When you visit Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Museums are a must-see. Inside these museums you can visit priceless and breathtaking works of art, history, and nature. I love to visit the National Gallery of Art. But an oft-overlooked little gem is the National Gallery’s outdoor Sculpture Garden.

Children and adults alike are fascinated by the optical illusion of George Lichtenstein’s House I. The gardens combine art and horticulture to create a magical environment. Do you notice the lack of leaves on this tree in the foreground? It’s a sculpture ~ Roxie Paine’s Graft, made entirely of stainless steel. Think about that for a minute. And if you enjoy music, don’t miss the free jazz concerts here on Friday nights starting at the end of May.