hours I had before closing was not enough. I cannot wait to go back again! And for the guys stuck on where to plan a proposal, this is the romantic place to do so! It feels like a fairytale from the moment you step in, that any girl is sure to fall in love with. read more

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Absolutely my favorite go-to spot, year round. Magnificent garden displays. Even in the winter, the hardscaping is nice. The museum is also lovely, and thought provoking. It's definitely a "do not miss." read more

This is one of my favorite parks and sites in all of DC (that costs a fee). It feels somewhat tucked away and is not overridden with tourists. It's peaceful, and the gardens are very pretty. They had a modern, outdoor sound exhibit in the trees that was great when I visited a while ago. It just feels very zen here. The inside exhibit is a little odd. But the outdoor area is worth the trip. read more

45 minutes - that's how long I had to wait in line to buy a ticket. It's ridiculous to have the line going around the block. If you're going to charge us $10 to see the garden, and can employee 3 security guards to stand at the entrance, you can hire more people to sell tickets. Have someone in line walking around with a hand held credit card scanner. Have a fast pass cash no change line. I thought I'd have enough time to explore the gardens but after standing in line for so long it was almost closing time. Reading other reviews here I see other people have complained about the same thing for years and nothing has changed. I've been here a few times to see the beautiful flowers in the gardens but the line spoils the experience when there's no reason for a line for such a large place. read more

Beautiful historic home and museum with incredible garden. Garden has four season interest and formal Old World garden rooms. Many cool plant varietals used in interesting ways. read more

Have you ever seen the movie The Secret Garden -- one of my classic childhood favorites -- circa 1995? I felt like I was in that movie, and I always wanted to be that little girl getting lost in the garden. With Dumbarton Oaks, that is exactly what I did. I escaped from everything. I got lost in the terrain of its beauty. Dumbarton Oaks is acre upon acre that descends down a huge hill with tons of walking paths, steps, different gardens; one in particular full of roses that I want to see in full bloom come this spring. They even had a compost pile explaining in detail what they were composting. They have many fountains throughout the grounds, and a few ground and wall mosaics. All lovely and worth the time taking a photo of. In particular, I was quite fond of the pool area. It was closed, but seeing the fountains still running within them make the area very tranquil. The pool is huge. People can swim in it during the summer as I saw signs posted, but I am not sure if maybe a membership with Dumbarton Oaks is required? I will certainly look into it when the time comes. I enjoyed the solitude of the gardens. It was Tuesday late afternoon and the weather was chilly. Not the most ideal time to visit for most. I felt at peace and enjoyed the serenity that the gardens have to offer. I figured I would utilize the time I had there in the gardens instead of the museum since it was such a lovely day. The museum itself is a sight to see and should have plenty of time to go through it just in itself. It offers an insight on historical artifacts on Pre-Columbian America and Byzantine pieces. One a random thought -- the gardens, unfortunately, cannot be used for weddings. If and when that time comes for me, I would totally have my wedding here. Too bad that is not an option. It would make for a lovely backdrop for wedding photos though. Dumbarton House on the other hand does offer event space for such occasions. The Dumbarton House is open to the public with different hours. My understanding is since it is off season right now, the gardens are on limited hours, but offer longer hours during peak season starting in March through October. The house during peak season is open on the weekends only. Also, during peak season there is an admission fee. Hours of the museum itseld are the same as those of the gardens --Tuesday through Sunday 2pm - 5pm. Both of which are free to the public during the off season. There is a ton of history behind Dumbarton Oaks. It is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by more Washingtonians as it is not your typical tourist spot. I encourage anyone who is looking for an escape from the city in the city -- this would be the spot to wander to. read more

