If you're into the arts, check out the workshops and art gallery inside the Mansion at Strathmore…read more There's a parking lot near a garden full of sculptures and chairs to enjoy the view. Walk inside to the mansion to find an art gallery throughout. Here, they host afternoon tea, crafts, story time, and more. My nine-year-old daughter loves their gift shop!

(4.15) ~ Very good afternoon tea w. music & speaker for a good cause:)…read more MENU HIGHLIGHTS (see photos): ** Fig & Brie Croissant = (4.35) Our fav! ** Caramelized Onion Quiche Bite = (4.15) Very tasty ** Tomato Canape = (4.15) Very good ** Mini Lemon Cheesecake Bite = (4.15) Very tasty ** Strathmore Tea Blend (Harney & Sons) = (4) very good & I like to squeeze some lemon into it;) ** Water (tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;) ** Everything else on the menu was very good too = (4)

One of my favorite museums. It's easily accessible from the National Mall…read more There is an east and west building as well as the outdoor sculpture garden. There are so many pieces of art to see including a rare da Vinci. Absolutely breathtaking art from French Impressionism to Dutch Baroque. As with most DC museums, admission is free.

Gigantic gallery, and before you go, pick a few areas that are must see. It's a bit difficult to…read morecomplete the whole museum in one day. There is an east wing, west wing, and an outdoor sculpture ground as well. Map layout is very clear and the exhibits are very well marked. Highly recommend if you get lost to ask a docent or one of the guards in the rooms. Often they will do special exhibitions featuring artists, so look online for the specific dates you are planning your visit for. Cafes and bathroom spread throughout the museum. Multiple gift shops. The main cafeteria is between the east and west wing on the basement and so is the main gift shop. Parking is paid on the street.

You cannot and should not spend a week in Laurel without stopping by the Laurel Museum. The hours…read moreare limited to a few days a week for a few hours at a time, but the museum, located in a refurbished historic house in the heart of Laurel's historic district, should not be missed. They feature one exhibit at a time in the main exhibition area (currently one on the Laurel Leader newspaper, the last one was based off of the popular local Lost Laurel blog) and downstairs have a children's educational play area and a gift shop. The workers are always incredibly knowledgeable on the exhibits and full of tons of Laurel tidbits. The museum won't just be appreciated by Laurel residents or former residents, it's great for anyone interested in history and how small towns have continued to evolve and thrive throughout the changing landscape of our nation. (whew, apologies for that dramatic sentence) Either way, the Laurel Museum deserves your patronage. Add it to your next walk down Main Street :)

Such a charming museum- has a kids area for hands-on activities, as well as historic exhibits…read more Admission is free. Museum staff is really nice!

I simply cannot believe that this lovely museum in Baltimore was FREE!! We spent about two hours…read moreexploring the 3 floors of art, artifacts and exhibits. We were lucky enough to see the Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture exhibit that showcased her various works and costumes that were made for The Black Panther, which was super cool. A great way to spend a morning or afternoon and cannot complain that it was free!!

Cost: Free (!) Neighborhood: Mount Vernon…read moreHow much time? 60-100 minutes, maybe. Depends on exhibits and how much you like certain time periods Baltimore Reviews 9/11: I went to this wonderful free museum, located in the historical Mount Vernon neighborhood, while traveling through the city with a couple of others, though apparently I had been there about 10 years earlier when I went to Baltimore for an Orioles game. The space was well air-conditioned, and there were several floors for us to explore. The special exhibit was about contemporary jewelry maker Douriean Fletcher and her exhibition, Jewelry of the Afrofuture, which showcased her modern designs and how she drew inspiration from her ancestry and other African countries. She's probably best known for Black Panther, and the exhibit did a good job of comparing while also including some other useful information. It was nice overall and well spaced. Otherwise, we went to the top and made our way down through the various floors, though we didn't take as much time as I would have liked, since we left at one point to go back to the hotel and get ready for the convention center. My favorite sections were probably on the Middle East and ancient Asia, as there was an impressive amount of antiques, ranging from bowls and jugs to statues and other items. The sections containing European artifacts were also nice, with a good hall to relax in, though I've never been the biggest fan of works from the Italian Renaissance. Some spaces felt a bit discombobulated, but there was a ton of stuff there to see, so it's hard to complain. Overall, we had an excellent time. If you want to see a wide variety of things and prefer more historical objects over modern art, I would heavily recommend this museum. It's hard not to, as it's free, though I did give them a small donation, as they definitely deserved it.

Not your typical art museum and that is why it is a Five Star experience. Funky and fun (and…read morepoignant) art work by those who are not typically featured in a museum. This strikes me as somewhat similar to the two excellent Kohler Art museums in Wisconsin. Super interesting and thought provoking especially the stories of many of the artists accompanying their work. The main museum building is a work of art itself. The gift shop is a riot. Hands down the best and craziest museum gift store. Thank goodness my friend recommended this stop. Heads up on parking - the meters on the street are way way cheaper then the Rusty Scupper lot across the street. This place is a gem. Don't miss it!

I've lived in the Baltimore area for quite some time now and I can't believe I've never been to the…read moreAmerican Visionary Art Museum. I mean how can you pass by the mirrored egg or the golden hand and not think to find out what type of dope art is hidden inside. With so many unique pieces to look at I took my time leisurely strolling through the two buildings for the museum. Welcomed by a half naked mannequin with wings floating in the center of the stairs, you can't help but be intrigued to learn more about the artists work. There was so much to take in with every turn. I especially liked the homage to the staples of Baltimore's culture in the second building. And we can't forget about the gift shop that I literally could've spent hours in just rummaging through all the eclectic finds. I'm happy I finally bit the bullet to visit the American Visionary Art Musuem, and I look forward to a return visit to see all the things I missed.

