Hillwood Estate
A hidden gem of magnificent proportions, for only those in the know. Merriweather Post Hillwood, prominent businesswoman and heiress to the Post Cereal fortune, fashioned her estate next to Rock Creek Park to be an extraordinarily stately and luxurious site for entertaining guests, housing her impressive art collections, and with the intention of leaving it behind for the world to enjoy. The mansion is a treasure trove of French and Russian decorative arts, much of which she obtained from the USSR, whose government under Stalin was then auctioning off a good portion of its cultural heritage to finance its war efforts. Second in grandeur only to the art collection itself are the French and Japanese-style gardensâgreat places to linger long after the tour.
Kreeger Museum
Little known even to locals is this private house-museum with an impressive collection of paintings by the impressionist and early modern masters. The house itself is a work of art, designed by modernist architects Philip Johnson and Richard Foster. The ride out to the museum will take you through some of the country's wealthiest neighborhoods.
The Zoo and the National Cathedral dwarf any other attractions here in both size and number of visitors by a long shot, but if you have a little extra time, the Hillwood Estate and Kreeger Museum are two of the city's greatest hidden gems.
National Cathedral
This is a huge attraction that should not be overlooked in your itinerary. There is a ton of stuff to see and do within the Gothic mammoth, and the impression of walking up to the world's sixth largest cathedral, a hulking mass cut over a period of 83 years of 150,000 tons of stone, is alone worth the trip. Tours are a must if you really want to see the cathedral, as towers and the crypt are off limits without a guide during the busy season. The organ demonstrations are spectacular and loud. Check the website for events, as there is often children's programming as well as major concerts.
National Zoo
This is one of the world's great zoos, with a collection of 400 species, 2,000 animals, all right in the center of the city in Rock Creek Park. The National Zoo is quite large and filled with more animals and exhibits than one could see comfortably in one day without rushing, so be sure to get a map at the entrance, take your time, and be prepared to walk a great deal. Bring waterâthe concessions here are insultingly expensive. The most crowded exhibits are nearly always the Pandas and the Ape House. The former is an almost guaranteed letdownâthe pandas are perhaps the zoo's shyest residents the Ape House is fun no matter the crowds, though. Sleeper hits include the Seals & Sea Lions Exhibit, the Reptile House, the remarkable Aviary, and the irresistibly cute prairie dogs.