If there is one thing that is true about DC, it’s that it never stops surprising you. No matter how long you’ve lived here or how many times you have visited, you will still discover new things in DC. If you are looking to avoid the over-crowded, well known spots in DC, we suggest visiting these 13 best kept secrets in DC!
- Anderson House
Flickr/Steve Fernie This historic and gorgeous mansion was built in 1905. Today it’s the home of the Society of the Cincinnati. The home is filled with gorgeous artwork, furnishings and unique details. It’s free to visit and a tour guide will guide you, providing information on the architecture and history of the house.
2118 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008
- Woodrow Wilson House
Flickr/Tim Evanson The Woodrow Wilson House is where President Wilson and his wife lived following his years in the White House. Dedicated to the President’s life and legacy, the house is filled with many of the gifts he received from foreign countries and artifacts from when the Wilsons lived there.
2340 S St NW Washington, DC 20008
- Fort Reno Park
Flickr/jessedouglas Fort Reno is perfect for relaxing, exploring or listening to the music. It’s the highest point in the city and offers a free concert series for local bands and artists during the summer.
Donaldson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20016
- House of the Temple
Flickr/Matthew and Heather This is a Masonic Temple and is the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Visitors can tour the magnificent building and learn about the amazing architecture and history of the building.
- Benjamin Banneker Park
Courtesy of Wikimedia/Missvain A perfect low key place to relax, this urban park is at the far end of L’Enfant Plaza. Named for Benjamin Banneker, the park features beautiful views of the DC Waterfront and a stunning fountain.
L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
- Tudor Place
Flickr/Robert Lyle Bolton Tudor Place is one of the country’s first historic landmarks and was built by the daughter of Martha Washington. This house sits on five acres of gorgeous gardens that are free to the public. You can also purchase tickets for a guided tour of this gorgeous urban estate.
1644 31st Street NW
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
Flickr/Wally Gobetz This beautiful museum is the only major museum in the world that is solely dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in arts. The museum houses thousands of pieces of art from all time periods.
1250 New York Ave NW
- Clara Barton Missing
Facebook/Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office During the Civil War, Clara Barton used her home as her home base for her nursing efforts and later, her search for missing soldiers. Today, the museum tells Clara Barton’s story and how she became the “Angel of the Battlefield.”
437 7th St NW
- Fort Stevens
Flickr/Mr.TinDC Fort Stevens was once part of fortifications built around DC to protect it during the Civil War. In 1864, President Lincoln visited the fort to observe the fighting and came under fire from Confederate soldiers, the only time a sitting president has been under direct fire in the country’s history. It has been partially restored today and visitors can learn about the history of the park during the war.
- Congressional Cemetery
Flickr/Sarah Elliott Most people visit Arlington Cemetery if they are going to visit a cemetery in DC. But Congressional Cemetery is the final resting place of many of DC’s important figures including one Vice President, a Supreme Court Justice, 19 Senators, 71 Representatives and J. Edgar Hoover.
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Flickr/Saint Joseph The largest Catholic Church in America is open to any individual. This huge church has over 70 chapels inside, incredible works of art and gorgeous gardens.
- Blagden Alley
Flickr/Ted Eytan A hidden destination, Blagden Alley is a historic district that is home to coffee shops, restaurants and bars. It honors its unique and interesting past with the DC Alley Museum, an outdoor collection of public art murals by local artists.
- National Museum of the United States Navy
Facebook/National Museum of The United States Navy Located in the Navy Yard, the US Navy Museum features interesting exhibits and artifacts on the history of the US Navy. This museum is free and because of its location, it is not usually crowded.
805 Kidder Breese St SE Washington Navy Yard, DC
There’s plenty of other amazing underrated places to visit in DC! If you’ve already visited these, try one of these amazing underrated things to do in DC!
Flickr/Steve Fernie
This historic and gorgeous mansion was built in 1905. Today it’s the home of the Society of the Cincinnati. The home is filled with gorgeous artwork, furnishings and unique details. It’s free to visit and a tour guide will guide you, providing information on the architecture and history of the house.
2118 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008
Flickr/Tim Evanson
The Woodrow Wilson House is where President Wilson and his wife lived following his years in the White House. Dedicated to the President’s life and legacy, the house is filled with many of the gifts he received from foreign countries and artifacts from when the Wilsons lived there.
2340 S St NW Washington, DC 20008
Flickr/jessedouglas
Fort Reno is perfect for relaxing, exploring or listening to the music. It’s the highest point in the city and offers a free concert series for local bands and artists during the summer.
Donaldson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20016
Flickr/Matthew and Heather
This is a Masonic Temple and is the headquarters of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Visitors can tour the magnificent building and learn about the amazing architecture and history of the building.
Courtesy of Wikimedia/Missvain
A perfect low key place to relax, this urban park is at the far end of L’Enfant Plaza. Named for Benjamin Banneker, the park features beautiful views of the DC Waterfront and a stunning fountain.
L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
Flickr/Robert Lyle Bolton
Tudor Place is one of the country’s first historic landmarks and was built by the daughter of Martha Washington. This house sits on five acres of gorgeous gardens that are free to the public. You can also purchase tickets for a guided tour of this gorgeous urban estate.
1644 31st Street NW
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
This beautiful museum is the only major museum in the world that is solely dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in arts. The museum houses thousands of pieces of art from all time periods.
1250 New York Ave NW
Facebook/Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office
During the Civil War, Clara Barton used her home as her home base for her nursing efforts and later, her search for missing soldiers. Today, the museum tells Clara Barton’s story and how she became the “Angel of the Battlefield.”
437 7th St NW
Flickr/Mr.TinDC
Fort Stevens was once part of fortifications built around DC to protect it during the Civil War. In 1864, President Lincoln visited the fort to observe the fighting and came under fire from Confederate soldiers, the only time a sitting president has been under direct fire in the country’s history. It has been partially restored today and visitors can learn about the history of the park during the war.
Flickr/Sarah Elliott
Most people visit Arlington Cemetery if they are going to visit a cemetery in DC. But Congressional Cemetery is the final resting place of many of DC’s important figures including one Vice President, a Supreme Court Justice, 19 Senators, 71 Representatives and J. Edgar Hoover.
Flickr/Saint Joseph
The largest Catholic Church in America is open to any individual. This huge church has over 70 chapels inside, incredible works of art and gorgeous gardens.
Flickr/Ted Eytan
A hidden destination, Blagden Alley is a historic district that is home to coffee shops, restaurants and bars. It honors its unique and interesting past with the DC Alley Museum, an outdoor collection of public art murals by local artists.
Facebook/National Museum of The United States Navy
Located in the Navy Yard, the US Navy Museum features interesting exhibits and artifacts on the history of the US Navy. This museum is free and because of its location, it is not usually crowded.
805 Kidder Breese St SE Washington Navy Yard, DC
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