This is a great museum! The second you walk inside, you instantly feel relaxed and at peace. I…read moreinitially came here several years ago when they were at their old location in the heart of Downtown Silver Spring. I did a tour of the museum and was very impressed. Most recently, I came to their new location in Forest Glen to take one of their free weekly "Learn to Meditate" classes. The instructor told us a little about himself and his history with the museum. We then did some exercises that taught us some best practices on how to meditate. The instructor was extremely helpful, and being surrounded by other like-minded people made the experience that much more enjoyable. The meditation class is every Saturday from 11am-12pm. They also have classes on vegan/vegetarian cooking, soul/body awareness, self-confidence and self-respect, relaxation techniques, and much much more. The classes are free of charge, but they do take voluntary donations. This is a great place for people looking to tap into their spirituality. I look forward to attending more of their events in the future.

The meditation museum is unlike any other museum or place that I have been to. I feel peaceful the…read moreminute I walk through the door and each and every workshop fills me with so much hope and enlightenment. I have learned so much about myself and about life and am happy that we have this wonderful resource in our community.

The National Museum of Health and Medicine was a bit small, but it still made for a fun pitstop…read moresince we were already in the area. Parking was free and no tickets were required. We visited on a rainy day, and many guests left their umbrellas and coats in the entry room where there were hangers available. Volunteers greeted us at the front and pointed us toward a stand of pamphlets. We were able to see the entire museum in about 30 minutes. At one point, the staff brought out a cart of organs for hands on interaction. Based on some of the flyers, they also host additional demonstrations once a month. There was a modest anatomical collection with a focus on the nervous system and bones. I found the displays of brains after injuries and strokes especially interesting. There were also several examples of bone infections and exhibits highlighting medical developments over time. I appreciated the historical context behind each advancement, particularly how it connected to warfare. One of the most striking sections for me was the wall of organs affected by different diseases and infections. It felt especially rare compared to what I have seen in other museums. I was also fascinated by the less common presentations of parasites, which are not typically featured elsewhere. There was also a room dedicated to surgical advancements, and I found myself quiet while looking at the stories of soldiers who sustained injuries and underwent reconstruction. There was no gift shop and it seemed like a quick stop for most visitors. There was an upcoming veterinary focused day that looked interesting and would be worth checking out if I were still in the area. Overall, the museum is not as elaborate as others, but I still enjoyed the visit while staying nearby.

This museum may be the most unique museum in the D.C. area. If you are into history and medicine,…read morestop by. Or if you want a very interesting museum experience, visit. Opened in 1862 during the Civil War, the museum preserves over 25 million objects about medicine, public health, and anatomy. Nowhere else can you see skull fragments of Abraham Lincoln, President Garfield's vertebrae, and President Grant's tumor slides. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10am-5:30pm with free admission and parking in Silver Spring, Maryland. Walk inside and find all the exhibits on the main floor in a brutalist building. One exhibit talks about public health and the others focus on history of military medicine and anatomy. Here, you'll find lots of bones and organs preserved in medical jars. If you have a weak stomach, be warned. Eat BEFORE visiting. The museum is well kept with clean restrooms and lots of space to enjoy the museum. I highly recommend it for adults and older kids with an interest in the medical field.

So, I had no idea this place existed, and I only learned about it thru a free activity booklet for…read morekids. There was a planes and trains event. There was a huge train setup with several battery operated trains and villages. My kind was quiet and interested for about two hours! Who doesn't love a mommy break? Ha! Also, they had other activities for the kids, like coloring and blocks. During a normal visit, there are flight simulators, planes and helicopters that the kids can "fly." There are wonderful exhibits, and the staff were so amazing. This was an awesome day. If the kid is into trains again next year, I will be back!

This is such a cute museum! For just five dollars, you get access to a wealth of information on not…read moreonly the Wright Brother's aviation efforts but the history of College Park's own airport- did you know it was the first in the United States? It's also the location of the military's first flight training! So cool. Definitely stop by if you live nearby.

Very nice little but packed museum in Lutherville! I loved learning about the history of fire…read morerescue and all the tools, gadgets and trucks they used to use. The museum also gave insight into how the fire men used to live at the stations. Very interesting stuff. They also give you a free poster! Recommend!

WOW What an experience this has to be one of the best fire apparatus collections I've been to. You…read morecan tell they take great pride in the museum!!!

