National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art
5
10:00 - 17:00
Monday
10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 17:00
Thursday
10:00 - 17:00
Friday
10:00 - 17:00
Saturday
10:00 - 17:00
Sunday
10:00 - 17:00
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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Upper Northwest
How to get there
- Archives • 5 min walk
- L'Enfant Plaza • 8 min walk
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581 within 10 kms
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5.0
9,290 reviews
Excellent
7,669
Very good
1,344
Average
206
Poor
49
Terrible
22
Singh
1 contribution
Jan 2023
For the art collection, superb 5 stars.
For organization and arrangement, 4.5 stars
For the behavior of security. I will give a negative 5 or lower.
I visited the art gallery on 15th Jan 2023 with 7 people (4 adults, and 3 children). Kids enjoyed the art and were overwhelmed by the variety. They were also interested in reading dates and were impressed with art from the 14th and 15th centuries.
As soon as we rich the Italian section, the Jacket of 10 yr old while walking accidentally touched the pillar on which Ginevra de' Benci is displayed. It is a solid pillar and with his height, there is no way he could have even touched the painting. There were several people in the room watching the painting and several people accidentally touched the pillar. The painting itself is protected by glass.
The security guard (male) at 225 pm standing in the room started shouting at the kid. I asked him to tone down his voice and let us know what happened. He basically said he has a badge and he can do whatever he wants. I was furious over this show of badges for a 10 yr old kid who accidentally passed near the pillar. I told him to calm down and behave properly with tourists. There are international tourists around and it is rude to be shouting at people. He said his grandfather served for the US and no one can tell him how to behave! I hope this person can be removed from dealing with the public and retrained in public relations. If he is so badge happy, let him be on the road to check criminals and serve the country.
Extremely disappointed by the security staff member. I believe the general impression for all the museums is that security staff just keep shouting. Try from security check-in to closing time, it is just a shouting game for these fellows. Please train them to be polite, it will enhance the experience of visitors.
For organization and arrangement, 4.5 stars
For the behavior of security. I will give a negative 5 or lower.
I visited the art gallery on 15th Jan 2023 with 7 people (4 adults, and 3 children). Kids enjoyed the art and were overwhelmed by the variety. They were also interested in reading dates and were impressed with art from the 14th and 15th centuries.
As soon as we rich the Italian section, the Jacket of 10 yr old while walking accidentally touched the pillar on which Ginevra de' Benci is displayed. It is a solid pillar and with his height, there is no way he could have even touched the painting. There were several people in the room watching the painting and several people accidentally touched the pillar. The painting itself is protected by glass.
The security guard (male) at 225 pm standing in the room started shouting at the kid. I asked him to tone down his voice and let us know what happened. He basically said he has a badge and he can do whatever he wants. I was furious over this show of badges for a 10 yr old kid who accidentally passed near the pillar. I told him to calm down and behave properly with tourists. There are international tourists around and it is rude to be shouting at people. He said his grandfather served for the US and no one can tell him how to behave! I hope this person can be removed from dealing with the public and retrained in public relations. If he is so badge happy, let him be on the road to check criminals and serve the country.
Extremely disappointed by the security staff member. I believe the general impression for all the museums is that security staff just keep shouting. Try from security check-in to closing time, it is just a shouting game for these fellows. Please train them to be polite, it will enhance the experience of visitors.
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York2,334 contributions
Dec 2022
This huge museum has something for everyone. I saw the "Vermeer's Secrets" exhibit, which featured both original works and forgeries. The analysis in the exhibition was fascinating. I also enjoyed the "Vittore Carpaccio: Master Storyteller of Renaissance Venice" exhibit. You can easily spend several hours here, admiring the various works on exhibit.
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tosl
Jersey City, NJ646 contributions
Dec 2022
I have been fortunate to have visited many countries over the years and the National Gallery ranks at the top of art museums. It was not very crowded at the peak of the tourist season at Christmas. Easy to navigate and the staff was helpful. We spent the entire day and never even had the chance to check out the East Wing. Great Impressionism and American Art collections. The only negative is only a couple of entrances so it may be a walk, albeit a pleasant one, to the entrance. Free admission.
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nycmom22
New York City, NY2,919 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
This is a beautiful three part museum. There is a sculpture garden surrounding an ice rink. Food truck offerings on Constitution Ave are mediocre. This is a missed opportunity to showcase a curated set. Museum has cafes indoors.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Babyalmie
Dorset, UK755 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
Amazing collection of well known artists; well laid out and the building itself is worth a visit on its own! Lots of space to sit and enjoy the incredible artwork. The collection spans medieval through to modern art. It really is a quite stunning collection. The gelato was a big hit with my teens too!
Written 20 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike G
Providence, RI4,880 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
This is a great, very accommodating museum.
There are currently several special exhibits- Sargent In Spain is a wonderful, a must see event (we also went to a lecture in the East Wing which was extremely informative- do it if one is scheduled). The other was the Secrets of Vermeer and it was also very interesting and worthwhile.
There were other things we wanted to see but ran out of time.
There are currently several special exhibits- Sargent In Spain is a wonderful, a must see event (we also went to a lecture in the East Wing which was extremely informative- do it if one is scheduled). The other was the Secrets of Vermeer and it was also very interesting and worthwhile.
