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    Smithsonian American Art Museum

    4.5 (481 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 7:00 pm

    Smithsonian American Art Museum Photos

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    Dhara L.

    I honestly wasn't expecting this, but I was pleasantly surprised! The museum has an impressive collection of artifacts that showcase different moments throughout American history. It's fascinating to see how inventions and everyday items have evolved over time, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

    Sushant Z.

    What a fabulous museum! Saw so much American art and was blown away by all that was packed in there. Nice flow and easy to read explanations as well as hints for what to look at if you aren't familiar with admiring art. Had a good 2 hours here. Plenty of bathrooms at every turn and not too crowded. Location is also close to so many restaurants and Chinatown.

    Grandma Moses Exhibit - Central Park
    Evan P.

    One of my favorites of the nearly 20 Smithsonian's in the area. This one is conveniently located near the Gallery Place and Metro Center stops and surrounded by great restaurants, activities, and is right across from the Capital One Arena. It is an absolutely beautiful building with ornate ceilings, marble floors, and of course amazing art with frequently changing of exhibits. The art is stunning and offers an array of paintings, sculptures, and other thought-provoking art. As an added bonus, the Portrait Gallery also shares the building and one of the best kept secrets is the Kogod Atrium in the center of the building which provides a beautiful space for events, relaxing, or getting lunch. This museum is one of the best and most underrated in the city.

    Megan B.

    This place was pretty cool and also it was free. There is tons of security but there were quite a few rowdy teenagers running around that were super loud and I did not see anyone say anything. I was kind of surprised. There are some unusual installations here and I wasn't anticipating that. The bathrooms were clean and the overall museum was clean. They also stay open later than most of the art museums in town.

    I found this to be the neatest display.
    Stacy E.

    I have visited Washington DC many times but never stopped into this museum. It is a quieter spot which was perfect for a Sunday afternoon. There is a large variety of American art including a nice folk art collection as well as housing many modern pieces. This museum is housed inside the same building as The National Portrait Gallery. Between the two museums, we spent about 5 hours visiting. Don't forget to spend a few minutes in the large glass domed courtyard.

    Karen H.

    This museum is set in a very central and convenient location. We went on a Wednesday afternoon and it wasn't crowded. They let me bring my water bottle into the museum which was nice. The inside was pretty easy to navigate with a map and we had no issues looking at everything in about an hour and a half. There's a lot of more classic art and more interesting contemporary ones as well, including a couple of exhibits where you can eat the candy that's part of the display! For the cost of zero dollars, it's worth a visit.

    USA fluorescent lights
    Peter D.

    I would describe the American Art Museum/National Portrait Gallery as one of my comfort spots in DC. There's always less people than you expect inside, there's a great variety of art pieces indoors, and it's quiet. I sometimes sit indoors and listen to music while I'm walking around. Although this place is not a hidden gem, I can always appreciate the calm environment this place offers relative to other places in DC

    Michelle T.

    I saw the "The Shapes of Power: Stories of Race & American Culture," a sculptural exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in DC that was installed shortly after the presidential election. Within the introduction of the exhibit, there is a statement that says, "The Smithsonian Institution acknowledges that language around race is constantly evolving including racial terms and their capitalization." Sadly, the NYT wrote an article about Trump's executive order against the exhibit. Quoting Trump's stance, ""promotes the view that race is not a biological reality but a social construct, stating 'Race is a human invention.'" The NYT interviewed a scholar who said, ""the executive order is troubling and out of step with the current consensus." He added that pseudoscientific attempts to create a hierarchy of races with white people at the top were seen "in places like Nazi Germany or within the eugenics movement."" The political climate is chilling and I don't want to see our nation without the liberties and freedoms of untainted education and art. Therefore, I'd like highlight a piece from the exhibit by a Puerto Rican artist that was powerful and thought provoking titled, "Mangual & Las Twines" by Pepon Osorio. The message is one about colorism and prejudice against darker skinned members of the same racialize group. Be sure to peep other notable Latine pieces like, "Bridge," "Pa-lan-te," & "María Guabancex."

    Art
    Rena E.

    The last time that we visited, the museum was closed for a special gala, so we decided to add it to the list again. The museum has free admission. Though the museum's location is in the middle of a busy area, there were many convenient parking options within close proximity. In addition to about five levels of art, there was also a souvenir shop and cafe located on the museum's main level. We had a great time visiting every floor. My favorite floor featured all contemporary art. The art was so colorful, lively and quite creative. Overall, there was so much to see on every level, but we spent most of the time intrigued by the vast contemporary collection. I also liked that they welcomed picture taking unlike some other museums, where photos were prohibited. I would like to visit again when they change or add to the collections.

    Hunter S.