I found this place by randomly zooming in on Google Maps! TikTok kept recommending all the popular…read morespots in D.C., but this turned out to be a true hidden gem. I loved exploring the different artifacts and seeing how they represent cultures from various time periods around the world. The exhibits are incredibly unique, diverse, and thoughtfully displayed. It may not look like much from the outside, but once you step in, you'll be surprised by how spacious it is. Definitely worth a visit! Your friendly neighborhood museum, with items you wouldn't expect to see. All the items are incredibly beautiful!

I purposely visited recently (winter season) because entrance to the gardens is free, otherwise…read moreit's $15. The gardens are interesting even in the cold months. The couple most closely associated with this Georgetown estate, Mildred and Robert Bliss, clearly loved and thought deeply about this parcel of land when they owned it (1920/30's). Their efforts to preserve and share the space with the public are to be commended. It must have been quite something in its heyday. There's a lot of research that's supported here, as well as other activities. The website explains all that. It's a low-key sightseeing spot; quiet, contemplative.

For my first Baltimore review, I'm giving praise to a solid overall art museum experience. And it…read morewas also a museum experience that was completely FREE! When I was looking at Baltimore attractions closest to my Airbnb, I instantly made a note. And from the moment that I first walked through its outdoor sculpture garden before even entering the building, I knew I was in for a treat! It might not be as expansive as other art museums I've been to, like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and MOMA. But it's well curated with impressive Asian and African art wings, an awesome section devoted to local Baltimore artists, and works from artists spanning across the globe and centuries. I've touched on it in the opening, but the fact that its a free museum experience unless you choose to pay less than $10 to see the special featured exhibit is absolutely amazing and unfathomable! Since the current featured exhibit had the works of Matisse, whom I've seen plenty of times, I decided to take in everything else, and could have easily spent 5+ hours taking it all in! With features like this inside and out, and the incredible value, I'm honestly surprised that the BMA doesn't get mentioned in the conversation about must-visit art museums in the US!

WHAT A TREAT, to have caught the entire Amy Sherald exhibit and BAM! I loved this museum, and this…read moreexhibit specifically! My college campus and myself took a trip here for this, and 5/5 would recommend! So enlightening, so thought-provoking, so CHROME. ;) I'm also especially thankful for the guides that walked our group through Amy's pieces, who then were able to describe and confirm the emotions and response she wanted her audience to receive! Love love love this museum, and thank you to my campus for coordinating this.

This is so beautiful. I feel really moved seeing this humble but sturdy home which served as one of…read morethe first dwellings for emancipated African Americans in this area. I highly recommend visiting. It's quick, but worth it. There is also a trail here for hiking

The Heritage Farm Museum is one of my favorite ways to entertain a toddler on a rainy / hot / snowy…read moreday! You can spend a full morning here, running around, playing, and exploring all the different exhibits and not get bored. The general store is a personal favorite and my kiddos love putting on an apron, stocking and restocking shelves, and pretending to purchase bread and potatoes. There is also a little interactive farm, one room school house, and recreation of an old timey kitchen that are a big hit with our toddler set. In nicer weather days, they have actual farm demonstrations and lots of tractors and other wheeled contraptions for kids to look at. The cost of a morning of fun? $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and FREE NINETY NINE for the two and under set. You can tire your kiddos out, grab lunch at nearby Ridgetop Coffee (which has an indoor playroom), and have a peaceful car nap home. Truly one of the best hidden gems for families here in Nova.

Great spot to spend a few hours with your toddler! The museum is small but perfectly sized for…read moresmall toddlers that need to burn energy on a hot or rainy day. The woman at the front desk was incredibly nice and helpful. The play areas were clean and creative. There farm area and general store were our toddler's favorite! Would definitely recommend and we will be back soon

Looking for something to do in DC that doesn't involve brunch or the club? Check out the Rubell…read moreMuseum in Southwest DC! The museum is filled with bold contemporary art--some pieces were beautiful, some were a little weird, and some had me standing there trying to figure out what exactly I was looking at But that's what made it fun! It's a cute spot for a solo date, girls' day, or something different to do with your boo. Plus, there are plenty of photo-worthy moments throughout the museum. Definitely add the Rubell Museum DC to your list of things to do in the DMV! #RubellMuseum #RubellMuseumDC #ThingsToDoInDC #DCMuseums #WashingtonDC #DCDateIdeas #DMVContentCreator #FlashesByAsh

The newish Rubell Musuem is tucked away in Southwest. Though it is a bit of a hike from any Metro…read morestation (I walked here from L'Enfant), it's well worth the visit. The museum's shiny exterior was built around a much older brick building. There is a coffee shop on the main level and the aroma of coffee filled the museum. The galleries have high-ceilings (except the brick-lined basement) and have a pleasant airy natural-light filled ambience. Contemporary art fills three floors. Almost all the art grabbed my attention and caused me to linger, ponder and enjoy what I was seeing. It's heartening that this is a private museum and the current president is unable to interfere with operations like he has done with the Smithsonian and Nat'l Gallery. I would suggest allotting about an hour and a half to view all the exhibits.