The Mansion on O Street
Looking for a more unique museum experience in Washington, DC? Head to Dupont Circle, where you will find The Mansion on O Street. The Mansion is five connected rowhomes with over 100 rooms and over 70 secret doors. It was designed in 1892 by Edward Clark, an architect for the US Capitol, to be a home for himself and his two brothers. Over the next century, The Mansion served many purposes, including a place to stay for FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover’s G-men in the 1930’s, housing for student leaders of the protests in the 1960’s, and a recording studio for “America’s Black Forum” and “Sounds of the City” from 1977 to 1990.
Today, the property is a historic landmark that guests are invited to explore. In addition to searching for secret doors, you’ll see donated books, memorabilia, antiques, and autographed guitars. Almost everything is for sale, and proceeds support The O Street Mansion Foundation.
What to Expect
The Mansion on O Street is ideal for anyone who likes an interactive museum, antiquing, or a puzzle. It can be a little overwhelming for some due to all of the items inside. However, it’s a great option for a unique date night, inquisitive kids, corporate team building, and special events.
$30 per person gets you entrance to explore The Mansion at your leisure. There is no map for the doors so you’ll have to find them as you explore. Look up, down, and all around because they could be hidden anywhere. Some are slightly more obvious behind things like mirrors, bookshelves, and other large fixtures. Others are tiny and hidden in unexpected places. And don’t worry – things that look like doors but are not are clearly labeled.
One thing to look out for is the wine cellar. There is an easy-to-find bar on the main floor with snacks and drinks, but the wine cellar is hidden. Once you find it, you can stop for a drink!
A Boutique Hotel
The Mansion on O Street is also a boutique hotel open to visitors. The rooms are accessible to regular visitors when no one is staying in them. If you’d like to stay the night, the museum chooses your room and rates start at $475 a night. You might not want to spend your whole Washington, DC trip at this unique hotel, but it is a fun experience for a night or two.
Tickets and Special Events
Tickets are timed, and groups enter about every half hour after a short introductory video. Grab tickets online to ensure you get the time slot you want. Additional special tours and seasonal special events are also available. Check out their special team-building tours if you have a group of family, friends, or your office.