Hillwood Museum and Gardens

Known for its gorgeous 25 acres of gardens, and its Russian imperial art and 18th-century French decorative art collections, the Hillwood Museum and Gardens is an off the beaten path museum you can take your family and friends to when they visit. Bought and remodeled by Post cereal heiress, Marjorie Merriweather Post, in 1955, and opened as a public institution in 1977, the well-maintained mansion and gardens are captivating. Located in northwest Washington D.C., Post's goal was to inspire and educate the public.

Parking and public transportation at the Hillwood Museum and Gardens
The museum is approximately five miles from downtown D.C., and accessible by car, public transit and bikes. Complimentary on-site and handicap parking are available, and when museum parking is full, don't hesitate to take advantage of complimentary off-site parking provided by the museum. The closest metro is Van Ness/UDC (red), and it is about a mile walk from the museum. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can get on the L2 bus towards Farragut Square or the H2 bus towards Brookland Station, and get off at the Connecticut and Tilden Streets NW stop. The museum is a 1/2 mile walk from the stop. There is a Capital Bikeshare by the Van Ness/UDC metro, and bikes racks are provided at the museum's visitor center.

Best and worst time to go to the Hillwood Museum and Gardens
The gardens and grounds are beautiful all year round, but you will be blown away in the spring when the trees and flowers bloom and in the fall when the leaves change. It does not matter what season you show up, the museum collections are breathtaking and showcases a beautiful array of art you would not want to miss.

Admission to the Hillwood Museum and Gardens
The museum is open all year, but closed a few weeks in January. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and closed on Mondays and most national holidays. Admission is free for members and children under 6; other are asked to consider a donation.

Must see/do at the Hillwood Museum and Gardens
Everything! You will be hard pressed to choose between the art collections, a tour of the mansion or the gardens.

Other places to visit near the Hillwood Museum and Gardens
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park are near the Hillwood Museum and Gardens.

Insider tip for visitors to Hillwood Museum and Gardens
Advance reservation is not necessary, but if you will rather not stand in line during the peak seasons of spring and fall, register online. If you can, schedule about three hours for a thorough tour of the mansion and gardens.

Author's bio: AdeOla Fadumiye moved to Washington D.C. from Minneapolis in 2007, and fell in love with its beautiful scenery, history and vibrant restaurants and night life. She graduated with a Mass Communication degree from Winona State University. She is a freelance writer and editor, and the founder of JostWrite. She loves reading, dancing, working out, and traveling, and is currently working on her first book.