Road trip: Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, DC)

During a recent trip to the nation's capital, we stopped by Dumbarton Oaks, a spot that is right in the middle of it all but often overlooked. When we lived in the district we walked by this walled mansion several times but never really noticed it was there!

In the 1920s - 40s, Dumbarton Oaks was a family home (which is hard to imagine) but today is a museum known for its art collection and beautiful gardens, and research library. The museum was closed when we went but there was so much to do in the grounds that we didn't really notice.

The house features a total Great Gatbsy glamor. Did people really used to live this way? The gardens, the jewel in the crown, are a showcase of architecture and gardening and landscape design and what happens when they are put together in a thoughtful way. It feels a little bit like an enchanted castle from a Disney movie come to life.  At every turn fun spots to poke around: a delicious smelling orangerie, tiered gardens, a shimmering art deco swimming pool, and paved mosaics to trace with toes. In the sound garden, each of the chairs played a different sound, so just sitting with your friends made a symphony!





For those of you who are babywearers, the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks were designed by Beatrix Farrand, whose art was immortalized in the Pavo Textiles Farrand series of woven wraps. It's one of my favorite pieces of textile art and favorite carriers, so it was a fun aspect of the trip for me!

The museum will open on April 25 but the gardens are closing on July 17 and won't open back up until Spring 2018, so if you happen to be in DC, or are thinking of going, now is the time to plan a trip!

P.S.: Eat at the nearby Simply Banh Mi in Georgetown when you go! It's kid-friendly and delicious and the staff is completely wonderful. <3