Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC: Hours, Address, Smithsonian American Art Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
4.5
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
About
The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares its collections, programs, and exhibitions in two locations in Washington, DC. SAAM’s main building is located at the heart of a vibrant downtown cultural district.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Downtown / Chinatown
How to get there
- Gallery Place • 2 min walk
- Metro Center • 6 min walk
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137 ftArt Galleries • Speciality Museums
National Portrait Gallery
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Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
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399 ftArt Museums
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,548 reviews
Excellent
1,088
Very good
363
Average
80
Poor
13
Terrible
4
Kinda Invisible
Greater Seattle Area276 contributions
Timeless
Sep 2021
Oh, I loved this place! Take your time, let your mind wander, and enjoy whatever is in front of you. Not all of the exhibits or halls are open but it was well worth our time.
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
blairkk25
New Jersey2,507 contributions
A lot of great paintings
Sep 2021
I visited the Smithsonian American Art Museum in September 2021. It has a rich collection of American art and a wide range of paintings. I went around for about 1.5 hours. It is difficult to find specific artists - I found a painting by Georgia O'Keefe. If you are interested in specific artists or paintings I recommend going to the information desk for the exact location. I also took the opportunity to return to the National Portrait Gallery which is part of this museum. I visited Bravo which has portraits of famous people in music, Champions which has portraits of famous sports heroes, and I returned to America's Presidents. This time the portrait of Andrew Jackson had returned but the portrait of President Obama is still out on loan. There is a really interesting atrium which separates the two museums and a nice gift shop.
Written September 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tori
Stanford, CA48 contributions
great art exhibits
Aug 2021
loved this museum! it is well worth the time, especially since it is free! the art is beautiful and there is plenty to see
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LisandroVoyager
Washington DC, DC761 contributions
A beautifully presented exhibit of naturalist and man of letters Alexander von Humboldt
Jul 2021
The Alexander von Humboldt exhibition was beautiful to the eye, and featured very informative panels relating the exhibit's varied art pieces to his research interests and to the context of the budding American republic. It relates how he cultivated high level figures here in the USA and influenced them much later in his life. He also influenced the nation's arts community specifically in the area of landscape painting and portrayal of Indian/Native American figures and their life scenes. It is due to close 15 July but it's worth checking if the exhibit will travel elsewhere after it closes. There are a few videos to see in the exhibit and also on the Smithsonian website.
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jessica p
Westlake, OH110 contributions
lots of great art
Jun 2021
Really enjoyed this museum. Did have to get timed entry pass. Had weird rule you have to wear backpack in front. Most of staff very nice, a few very brusque about backpack rule (heaven forbid your back pack fall to side of you)
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JNYCwriter
New York City, NY6,806 contributions
Grand History
Oct 2020 • Friends
I am always amazed with the many museums that constitute the Smithsonian. The American Museum of American history does not disappoint. In my mind, I tend to believe I am familiar with American history and realize how little I know when I arrive at this museum.
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rajesh
2 contributions
The best museums ever visited - Smithsonian
Dec 2019
The experience of visiting Smithsonian museums was exciting, interesting and learned and explored art in various forms.
Written June 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Morten P
Copenhagen, Denmark353 contributions
Grand, just grand.
Oct 2019
All I can say about this place is ... it is nothing less than magnificent.
I could imagine that you will never be "finished" with this place, that you find new things and details in paintings and other works of art from time to time.
Is a "must see" place in Washington D.C.
I could imagine that you will never be "finished" with this place, that you find new things and details in paintings and other works of art from time to time.
Is a "must see" place in Washington D.C.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SDTravelMom
San Diego, CA338 contributions
First time, but won't be the last
Oct 2019
This is a very large museum. I decided not to try to see it all. Walked just a few of the galleries, so I could truly enjoy the wonderful art. Wear good walking shoes!
Written March 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jude G
Gibsons, Canada350 contributions
Great exhibits
Mar 2019 • Family
The exhibits here appeal to everyone.they are well displayed and plenty of room to appreciate and view. It is also a wonderful thing to take your children to witness culture and art for free.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
darkfalcon500
Fresno, CA30 contributions
How long would it take to visit here and the portrait gallery
johnny_simpatico
Jacksonville, FL37 contributions
One could spend hours there. My limit for any museum is about 90 minutes. This museum is centrally located downtown and it's free to enter. I would recommend one visit to the American Art side and second visit to the Portrait Gallery.
Wilson K
Franklin, TN
What is a good amount of time to budget for a family with mature children?
SKL2010
Falls Church, VA28 contributions
2 hours on one side (the Am Art Museum), break for lunch in the courtyard or at one of the places nearby, and then 2 hours on the other side (Nat'l. Portrait Gallery). Highly recommend going up to the top floor gallery of the side that used to the US Patent and Trademark Office. It's so quiet up there and the photographs and art are fantastic. You almost have the place to yourself, which is rare in a DC museum.
Alan B
Auckland, New Zealand5 contributions
I am in Washington in late September and want to see historical quilts, is his the museum I see them? How many are on view, seems wen I look at websites they always say "not on view"
PlatinumHoney
Los Angeles, CA2,095 contributions
If it is the National Quilt Collection you are interested in seeing, it is part of the division of Home and Community Life's Textile Collection, and it is on display at the National Museum of American History (Constitution Ave. bet. 12-14th streets). There are a lot of Smithsonians, so sometimes hard to figure out what's where! Have a good visit!
Frequently Asked Questions about Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Smithsonian American Art Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- We recommend booking Smithsonian American Art Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Smithsonian American Art Museum tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Smithsonian American Art Museum:
- Half-Day Grand Sightseeing Tour of Washington DC with Stops at 8 Top Sites (From $59.00)
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- New York to Washington DC Day Trip by Rail (From $350.94)
- Washington DC Private Tour with Spanish or Portuguese Option (From $493.16)
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- Restaurants near Smithsonian American Art Museum:
- (0.09 mi) HipCityVeg
- (0.07 mi) Zaytinya
- (0.11 mi) Pi Pizzeria
- (0.06 mi) Ella's Wood-Fired Pizza
- (0.09 mi) Clyde's of Gallery Place