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For those who are in love with love, Dumbarton Oaks Park is one of those romantically whimsical places in which you can't help feeling like you are living in a fairy tale. Every single corner is meticulously planned out and perfectly prim. Wisteria wraps around most of the pergolas and fences creating a unique sense of enclosure without claustrophobia. This is the perfect place to read, if you want to feel like Alice in Wonderland, write, if you seek a little inspiration, or explore, if you just want to pretend you're in the english countryside for a while. There are plenty of hidden spots to curl up with a good book, play hide-and-seek or simply have a picnic (even though it's technically prohibited, but the rules say nothing about a quick sandwich, ja!). The experience isn't free. You have to contribute to the upkeep of this palace, but it's worth it. General admission is about $8, $5 for students, seniors and children. Admission is free for Harvard students and faculty. As I understood, the surrounding woods used to belong to this family, until they donated it to the city. The property and its grounds were passed on to Harvard University in the 1940's, the previous owner- Robert Woods' alma mater. The building, it's gardens and grounds now serve as housing to it's fellows. There is a recent exhibit in the garden, and I have to say it is my personal favorite. From September 22, 2010--Spring 2011 Dreamed up by Sculptor Patrick Dougherty, these giant nest-like Ellipses, are oval spaces framed by a double row of pleached hornbeams that forms an aerial hedge, what he describes as "running gures," or twisted architectural elements. And yes, they may emit a funky scent this time of year, but remember kids, the memories you take with you and the pictures you snap and make all your friends jealous with don't smell like anything, so enjoy the exhibit while you can! This is the kind of whimsy that makes this garden an especially great place for kids of all ages to run and play in. read more

Dumbarton Oaks - Patrick Dougherty, Elipse exhibit. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely stunning. One of of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the city and a great place to go anytime of year as the foliage/greenery varies season to season. Somehow I only go to Dumbarton when I want to impress visiting guests and then I always kick myslef for not going on a regualt basis since it would be the perfect place to sit and read. While the estate is usually busy, it manages to be secluded and peaceful at the same time with its elaborate layout. Cons: limited hours (opens at 2 in peak season, closed Mondays), hard to get to on public transportation Pros: student and senior discounts, decent on-street parking, close to lots of beautiful houses, a city park and cemetery if you want to make a day of walking and taking everything in (you should!) read more

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This is absolutely one of the most beautiful private gardens in DC. This garden is just right outside of the Georgetown area and is a great spot to take a walk around and appreciate the art and environment. I would even go as far as to say you could spend all day there just getting lost in a good book or listening to some music. We try to take our family there a few times a year and they just have a small entry fee to enter for the day. I believe the garden is privately owned and that's partly why the garden is so well taken care of and lovely. A few things to know about the garden. 1. Parking is somewhat limited. There are just a few street parking spots right outside of the garden and a few more that is right outside of the museum that is adjacent to the garden. 2. The garden isn't stroller friendly so you'll likely need to park the stroller somewhere and walk the garden so make sure you bring that baby carrier if your little one isn't able to walk too much yet. 3. Bring your camera, there are so many beautiful places to take pictures you won't want to miss out. read more

Dumbarton Oaks - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A beautiful, beautiful, garden more in the Victorian over-landscaped style than the mock wilderness of Rock Creek. I Yelp it here only to note two things: One, it's an awesome place to go during cherry blossom season, especially if you've already been to the tourist-teeming Mall, or the second-choice Kenwood in previous years. Lying on your back on a gentle slope with cherry blossom petals falling on you and your companion is truly a wonderful experience. Two, it doesn't open until 2 pm, which may be later than you'd expect if you hadn't thought about it. read more

This was my first visit to Dumbarton Oaks and I will absolutely be back. It is beautiful! The DO estate is one of those Georgetown gems that I just don't expect. It's off the beaten path but definitely within walking distance of the main M street drag. There is a $10 entrance fee for the garden for 8 or so months of the year but the visit is well worth the cost. The gardens feature reflecting pools, a rose garden, and ambling paths that look like they go on forever. It is serene, peaceful a zen experience for sure. Every possible seasonal flower is represented and they even have a Japanese Garden. The grounds are beautiful and there are benches galore or plop down a blanket to enjoy the scenery. The back mansion lawn just screams Victorian white costumes and croquet. Mansion tours are also available but I was so overwhelmed by the gardens that it will have to wait for my second trip. Highly recommend DO as a great place in the city to reconnect with nature and disconnect from the modern world. read more

