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Unexpected Getaways
These destinations will transport you from the hustle of daily life and into the wild.
Korean Bell Garden
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna
The Bell of Peace and Harmony at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens–the only bell garden of its type in the Western Hemisphere–is a journey through place and time. Housed in an ornate pavilion, the three-ton bell is carved with Korean symbols and surrounded by statues that replicate styles from different ancient dynasties.
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Winkler Botanical Preserve
5400 Roanoke Ave., Alexandria
The 44-acre preserve backs up to I-395, but you wouldn’t know it upon entering this serene urban oasis. Four trails, about five miles total, weave through the woodlands. An ambling adventure might take you past log-cabin structures, streams, and native plants. Eventually, you’ll land at a manmade cascade flowing into a pond—a hidden gem within a hidden gem.
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National Botanic Garden
26320 Ticonderoga Rd., Chantilly
Lord of the Rings fans can escape to Hobbit Town, a whimsical village of squat, rounded buildings made from reclaimed materials, including some from the original US Capitol. More fantastical details lie beyond the hamlet: Walk across footbridges to small islands covered in bamboo (once food for the pandas at the National Zoo), view medieval and modernist sculptures in the woods, and travel to faraway deserts in the cactus garden. Be sure to consult the website before driving over—the grounds are open to visitors ten times a year for brief, shifting periods.
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Agricultural History Farm Park
18400 Muncaster Rd., Derwood
Channel your inner farmer at this 455-acre property, designed to educate visitors about Montgomery County’s rich agricultural tradition. Explore an apple orchard, vegetable and herb gardens, and wildflower meadows, then stop by the classic red barn to meet the farm animals, including sheep, goats, and pigs. Five miles of natural-surface trails—all except the Belgian Loop Trail accessible by both foot and bicycle—provide a scenic path through the park.
The Zoo’s Most Hidden Animal
Back to TopSmithsonian National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
No, that’s not an empty exhibit—you just have to look a little harder
It’s easy to miss the elusive Pallas’s cats along the Claws and Paws Pathway. According to the National Zoo, the small gray felines rank among the most hidden animals in the establishment, alongside much, much smaller creatures such as some frogs.
Claws and Paws Pathway curator Craig Saffoe describes the six-pound animals as “ninja cats.” The combination of subtle gray fur plus their slow-moving nature makes the two female cats difficult to spot. “If they’re sitting on a rock, they almost become invisible,” Saffoe says.
Trying to catch a glimpse? The felines are most active around feeding time at roughly 10 am each day. You’ll know it when you see one: Pallas’s cats are distinctive for their intense gold eyes and their facial markings, which make them look permanently grumpy. “When people do find them, it’s like a Where’s Waldo moment,” says Saffoe. “People go, ‘Ah, it’s right in front of my face.’ ”
The Zoo’s Most Hidden Animal
Back to TopSmithsonian National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
No, that’s not an empty exhibit—you just have to look a little harder
It’s easy to miss the elusive Pallas’s cats along the Claws and Paws Pathway. According to the National Zoo, the small gray felines rank among the most hidden animals in the establishment, alongside much, much smaller creatures such as some frogs.
Claws and Paws Pathway curator Craig Saffoe describes the six-pound animals as “ninja cats.” The combination of subtle gray fur plus their slow-moving nature makes the two female cats difficult to spot. “If they’re sitting on a rock, they almost become invisible,” Saffoe says.
Trying to catch a glimpse? The felines are most active around feeding time at roughly 10 am each day. You’ll know it when you see one: Pallas’s cats are distinctive for their intense gold eyes and their facial markings, which make them look permanently grumpy. “When people do find them, it’s like a Where’s Waldo moment,” says Saffoe. “People go, ‘Ah, it’s right in front of my face.’ ”
Photograph of Korean Bell Gardencby Tom Stovall DC Gardens/Flickr.
Photograph of Winkler Botanical Preserve courtesy of NOVA Parks.
Photograph of Pallas’s Cat by Skip Brown.
This article appears in the January 2024 issue of Washingtonian.