There were other things we wanted to see but ran out of time.
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa G
Destin, FL21 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
This museum is phenomenal! It was so nice to be able to get up close and personal with the art. It was fascinating to see the different brush strokes of the artists. This was one of my favorite places in DC!
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alejandro B
Ottawa, Canada971 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
This is a wonderful gallery in all respects. Not only is the building itself beautiful, but the diverse collection of paintings and sculptures are a true joy to explore (see attached photos). As someone who is used to having to pay to enter museums back home, I was truly amazed that I could visit this gallery for free. I was so impressed I plan to come back again during my stay in Washington.
Written 5 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
886tinal
Seattle, WA241 contributions
Oct 2022
I feel so fortunate to have visited this art museum. I actually went twice - once for the west building and its traditional master piece artworks (including some great Impressionist works) and once to view the east building and its more contemporary works. The buildings are well-planned, the flow is very good to navigate. And. both times I had room, even in front of famous works, to savor and ponder. All this for free - I highly recommend a visit.
Written 10 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ron Hilton
Virginia Beach, VA242 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
As we toured through all of the museums and Exhibits there was a tour guide she was leading children and was so loud it ruin the trip many people were complaining but at the art museum they had a lot of security however directions were terrible at all of the parks about how to navigate your way around but once we finally got to the pictures they were beautiful and amazing
Written 14 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
St27Boston
Boston, MA17 contributions
Arrival time to National Gallery to avoid long lines to enter - do any recent visitors have recommendations?
Marc L
4 contributions
We were there at Christmas and just walked in with no lines. We entered at the East Wing.
Any luck walking up at 11:00 a.m. for a walk-in tour? I totally mixed up the dates that we are supposed to arrive and all the tickets are sold out for next Sunday but my little girl really wants to see they got in the little dancer due to a book we have about degas.
You may be able to see it without being part of a tour. I didn't take a tour, just chose specific sections to see
Tockj2
Chandler, AZ11 contributions
Is there anything special for children (ages 6 & 8)?
Solo Traveler
Austin, TX11 contributions
Best gift shop for kids of all the DC museums I visited.
Sina39
Dresden, Germany1 contribution
Gibt's einen Ruhetag und wann?
delphine f
Avignon, France74 contributions
i Don't know
Carol F
28 contributions
How can we see the Escher art stored in the east gallery?
John D
Parlin, NJ87 contributions
I looked at the NGA's website. They have the largest collection of Escher outside Holland, which is probably why you are interested.
I couldn't check to see if all 400 works are currently "on view," but for the ones I did check, none were currently available.
You may have to make some special arrangement to view the collection. I suggest calling the museum and ask to speak with a curator who is knowledgable about the Escher collection.
The general phone number is 202-737-4215. Hope this helps.
Davinnchi no wha doko
Jun L
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia33 contributions
一階: ギャラリー6
Ginevra de’ Benci by Leonard da Vinci (Gallery 6)
My 7th great grandfather has sketches not on display at the national gallery of art. How can I get a private veiwing?
Vanessa V
Woodbridge, NJ184 contributions
I suggest contacting the gallery directly and have all the relevant information at hand.
Buen dÃa. Continúa la muestra de Vermeer en marzo de 2018?
Hay que reservar con atelación?.
Muchas gracias.
Susy C
Quito, Ecuador54 contributions
No, si mal no recuerdo era hasta el 21 de enero. Sin embargo habrá otras muestras que te encantarán, y no debes reservar, sólo esperar pacientemente en una larga cola que seguramente valdrá la pena. Además tienes todas las exhibiciones permanentes que te cautivarán. Que disfrutes de tu viaje
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
National Gallery of Art | Washington DC | UPDATED January 2023 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about National Gallery of Art
- National Gallery of Art is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- We recommend booking National Gallery of Art 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 23 National Gallery of Art tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience National Gallery of Art:
- The National Gallery of Art DC - Private Guided Museum Tour (From €87.26)
- Smithsonian Natural History & National Gallery of Art - Semi-Private 8ppl Max (From €165.69)
- 3-Hour Small Group Night-Time National Mall Tour with 10 Top Attractions (From €91.57)
- The National Gallery of Art DC Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max (From €87.26)
- Washington DC Moonlit Tour of the National Mall & Stops at 10 Sites (From €61.04)
- Hotels near National Gallery of Art:
- (0.20 km) Weichert Suites at the Newseum
- (0.22 km) Luxury Rentals National Mall DC
- (0.74 km) Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
- (0.74 km) Riggs Washington DC
- (0.23 km) Global Luxury Suites at the National Mall
- Restaurants near National Gallery of Art:
- (0.02 km) Garden Cafe
- (0.23 km) The Capital Grille
- (0.18 km) Cascade Café
- (0.32 km) Fiola
- (0.29 km) Pavilion Cafe
- Attractions near National Gallery of Art:
- (0.04 km) Museum Hack DC
- (0.16 km) Capitol Express Tours
- (0.08 km) Wandering Docent LLC
- (0.26 km) National Gallery of Art - Sculpture Garden
- (0.31 km) Bi-Partisan Tour Company