    I enjoyed my time here this time more than last time. Last time I went, I attended for a James Baldwin exhibit that I found disappointing and lacking. James Baldwin is my #1 dead or alive party guest, larger than life, so I felt he wasn't given the flowers he deserved. This time I returned to view "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture." This exhibit was extremely well done, the way I wish Baldwin's had been. It did a great job of examining how race and racial stereotypes affect art, all the way back to Biblical and Greek times. How those ideas affect the feelings of the marginalized. How art ideas have aged through the years. Many colorful, poignant, sometime rage-inducing or withering pieces. Some pieces that were absolutely heartbreaking. I am so impressed at how much I learned, was pushed to think and reflect. This is peak museum behavior for me.

    Andrea R.

    An amazing display of human creativity and artistic expression through paint, sound, objects and imagination. The experience was truly incredible. To be able to walk through different eras of time, transported me in a way that is indescribable. It also deepened my connection to people, if that makes sense. This museum has three floors that you can view artwork, which includes special exhibits of artists, as well as traditional artwork that describes a theme throughout American history. I learned so much, and the staff was very knowledgeable of the layout of the museum. There are floor maps online and at the information desk. I only wish there were better signage throughout the building to help coordinate on the map. I got turned around a couple of times. That's the only reason it's not 5 stars. Entrance into the museum is free, and you can enter by two ways, either from G St. or F St. The F st. side has a coat room and lockers to the right after going through the detectors. There is also an indoor court yard in the center of the museum that has a cafe on the G st side. I completed the walk-through in just over two hours, but you can stay a lot longer if you read all of the descriptions of the artwork and leisurely walk through. They also have some displays that you can connect to through audio to listen and learn that way. The pictures I attached did the work no justice. I would have taken more, but I just wanted to be in the experience versus taking a lot of pictures. However, they do encourage that you take pictures and that you post and tag to share your experience. Just remember not to touch anything. Enjoy!

    Alexis B.

    I'm not sure why I haven't reviewed the Smithsonian American Art Museum before now; I've been so many times! It shares the Old Patent Office Building with the National Portrait Gallery (half of the building is the Portrait Gallery and half of the building is SAAM; sometimes I'm not sure which half I'm in). I visited today with some friends. Its collections are extensive (contemporary art, modern art, folk art, Western art, and more). Some of my favorite pieces from my visit today were by: Audrey Flack, Bob Thompson, Isamu Noguchi, Kerry James Marshall, Tom Nakashima, William H. Johnson, and Jacob Lawrence. It has a beautiful courtyard, where you can enjoy a glass of wine and people watch, too. Another great free Smithsonian museum. Definitely visit it (and the Portrait Gallery) if you're in DC and enjoy American art!

    Andy Y.

    An amazing experience. I had the opportunity to visit with my daughter for her elementary school field trip and am I glad! It was not as busy, but it was opened earlier for our trip. The collection is amazing with an abundance of history. The guide was excellent and made it funny engaging for a bunch of 2nd graders. Will definitely be back again. Enjoy!

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Smithsonian American Art Museum

    Review Highlights - Smithsonian American Art Museum

    I think the Renwick changes exhibits every few months, so the Burning Man exhibit may not be there anymore.

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    National Gallery of Art - Mother and child

    National Gallery of Art

    4.6(896 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    What a lovely gallery! There was so much to see. A nice variety of art. I spent most of my time in…read morethe impressionist galleries. It wasn't crowded at all and it was easy to meander from room to room. The Garden Cafe was decent. They need more staff through. They had one person both clearing tables and serving food. She was working quickly but the wait was long.

    I gave up taking pictures after a while because each exhibit room felt like more of the same. It…read morestarted to feel like I was living out Groundhog Day--every wall was filled with similar-looking portraits. While the subjects were different people, the artwork had such a similar style that it all began to blend together. I don't even think I took any pictures. I've never seen so many portraits in one museum before. It felt like room after room was filled with similar-style paintings, and after a while, it became repetitive and honestly exhausting. I found myself rushing through many of the galleries, and at one point I was so bored I started hiding from my daughter while she explored. Don't get me wrong--the artistry is incredible. The painting techniques, attention to detail, and craftsmanship are truly impressive. My only criticism is that the sheer number of similar portraits made the experience feel monotonous. By the time I reached exhibits featuring other cultures and artistic styles, I was already experiencing museum fatigue, which made it harder to fully appreciate those collections. A little more variety throughout the galleries would have made the overall experience much more engaging.

