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    Smithsonian American Art Museum

    4.5 (477 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    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.

    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!

    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!

    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!

    Amenah B.

    I'm Amenah who's also an aspiring artist. My little sister and I went yesterday for a couple of hours and the artwork was so beautiful there. It was my 1st time going there.

    Daniel R.

    I love this museum! The newly renovated contemporary gallery is outrageously cool. I love the multimedia exhibits! This is perhaps the nicest building in DC; you never know when you are steps away from entering the most gorgeously designed atrium or gallery you've ever seen. The docents are extraordinary. The art is mesmerizing! Check it out!

    Tapestry
    Eric H.

    This museum has a large collection of paintings and other art. The historical collection on the first floor is wonderful for anyone interested in American history. The top floor is one of my favorites. The sculpture collection was my favorite, but honestly everything else was also great. Another cool thing about this museum is the courtyard in the middle of the square building. It is both covered and temperature controlled, making it a perfect place to be out of the elements. It features a ton of tables and a cafe that has both coffee items and wine. My go to however was the hot chocolate. I added a bit of cinnamon to my drink to make it a Mexican style hot chocolate. The staff was very helpful and had a great attitude. Sometimes museum workers can seem uptight and stuffy but that was not the case here. Everyone we spoke to was polite and friendly.

    Jane L.

    I forget how amazing this museum is. I typically just go to the Kogod Courtyard or parts of the Portrait Gallery. It's kind of confusing navigating between the American Art Museum and the Portrait Gallery since they both take up areas on all floors. The third floor modern art section is definitely worth a visit.

    Amazing art on display and easy navigation through galleries. Delightful museum! Art by all Americans, including a significant collection by Native American artists.

    Dorothea Lange holding a Graflex RB 4x5 camera atop a Ford Model 40 in California in 1936.  Note the suicide rear car doors

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    Amazon!! By far one of the highlights of our day. Time spent, learning, watching and exploring.

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    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(890 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    The Art Museum is a sight to behold, pun intended! Where else can you go to see all these amazing…read moreworks of art under one roof? I loved the comfortable seating areas offered all throughout the museum. This gave me the opportunity to really reflect on what message the artist was trying to convey. Can't wait to go back again!

    The National Gallery of Art is one of the better free museums I have found in the country, and the…read morefact that admission costs nothing made the whole thing feel almost too good. The building itself caught my attention before I even got to the art. The architecture is grand, and the rotunda area hit me immediately when I walked in, the kind of space that makes you slow down without even thinking about it. The collection is massive and covers a wide range of periods and styles, so depending on what I was into, there was usually something worth stopping for around every corner. The layout took some getting used to since it moves more like a maze than a straightforward path, but honestly getting a little lost here did not feel like a bad thing. The lighting throughout was handled really well and made a noticeable difference in how the paintings actually read up close. I noticed they run themed guided tours that typically start around 11 AM and carry through the afternoon. Checking the website before going is worth it, as the tours added context to what I was looking at without turning the visit into a classroom experience. The museum closes at 5 PM, so arriving earlier gave me more time, and the weekday crowds were noticeably lighter. I would budget at least a few hours. Trying to rush through this place did not really work, and the size of the collection alone made a quick walk through feel like a waste of the trip.

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

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

    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(547 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $

    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.

    The Hirshhorn offers a distinct contrast to the National Gallery of Art, and its rotating exhibits…read morehelp keep each visit feeling fresh. Some of the outdoor sculptures were visible, though a few pieces were either being relocated or blocked off. There were not many, so it made for a quick walk around the circular exterior. Upon entering, we went through security, which led into the main lobby where there is also a café. The coffee was both expensive and underwhelming, so I would recommend grabbing a drink elsewhere. The museum has three floors, and I found it easiest to start at the top and work your way down. *Laurie Anderson Four Talks: one of my favorite exhibits. The installation was fully immersive, covering the entire room. The writing and drawings across all four walls really brought the concept together. *Adam Pendleton Love Queen: a visually striking exhibit that transitions into a black and white video. While the artwork itself did not resonate with me as much, the video left both me and other visitors in a quiet, reflective state. *Revolutions Art from the Hirshhorn Collection: more traditional in style and subject matter. I did wish there was more context provided for some of the pieces, especially the sculptures, as a few lacked historical explanation. *Basquiat x Banksy: a more modern collection that reflects themes of racial and class divide. The bold colors and strong perspectives made this one of the more engaging sections. *Big Things For Big Rooms: a bit too literal for my taste, as it largely consisted of oversized objects without much added depth. *Mark Bradford Pickett's Charge: an older but well maintained exhibit. The circular layout of the museum complemented the work nicely. The textures and use of color were particularly compelling. The gift shop offered a wide range of items, including pieces inspired by past exhibitions and collaborations. I especially liked the Basquiat and Banksy merchandise, though it was nice to see representation from other collections as well. Overall, this is an easy museum to explore in one visit. I wish I could have seen the updated sculpture garden, but the rotating exhibits alone make it worth coming back.

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    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Henry Moore

    Henry Moore

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

    Contemporary Photography in China exhibit | "Foam"

    Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

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    Calder's mobile and Jean Miro painting.

    Dumbarton Oaks - Cherry blossom tree (and engagement ring!)