If you're into the arts, check out the workshops and art gallery inside the Mansion at Strathmore…read more There's a parking lot near a garden full of sculptures and chairs to enjoy the view. Walk inside to the mansion to find an art gallery throughout. Here, they host afternoon tea, crafts, story time, and more. My nine-year-old daughter loves their gift shop!

Attended the afternoon tea experience at the Strathmore Mansion in May 2025. Probably one of the…read morebest tea services in the area for the value. Their signature blend tea is really flavorful and available for purchase in their gift shop. Everything was laid out on the table when we arrived so we were able to enjoy ourselves. Great variety of sandwiches, desserts and a scone. The caterer did a fabulous job with the food prep. I'm not a fan of macarons so that was the only item I didn't taste. The chicken sandwich was the only one that was missing something, but it still tasted very good. They host teas during the week and on one Saturday each month. The weekend dates sell out pretty fast. Definitely worth a try! And parking is right there so you can get decked out for your tea experience and not have to worry about walking too far!

Absolutely gorgeous gardens and the best part is that admission is completely free…read more Rain or shine, the gardens were stunning and exceptionally well maintained. We were impressed by the variety of plant collections, some of which rivaled gardens we had previously paid admission to visit. Parking was free and we chose to park at the Visitor Center. However, those planning to visit the Butterfly Experience should park closer to the Conservatory, as the walk between the two was fairly substantial. The map was detailed and pathways were well maintained, making the grounds accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. We purchased tickets for the Butterfly Experience and check in was quick and seamless. I did find the additional $2 service charge unfortunate, especially since there was no option to purchase tickets in person. Thankfully, staff were flexible with entry timing. The volunteers were incredibly kind and guided visitors through the double door system efficiently. Inside, butterflies freely flew around the conservatory and many rested on the ground, so we had to stay mindful of where we stepped. I especially appreciated the bulletin board displaying all the butterfly species currently housed inside. The Children's Garden was relatively small but wonderfully colorful and dense with greenery. The vibrant artwork throughout added a whimsical charm that made the area feel playful and inviting. Nearby, the Winter Garden and Camellia Garden were similarly well maintained, though neither was particularly abundant in blooms during our visit. I still appreciated the many art installations scattered throughout the surrounding trails. The Fragrance Garden absolutely lived up to its name and ended up being one of my favorite sections. Beyond the floral aromas surrounding the garden, the entire area felt incredibly serene and the air itself felt remarkably fresh and crisp. The Japanese Tea House was beautifully simplistic, featuring plain wooden benches along the exterior while overlooking still water framed by lush Japanese trees. The Anderson Pavilion offered a similar tranquil atmosphere on the opposite side of the Visitor Center, though surrounded by a different collection of trees and landscaping. The Visitor Center contained a small gift shop, though I did not notice many customized or particularly memorable souvenirs. The building otherwise seemed primarily dedicated to educational programming and exhibits. The grounds were incredibly well maintained and there was an impressive variety of gardens to explore and interact with. While I found the Butterfly Experience somewhat expensive, it would absolutely be worthwhile for those who have never visited an active conservatory before. Otherwise, the free portions of Brookside Gardens alone make this an easy and worthwhile stop for anyone in the area.

This is a lovely park and served as a great alternative to going downtown to see the cherry…read moreblossoms. They have areas to sit with various views of the lake. Dogs are not allowed unless they are service animals. There are centers on the premises that have bathrooms in addition to events and programs they give yearly.

It was just ok for my littles…read more There was a groupon offer for $12.75 (regular $15 admission pp) so I took advantage. There's not a lot of guidance here so if your kids aren't self starters they may find themselves bored. Even when entering each room no one is guiding you on what the activity is and how to participate. Instead you're kid just does there on thing. Neither bad nor good just an observation. Outside of that there are 4 areas that are pretty intuitive. Making a beat - where kids can add layers to music to create new sounds. Circuit activity - create a pathway by connecting wrenches which turn on a light. - my son (8) thoroughly enjoyed this. Tipsy table - using 3 different pulleys you could guide balls into different outputs. This requires at least 2-3 people. Light play - using lasers to make imprints on moving disks. I could see myself coming back for more purposeful play but free play I wouldn't bother.