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    -Ken Kesey

    "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer" -Ken Kesey

    National Gallery of Art - Mankind? That is an abstraction. 
 There have always been and always will be only individuals.
  ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals. ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    National Gallery of Art - Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.
          --Voltaire

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    Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal. --Voltaire

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Fernand Leger

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

    4.3(549 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $

    The Hirshhorn Museum is easily one of my favorite modern art museums in Washington, DC. Every visit…read moreoffers something new to discover, and the museum itself is as impressive as many of the exhibits it houses. A few highlights from my visit: Beautiful, clean, and modern space that complements the artwork perfectly. The museum's unique multi-level circular layout makes it easy to navigate and explore. Every turn seems to reveal a new exhibit, installation, or piece of art that invites you to stop and reflect. A great mix of modern and contemporary works that appeal to both casual visitors and art enthusiasts. Clean, well-maintained facilities throughout the museum. Bathrooms are conveniently located on the lower level and easy to find. Free admission makes it an easy recommendation for anyone visiting the National Mall. One of my favorite aspects of the Hirshhorn is how immersive the experience feels. As you move through the circular galleries, each corner offers something different to see and experience. The museum encourages exploration, and it's easy to lose track of time wandering between exhibits. Overall, the Hirshhorn is a must-visit for anyone interested in modern and contemporary art. Between its striking architecture, thoughtfully curated exhibits, and welcoming atmosphere, it's a place I return to whenever I'm in DC.

    This is a pretty cool museum, but they REALLY overhyped the Basquiat x Banksy collaboration. There…read morewas one piece of Banksy art which was a take on a Basquiat piece. The Basquiat collection was also pretty sparse. Mr. Smithsonian should be ashamed. I hope he's looking up and reading this. The museum's upper floors are 2 concentric circles so I'd recommend doing 2 loops around to avoid missing anything. There were displays with videos, lights, paint, and other media. I enjoyed exploring. The sculpture garden was closed when I was there, so I was unable to see anything there. I also don't know what was on the ground floor besides the entrance and the cafe. Seemed like something else should have been there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth a visit for sure and I enjoyed my time. But I was drawn in by the false hype.

    Photos
    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Henry Moore

    Henry Moore

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

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    Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

    The Phillips Collection - Miró and the United States

    The Phillips Collection

    4.2(261 reviews)
    1.6 miDupont Circle

    This is a great little museum, right in the heart of DC in Dupont Circle. We've come here over the…read moreyears. Mainly for their Phillips After 5 special event. On Thursday nights, at certain times of the year, they offer late night museum access beginning at 5 PM, where you can enjoy some cocktails and explore the galleries. We came here for their Pride celebrations. It was a little frustrating since not all of the activities were available. They had a "story time" that ended up having a sign up list that filled up within minutes. And it was positioned on their materials that this would be more open. Also, my partner was running a little late. And the complimentary Champagne also went within 10-15 minutes. I got the champagne and served about a half inch, while I noticed some guests had so much, it was overflowing form the glass. Regardless of the champagne situation, it was fun. The gallery is small and often has rotating galleries. We loved the Miro exhbition currently on display.

    It is a great museum/collection of art that highlights certain type of art form or an artist. Their…read moremain collection is quite good and it will take solid 1 whole hour to see the collection assuming you don't decide to stare at certain peices much longer. Then, plan even longer visit. I have many friends who are associated with this museum, so it feels good to support my friends and their operations. If you are an avid modern and contemporary art fan, highly recommend joining as a member for about $100. Seasonally they usually change their special exhibits. Don't forget to check out the beewax room! So many people just walk past it.

    Photos
    The Phillips Collection
    The Phillips Collection - Cezanne

    Cezanne

    The Phillips Collection - Kuhn

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    Kuhn

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - She's looking right at me... it's a she, I peeked

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi

    You really can't go wrong with any Smithsonian museum, especially when admission is free, but we…read morereally enjoyed the Natural History museum. We got through security quickly and found the museum very clean and easy to navigate considering how much there is to see inside. You could easily spend several hours here and still not see everything. We spent most of our time in the fossil and gem sections. My favorite was definitely the Hope Diamond. If you're visiting Washington, DC, I would absolutely go to the Natural History Museum but give yourself plenty of time because there is a lot to see.

    Ok I hate that I am giving this 4 stars because it was so cool. I think just having been to the one…read morein London jaded me a bit. There is a lot of cool stuff here. Gorgeous building. But the whole thing was just screens and words to me. The animal parts were really fun, but the rest felt super super modern and basically like a textbook was printed on the wall. It didn't have any of the magic. I did not feel like reading paragraphs on the wall, I wanted to see actual stuff. And there was some stuff, but all the screens and modern-ness kinda killed it for me. As someone who didn't want to read or be in the middle of a pre-school field trip, this museum only took me 45 min. If you have never been to a Natural History Museum, definitely go. If you have been to any of the other ones, you can skip.

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    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Line at 3p or so

    Line at 3p or so

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Hope diamond

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    Hope diamond

    Smithsonian American Art Museum - artmuseums - Updated August 2026

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