    Dumbarton Oaks

    4.5(141 reviews)
    2.5 miGeorgetown

    I purposely visited recently (winter season) because entrance to the gardens is free, otherwise…read moreit's $15. The gardens are interesting even in the cold months. The couple most closely associated with this Georgetown estate, Mildred and Robert Bliss, clearly loved and thought deeply about this parcel of land when they owned it (1920/30's). Their efforts to preserve and share the space with the public are to be commended. It must have been quite something in its heyday. There's a lot of research that's supported here, as well as other activities. The website explains all that. It's a low-key sightseeing spot; quiet, contemplative.

    Most everyone in my office is off today due to the holiday, so I mad a plan to visit this museum…read more I also wanted to see the adjoining garden, but it doesn't open until much later in the afternoon. They have quite a few notable collections that I liked. The Byzantine Collection featured different artwork from the fifteenth cwntury. There were also several large sculptures that originated from the Byzantium empire which is known as Istanbul today. According to their information, the museum is continuously acquiring different works if art from this time period. There were also some pretty cool grave markers dating back to the 11th century. The museum is sort of hidden off of the main avenue in Georgetown so you will probably need to search for it. It is also free and open most days to the general public.

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    Dumbarton Oaks - Wisteria in bloom 4/12/26

    Wisteria in bloom 4/12/26

    Dumbarton Oaks - Music room

    Music room

    Dumbarton Oaks - "Child at a window", 1901 by Edouard Vuillard

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    "Child at a window", 1901 by Edouard Vuillard

    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.

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    The Phillips Collection
    The Phillips Collection - Cezanne

    Cezanne

    The Phillips Collection - Kuhn

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    Kuhn

    Planet Word Museum - Magical library - super cool!

    Planet Word Museum

    4.8(222 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown

    This museum is so magical!…read more Our group of nine had a blast weaving our way from room to room. The museum is equally fun for kids and adults with topics like language, reading, translation and karaoke to make a few. Everything was so well thought out and interactive. I couldn't get enough of the library room where books come to life with video-like illustrations building off the pages. It felt like we were transported into Belle's massive and dreamy library from Beauty and the Beast complete with a secret hidden room off the side (tucked behind a bookcase door). We had kids ages 2-5 and it was perfect for them. Note that you'll need to park strollers in the basement level. To top it all off, we had a fabulous lunch at Immigrant Food located on the lower level. Oh, how could I forget to mention that the museum is free? Amazing!

    Funny story - I was looking for kid-friendly ideas of things to do in DC and asked ChatGPT for…read moreideas. One of the responses was the Planet Word museum, which I never heard of. I looked it up and decided to try it! They recommend you get timed passes online ahead of time; it's free but they do recommend a donation. This museum is SO COOL! As someone who loves different languages and words I loved everything about this place! My kids loved all of the interactivity. There is a room with an interactive word wall and you can interact and answer and request more info on the history of certain words. For example, I learned that "ketchup" was named after a Chinese sauce even though they are not similar. There is also a magical library room where you can pick a book off the shelf and place it on a book holder and the book is read to you. There are also mirror shadow boxes that come to life if you read the inscription. Finally, the kids loved the karaoke room - you select a song and as you sing along you see the types of parts of speech at play in the song. Great experience, would for sure recommend and go back!

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    Planet Word Museum - Word wall!

    Word wall!

    Planet Word Museum - Lexicon lane

    Lexicon lane

    Planet Word Museum - VERY COOL  INTERACTIVE LIBRARY!!

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    VERY COOL INTERACTIVE LIBRARY!!

    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

    What a great museum! How can you not love going here? I didn't have time to read a lot or explore…read moretoo many things in detail, but walking through, I could tell I wanted to come back. It has a decent layout and the maps guide you to the various areas nicely. Obviously dinosaurs are cool and prevalent in any Natural History museum. But they had lots of other cool things too. Probably the biggest draw is the Hope Diamond... It's big and beautiful diamond (BBD) and just something you should check out if you're here. This is one of the more popular of the museums straddling the National Mall, so plan accordingly if you want to get in and spend more time exploring. The crowds can get a little crazy. I got there at 3p and there was a line to get in.

    The Museum of Natural History is a great experience for children and adults. Keep in mind, some…read moremight find the facts throughout the museum to be controversial as a lot of the information is based in theory and not empirical. There are competing theories of human and natural evolution, and the preponderance of information in this museum is scientific. That said, from a Western scholastic perspective, this museum is consistent with school books. It takes you from beginning to present, and the billions of years in between, and in many instances describing human and natural evolution in detail. I've visited the original museum as a kid and adult prior to the renovations, and the new museum post-renovations. For those experiencing the new museum for the first time, you'll love it and I believe the exhibits are a good use of space. However, much of the exhibits and graphics are visually appealing to youth, but I'd expect more interactive exhibits to keep kids engaged. This museum is massive and you could easily spend all day here. I believe adults can appreciate this museum because virtually all of the exhibits (not including the exhibits constructed specifically for kids) are text-based displays and graphics, requiring extensive reading. As a reader, this museum is laden with little known facts and additional context displayed in subtext and graphics. RECOMMENDATION: the museum is vast, covering multiple floors. At times it can seem like you might be coming full circle at the end of a hall only to walk into an entirely new corridor leading to a new exhibit or new wing on the floor. I recommend arriving early and dedicate the first few hours to one floor, take a break on- or off-site, and returning after lunch to conclude your visit on another floor. There is enough exhibit to entertain you for at least 5-6 hours. There is street parking available and I recommend arriving early if you desire parking close to this museum. The Museum of American History is next door, so it would make sense to strategically place these museums on one day's itinerary. Overall, a very good museum. You can easily spend all day here, so plan accordingly.

    Photos
    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 June 2026

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