Despite a near epic ability to kill plants of all kinds, I love gardens. As a kid, one of my most favorite books was "A Secret Garden." As an adult, I love seeking out new green spaces to visit. A garden in the city feels like little secret oasis, a refuge from the hustle & bustle going on outside. Hidden away a few blocks off Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks is such a place. The grounds--a mix of formal and landscape gardens--are lovely. Twisting pathways and hidden lanes crisscross the property. It's easy to feel as though you're alone in the gardens. There are all sorts of little semi-private places to sit and relax. Lounge in the shade of the grape arbor. Curl up in a chair by a hidden fountain. Snag a bench under a tree. The grounds are dotted with several lovely pieces of garden furniture. A little table and chairs set in the shade, a canopied bench by the lawn, a seat nestled into the greenery. Most of the pieces are wood, weathered to a silvery gray. Rather than distracting you from the surroundings, the furniture enhances the garden. I visited Hillwood a few weeks back and was a little disappointed by gardens that seemed cluttered with tacky statuary. Dumbarton Oaks does not disappoint. read more

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I really enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I would definitely return in the near future!

Really beautiful! The gate opened at 2PM and we had to wait in line for about 10 minutes. It's $10 for adults, $8 for senor citizens, and $5 for students. The gardens were lovely. Maybe it's early in the year, but there was definitely a lot of over growth which surprised me. All-in-all, a great place to take moms/aunts, garden enthusiasts, and out of town guests. read more

The Gardens: I've been wanting to visit Dumbarton Oaks for a few years and finally got there in early July. The grounds are certainly impressive but as a tourist, I'm not rushing back. The various gardens are very well maintained and offer a variety of different spaces to sit and explore. It's extremely relaxing and the size means that it doesn't feel overly crowded. That being said, it's a bit boring. I was there for a little over an hour and explored the entire area. Unless you want to sit around and read, I don't know how anyone can spend more than about two hours here. If I lived in the District, I could certainly see getting a season pass. Sitting among the trees and flowers, I felt as if I'd been transported to another world. The grounds are so extensive that you can easily forget the chaos that is DC. For people how don't have yards, this is a perfect spot to spend a lazy weekend afternoon roaming around, reading, or spending time talking with your significant other. It's more adult than kid friendly, which I appreciate but kids did seem to enjoy running around. The thing that really annoyed me about the garden was the condition of the benches and chairs. Nearly all of them are wooden and the weather has not been kind to them. They are also not very comfortable. Basically avoid wearing any materials that snag easily. *Safety Notice* Wear gym shoes or hiking shoes! If you get at all adventurous, the stone stairs and gravel will get annoying if you're wearing flip-flops or other "cute" shoes. I love open toe sandals but be sensible, not fashionable when visiting here. Museum: I really like the museum. It's free, has clean bathrooms, a great gift shop, and some fantastic art. If you're spending the day in the Georgetown area, this is a great place to stop and look around for an hour or so. I actually enjoyed this more than the grounds. Location: Public transportation here is extremely easy, though not necessarily fast. The 30N, 30S, 31, and 33 buses run along Wisconsin Ave and the Georgetown-Union Station Circulator also stops nearby. It's a bit of a hike up Wisconsin but doable on foot, provided it's not extremely hot. Length of Visit: Plan on 2 to 3 hours to see both the house/museum and the gardens. Summary: Great place to escape the crowds and well maintained but not worth making a special trip to the area to see. Go to the main tourist attractions first, then if you have time come here. Check it out if you're a local. If it was located in another city, I might spend more time here but compared to all the other amazing things DC has to offer, it's not that great. read more

This is a really nice place. Drove here and found street parking as it is difficult to get here by bus or metro. Was surprised that there were a lot of people checking this place out. There was a crowd of people waiting to get in when it opened and lines for the restroom. The inside is a museum with lots of different artifacts. It wasn't too interesting to me, but I can see how other people can find it interesting. The highlight is the outside garden space. Spent most of the time here, walking around and taking pictures. It's very pretty. The grounds are huge, so you can spend a long time walking around checking everything out. There were a lot of pretty flowers and fountains. We came during the beginning of fall, so you can see the fall leaves. Perfect place to see the changing of the seasons. read more

