Hi All,
Well this won't be my first time visiting Washington D.C. so I thought I might have some time to visit the lesser known but still fantastic attractions.

Curious what you think of the Corcoran Gallery? I like art from the 1800s-early 1900s, is this a place for me? (I don't like modern art, not a huge fan of impressionism--I like Wyeth, Sargent, Whistler, Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keefe-that sort of thing)

What do you all think of Dumbarton Oaks?

Any other lesser know tourist places you enjoy, or would advise me not to waste my time on?

(Itinerary so far--I'm going to various Smithsonians, Library of Congress, Memorials, Spy Museum, historical walks in Georgetown and Dupont, National Archives, Holocaust Museum, Capitol, maybe a boat ride etc. so I should be able to fit in some more stuff if it's worthwhile)

Appreciate your feedback on other places that you've been to that are 'must sees' or 'must nots'. I look forward to hearing your feedback regarding the more off the beaten track attractions.

Dumbarton Oaks, and Georgetown in general, are a fine alternative the Mall culture. If you enjoy Dumbarton Oaks and 19th-century art, you'll probably get a kick out of nearby Tudor Place. And at the other end of town the Building Museum is one of my own favorites.

I would recommend a trip to the FDR Memorial. It's peaceful, moving and a little more intimate than some of the others.

Great. Can you tell me more about Dumbarton Oaks and why you liked it?

The Corcoran collection contains some of a number of the artists you mentioned. Their special exhibitions tend toward the contemporary.

You might prefer the Phillips Collection and the Smithsonian's American Art Collection (and National Portrait Gallery) which is reopening, I think, early in July after years of refurbishment. Also the Renwick is currently showing a really fun Grant Wood exhibition.

I'm assuming you've hit the National Gallery on one of your previous visits.

I think Dumbarton Oaks is closed right now but that possibly the gardens are open?? I wouldn't make the trip just for the gardens, particularly if your visit is in August.

Pick up a copy of Washingtonian Magazine. It's not Time Out but does a good job of covering what's on at all the venues in the DC area. Their website is worth a look too. (washingtonian.com).

Other interesting off-the-track places are Hillwood and the National Building Museum. Hillwood has a large collection of Russian decorative arts, including Fabarage Eggs. Also has beautiful grounds.

The Building Museum is one of the city's most beautiful building and unusual museums.

Definitely the Phillips Museum. Lovely small museum w/good permanent exhibits but also good traveling exhibits (and it gets some that choose the Phillips as their only U.S. site). Eg. I saw a very good exhibit of Hiroshige Japanese woodblock prints there last summer. I live just outside of DC and go to the Phillips about three times a yr, more than I got to any other DC art museum. They had an EXCELLENT Georgia O'Keefe exhibit a few yrs ago- I think you'd like the flavor of the museum. It is not close to the downtown museums- it is closer to Dupont Circle. Lovely area, you can walk not far from the museum and have dinner or coffee and people watch.

What about an evening play at the KEnnedy Center or Ford's theater?

Corcoran is ok - check to see what exhibition they have currently. Also, bear in mind that Thursdays after 5pm is pay-as-you-wish.

When we went last year, most of the stuff on view is temp exhibition.

Phillips is nicer (and a nice bldg). We went there as well and at that time it was dominated by a temp exhibition as well. But at least now Renoir's Luncheon is back (it was on loan last July).

We also enjoyed the Sackler & Freer Galleries of the Smithsonian. The Peacock Room by Whistler at Freer is quite remarkable - if you haven't been there yet.

Dumbarton Oaks gardens are open even though the house is currently closed.

Second the National Building Museum - take the building tour to learn about this wonderful structure and the man who built it.

If you're interested in the decorative arts or lifestyles of rich and famous, visit Hillwood, Marjorie Merriweather Post's home. Lovely setting backing up to Rock Creek Park. You must make a reservation to take the house tour.

I'm also a big fan of the Freer (especially the Peacock Room).

I also really liked the National Building Museum - take the tour and take time to go through whatever temporary exhibit they have up. When I was there in January, it was on concrete, which sounds boring but it was really cool!

My other suggestion is the National Botanical Garden - it's right there on the mall, has really great "exhibits", but for some reason doesn't seem to be on the radar for a lot of people. It's also a change of pace from other museums.

If you have the time, take a run up to Baltimore. Some great art museums and there is always Harborplace.