Hidden Gems in Washington DC
- Claudia
- Jun 9
- 10 min read
If you’re ready to get off the National Mall and check out the best hidden gems in Washington DC, this is the place for you. DC boasts iconic Neoclassical buildings, the US Capitol Building, Library of Congress, and 17 Smithsonian museums. But is there anything else worth visiting in this historic city and seat of the American government?
The answer is yes! DC is more than the National Mall and a few federal office buildings. It’s teeming with life and culture. Many visitors simply don’t know where to look. So we’ve listed for you the best off-the-beaten path places to visit in Washington DC. If you’re ready to know the local, insider scoop on what DC has to offer, look no further.
15 Hidden Gems in DC
If you are ready to check out new things to do and explore the unknown sites of Washington DC, we’ve got you covered. Here is our list of the best hidden gems in Washington DC! Pick one to add to your itinerary.
Clara Baron is known for her courageous efforts during the Civil War. She faced the heat of the conflict to give men vital medical care right on the battlefield, one time barely missing a bullet. She later went on to start the National Red Cross, the largest humanitarian organization in the USA.
Many may not know that in the aftermath of the Civil War, she also ran the “Missing Soldiers’ Office” located in the heart of Washington DC. With a small group of ladies, she would receive letters from family members searching for their lost boys who had gone missing in battle. The office was ultimately able to locate 22,000 soldiers.
If you are curious to see the very room where she started and ran her operation, you’ll want to visit Clara Barton’s Missing Soldiers Office tucked between a couple local restaurants on 7th St. NW. It’s a hidden gem like no other. To explore the Missing Soldier's Office along with other hidden gems in the neighborhood, join our Hidden DC Tour today!
The Washington Monument is not the only high point to overlook the city. The Old Post Office Tower, located at the Waldorf Astoria, is another great option. Take an elevator up the 270 foot tower for a breathtaking view of the nation’s capital including, White House, The Capitol building, Washington Monument, Pentagon, Smithsonian museums, Supreme Court, and Lincoln Memorial.
Access to the tower is located at the rear of the Waldorf Astoria. Visitors can explore exhibit and the tower every day from 9 am until 4:30 pm daily. It is closed for certain holidays so be sure to check out the website for more information. If you’re interested in visiting the Old Post Office Tower, join us for our Hidden DC Tour.
3. Neighborhood Tour (Dark History Tour)
If you’re only in DC for a few days, it’s vital to see the Capitol, Library of Congress, and Smithsonian museums. However, if you have the time, get off the beaten path and explore some of DC's local neighborhoods. You’ll get a sense of real life that most visitors miss.
Our top picks are Penn Quarter, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown. Exploring these neighborhoods on your own is an option but taking a tour means you won't walk by the most interesting hot spots. A guided tour of an infamous DC neighborhood on one of our Dark History tours is one of the best ways to see the significant buildings. You’ll also hear the juiciest secrets of DC’s hidden scandals which give life to the sites nestled into Washington's most iconic neighborhoods.
4. Union Market
Hidden gems in DC are not only museums, galleries and historic houses. The city also has a thriving foodie scene from celebrity chef restaurants and Michelin stars to eateries and open air markets. One of our favorites is Union Market located in the NOMA neighborhood. You’ll walk through this interior market for everything from Japanese fusion, French cheese platters, and American BBQ.
Right next to Union Market is our favorite Latin American eatery called La Cosecha. Enjoy Spanish tapas, El Salvadorian pupusas, and delectable Argentinian chocolate. They also have bimonthly salsa social nights for those who want to spice up the evening with a little Latin dancing.
A shout out to all art lovers! You’ll love the Phillips Collection located just steps away from Dupont Circle. You’ll view nearly 2,000 works of art collected from their opening in 1921. Originally a private art collection in DC, the Phillips boasts prized works from the impressionist, modern art world, and contemporary pieces.
