National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art

National Gallery of Art
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This national art museum holds over 141,000 works of western art, spanning from the middle ages through today. Bonus: It's completely free to visit.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Archives • 5 min walk
  • L'Enfant Plaza • 8 min walk
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  • F4981JCmichaels
    Vancouver, Washington2,925 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The two main art buildings in Washington D.C.
    The National Gallery of Art as a title can be misleading. There are two large buildings across Fourth Street NW from each other, connected underground by a moving walkway. One can also walk on a regular floor to access them as well, and you can cross Fourth St. NW at ground level too between the two buildings, but underground is the easiest way to see them both. The East Building is dedicated to "modern art." The West Building is dedicated to all the other types of art. But...in Washington D.C. itself, there are many other art galleries. There are many within walking distance from these two, and further away is a portrait gallery. One within walking distance is dedicated to Asian art, another holds a lot of Whistler artwork, and there are more, so if art museums are your thing, go to Google Maps and type in "Washington D.C. art museums" to see them all at once. Details for them can be found there, as well as here at Trip Advisor. As far as the East & West buildings go, plan on taking your time. They have massive collections, on multiple floors for each separate building. Downstairs in the West building is an excellent cafeteria style location with ample seating. The food is exceptional, especially for what it is. Prices are reasonable too. Selection is quite varied. If you are hungry and are here, don't pass it up! There is also a limited cafe on the third floor of the East building, near the restrooms. Next to the cafeteria in the West building, is a gift shop, also with a good selection. As for the two museums themselves, be prepared to see things you've only seen in books before. The only two museums I've seen in the U.S. that can rival them are the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Oh, and parking sucks in D.C. But you probably already know that. There is no convenient parking anywhere near anything of note in Washington D.C. I wish they would take a clue from the Canadian capital. You park under their art museum, which is also impressive in its own right. Parking garages are located around D.C., blocks from the Mall, and parking along the streets there is limited to three hours at a stretch, assuming you can find a spot. I parked nearby off Second Street NW. Expensive ($26) but worth it since it was for all day.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 3, 2023
  • F4981JCmichaels
    Vancouver, Washington2,925 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A good place to sit down and relax and give your feet a rest.
    As sculpture gardens go, it's satisfactory. Frankly, I've seen better sculpture in small towns across the U.S. and Canada. There is a tree made of metal that stands out. But the best feature of this garden, in my opinion, is the huge fountain with seating all around it, a lot of it shaded. After walking for blocks seeing things in D.C., this place is a nice serene place to relax.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 3, 2023
  • montanapescado
    Albuquerque, New Mexico1,474 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An absolute must!
    I'll never forget my first visit here at age 19. First, I was astonished by how many great works from European masters were in permanent collection here. Second, the volume of the place was mind blowing. Even though I knew little of art at the time and previously had little interest, I was gobsmacked and spent a great deal more time there than planned. In the 40 years since then, I've been back a half dozen times and I always find something else amazes me, even within the permanent collection which I've seen before. I will never grow tired of going here, although now, I try to pace myself and focus on just one or two areas rather than try to absorb it all. It's especially nice that it's free so I never feel the need to "get my money's worth."
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 17, 2023
  • sfuhere
    826 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Packed with treasures
    There is no need to pre-book, just turn up. Compared to the National Gallery in London, this is a much more relaxing gallery with plenty of space. You’re not overwhelmed with other people, so you can relax and concentrate on the paintings so much more. I went on a one hour long free tour with Barbara around the gallery. I’d highly recommend it - she is engaging, humorous and insightful and will draw your attention to pictures you might have overlooked. My particular favourites were the colourful French impressionists. Generally the gallery has a great collection of Pisarro, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Manet and Seurat. It must be one of the best collections of French paintings outside of France. Plenty else too! It’s also a calm and cool interior with plenty of comfortable seating. What better way to rest your weary feet after a hard day’s walking up and down the National Mall! I found this place an oasis of calm and elegance. I loved it so much I came again the next day. Please do give it a chance. It’s free!
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 19, 2023
  • DesmondJH
    87 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Old and New: a major collection
