41 Kreeger Museum

Located at 2401 Foxhall Road NW, the Kreeger Museum was once the private residence of David and Carmen Kreeger, passionate art collectors and philanthropists. In 1994, their home was transformed into a public museum, showcasing an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century artworks.

The museum’s permanent collection features pieces by renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas, along with works by modern artists. While I didn’t find the overall collection particularly compelling, I did appreciate a few standout pieces, especially those by Picasso and van Gogh.

What captivated me most, however, was the museum’s architecture. I especially enjoyed viewing it from the outside and from the terrace. The terrace itself is beautifully designed, with a very high ceiling and an open, airy layout that felt both welcoming and peaceful.

The sculptures on the terrace are also quite striking, offering a strong visual contrast to the building’s white travertine exterior.

The building was designed in 1963 by architect Philip Johnson, in collaboration with Richard Foster. Constructed with travertine and featuring vaulted ceilings, it was thoughtfully envisioned as both a residence and a future museum.

Outside, the museum grounds include a sculpture garden that blends art harmoniously with the natural landscape.

One piece I particularly liked was a sculpture installation by German artist Rainer Lagemann: three climbing human figures attached to the wall, titled Sean (2014), Sara (2013), and Jess (2014). It’s a subtle installation that’s easy to miss—fortunately, our tour guide pointed it out!

On the Terrance

Me with Vincent van Gogh's flowers

Few of their Picassos

Rainer Lagemann Sean, Sara, Jess

40 The Hamilton

Housed in the historic Garfinkel’s department store building, The Hamilton exudes a swanky, almost 1930s charm with elegant booths, dark wood accents, plush carpeting, and paneled walls. Its spacious dining areas and multiple bars create a lively atmosphere that blends sophistication with a touch of bohemian spirit. In my opinion, this classy and stylish venue is a great addition to any full DC experience.

My first visit to The Hamilton was two years ago with Jing, who has lived and worked in DC her entire life and knows many of the city's top restaurants. It was a quiet day, with only a few other diners, making for a peaceful and relaxed lunch with excellent food and attentive service.

This year, I returned with Randy during the spring cherry blossom season—peak tourist time. The restaurant was packed, and the experience was very different. It wasn’t nearly as relaxing, and the service was noticeably slower, though the food and drinks remained outstanding.

These two visits offered contrasting experiences. I recommend dining at The Hamilton during a slower time of year to truly enjoy what it has to offer.

39 China Town

Lots of cities have arches. Paris has its Arc de Triomphe, Rome has its Arch of Titus, Barcelona has its Triumphal Arch, London has its Marble Arch, New York has its Washington Square Arch. So it is only fitting that the American capital, Washington D.C., should have one, too.

Washington’s arch, a Chinese arch on H Street in Chinatown, is not your ordinary marble paean to a military victory. It is a multicolored friendship arch, with lots of red and gold, as befitting an arch in the Chinese style. In the middle is a panel emblazoned with Chinese characters that says “Jungwa” – the Chinese word for “China.”

The arch marks the entrance to Washington’s Chinatown, which is probably one of the smaller Chinatowns around. It consists of a block or two dotted with Asian restaurants and a few buildings with pagoda-style roofs. Chinese immigrants moved into the neighborhood in the 1850s, when the German immigrants who originally lived there moved on to bigger and better things.

Nowadays, the Chinese population is dwindling. City planners hoped that a traditional Chinese arch would attract tourists and revive business. It was designed - aptly, I think - by a “local” architect named Alfred H. Liu, who clearly sounds like a man with feet in two worlds.

Since the arch went up in 1986, it has been a focal point for festivities marking the Chinese New Year. Because the Chinese calendar is lunar (like the Hebrew calendar), holiday dates are not fixed. If you are planning a trip to Washington D.C. in January-February, check the calendar to make sure you don’t miss the Chinese New Year Parade that passes under the arch.