Yay! I am in love with this place. I was in DC for fun with a friend and we'd planned our trip to coincide with the cherry blossoms' full bloom. The blossoms were out but the day before our trip, a torrential downpour wiped away most of the blossoms near the tidal basin. Luckily for us, my friend's sister (who lives in DC) recommended Dumbarton Oaks. We got our fill of flowers while we were there so we didn't miss the cherry blossoms (too much). The regular admission is $8 to visit the gardens ($5 for students, seniors, and kids) and it's worth every penny. It felt like Alice in Wonderland or like Mary Kate A. said, it felt like The Secret Garden. The garden is humongous with winding paths all over the place. We tucked away our map and did some exploring on our own and ended up discovering cute little areas all over. It was gorgeous. There are little fountains, a pool, alcoves, terraces, balconies, tulips, daffodils, dogwood, cherry blossoms, roses, forsythias, and more. We skipped the museum so I can't say much about that, but considering how awesome the garden is, I bet the museum is great too. The only downside is that the park is only open from 2 to 5, which is a small window for visiting and the reason why I'm only giving this place 4 stars instead of the full-fledged five. However, there's a ton of maintenance that goes into keeping the grounds looking lovely (including gardeners who lie on their stomachs to weed by hand) so maybe I should be more forgiving. Anyway, this is a must-see if you're ever in the DC area, especially in spring time when the blooms are full. read more

Dumbarton Oaks - blooms! - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

One of my favorite gardens ever! The property is huge and the mansion and grounds are absolutely stunning. In the spring time there's a lot of beautiful purple wisteria all over the property. read more

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It is hard to believe that you are in the crowded, bustling Georgetown when you are at Dumbarton Oaks--the grounds are so serene. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 2-6 pm from March to October ($8, free November to February), the gardens of Dumbarton Oaks were inspired by the great European estates and are beautiful in any season. Spring, though, is my favorite: In March, there is a whole hill ablaze in forsythias (nothing short of breathtaking); in April, fragrant wisterias take over; in May, it's the rose garden, one of DC's most impressive, that's the attraction. You can spend the entire afternoon strolling from one garden chamber to the next, each with its special theme and star plantings--the gardens were designed over several decades by Beatrix Farrand, a celebrated landscape architect (and niece of Edith Wharton). The property is perched at the highest point in Georgetown, so you feel at once above and away from the city around you. The history of this property is very interesting too--one of its early owners may have been the "George" in Georgetown, and it was here that in 1944 the idea of the United Nation was conceived and fleshed out. I love the sprinkling of modern art installations--these change regularly. Here's what the gardens are like when wisterias bloom: http://transplantedtatar.com/2013/04/25/dumbarton-oaks-that-chambered-nautilus-of-gardens/ read more

Dumbarton Oaks - Wisterias bloom at Dumbarton Oaks - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a beautiful place tucked away in the residential part of Georgetown. The museum is free to anyone and has some very interesting displays from the Byzantine and Pre-Colombian art collections. The gardens are not free, but do provide student and senior discounts and season passes. You'll want to go in late Spring or Summer in order to see the garden in full bloom, but be aware that this is a popular attraction. The line to get in can grow very quickly. There is only one ticket booth and moving through the line can take a while on especially crowded days. Once inside there is so much to explore! I suggest bringing a blanket, picnic lunch, and a good book to read in the garden. It is a fun escape from crowded green spaces such as the Mall or Tidal Basin. read more

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This garden is immaculate. At every turn you'll be surprised and stunned that such beauty exists in such a hidden part of the city! It really is beautiful! Take pics! That said.... Even with no line... Getting a ticket took several minutes with the checkout person either not knowing wore what to do or the computer system running absurdly slow. Like... You have the money... Update your process ppl... Inside the museum... also stunning. Also surprising. Well-presented pieces and rooms everywhere. The security presence felt like overkill. Uniformed guards around every turn. Yet they all seemed kind. Excited to take my date there in the future. Would recommend read more

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Awesome museum in the Georgetown area! While it is on the smaller side, the collections of Byzantine and Precolumbian art, the old music and rare books rooms, and the special exhibit on the DC cherry blossoms are fascinating to walk through. Plus, the museum (but not the gardens) has free admission, another example of one of the most wonderful things about DC. read more

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Wonderful museum. Really weird stuff but great. Beautiful property. It must've been wonderful when it was a private home it's still wonderful and right there in the middle of the city this oasis go on a day when it's sunny and nice and you feel like walking and just wander around and enjoy all the little nooks and crannies of the property but the inside museum is really neat to I think read more