    The National Gallery has a superb collection, but a big section is now closed. Where the excellent Italian Renaissance collection is usually housed, there are huge blocked off doors. Some of those paintings, notably the daVinci, the Raphael madonna, and a few others, are scattered around in other spaces (including downstairs) but the context of the really good collection is lost. The Dutch paintings are great, and most seem to be on view, including three of the Vermeers. Pay special attention to the "School of Rembrandt" painting of the small boy with the broom. It is one of those canvasses that got downgraded in the great Rembrandt Re-shuffle, but for my money, it's as good as anything Rembrandt painted. The possible attribution to Fabritius has merit, in the sense that it has the same level of charm as The Goldfinch in The Hague. Also try to find the gem of a portrait by Michael Sittow of Diego de Guevara. He's somewhat obscure, but finding really good paintings by relatively obscure artists is what makes museums fun. The East Building does not appear to have a separate spot on TA so I'll mention it here. It's the Modern Art collection, so don't be surprised by the very modern architecture and atrium space, which is overseen by a gloriously powerful Motherwell elegy. There is room for major sculpture, including the Andy Goldsworthy stonework that occupies space both within and outside of the building. However, the openness of the atrium space means there is limited wall space for pictures. The collection on view in December 2023 is fine, with some excellent early Picassos and a fine fauve collection, but it's only a few rooms. The highlight for now is a startling show of Mark Rothko's Works on Paper. There are a number of sets of works, some from before he developed his signature style, and many from the later years of his life when a Rothko was a Rothko. Fascinating detail on technique to go with scores of smaller, but very fine "stacked squares." Be prepared to walk up a lot of steps and across inside breezeways as you negotiate the grand space in this striking museum. Given how terrible the Hirschorn is, it's nice that they seem to be getting this one right. The focus on politically correct artists is not overwhelming, so most of the art is good to look at.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written December 6, 2023
  • Christina B
    Dallas, Texas53 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Christmas visit
    It’s beautifully decorated for Christmas. The place is huge so plan your visit or you will be wandering around lost! Don’t miss the exhibit at the Botanic garden and the Capitol Christmas tree! Both are a short walk from the Gallery
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 12, 2023
  • Nicole Y
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Art Haven: National Gallery in D.C.
    The National Gallery of Art in D.C. is like a treasure trove of awesome art. It's not all fancy and serious – just a cool mix of different vibes. And the best part? It's free. Whether you're an art buff or just looking for a laid-back afternoon, it's definitely worth a visit.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 25, 2023
  • Uccman39
    North Brunswick, New Jersey227 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wonderful collection and well spaced out
    My significant other and I went here on New Years Eve. We most enjoyed the impressionist paintings and the ambiance of the entire museum. There was a funny group of busts depicting the French parliament. Also a nice Cafe. Wonderful time.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 1, 2024
  • Robert D
    4,655 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent museum
    The National Gallery of Art offers a comprehensive collection of art in many diverse styles and genres. One of the exhibits I saw was "Mark Rothko: Paintings on Paper". Although some may look simple, they are actually quite complex. In addition to many painting by Rothko, the actual easel from Rothko's studio, ca, 1964, is on display. You can see where he hung his paintings while working on them. I also enjoyed a temporary exhibit of Contemporary Art by Native Americans. John Hitchcock grew up on Comanche tribal lands next to a military base. His artwork "Impact vs. Influence" explores the relationship between the two. I loved the intricate beadwork on the boots by Jamie Okuma. "Peep" honors the abandoned California scrub jay called "Peep" that was found when the artist was 7 and stayed part of the family for 26 years. Another exhibit featured the photographs of Dorothea Lange. One of her most iconic photographs was "Human Erosion in California", better known as "Migrant Mother" . This 1936 photo depicts a mother and her three children at a migrant labor camp and captures the despair of many during the Great Depression. There is much to enjoy at this museum, including an outdoor sculpture garden.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 5, 2024
  • Steven G
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Art Wonderland!
    The National Gallery of Art is like stepping into a wonderland for art lovers! From classic masterpieces to funky modern pieces, they've got it all. The place is basically a time-traveling, culture-hopping adventure. The vibe is chill, and you can totally pretend you're in your own art heist movie. Whether you're an artsy soul or just looking for a cool day out, this gallery is a blast
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written January 18, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles9,994 reviews
Excellent
8,069
Very good
1,580
Average
264
Poor
55
Terrible
27

