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Photograph by Iwan Baan/Glenstone.

3 Peaceful Places to Find a Quiet Moment Around the DC Area

Travel to these tranquil spots the next time you want to be alone away from the city’s bustle.

Written by Brooke Spach
| Published on January 16, 2024
Tweet Share
Contents
  1. IA&A at Hillyer
  2. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
  3. Glenstone

An intimate, art-filled space

IA&A at Hillyer

location_on 9 Hillyer Ct., NW

language Website

Photograph courtesy of IA&A at Hillyer.

The Dupont Circle carriage house has three exhibition spaces that spotlight different artists’ creations every month. Each room offers an opportunity to quietly reflect on the works.

 

A seat by the water

Back to Top

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

location_on 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna

language Website

A lakeside gazebo at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Photograph by Tom Stovall.

Take a moment to pause at the Lake Caroline Gazebo, at the end of a dock, for some additional distance. This time of year you can see winter plants such as delicate Lenten roses and hollies.

 

An indoor/outdoor escape

Back to Top

Glenstone

location_on 12100 Glen Rd., Potomac

language Website

Trails wind through Glenstone’s property. Photograph by Iwan Baan/Glenstone.

This sprawling museum offers many options for a solitary stroll: Head inside the buildings to peruse the collection of contemporary art or venture outdoors to explore nearly 300 acres of walking trails, meadows, streams, and sculptures.


Related
3 Self-Care Getaways to Escape the DC Area

This article appears in the December 2023 issue of Washingtonian.

An intimate, art-filled space

Back to Top

IA&A at Hillyer

location_on 9 Hillyer Ct., NW

language Website

Photograph courtesy of IA&A at Hillyer.

The Dupont Circle carriage house has three exhibition spaces that spotlight different artists’ creations every month. Each room offers an opportunity to quietly reflect on the works.

 

A seat by the water

Back to Top

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

location_on 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna

language Website

A lakeside gazebo at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Photograph by Tom Stovall.

Take a moment to pause at the Lake Caroline Gazebo, at the end of a dock, for some additional distance. This time of year you can see winter plants such as delicate Lenten roses and hollies.

 

An indoor/outdoor escape

Back to Top

Glenstone

location_on 12100 Glen Rd., Potomac

language Website

Trails wind through Glenstone’s property. Photograph by Iwan Baan/Glenstone.

This sprawling museum offers many options for a solitary stroll: Head inside the buildings to peruse the collection of contemporary art or venture outdoors to explore nearly 300 acres of walking trails, meadows, streams, and sculptures.


Related
3 Self-Care Getaways to Escape the DC Area

This article appears in the December 2023 issue of Washingtonian.

More: Featurespeaceful placesSelf Care
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Brooke Spach
Brooke Spach
Editorial Fellow

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