The museum is cool and it's free! The Gardens are not free, but they do discount for students, seniors and military. Once you get inside there is so much to explore! The paths can get difficult to walk on. If you have kids don't bring a stroller, there's a lot of stairs to do. It's definitely worth going to see! read more

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This is a hidden gem in DC. It's 10 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. It costs $8 for admission, or $5 with a student ID. You can volunteer here every Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm (I think those are the hours; the staff joked that they'll supply the water). My friend and I spent about 2 hours wandering around here today. There is a gorgeous rose garden, almost as it it were lifted from a page in Alice in Wonderland. There are herb gardens, fountains, pools, and terraces. Every little detail, down to the placement of the benches, was meticulously planned by Beatrix Ferrand, who collaborated with Mildred Bliss over the course of 30 years regarding its design. Today, it's owned by Harvard University, and the grounds are maintained by 12 gardeners/landscapers. Even though it was hot that day, we found that there was plenty of shade and breeze. One incident that happened today was when we were leaving the rose garden. My friend turned to me and said, "Ew, it smells like sewage." There was a staff member nearby on a walkie-talkie. Apparently a raccoon had died and she was looking for its remains. The staff person radioed, "I think we need to call Animal Control. (pause) I need a big shovel, too." Of course, curiosity got the best of us and we discreetly climbed up a hill to see the dead animal. This thing was huge! Its legs were all sticking out, like it just flopped over and died. "Well, I guess if I were an animal and I needed to die, this would be the place," I said to my friend. Curiosity abated, we continued strolling through the rest of the grounds. I recommend this place for: - Garden enthusiasts - Marriage proposals - People who like looking at pretty things in nature - Jane Austen fans who want to think romantic notions about Mr. Darcy whilst strolling through the garden paths - Furry animals looking for a final resting place read more

**NOTE** Dumbarton Oaks has both a museum and the gardens. The museum is open all year from 11:30-5:30 and is free. The gardens have two seasons - regular (mid-March through October) and winter (November through early March). During the regular season, they are open from 2-6pm and admission is $8 (CASH ONLY last I went). During the winter season, they are open from 2-5pm and admission is free. Dumbarton Oaks is a lover's paradise. You can get lost in the gardens and have a moment of privacy, lay on the hills and look at the cherry blossoms, and explore the balcony levels to see the property from a number of different views. Think Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden." Just as breathtaking as you'd imagine, but with a happier storyline (hint: it's whatever you want it to be). When my friend and I visited in May, we witnessed the most beautiful engagement from across the gardens. If you looking to share a romantic moment with that special someone, I can think of no better place. **BONUS** If you know someone who is employed here, apparently you can swim in the colonial revival style pool, surrounded by weeping cherry trees, stone walls and old wooden doors leading to the loggia. read more

It's beautiful but bring bug spray. No, seriously. My legs will never forgive me for forgetting it...or wearing a dress that day. read more

The museum is free to enter and includes a great collection of Byzantine relics. The historic house it is housed in is beautiful too. Great time and great collection! read more

Dumbarton Oaks - Byzantine collection - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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These are the 53 acre gardens which are part of Dumbarton Oaks Musuem, although there is a separate entrance the opening hours are the same - 2 - 5pm. The gardens are gorgeous - large sweeping lawns, formal rose gardens and flower beds, a pool which looks ever so inviting to jump into, and an orangerie full of tropical plants with a table and chair so you can sit down and breathe it all in and sit and read. There is a majestic sweeping view of the whole place from the terrace of the house. read more

I've been to some beautiful gardens around the world, and I have to say Dumbarton Oaks was right up there with the best of the best - beautifully landscaped and maintained, this place was a joy to visit even in the early days of spring when the garden was just starting to come to life! You can feel the passion and thought that went into designing this place. It is a magical place to relax - spend a few minutes here and you will feel like you are in the countryside, instead of the heart of Georgetown. It is also a very rewarding location for portrait shoots, though they do not allow commercial photography. I took some engagement photos as an early wedding gift for a friend, and we had a wonderful time exploring all the nooks and crannies. We picked Dumbarton Oaks over the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms, and the relative lack of crowds here along with the beautifully manicured gardens affirmed to us that we made the right choice. I was sorry to miss seeing the museum in the main house, but it is good to have an excuse to come back. It's worth noting that admission to the museum is free, although I can't imagine coming here without paying a visit to the gardens. The entrance fee for the gardens is $8 ($5 for seniors, children and students). From March 15-October 31, the hours are 2-6pm Tues-Sun; the off-season hours are 2-5pm on the same days. Gardens are closed Mondays. read more

