Dumbarton Oaks

Ouch! Those huge gold ear spools look like they might hurt. If you were a member of Aztec nobility, it was probably worth a little pain to enjoy a life of privilege. At least you weren’t likely to be on the chopping block waiting to have your heart ripped out as a human sacrifice to the gods. A treasure trove of pre-Columbian artifacts is housed at this quiet Harvard University outpost, tucked away amid the stately private homes of Georgetown. Well-known for its exquisite gardens, Dumbarton Oaks is also home to this top-notch museum and research library. Wander through the secular and religious relics of the Byzantine empire, through the European charm of the Music Room, and into the aesthetically diverse and fierce world of the Mesoamerican, Latin American, and Andean mega-states. A subsequent quiet stroll through the terraced gardens designed by Beatrix Farrand will reset your internal equilibrium to that of the genteel Georgetown surroundings.

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You'd never guess that tucked into the tiny, crowded streets of Georgetown there lies 16 acres of gardens and beautifully landscaped grounds. Dumbarton Oaks is an oasis of flowers, trees and wide open spaces in one of the most cramped and congested areas in Washington. You can spend literally hours getting lost under the shady willows, resting in the peaceful terraces, and admiring the expansive rose garden. There's so much nature to explore that you may not even make it inside the historic home turned museum.

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