Dumbarton Oaks Museum

Before spring season, entrance is free. I'm sure the garden will be beautiful and would love to come back again for that. But to see the collection plus avoid the crowd was so worth it in February.

A must visit hidden museum in DC with pre-Columbian and Byzantine exhibits you won’t seen anywhere. And the Music Room is spectacular with a 16th century chimneypiece.

The museum:
I can hardly believe it was FREE!!! The geographical range of the artefacts combined with their age is mind blowing. Put that together with the stunning layout and the well done interpretation and it just knocks your socks off. Really, a must see in Washington. My favourite was the music room, full of furniture and taspestries from the 13th through 17th century!

The garden:
The garden 'tour' is $9, and is a big, lovely ground in downtown Washington that feels a bit like an oasis. There is no tour and no interpretation. It's just a site map and some foot paths. However, it's so worth the $9. The gardens are so well manicured and varied. We spent about two hours in the museum, and still had stamina for two hours of the garden! For only $9 each, it's an amazing experience!!

A great collection of the pre Colombian world, very few museums in DC visit this topic so it was refreshing to see it! It took us about 1 - 1.5 hr to finish the museum. The garden are beyond beautiful to walk through with lots of nooks and crannies to scavenge.

A great experience thanks to @Timeout recomendation.
Highly recomended. Amazing roman-bizantin items and pre-colombin. The music room hold the first conversation about United Nations. There we could see also a pinting from El Greco.
They also organize concerts on Friday’s.

My friend and I didn't check the web site fur the garden beforehand and didn't realize the garden opens at 2 pm. But the (free) museum is full of very cool pre-Colombian and Byzantine art so if you're early, spend some time there!

Our guide was so knowledgeable and his appreciation of the gardens was obvious. The progression of the garden rooms goes from formal English to Italianate palazzo. The mastery of Farrand to trick the eye with vanishing points makes the gardens appear larger. Since I visited in March, the magnolias, hellebores, cherry blossoms, forsythia, snowdrops and daffodils were in bloom. I can only imagine the visual and auditory effects when the multiple fountains are in operation.

We went on a pleasant afternoon and toured the house first and then went to tour the gardens when our ticket time was up. The house was remarkably interesting in addition to the collection, with a great living room with painted ceiling. In the garden we enjoyed the fall colors and the art (odd desk chairs with branches growing out the top).

An incredible museum - the MesoAmerican collection is fantastic. Highly recommend. Wish we had more time to spend in the garden. Lookin forward to coming back!

A stunning museum. The collection of pre-Colombian artefacts is beautifully displayed in a modern and imaginative space. The Music Room is a sensation of design and decoration - my jaw literally dropped when I walked in. And it is free! Definitely worth the little trip to Georgetown (bus 33 from Foggy Bottom drops you 5 minutes away)

This is a fantastic and free museum, but there are a few things to be aware of when/if you go.

I almost didn’t get in because I didn’t have my COVID card (I had to go through my deleted camera roll to find it) and each person needs an ID or some sort of identification (even kids). You also cannot bring in any water bottles so you have to leave them in the lobby.

The museum isn’t huge, but you’ll easily spend 45 minutes here. You probably won’t be here for more than an hour.

There is free parking at the front, and there was plenty of space available when I was there.

The closest metro rail stop is a mile and a half away, so you need to take the bus here if you don’t drive.

This is a really cool museum, and I would highly suggest going because of how unique it is. Don’t forget to explore Georgetown if you’re in the area and haven’t been. Tudor place is close and so is the old stone house

Great museum and stunning garden! The museum, which has an amazing collection of Byzantine art, is free to enter. You have to reserve tickets for the garden ahead of time, but it’s a must-see! I’ve been several times in the Fall, Winter, and Spring and it was beautiful in all seasons!

We went during the winter season, so many of the buildings were closed and aquatic features off. It was still spectacularly beautiful. There are spring flowers popping up all over the perfectly manicured gardens. Bring your walking shoes and a bottle of water so you can fully enjoy the large estate.

This was my favorite place of all of Washington DC. You will never know this place existed as a tourist or to visit. I feel like it is a hidden gem. It is tucked away from the city center and all the monuments and memorials and within the estate, you are like it this beautiful enchanting garden with peace. The gardens are pretty big with so many different aspects to it from mossy stairs, and breathing green houses and vibrant flowers with rabbits scurrying away with fruit growing from the trees.

I wanted to stay there forever. It was such a refreshing place to be.

As of right now there is timed entry for the afternoon and it gets sold out so def buy your tickets in advance. The tickets are cheap.

9$ ticket admission for the gardens but free for the museum. Gorgeous views and they seem to never end !

The museum is free, but if you want to visit its garden, the admission is $10. You can buy the ticket at the gate of the garden or online. The garden is Italian style I very well designed and intriguing. It has lots of paths to go around. However, since those paths are very narrow, often rough, and hilly, I do not recommend to visit here if you have to use a wheelchair or a stroller.

It’s my top top best place to be and visit. I love how much variety of plants and flowers they have. The staff are super welcoming and it’s just a really spectacular place to visit.

great experience, not an overwhelming amount of exhibitions to visit, so it was definitely worth a walk and free admission off season. the gardens next door were also beautiful, highly recommend.

Wonderful small museum with a nice collection of Pre-Columbian and Byzantine artifacts. Friendly staff. Price is right (free).

Title: Dumbarton Oaks Museum: A Portal to Byzantine and Pre-Columbian Wonders

Review:

My visit to the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, DC, was nothing short of enchanting. This museum is a treasure chest of art. The museum is home to an extraordinary collection of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, each piece a testament to the rich history and craftsmanship of these ancient civilizations. Each artifact tells a story, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship and artistic vision of ancient civilizations.

The museum's commitment to education and engagement is evident in its well-curated exhibitions. A highlight for me was the "Rich in Blessings: Women, Wealth, and the Late Antique Household" collection, which offers a fresh perspective on women's roles in history. The museum's dedication to showcasing diverse narratives is genuinely commendable.

While the museum itself is a marvel, the adjacent gardens, which will be the subject of a separate review, provide a serene backdrop to the artistic journey inside. The harmonious blend of art and nature at Dumbarton Oaks is what makes it a standout destination.

In conclusion, the Dumbarton Oaks Museum is an essential destination for both art lovers and history aficionados. Its rich collections and thoughtful exhibitions promise an enlightening experience. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to delve deeper into the wonders of this remarkable museum.