That's right, folks. You've stumbled into Francis Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden, or what could very well be the immortal, hidden garden of Misselthwaite Manor. Dumbarton Oaks is indescribably beautiful and magical. There's really nothing quite like it in this area. The closest I can think of is Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Carolina...but Dumbarton Oaks seems like some sort of enchantment could happen in one of its green areas at dusk. Maybe it's the classical fountains. Or perhaps it's the array of watercolor-hued flowers. It could also be the labyrinthine pathways that would make it easy for a sprite or fairy to pop out at you... I let my imagination run amok, as you can see, but come see this sanctuary in the middle of already charming Georgetown, and you'll understand. It's an expansive respite filled with greenery of all kinds as well as detailed architectural accents. Dumbarton is really a collection of smaller gardens, connected by stone steps, or easily reached by crossing gorgeously landscaped lawns. We took advantage of Museum Day on Saturday, which allowed us entry without paying the usual eight-dollar admission fee. (Visitors would still need to obtain tickets for the garden. You can show print tickets or pull the tickets up on your phone.) Based on the transporting experience of yesterday afternoon, I would definitely not mind coming here on another splendid afternoon and to pay the eight bucks to see Dumbarton again. read more

Do not stand in line if you cannot get tickets before 4:00pm I cannot review this place for what it is (past the ticketed entry), but what happened to us was truly a result of incapable / unprofessional staff. There was a long line (~50 people) to get the tickets, and it was taking for ever for the line to move. ~4:15 pm I went ahead and asked one of the employees about how long does it take to checkout the gardens and was informed that the closing time is 6:00pm. Assuming that an hr is enough, we stood in line for nearly 45 mins, and when were close to get our tickets (another 10 people in front of us), the staff informed us that they are stopping the sale of tickets. I hope to see this garden some time soon, but I'll let this 1 star review as is, if they don't fix their management of ticket sales. Note: The line for tickets moves excruciatingly slow (not sure why). Be prepared for a long wait if you see a line with 20+ people. read more

I love parks like this, but I sometimes feel awkward going to them by myself because it seems a place as beautiful as this should be shared with someone else. So what better opportunity than to check out this park with a pretty lady? It just so happened that I knew a pretty lady. I could point to the whole garden and remark: "This entire park is beautiful, but compared to you, it cannot match the beauty of your smile, or the beauty of your eyes, or the beauty in your lips,..." Well, I called the pretty lady up. Asked her out. And, she was enthusiastic. Score! She would know that I have an appreciation for beauty (all sorts!), an appreciation for nature (again-- all sorts!) and an appreciation for doing diverse activities besides lounging in bars and eating chicken wings on football Sunday. Will's "soft and gentle" side was beginning to show; and, little did I know then that this would haunt me afterwards! The weather was somewhat gloomy that afternoon when I picked her up. And, although I don't consider myself religious; I might've been silently praying to the Sun god to best the Rain and Cloud gods so that this park would not be spoiled by neither rain nor clouds nor darkness. Just keep the weather bright and right so long as we are in the park I asked. Well, I just might be a believer in a Sun god. Because, sure enough, when we got into Georgetown, the clouds started to break and rays of sun started to pass through the clouds and irradiate the trees, grass, and the flowers. We spent about 90 minutes strolling through this park and enjoyed every foot of it. This is truly a remarkable gem in the middle of the hustle-and-bustle of Georgetown. It's vast, and it really is a photographer's paradise. There are diverse flowers and plants about. A beautiful tulip garden. Just truly a remarkable garden that's best enjoyed with someone else. read more

