46 Dupont Underground

In the center of Dupont Circle lies a hidden secret—Dupont Underground. From the outside, you would never guess that an abandoned trolley station exists beneath the busy streets. The entrance resembles a Metro access point, marked by red metal railings at ground level. Walking down a simple staircase, you suddenly find yourself in a dim concrete tunnel that feels both industrial and mysterious.

On the day we visited (February 14, 2026), the space was filled with contemporary art installations and experimental exhibits. It is a small place and does not take long to explore, but the atmosphere is unique—quiet, slightly eerie, and unexpectedly creative. It felt like discovering a secret part of the city that many people walk over every day without ever knowing it exists.

Right at the tunnel entrance, there was a small booth staffed by personnel who told us they work with the DC government to organize events and coordinate with vendors.  They also ask visitor for donations.

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Bellow photos show you the entrance for metro and entrance for the Dupont Underground, respectively:

45 The Phillips Collection

Address: 1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC (Dupont Circle). Admission is $20.

The Phillips Collection has become one of my favorite museums. I enjoy the intimate experience, as each room has its own theme and you can get very close to the paintings.

It is usually not crowded. However, after a long winter, on this sunny day, it was bit packed there. 

The exhibitions change with each visit, which makes every experience feel fresh and different. Here are some photos from my visit on February 14, 2026.

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The Phillips Collection is one of Washington, DC’s most special art museums. Founded in 1921 by art collector and philanthropist Duncan Phillips, it is widely considered America’s first museum of modern art. Located in the elegant Dupont Circle neighborhood, the museum is housed partly in Phillips’s former home, giving it a warm, intimate atmosphere very different from the larger Smithsonian museums.

44 The Library of Congress

Admission is free and you can entry without time appointment. The Library of Congress) in Washington, D.C., is said to be the largest library in the world and serves as the research library of the United States Congress. It is also one of the most beautiful and culturally significant institutions in the country.  It was founded in April 24, 1800  (address: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., just across from the U.S. Capitol).  It provides research support to Congress and preserves America’s intellectual and cultural heritage. It has a collection of over 170 million items, including books, maps, photographs, films, recordings, manuscripts, and rare documents.

To me, its architecture is most beautiful and fascinating. 

43 Antietam Creek Vineyards

About 15 minutes drive away from Big Cork Vineyards, we arrived to another charming boutique winery nestled in the quiet countryside just outside Sharpsburg, Maryland, surrounded by the rolling hills and historic landscape of the Antietam Valley. 

Located only minutes from Antietam National Battlefield, the vineyard sits on land rich in Civil War history.  Today it offers a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere dedicated to wine, nature, and relaxation. The property is beautifully situated along Antietam Creek, with scenic views of farmland, wooded areas, and distant mountain ridges that change colors with the seasons.

The vineyard is family-owned and focuses on producing small-batch wines using grapes grown both on the estate and from carefully selected regional vineyards.

On the way to big we passed through Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws' Command.

On the drive from Big Cork Vineyards to Antietam Creek Vineyards took us through some historic and scenic parts of western Maryland: Antietam National Battlefield, Antietam National Cemetery, 

Leaving the Antietam Creek Vineyards, we pass through charming towns of Maryland: Boonsboro, and Sharpsburg with honors/troop banners.

On the way to Big Cork Vineyards, we passed through Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws' Command

Maj. Gen. Lafayette McLaws' Command.

Antietam Creek Vineyards

Some Countryside Scenery on the Road

Charming Small Towns of Maryland