Tips

• Museum First! Spring (March through May) and fall (September and October) are our busiest seasons.  Visitors can expect lines for paid admission to the gardens on the weekends, especially at 2 pm. We recommend getting out of line and into the museum!

• Wonderful Weekdays! We encourage visitors who might prefer a quiet stroll and a less crowded experience to visit us during regular hours on a weekday.

• Parking is limited in the residential neighborhood of Georgetown.  We strongly recommend public transportation, walking, or bicycling to our museum and gardens.  Please see our directions page for more information.

• Dumbarton Oaks does not have a cafe or restaurant on the premise.  Nearby Wisconsin Avenue has abundant food and drink options.  Please remember that we do not permit picnicking in the gardens and that food is not permitted within the museum; water fountains are available for our visitors in the gardens and the museum.
  

• Save the trip! We recommend that visitors save the trip to Dumbarton Oaks for casual outings as it is not possible for members of the public to host events on our property.  The facilities, gardens, and swimming pool of Dumbarton Oaks are not available for the activities of outside groups or individuals; we do not have any facilities available for rent.  Weddings, parties, and other events are not permitted.

Members of the public who are planning events or scouting for event locations may prefer to contact or visit some of the historic homes and museums in the neighborhood.  Here are some fantastic locations that welcome outside groups for events, weddings, and photo sessions:

Dumbarton House

Tudor Place

Montrose Park

Old Stone House

Woodrow Wilson House

• Please refer to our photographic guidelines page for detailed information about what is permitted within the gardens.