Romantic sunken gardens? Large swimming pools from the early 20th century? Vine-wrapped fountains? Roses blooming in the splendor of the sun? And a museum which houses the birthplace of the United Nations? Dumbarton Oaks has it all. I visited Dumbarton Oaks on a warm late spring day and fell in love with the place. It's not a lavish mansion, but it's a place that pays homage to nature and its simple beauties - roses, pools of water, lilies. It's simple and romantic. It feels like you are stepping into a fairytale. It's full of magic and enchantment. Dumbarton Oaks is located just a couple miles away from Georgetown's main street (M street). It's a bit of an uphill walk, so be aware of that. But it's a lovely walk to the garden and museum, nevertheless, as you walk by beautiful Georgetown homes. I'm just sad that I didn't visit this place sooner. I will certainly visit again! read more

Winter admission is free because most of the plants are dead. Regardless, the garden is beautiful. The fact that it remains beautiful despite all the dead foliage says a lot about this place. I saw several couples with a photographer in tow for picture sessions. Totally understandable-the place is gorgeous. A previous Yelper mentioned that this place reminded her of the book The Secret Garden. I couldn't have described it better. This place is magical. For reals. I know this sounds super lame but tis true. If I were a filmmaker, I would film a romantic movie scene here. I'd play the female lead. I would trip and fall but a handsome stranger, played by Michael Fassbender, would help me up. We fall in love. The film would take a surprising turn becoming a sci-fi movie about alien super-beings that want to destroy earth. Fassbender and I would save the world before retiring to a love-cottage on the Irish coast. Wait what was I talking about?? Oh yeah, Yelp review. Skip the lines at Georgetown Cupcake and come here instead. read more

One of the most impressive locations to visit within our nation's capitol, and also one of the lesser known by tourists. The gardens are beautiful, the building itself a piece of national history, and the Byzantine and Latin American collections are extremely impressive. Perhaps more impressive is how, once familiar with this organization, you will begin to see the name everywhere-- on grant papers your professors are using for their research; on buildings in Turkey where restoration is being subsisted by Dumbarton; in a textbook for their rare find. What you see here is just the beginning of all that this organization does. I try to visit every time I have a few days to spare in DC, and think you should as well! Take some visiting guests or a date-- they'll be impressed. Enjoy! read more

A sublime and secluded public place. A clarification: Dumbarton Oaks Park is a free PUBLIC park located to the north of Dumbarton Oaks, the famous private garden that charges admission. Both are wonderful places, but it's the public park that I visit several times a year to see it in all seasons. It's a slice of green near Dupont and Georgetown that has many wonderful elements packed into its small acreage. It has a sweet little stream running through it, and there are a few benches and other remnantsof public works that shaped the stream bed. There's a hillside meadow great for sunning oneself, and a shaded walk by the steam, and even a low-lying moist area. Despite its central location it's not typically too populated; the joggers and dog-walkers pass through quickly, so often it's just me and a few couples and maybe a mother with young kids. See also: Montrose Park read more

By far the best museum to take an out of town guest or a first time match.com date, if you want to demonstrate you're a worldly intellectual with exquisite taste. Its collection is small, but stunning. Let's start with the ancients. Wonderful Roman mosaics from Antioch decorate the floors and walls. It has the premier Byzantine coin collection in the world for you numismatists. The music room has a ceiling copied (or perhaps stolen) from some French chateau, an El Greco, and a stunning parquet wood floor. On a harpsichord sits a picture of Igor Stranvinsky who was commissioned by the owner of the estate, Robert Woods Bliss, to write the "Dumbarton Concerto" for his wedding. In this room, every spring, there is a three day symposium, where scholars from all over the world come to discuss some aspect of the Byzantine empire--which, by the way, I learned in one of these symposia, was where polyphony was developed. The pre-Columbian collection resides in a jewel of 20th century architecture by Philip Johnson. Several cylindrical glass rooms--set amid magnolias, azaleas and under oak trees--make you feel like you're walking through the woods as you look at the artifacts. And what treasures--golden tree frogs, ear plugs, necklaces and earrings. A cape for a priest made of brilliant yellow and blue bird feathers. And my personal favorite, a carving of a squatting, Tlazolteotl, filth goddess giving birth: http://www.flickr.com/photos/themosleyvault/2437746592/ Oh, did I mention the Sidon treasure? It's a collection of silver chalices, candelabras, and religious objects save from the town of Sidon and buried in a field. Incredible. read more