Located just across the border from Washington, D.C., the town of Bethesda, Maryland is a fairly…read morewell-to-do suburb and one of the last places one might expect to find a fantastical novelty house. The house at 4949 Allan Road in Bethesda has become something of a landmark, known for the curved canopies that earned it the name "the Mushroom House." The bumpy edges and pointed tip give the house a shape slightly reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss doodle. As it turns out, though, the original design was not particularly child-friendly. See link of interview from couple who had it built. https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ94C2IKSK6/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

I had no idea that such a unique piece of architecture was located right in the suburbs of…read moreBethesda. I only found this out after searching for activities to do in the area and was recommended this site. Definitely a really cool crafted home that looks like a smurf or flinstone home!

TL:DR - A oasis in Washington, DC…read more While the phrase "hidden gem," is too often overused, the Tregaron Conservancy is place where that label is completely apropos. Located off Macomb Street in the toney Cleveland Park neighborhood, this is definitely a spot frequented by locals. Walking up to the small gate entrance, it's almost as if this a secret garden of sorts. Make you way up the winding path, and visitors encounter some of the most beautiful green spaces in all of DC. The Tregaron Conservancy and the associated grounds are joint tenants with the adjacent Washington International School (https://tregaron.org/news/washington-international-school-tregaron-conservancys-perfect-partner). Just be aware that while the main sections of the Tregaron are open to the public, the school portion is not. While the Tregaron is not expansive, there are many nice sections. There are benches down by the Lily Pond which I have often enjoyed a coffee and conversations with friends. The remaining grounds are kept pristine with slight hills which are perfect for an afternoon picnic or just sitting to enjoy sunny days. There is also the scenic Klingle Valley trail which winds through the woods and eventually connects up with Rock Creek Park after crossing through busy Connecticut Ave. Good information before you make the trip: https://tregaron.org/planning-your-visit My advice is to take the Metro to the Cleveland Park stop, and make the short 10 minute walk. There are many restaurants and bakeries where you can pop in, get a beverage and pastry to enjoy at the Tregaron. Bonus Tip: If you need to use a restroom, the Cleveland Park Library is at corner of Connecticut Ave and Macomb Street (https://www.yelp.com/biz/cleveland-park-library-washington?osq=cleveland+park+library&sort_by=date_desc) There aren't many "attractions" at the Tregaron...but that's really the point. It's a place to escape the concrete jungle that is DC and commue and appreciate nature, at least for a short while. If you are looking for an "in the know" place and want to impress long time DC residents and visitors alike, I highly recommend visiting the Tregaron Conservancy.

The Tregaron Conservancy is a beautiful hidden gem for a short walk in a natural setting right…read moreinside the city. I'm amazing by how much of an escape it feels like as it's tucked on a very small land area. It may not be a tourist destination to make a trip out for, but I am so grateful to have this local spot. The area could be walked through very quickly, but I have also spent hours sitting by the pond and birdwatching or just enjoying nature. The park can be tricky to find, I access it from Klingle Valley Trail. Note - this is the Conservancy which is an outdoor park. I believe the "Estate" is now the Washington International School building and is not open to the public.

I like the graffiti cliffs for a multitude of reasons. My main reasoning is it allows me to get an…read moreescape from the hustle and bustle of the city while still being right in the middle of it. Additionally, it offers a great view of Rosslyn, Georgetown, and the Potomac. It is one of those experiences in the city that takes you away while still being present. A couple of downsides to this area is that it can be a bit sketchy and you're best to watch your back when you come up here. On the flip side, they're there for the same purpose that you are - to chill. You leave them alone and you will be left alone. It is easy to access for the most part. Just take the stairs up from the parking below by the kayaks and you'll find yourself on the C & O Trail. Wear good shoes. You will be better off than wearing sandals.

If you want to see some American Graffiti, this is where you come. Jimmy Cliff and Cliff Richard…read more(ew) like it here too, hence it's named the Graffiti Cliffs. I didn't even know the Graffiti Cliffs of Georgetown even existed (even) until my most recent visit, which is weird because I know everything, lol, and I used to live around here. But it's a must visit. I love it. The views are amazing and the graffiti on all of the cliffs and things around here is awesome. The sometimes strict local police let everything go here, so it's basically just a free artistic place. It's sort of like a tolerance zone for prostitution, but instead, it's art. Although Barbi and I consider some forms of prostitution to be art, too, especially when we do it. So Graffiti. Not as much fun as prostitution but it might be better to look at depending on who the client is. I mean artist. However, I learned that just a few weeks after I visited here, they closed it off. Not even for Coronavirus, but before Corona. Hopefully it'll be opened up again as soon as Coronavirus is over. It better be.

One of the lesser known, but uber-popular tourist sites in DC! This staircase near Key Bridge, on…read morethe western end of M Street in Georgetown is worth checking out. It's a quick walk from most of the spots in Georgetown. I've been here many times over the years and recently took coworkers to check it out. It's pitched rather steep, but still an easy walk to the top. Definitely spooky when visited at night! Check it out!

Very cool to see! Can't seem to ever wish to fall down them like the stunt man in the exorcist!!…read moreI'll stay upright thank you!

It is an intriguing attraction, but you will not spend much time here. These chairs are all over…read morethe US and this one has been here for many years. This chair is located on the front lawn of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and around the corner for the famous Exorcist stairs. There is metered street parking available in the area of the chair, but you would probably be good to just park real quick, run and get a couple of quick photos and then leave. It is a cool thing to see and provides a great photo opportunity. Out side of the photo op, there is not much more to it. There is no lift or stairs to get up on the chair so you will need to be semi-mobile and/or get some help to get up on the chair. I spent about 5 to 10 minutes there and then I was off to the next place.

