Photo by Nicole Aguirre

The Mexican Cultural Institute on 16th Street is one of the most stunning buildings I have encountered in D.C. According to the institute’s website, the mansion formerly housed the Mexican Embassy from 1921 to 1989, when the embassy moved to its current Foggy Bottom location. Inside, you’ll find beautiful murals, 15th century inspired Italian architecture, a mahogany English banister and rotating exhibits of Mexican art.