38 Off the Record at The Hay-Adams

A Total elegant and classic, located just across the street from Lafayette Square and the White House, the bar called "Off the Record" is in the basement of The Hay-Adams hotel.

Think old-school elegance meets political intrigue.  Deep red walls, leather banquettes, dim lighting, and classic cocktails—it feels like a private club. 

There are famous caricatures of politicians and journalists covering the walls, which gives it a playful yet unmistakably D.C. feel.  Known as a place where journalists, lobbyists, and insiders talk shop, hence the name: Off the Record.

Fantastic martinis and old fashioneds—classic cocktails are their strong suit.  Very Pricey of course. I first learned about this place was when visiting the Lafayette Square with a friend and we need to use bathroom, and we walked to this hotel and used the facility next to the bar.  I knew then I would come back for a drink.  It's a great place to soak up some atmosphere!

37 Schwartz Peony Garden

This is another specialty garden in Maryland that featuring peonies.   Previously I have written about the Brighton Dam Azalea Garden (see post # 22).

The Schwartz Peony Garden, nestled within Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is a vibrant testament to the region's horticultural heritage. This picturesque garden boasts thousands of peony plants in a multitude of varieties, offering a stunning display of colors and fragrances during the blooming season.

Established between 1915 and 1924 by Edwin P. Schwartz, a real estate broker and flower enthusiast, the original garden was located on Summit Avenue in downtown Gaithersburg. Schwartz curated heirloom peonies from international dealers, transforming his estate into a renowned peony nursery. By the 1920s, the Schwartz family had become prominent peony root stock dealers, distributing catalogs featuring hundreds of varieties for mail-order purchase. In the 1940s, the commercial operations moved to a five-acre site that is now part of Seneca Creek State Park.

The garden is particularly enchanting during May and June, when the peonies reach their peak bloom.

(May 19, most the Peonies are in pink color with few white ones open)

36 National Stamp Museum

The National Postal Museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is Located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE in Washington, D.C., It served as the city's main post office from 1914 to 1986. 

The museum held the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic materials, with nearly six million items. These include postage stamps, revenue stamps, and related artifacts.

The museum is free and very easy to reach by metro (It is right next to Union Station metro station by Red Line)!

I enjoyed going through their stamp collections and learning stores behind them.  I especially enjoy learning the store of Owney the Postal Dog and many stores about artifacts displayed in the museum.  

Postmaster General: Benjamin Franklin

The stamps on the celling over the escalator

Owney

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 *Owney the Postal Dog 

 Owney the Postal Dog was a beloved mascot of the Railway Mail Service in the late 19th century, Owney traveled over 140,000 miles across the U.S. and even around the world. His preserved remains are on display, commemorating his unique contribution to postal history. Owney the Postal Dog was a scruffy terrier mix who became the unofficial mascot of the Railway Mail Service (RMS) in the late 19th century. His story is one of the most charming and unique in postal history. Owney was born in 1888. Owney was originally a stray dog who wandered into the Albany, New York post office. He developed a peculiar attachment to mailbags, often sleeping on them. Workers noticed he would follow the bags wherever they went, including onto trains. Owney began traveling on mail trains across the U.S., becoming a good luck charm for postal workers, who believed he protected the mail. As he visited new towns, postal clerks gave him dog tags or medals as souvenirs. Eventually, he wore so many that a special harness had to be made to support them. Owney is believed to have traveled over 140,000 miles by train, including a world tour in 1895 that included stops in Asia and Europe. The RMS arranged for Owney to circle the globe by mail. He visited places like Japan, China, and Egypt. Foreign postal workers also honored him with medals and tags. Owney died on June 11, 1897, in Toledo, Ohio. His body was preserved and mounted by the Smithsonian. He is now on display at the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. A U.S. postage stamp was issued in his honor in 2011. Owney is displayed in a glass case at the National Postal Museum, along with many of his original tags. He remains a beloved symbol of dedication and the spirit of postal workers.