View the famous and the obscure and discover a new work that touches you in a unique way. Works by impressionist Monet and Renoir, or post-impressionists Cezanne and Van Gogh are on display as well as more contemporary artists. You’ll also see famous American artists like Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper to name a few. Visiting DC’s art scene would not be complete without a trip to the Phillips Collection.
Have you ever wondered where Lincoln stayed to get away from the chaos of the White House? At the Lincoln Cottage, also known as the Soldiers' Home, you can see the place he sought respite in the country’s turbulent time. Built by banker George Riggs in 1842 it was sold to the US government as a veterans retirement home. Before Abraham Lincoln, President Buchanan also used it as a quiet getaway.
When you visit Lincoln’s Cottage, you’ll walk through the Gothic-Revival style rooms that housed Lincoln and his family during the summer months. Visit the very room where he drafted the infamous Emancipation Proclamation and made vital decisions that shaped the fate of the country. Stroll through the grounds as history comes to life with a museum guide giving tours from noon to 3pm on the hour. Apart from tours, the home hosts public events, talks, and lectures focusing on Lincoln’s impact on American history.
But there's more than hiking. Join a special Ranger talk near the visitor center for a lesson on everything from tracking animals to park conservation. The third national park in the US, Rock Creek Park is the perfect nature escape without even leaving the city. Between the museums and monuments, don’t forget to venture into DC's mystical forest at Rock Creek Park.
With the largest collection of Shakespeare’s work in the world, visiting the Folger is a one of a kind experience. The library is famous for its Shakespearian educational material with the goal in making it more accessible and relatable to the modern audience. The library also runs an active theatre that replicates an Elizabethan theatre in London.
When you visit the Folger, you’ll experience an interactive exhibit showcasing the original first Folios (or printed manuscripts) of Shakespeare’s collection. Explore the story and influence of the Tudor dynasty which inspired the world of the British playwright. Browse the Readers Room for the scholarly collection that dates back to the Renaissance and includes other great works of the ages. And be sure to grab a drink at the Quill and Crumb cafe or book a show in the Shakespeare theatre. You’ll laugh, cry, and sit at the edge of your seat for a performance like no other.
When visiting DC, you probably didn’t expect to find the largest collections of Russian art outside of Russia. Bought in the 1950s, Marjorie Merriweather Post acquired the Georgian colonial estate to display her treasures: forgotten Russian artwork purchased in the 1930s while she was living in Russia as the wife of the American Ambassador to Russia. Today, her former home and gardens are a private museum for visitors to enjoy the best of imperial Russia.
Highlights include nearly 90 Faberge pieces, 60 Russian porcelain dining services featuring dishes from Empress Catherine the Great, 25 silver religious chalices, two minutely detailed Imperial Easter eggs and the nuptial crown of Empress Alexandra. Hillwood Estate also includes beautifully French-style gardens, a perfect escape for any time of the year. The grounds are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 5pm. You won’t want to miss this priceless gem in the heart of DC’s Northwest.
Picture this: an abandoned trolley station lurking beneath one of the busiest intersections in Washington, DC. The words conjure a spooky, unwelcoming space, but instead these unused transit arteries have been turned into a vibrant art and culture center. Eclectic and definitely off the beaten path, Dupont Underground is a favorite among locals. Just off the Dupont Circle metro station the space is booming with the latest trends in the DC art scene.
The two founding architects decided to show the potential of a city often only known for being dry and political. They give a platform for new talent, whether that be contemporary artists, musicians, or performers. The goal is to present a multicultural and diverse group of people at the Underground. In that way, DC’s up and coming cultural scene is equally represented. Open Friday- Sunday from 11am-5pm or during special events. Don’t miss out on their next show!
11. Dumbarton Oaks
Most of the sprawling private homes in Georgetown are privately held and you won't be invited in for a visit. However, on the north side of Georgetown is a hidden gem in DC unknown to most travelers. A research center for Harvard University, Dumbarton Oaks was the home of Robert Woods and Mildred Barnes Bliss. These two created not simply an art museum, but a center for the humanities.