The unexamined life is not worth living. So let's take a look at why someone would vandalize a…read morelarge Adirondack chair. Does it make you feel small? Are you Don Quixote attacking large green chairs that look like dragons? This chair is not unlike The Giving Tree. It's part of a community and it makes people take pause. It enhances the area and it makes people smile. What's wrong with that? The chair is what you make of it. Don't project negative emotions onto the wood of this chair. If you vandalize this chair- you are small. Why should you check out the Giant Adirondack Chair? This local piece is meant for people who aren't afraid to see life from a different angle. At the rate we're going, it may not be there for long. If you love your community- Take a Stand. Don't let people tear your neighborhood apart. This chair is on the grounds of the Duke Ellington HS for the performing arts. I think he would have agreed with me! WWDED? (what would duke ellington do?)

Georgetown Glow is free public art with elements to captivate all ages & demographics. It can be…read morepaired with some history or can be enjoyed to captivate your Instagram followers. It is currently in it's fifth year, running from early December to early January. It looks like the installations change every year so there is something new to explore and enjoy. I won't go through every installation that I saw for this reason. There are some really instagramable moments, my favorite in 2018 was definitely Prismatic, but I have a big soft spot for Run Beyond as well. You should definitely plan to get out and explore a lot of the installations, just walking or driving by won't give you the full effect of some of them. Some of them also can't be seen from your vehicle, bundle up and explore! There are also a few that incorporate motion & sound. Here is the biggest "well duh" moment- see these installations after dark. Not during sunset, not at dusk- make sure it is really dark for the full effect. I mean- they are light installations, so maybe that shouldn't even be mentioned. I opted to see Georgetown Glow as part of a tour group (Free Tours by Foot DC) and our tour started almost an hour before sunset so I made a point to revisit the installations we saw early on during the tour- it was definitely worth the trip back to see the earlier installations. I thought taking the walking tour was a great way to see some of the installations and learn more about the history of Georgetown. Our tour guide was excellent, but was definitely a better Georgetown guide vs a Glow guide. She had great historical stories to connect to the themes of the art installations as we walked through Georgetown. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see all of the artwork during this foot tour, but we had plenty of time to explore the ones we did encounter on our tour. I would recommend doing Georgetown Glow both ways, take a tour if that's your thing, but really for the art itself I think you can easily enjoy every installation without the tour aspect and just read the information provided on the website to learn more. It is an outdoor, free, public display so expect that a few of the installations may have technical difficulties. I visited on the second night of the displays and noticed some light vandalism, most likely caused by careless spectators. It didn't take away from the overall effect though. One thing I appreciated is even though this is a December outdoor light exhibit, it wasn't Christmas themed. There is definitely plenty of holiday cheer to enjoy as you explore the city between installations. The art itself focuses on different themes giving you a brief mental break from the holidays.

I've been going to GLOW since the first edition and I just love it! I like some installations…read morebetter than others but it's a great idea and it's nice seeing people walking around at night in the Winter! It would be nice to have shuttle tours for people who can't walk as much. Maybe the Circulator used to do free rides? I can't remember. DC has so many free events and exhibits and GLOW is one of the best.

A must see! It's ridiculous that he's being forced to remove them. They are fixed to his property…read moreand they really are awesome! Not an eye sore, not a disruption, and people literally stop by and move on. We all need something to make us smile especially during these times. The neighbors should lighten up. Doesn't disrupt the "charm" of Georgetown.

It is a cute little garden with Barbie's. They change it depending on the theme or holiday or…read moreseason.

This was marked a tourist attraction on Google Maps. After clicking, seeing photos, and Instagram,…read moreI knew this was going to be a must-see. I visited DC before and did all the museums and monuments. I wanted to see other landmarks and attractions, and what better that the Barbie Pond. In a cute neighborhood, you will find an adorable front of home garden with a pond. The barbies were living their best lives! Hands up in the air with boobies out! The other girlies were floating around in the pond, relaxing and enjoying the summer rays. The "pond floats" were so cute being little rings and pineapples. The Ken's were enjoying the sunny weather at well. You can even spot 2 speed boats. What an awesome summer day. I even liked the large sign reading The Magic of Liquid Sunshine. The Barbies change for the different holidays and seasons. I can't wait to keep up with them on Instagram!

The local artist is SO NICE and alludes his love to art. He is known for his "watermelon house" and…read moremural down the alley...

Fun spot to check out if you're in the neighborhood--a humongous mural painted on the side of a…read morehouse. There are more murals down the alley. We met the artist, Wade Wilson! Friendly gentleman.

"I love these murals, but when do we enter the museum?" Me. "These are the museum," my friend. And…read morethis is how I've come to enjoy the DC Alley Museum as the best outdoor-only free museum experience that I've ever had! For the past 10 years, Shaw's Blagden Alley has partnered with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities to transform its building walls into canvases for local artists to showcase their work. The result is an alleyway filled with a cavalcade of murals big and small, that blend in well with the local businesses within said alleyway. While walking through this vast alleyway I saw so many incredible works of art that I lost track, and the photos that I took barely do justice It's an absolute street art lover's dream! The best part is that you can either walk through it in a quick dose, or you can do so while grabbing coffee at La Colombe, a cocktail at Calico or Death & Co, or even a workout at DC Strength and Nutrition. Checking out the website is a must to learn more about the core mural artists and to find out about events like their Alley-Oop Music and Arts Festival.

Murals galore! They are all different and unique and range in size. How fun to just explore various…read morestreets and find unique art at every turn. Sometimes you can't even tell if it's part of the outdoor museum or part of the storefront of a creative restaurant. Definitely worth checking out. There is a coffee shop, bar, restaurants, and other business nestled within this space. We need more art, less arguing!