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
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Mike G
    Providence, Rhode Island4,904 contributions
    There is so much see. Leave plenty of time
    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.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 December 2022
  • Babyalmie
    Dorset, United Kingdom757 contributions
    Amazing collection in a stunning building
    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!
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 20 December 2022
  • nycmom22
    New York City, New York3,151 contributions
    Always bustling
    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.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 27 December 2022
  • tosl
    Jersey City, New Jersey780 contributions
    One of the best art museums I have visited
    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.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 1 January 2023
  • Robert D
    2,683 contributions
    Excellent Art Museum
    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.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 8 January 2023
  • BJL
    1,198 contributions
    Excellent collection
    I can't say enough about how wonderful this museum is. We arrived around 10 am on a Thursday in January and it wasn’t busy. The cafe was peaceful, upscale vibe in a nice surrounding. I had avocado toast that was excellent and husband had a cranberry muffin that he said was good. Interesting menu - there was also Chicken Curry Toast that I might have tried had I been dining there for lunch. The coffee was excellent — Lavazza. The black tea was Tazo Awake. Service was friendly and quick. It was a nice peaceful start to our visit of this amazing museum. I swooned through the Impressionists galleries - my favorite. The orchids were a delightful surprise. The whole thing was a treat for the soul. At least that’s how art museums feel to me and this one delivered on all levels :-). Also enjoyed the nearby sculpture garden.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 31 January 2023
  • Cat M
    Manassas, Virginia4 contributions
    Wonderful
    Left amazed. I am new to this area so I was excited to visit. Finding good parking took us forever but as once as you walk in you are greeted with friendly security and an amazing fountain. It’s peaceful and quiet. The map is easy to read and staff is always willing to help. The paintings are beautiful.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 January 2023
  • Becky V
    Norcross, Georgia338 contributions
    Excellent
    We recently visited this museum in a quick trip to Washington, DC to see the Sargent &in Spain exhibition and the Vermeer exhibition. Always a great place to visit. Enjoyed both buildings. The Calder exhibit in the east building (top floor) is really neat. This museum is very nice.
    Visited November 2022
    Written 1 February 2023
  • Patricia B
    Boston, Massachusetts76 contributions
    A wonderful art museum
    It had been over 15 years since my last visit so I saw the galleries with fresh eyes. It exceeded my memories. We had an excellent docent led introductory tour, she took us to pieces and really discussed the artist, it's history and engaged us in our impressions. There is a small lunch space which serves salads and sandwiches. The gift shop is impressive. I love buying blank note card and had trouble deciding among the offerings.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 20 February 2023
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5.0
9,342 reviews
Excellent
7,709
Very good
1,353
Average
207
Poor
50
Terrible
23

knowsnyc
113 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
East Wing and West Wing never disappoint. Connected underground for bad weather. Always something to see. Child friendly
Written 22 November 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.

sfuhere
uk780 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
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!
Written 19 November 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.

montanapescado
Albuquerque, NM1,184 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
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."
Written 17 November 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.

NYC Explorer
9 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
For a world renowned museum funded in millions by a world renowned country, this museum misses the mark. It is full of GREAT art works by leading artists, Monet, Vermeer, Raphael but the overall experience is extremely old and dated. The curatorial staff are trapped in the 1980s if not the 1970s. The new exhibits were fresh and modern. But 90% of the museum is NOT. Major artworks are not highlighted and are overshadowed by lesser works in their location. More innovation could be done with wall treatments, colors, display of information, signage to go directly to favorite important works like the Tate, British Museum and Louvre do. The cafe was a nightmare - outrageous prices for a national museum - shameful to charge a large family $4 for a can of Coke that cost 25c in a pack at the store. The cafe food was awful and some of the food was disgusting. I would NEVER eat there again - the prices are outrageous comparable to a gourmet restaurant in NYC for lunch - over $20 for a tiny piece of salmon or quiche - and I do mean TINY portions! Long lines. Took forever to have the food served. Inadequate seating as many visitors hog the area to do research or use their smart phones. The staff who guard the art were professional and helpful. Having visited many museums around the world, its very embarrassing our nation is not keeping up with the museum experience. Thankfully the museum is free!
Written 17 November 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.

F4981JCmichaels
Vancouver, WA2,097 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
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.
Written 4 November 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.

chelsealynne
Pensacola, FL955 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I highly recommend a visit into this museum full of beautiful paintings and sculptures. Also we saw a wedding take place indoors and it would be a beautiful location if you’re looking for a small wedding. I highly recommend using spothero to find nearby parking for the day. The museum will go through your purse so pack light.
Written 2 November 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.

GSM_uk
Crawley, UK44 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
As I love arts, I really enjoyed this visit. It has two wings and both with are entertaining. You can go from one wing to another either from outside or indoor ( there’s like a tunnel that connects the two) please see pic.. there’s shop for souvenirs and snack outlet. They also have an interactive drawing area to show your skills which is fun.
Written 23 September 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.

Sudeep Wig
Bengaluru, India31 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
An outstanding display of art, this gallery is a must visit for those visiting Washington DC. Very well organised, ideally one needs a full day to do justice to this venue
Written 19 September 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.

Michael L
Watchung, NJ198 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Visited, but didn't come close to finishing the whole thing due to limited time. Would like to come back for more. The collection of Degas sculptures, and the works of French impressionists, were breathtaking.
Written 6 September 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.

Ray
Fredericksburg, VA4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Guards at this museum are rude and unhelpful, although there are some good ones. Lately they seem to be very concerned about people wearing backpacks in the museum . . . not just in the galleries but even in the museum store and dining area! I guess there was an incident recently. I understand the risks associated with wearing a backpack on the back while in the galleries, but if you are going to have a policy about this, enforce it correctly. I was wearing my bag on one shoulder yesterday with the bag resting on my hip (not swinging, held in place by my arm) and I was called out loudly by one of the guards and told that my pack needed to be on one shoulder . . . which it was! When I expressed confusion about what she wanted, she whipped out a little card that showed a graphic of a person with a backpack on one shoulder. She clearly thought I couldn't understand English. Really demeaning. If this is such an issue, then NGA needs to post signs about what they want, and guards need to stop singling out individuals and loudly shaming them in from of other guests.
Great museum as always, and I have been going there for decades, but it seems like every time I go I hear at least one guard treating guests in a way that is less than professional. If a guard has a concern, they should walk up to the person and address them in a normal speaking voice, not broadcast it throughout the entire room.
Written 3 September 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.

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