The major highlight of Dumbarton, apart from its ornate rooms and lush garden is its collection of Pre-Columbian and Byzantine art. If you’re a fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark, you’ll be excited to see the Aztec fertility goddess that inspired the idol in the movie. When you’re ready for a little intellectual stimulation, be sure to check out Dumbarton Oaks and its gardens. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 2-6pm.
Located next to Union Station, the National Postal Museum is one of the most overlooked Smithsonian museums in the city. It’s a perfect experience for both children and adults alike with its interactive features and rare items like original embossed stamps used to carry out the Stamp Act, the catalyst behind the Revolutionary War.
The Postal Museum contains 11 different exhibits on its two floors. Highlights are the "Moving the Mail", "Binding the Nation", and "Behind the Badge". You’ll explore George Washington’s vision to connect the new country with a thriving postal system and Benjamin Franklin’s role as Post Master General. Be sure to stop at the information desk to pick up a scavenger hunt to complete with your kids!
Nature lovers have another great spot to explore. A DC hidden gems list would not be complete without the National Arboretum. Only 2 miles from the Capitol stands the National Arboretum, established in 1927 as a national research center for botanical research and public gardens. It comprises 446 acres of land on the eastern edge of DC. It boasts of 1617 tree species, an herb garden, and an herb research garden. Apart from that, they have the first museum devoted to the bonsai plant.
Some of the highlights include National Capitol Columns, where you can see the original Corinthian marble columns removed during 1864 Capitol dome renovations. Spend a couple of hours exploring nature’s masterpieces and learn more about the plant world. The National Arboretum is open from 8am until 5pm daily.
14. Eastern Market
Another great place for foodies, Eastern Market is located only one metro stop from the Capitol building. It feels like you’re in Europe! Unlike Union Market, Eastern Market gives you a true marketplace experience as opposed to a food court vibe. It contains both inside and outside vendor spaces and is a favorite among locals. Try farmer’s produce, fine cheeses, handmade pasta, or gourmet meats. You may also be surprised to find them selling fresh flowers, local artist pieces, and hosting live music.
One of the only historic markets still in existence, Eastern Market was in Pierre L'Enfant’s plan for designing Washington DC. It’s a historic landmark woven into the fabric of city life that is easily overlooked by visitors. Discover the sights, smells, and sounds of DC’s local and historic market only steps away from the Capitol.
Located near the White House, The National Museum of Women in the Arts is the first museum dedicated exclusively to women in the world of art. It contains over 6,000 works dating from the 1750s to the present day including works by international and American female artists alike.
Some famous artists on exhibit include Mary Cassatt, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Élisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun, Amy Sherald and the only painting in DC by Frida Kahlo. They also rotate with temporary exhibitions such as "Uncanny" featuring surrealist concepts. Celebrate women and their contributions to the arts with a trip to the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Visit from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am until 5pm.
Last but not least on our list of hidden gems in Washington DC is The People’s House. This interactive exhibit is the best way to see the White House without reserving advanced tickets.
Through a 360 degree projection, experience rooms of the White House like the East Room, Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, and State Dining Room. Sit behind a replica of the desk in the Oval Office and imagine your day if you were president. Grab timed entry passes and make a visit any day of the week from 9am-5pm.
We are Only Scratching the Surface!
Our list of the best hidden gems in Washington DC is only the beginning. Though there's plenty more for you to do in the nation’s capital, we hope that this list will inspire you to start exploring our favorite off-the-beaten path experiences.
After you visit these sights, you’ll think of DC as a vibrant city with adventures around every corner. If you’re looking for more suggestions or privately curated itineraries, reach out to us at Unscripted Tours to design your personalized DC experience! Your Washington DC adventure is waiting!
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