Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is a decorative arts museum founded by Marjorie Merriweather Post, a businesswoman, socialite, philanthropist, and collector known for her expansive art collections and notable residences, including Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. The museum at Hillwood houses a large collection of decorative arts that focuses heavily on the House of Romanov, including Faberge eggs. The estate is situated on 25 acres and features 13 acres of formal gardens, which are open to the public.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

A short drive from Washington, DC, you’ll find Mount Vernon, the expansive home of America’s first president, George Washington, and his wife, Martha. Perched on the banks of the Potomac River, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit Washington’s tomb, explore his life through interactive museum exhibits, or taste new whiskeys at the onsite distillery and fully immerse yourself in a significant piece of American history.

Perry Belmont House

The stunning Perry Belmont Mansion, once home to Perry and Jessie Belmont, is a stone’s throw from the Dupont Circle and available to tour by appointment. The Belmonts began construction on the mansion in 1906 when he was a Congressman and Ambassador to Spain, and they both were leading Washington socialites. Famous French architect Eugene Sanson—known for his stunning staircases—designed the mansion with the specific purpose of entertaining notable dignitaries from all over the world. Marvel at the opulent and masterful design throughout and bask in a lingering sense of distinction left by those esteemed guests who once filled the home.  

Dumbarton Oaks

Located in the historic Georgetown neighborhood, a pleasant 25-minute walk from the Dupont Circle, Dumbarton Oaks is a Harvard University research institute, library, museum, and garden. As the legacy of art collectors Robert and Mildred Bliss, the museum houses world-class collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art. Additionally, the historic garden—singled out by National Geographic in 2014 as one of the ten best gardens in the world—was created in a close collaboration between Mildred Bliss and renowned landscape designer Beatrix Farrand. The garden and museum form the public face of Dumbarton Oaks and receive tens of thousands of visitors each year.

Anderson House

Designed as the winter residence of Larz Anderson, an American diplomat, and his wife, Isabel, an author and philanthropist, construction on Anderson House was completed in the spring of 1905. Described as a “Florentine villa in the midst of American independence,” the couple used their Washington home as a showcase for their art collection and a venue for high society galas. During the Washington social season, the Andersons held diplomatic and inaugural receptions, formal dinners and luncheons, concerts, and dramatic performances. Sitting prominently on Massachusetts Avenue at the helm of ‘Embassy Row,’ less than a 10-minute walk from the Dupont Circle, the mansion is now open to the public for tours and serves as the headquarters for The Society of the Cincinnati.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Discover the legacy of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass at Cedar Hill, which is preserved at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Explore the historic home where Douglass resided from 1877 until his passing in 1895. Perched atop a 50-foot hill and encompassing eight acres of the original estate, this meticulously restored house showcases original artifacts that once belonged to Douglass and his family.  A guided tour is required to get inside the historic home, and reservations can be secured here. This is an unforgettable experience that history enthusiasts simply cannot miss.

Heurich House

Architecture and beer lovers will find common ground at the stunning Heurich mansion, a hidden gem within minutes of the Dupont Circle. The mansion was constructed in 1894 for German-American immigrant Christian Heurich, a household name during his time whose brewery was the largest in Washington, DC. As the city’s finest example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, the home features one of the most landmarked interiors in DC. Schedule a guided tour of the immaculately preserved home or visit the operating biergarten in the castle’s garden for a drink; open to the public four days a week, reservations are not necessary for the biergarten.

Woodrow Wilson House

Nestled in Dupont Circle, just steps away from Embassy Row, lies the illustrious Woodrow Wilson House. This grand residence, once the home of twenty-eighth President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, stands as a remarkable exploration of his complicated legacy. Recognized as a historic landmark, the house has operated as a museum since 1963. The mansion offers general guided tours of the residence, as well as specialty tours like the architecture tour and the prohibition era wine cellar tour. Embark on a journey through time as you explore beautifully restored rooms and immerse yourself in the narrative of Woodrow Wilson's presidency.

Decatur House

Experience a piece of American history at Decatur House, one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, DC. Designed by neoclassical architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe and completed in 1818 for naval hero Stephen Decatur and his wife Susan, this federal-style residence boasts a rich history and impressive roster of former residents including Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren, and Edward Livingston, who collectively transformed the house into the unofficial residence of the Secretary of State. Over the years, the home has also housed a vice president, senators, and diplomats, cementing its place as a Washington, DC icon. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the preserved home, prominently located across Lafayette Square from the White House. While entrance is free, reservations are required and can be made here.

Tudor Place

In 1805, Martha Custis Peter, a granddaughter of Martha Washington, and her husband, Thomas, purchased the property at Tudor Place in historic Georgetown. To preserve the material legacy of the Washingtons, the Peters filled their home with decorative arts and momentos purchased from Martha’s grandmother’s estate at Mount Vernon. Today, the federal-style residence preserves the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington through 18,000 decorative objects. Enjoy a guided tour of the house and gardens, which you can reserve here.