Khai L
Austin, TX625 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I love going to museums. They are all different, and this one has its own charm and treasures.

This museum is free and will be worth your time. There are original paintings of many famous artists throughout different periods. Yet it is known to be the only place that houses the only piece of artwork of Leonardo de Vinci in the Americas.

There is also a humongous installation of a blue cock on top of the towers.

If you are short on time, the front-desk is very friend and will help you pick up the guide for the highlights of the museum.

They are also doing restoration or duplication work on some pieces so it's always fun to catch those moments.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Austengirl
Charlottesville, VA52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Couples
If you love art, this is the place to go. They have an incredible collection, especially of paintings from medieval through Impressionism. The newer wing has modern art but we didn’t bother because we’re not found. We did take a break for about 45 minutes for lunch in the cafeteria but other than that we spent the rest of the time, five hours, just enjoying the art. We’ve been a number of times but this definitely had by far the fewest people we’ve ever seen there. We went on a Sunday at 10 AM the second weekend in February so while it was cold outside, we got amazing parking for free (we could literally see our car from the main entrance on the street), We never had to jostle to try to see paintings, and there was hardly anyone in the cafeteria. I don’t know how much of that was also due to Covid but we would definitely brave the cold and come back again this time of year just to avoid crowds and get rockstar, free parking. The cafeteria had far fewer offerings than a few years ago, again probably due to Covid and reduced numbers, and you need to show proof of vaccination in order to eat inside. The food isn’t great and it’s expensive for what it is, but it’s not worth the time it would take to leave and find a restaurant and then come back so it makes more sense to eat there. Next time I will definitely bring my own bottle of water (which they say you can have on you as long as it is in a pocket or in a bag) to avoid paying four dollars for a bottle of water, plus some sort of snack.
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lexi3
131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We visited the Neoclassical West building whose classical collection is built on the donation of the Mellon patriarch. We went late week, and I was astounded by the smallish crowds for a world class art museum. The interior is laid out brilliantly too, so peaceful.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

worldexplorer53
New Orleans, LA618 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
this is an immense museum with an impressive collection of art from everywhere and every age. we especially enjoyed the european collection of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. the array of art is spaced nicely for ease of viewing even when crowded, which it was during a saturday visit. our return visit on a tuesday was much less crowded. there is a huge cafeteria for a break and nurishment between the two buildings. you could spends hours here or visit it for smaller times over several days as every entry is free of charge.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leland P
Marion, IN23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020
One need not go to Europe to experience the art of Rembrandt, Rubens, Degas, Renoir, Picasso, Van Go, Vinci, and other masters. There is also major works of Americans, such as Andrew Wyatt, O'Keefe, Hooper, Homer, etc. With it's changing exhibits, one can keep coming back again and again. The buildings are most impressive as well, with the East wing being modern and the West wing being classical. it would take weeks to take in all that is on display in the National Museum of Art
Written February 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bertducks
Jamestown49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
This collection is a must for any art loving visitor to DC. And don't hesitate to join one of the groups leaving on the first floor, as the guide did one outstanding job of opening up the spirit of 18th century Flemish painting, and taught me much I thought I knew but did not. And the lunch buffet downstairs is very well done, very much worth it.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mobile826949
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019
The gallery itself features beautiful architecture, lighting, and the indoor garden is delightful. The art is displayed in a viewer friendly way, and the atmosphere is very pleasant. The gallery is accessible by city bus, or the Metro stop is about 4 blocks away. Enjoy your visit.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LPS83
Woodstock, GA22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
If you only want to do one art museum, then spend your time in the National Gallery of Art, both buildings. You will see something, by every great artist that you have heard of, but have only ever seen one, or two, of their iconic pieces. The museum has a wonderful flow, and there is a sign at every entrance telling you era, style, and country. Don’t touch, but you can get amazingly close, and see detail like never before. The big building is the old masters, and the funky smaller building is the Modern (is this really art?). Yes, it is art, and no, some of it isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is worth seeing. These two buildings will give you the biggest slice of Art history, for your time.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SFOBEYOND
San Francisco, CA62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
Incredible museum that felt like walking in the museums of Europe. Be prepared to head to see the masterpieces or favorite works as it would still take days to take in the collection that includes famous Dutch paintings, Impressionism highlights, and modern art. The NGA is split into the East and West buildings.

Eating at the museum: There are very limited options for lunch around the National Mall except the outdoor food trucks. The museum has three cafes. The menu for the Garden Cafe in the East building near the gift shop looked favorable with an array of coffees and pastries and featured avocado toast and salads. Since the menu is not published, it might be updated frequently. Seating is very limited but plated food is served.

The Cascade Cafe between the East and West building did not look appetizing with a cafeteria feel and the usual burgers and fried food. On the West side you can get boxed wraps and salads on The Terrace which is on par with what you would pick up at one of the airport eateries "grab and go." We didn't go by the Pavilion Cafe between the NGA and Hirshhorn.

Note that the cafes are pricey so it can affect a family budget. But, with so much to see and take in at the Smithsonian museums, it helps to sit down and have something to eat.
Written April 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Justinthecity
Washington DC, DC12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
I cannot praise this gallery highly enough, and it is easily my favorite museum in DC. Aside from being free to visit (not true of all museums in DC), the National Gallery has a truly vast collection ranging from medieval to Impressionist, Renaissance to American, and features magnificent interior spaces, including a fountain with a sculpture of the Greek god Hermes.

The museum also offers multiple free hour-long tours daily by docents focusing on different parts of the Gallery's collection, and attending these tours is a great way to appreciate the art better and understand the history and choices of each artist and piece. There is also an extensive audio tour available, if you are willing to give up your ID temporarily to use the tour headset.

I see no real downsides to the museum, though first-time visitors may find the vast multi-level museum structure confusing to navigate.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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