Fun place for kids and adults. Very clean and well maintained. My young companions (8 and 10)…read morecouldn't eat the pizza. And my sandwich was disappointing

The planetarium is nice, it's not what I was expecting, I thought it would be more along the lines…read moreof a film, not a ranger narrating everything the whole time. But it was still nice. If you're not a kid person, don't go. All in all, it was nice, just wish the show was a bit longer, 30 minutes flew by.

Fun family activity for a weekend - so many great trails nearby! Parking is ample and there are…read morebathrooms the nature center, as well as great directions from the staff on site. We parked near the horse center and got a chance to watch horse riding lessons.

Beautiful museum with an impressive collection of Impressionist and Spanish art, tucked away in a…read morequaint DC neighborhood. Once the residence of the Kreeger family (founders of GEICO), this place punches well above its weight in their offerings of impressionist art such as Monet and Bonnard. With art offerings covering two floors of a very large house plus an impressive outdoor sculpture garden, this place offers a great place to enjoy the art leisurely indoors and then make your way outside to enjoy the sculptures in the beautifully manicured back yard. We went during the time in which they also allowed for picnics in their sculpture garden for free and it was an idyllic setting for both art and nature to be enjoyed. Even in this case, it was not overcrowded and as you would guess surrounded by the DC locals. Also on display was their impressive collection from Miro. An entire room dedicated to his work. If you are looking for a very relaxing way to spend a few hours in DC, this is your place.

DC has a lot of museums. I know. I get it. Here is the thing...not every great museum is nestled in…read morethe heart of the Federal District. Some museums are a little off the main thoroughfare and are nonetheless worth a visit. Such is The Kreeger Museum. I randomly came across the Kreeger while on YouTube of all places. It intrigued me that there was a museum nestled in a residential neighborhood. Okay..neighborhood, in this case, deserves some air quotes. We are in seven to eight digital home values in this "neighborhood." When you see the artwork, it all begins to make sense. The Kreeger family was a husband wife dynamo that collected modern and impressionist artwork in an exciting and approachable way. Yes, to the detractors - the couple was known to ONLY collect the works of male artists. Since their passing, the conservatorship has invested in acquiring works from female artists that blend harmoniously with the existing collection. Parking is easy, whether you Uber or drive yourself. I very much hope to go back to see the collection again as well as to walk their sculpture garden. Museum well, my friends.

Just went back for the 2nd time and absolutely loved it - even in the winter! Of course, spring or…read moresummer (IMHO) are the best seasons. You'll want to enjoy the fabulous gardens. That said, we loved seeing the mansion decorated for Christmas. Our docent was pretty good (the one we had in spring was better). She led us on a "highlights" tour which you book in advance (we got lucky and got 2 open slots after lunch; get tickets in Visitors Ctr). Marjorie Merriweather Post was an absolute force; one of the first women business magnates (General Foods). Her father founded Post cereals. MMP was a prolific collector. Her 3rd husband was US ambassador to Russia - and the things this magnificent socialite/businesswoman/tour-de-force collected - chalices, crowns, iconic art, etc -- saved from destruction by the burgeoning Soviet empire --- staggeringly beautiful. The Faberge collection - eggs, small music boxes, clocks - just wow. The dining room, her bedroom, the theater - so beautiful. The porcelain collection - one with Catherine the Great's pattern - beautiful. When married to EF Hutton - the 2 built Mar a Largo (which she'd probably be horrified to learn of its current owner & his staggeringly bad penchant for interior design ). The history you learn from this estate is simply awe-inspiring. We had a wonderful time. Can't wait to return!

Hillwood estate, museum & Garden was a wonderful place to spend an afternoon…read morewith friends.  We enjoyed our guided tour of the house which is absolutely filled with Marjorie Post's collections of art, ceramics, jewelry and so much more.  There was no way our guide could do more than touch upon some of the treasures, including the famous Imperial Faberge eggs.  And, despite exploring some more on our own afterwards, there would be plenty more to see on a return trip.  The grounds are also full of beauty with multiple flourishing beds of colorful flowers and a greenhouse full of many, manynkinds of orchids.  When it's time to relax, the café is there with a delightful tea service, consisting of your choice of tea accompanied by numerous sandwiches and sweets.  The service was very helpful and having such a tasty treat on the patio was a great way to spend some really nice time with friends.