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Art Museums in Washington DC

THE 10 BEST Washington DC Art Museums

Art Museums in Washington DC

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What travelers are saying

  • Anthony P
    Charleston, SC2,352 contributions
    Prepare to Amazed
    The National Gallery of Art is a national treasure. Here you walk past artwork from the masters that you may have glimpsed in an art appreciation class in college, and take in beauty that could not possibly be captured in a photograph. See works from two millennia ago, or art finished by the hand of Leonardo da Vinci himself - it’s all here awaiting your wandering eye. Free tours by knowledgeable docents start regularly and yes, this is one of those museums that you might not make it through in a day - but definitely something not to be missed.
    Review of: National Gallery of Art
    Written March 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ssmarc
    Wheaton, IL60 contributions
    Excellent Place to Visit
    I am not an avid l art lover but this place is amazing. Like all the Smithsonian's, it is free and it was not crowded at all. The place is huge and has thousands of paintings. I am not sure they do guided tours but I would recommend that if available. You can spend as much or little time as you want. To see most everything it would take at least a half a day. If you are tight for time make sure to see the President portrait gallery. Also, the inside courtyard is very nice and it is enclosed. You can take a rest and get some drinks and snacks there.
    Review of: National Portrait Gallery
    Written February 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Judi80
    Seal Rock, OR78 contributions
    A Must See
    Every part of the estate is fabulous - the grounds, the house, the greenhouse, the dacha. A real 'wow' experience!
    Review of: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
    Written March 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Emily M
    United States1,328 contributions
    Very nice art museum!
    Very nice museum to visit. Small so you don't need all day to visit, but can also enjoy other places in the Dupont Circle area (like the Farmers Market)!
    Review of: The Phillips Collection
    Written December 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • goingoutside2015
    Wayland, MA17 contributions
    Illustrated Presidential history
    We visited the National Protrait Gallery within this impressive musuem, but will return to see the rest of its treasures.
    We took our time with the only full collection outside the White House of portraits of all U.S. Presidents, reading the notes next to each painting. Worth a visit for the art of portraiture alone (artists include Norman Rockwell, Robert Anderson, Margaret Lindsay Williams, Kehinde Wiley), it was a broad learning experience for three generations visiting together.
    Review of: Smithsonian American Art Museum
    Written March 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Laneyandlulu
    Mechanicsburg, PA7 contributions
    Art museum
    Doesn’t disappoint!! Interesting art pieces!! Worth the very low price(free)! The teen loved the big giant museum!
    Review of: Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
    Written March 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joseph M
    East Sandwich, MA2,162 contributions
    Excellent American Arts & Crafts Museum.
    The focus is on artisans , arts, and crafts. Good collection and curation.

    Off the Mall near the old Executive Office Building - a bit of a hidden gem. Free.

    A small museum - 2 floors.

    Found it by accident while strolling around -- we will go back.
    Review of: Renwick Gallery
    Written February 6, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lucy B
    Hyattsville, MD40 contributions
    Fantastic garden nestled in Georgetown
    Wonderful garden to explore. In early spring, there were daffodils, hellabores, and forsythia. The smaller fruit trees were in full blossoms, the large cherries just had buds on them. The magnolias were gorgeous.

    Some practical notes: the garden opens at 2 pm. From March 14 to October, there is a charge ($7 for all). Totally worth it.
    Review of: Dumbarton Oaks
    Written March 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • worktotravel14
    Trenton, NJ2,059 contributions
    Hectic atmosphere with beautiful art
    Of course, when Yayoi Kusama's in the building the Hirshorn becomes an intense experience because it is a crowded. We weren't there for her or her exhibits which we hope to see one day, but we were there to enjoy a second half of an art class, looking at inspiration and then taking in two other beautiful artists works, Laurie Anderson, and Sam Gilliam. Mr. Gilliam's exhibit was particularly special as a local artist, an artist of color who was the van guard, and who had recently passed. The hustle and bustle of the museum can be much to take, but it is wonderful be able to a part of the Smithsonian experience -- and to be in awe that we get to be a part of an era where we honor art as a quintessential experience for humanity.
    Review of: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
    Written January 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gina D
    Bethesda, MD4 contributions
    Gorgeous art, gorgeous home and grounds. A must see!
    This is a "Wow!" I have lived in the DC area my entire life and driven on Foxhall road likely hundreds of times, but never knew this place existed until last weekend. My boyfriend and I were looking for something to do indoors on a chilly February Saturday and randomly decided to go after seeing the museum mentioned in an online list. There are so many impressive works of art here: Monet, Picasso and Calder to name but a few. There are also many outdoor sculptures on the grounds and on the patios and verandah. And the house itself- mid-century magnificence! You can almost picture the elegant parties that the Kreegers must have thrown at that house back in their heyday. There was also a nice display that provided some information about the couple and how they acquired their impressive collection. This is a great way to spend an hour or two, up close and personal with some truly spectacular works of art without the crowds found in most other area museums. Perfect choice for bringing your out of town guests who love art! They'll be impressed!
    Review of: The Kreeger Museum
    Written February 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • George1973
    London, UK391 contributions
    Nice gallery
    Nice but small art gallery.
    The paintings inside are pretty interesting.Washington dc is one of the largest cities with more museums.. many of them are free entry...Corcoran is one of these jewels to go.
    Review of: Corcoran Gallery of Art
    Written August 20, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert D
    Brooklyn, New York2,376 contributions
    Two museums in one building
    This historic building is a treasure trove of American art and portraiture. I love their annual exhibit, "One Life", which devotes a room to one famous person. This year it is Marian Anderson. They have an excellent exhibit on the suffragists who fought for "Votes for Women" as we prepare to celebrate the centenary of the 19th Amendment. As this museum is located off the National Mall in Penn Quarter, it is open later than the other Smithsonian museums. Enjoy the museum and then have dinner in Penn Quarter.
    Review of: Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
    Written December 17, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anthony P
    Charleston, SC2,352 contributions
    Stunning!
    This national treasure is filled with floor after floor of modern art designed to challenge, delight, and mesmerize - often all at the same time. You can’t miss this one!
    Review of: Hirshorn Museum of Art
    Written March 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sara N
    Olathe, KS4 contributions
    Captivating and ultra new
    Interesting and thought provoking. Perfect for date night. I enjoyed the neighborhood and stepping out from the exhibit right at sunset was delightful and slightly intoxicating. Speaking of intoxication, they sell alcohol, and kids smelling of herbal intoxicants were present, but everyone was having a fun, chill time. Some families with small kids seemed overwhelmed, but teenagers seemed happy.
    In all, a fun night for me, a sober adult. Would do again, but would not recommend to everyone without a seizure warning.
    Review of: Artechouse DC
    Written February 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cycle2eat
    Baltimore, MD133 contributions
    Gem of a Museum
    We visited this musuem during the January 2019 government shutdown-when the Smithsonians were closed and we didn't visit our usual haunts in DC. We were lucky-under other circumstances we would have missed this smaller, lovely museum. There was a wonderful special exhibit "Amazonagramas" by Roberto Huarcaya on the first floor and several permanent collections by 20th century artists on the upper level. We were able to leisurely and thoroughly enjoy the artists and architecture.
    Review of: Art Museum of The Americas
    Written February 13, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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