National Gallery of Art
Constitution Ave. NW, Washington DC, DC
Washington DC’s National Gallery of Art was established in 1937 after then secretary of the treasury, Andrew Mellon, gave his sizable art collection—and funds for a museum to house them—to the American people. Today, two buildings house more than 110,000 objects in permanent and loan collections, temporary exhibits, and a sculpture garden.
The National Gallery of Art’s permanent collection is comprised of mostly American and European art from the Renaissance period to today. Loan collections and temporary exhibitions bring a variety of styles and cultural representation to the museum. Extensive educational programs, lecture series, and guided tours offer visitors in-depth context to accompany the works of art on display.
Guided tours—including private and small-group options—can make seeing the vast collection more manageable. Many DC sightseeing tours pass by the gallery, and some hop-on hop-off bus tours stop here.
The National Gallery of Art is a must-see for art aficionados.
Entrance to the museum is free.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the gallery.
There are a number of dining options within the museum, including outdoor and indoor cafés.
The gallery’s sculpture garden is a beautifully landscaped space with fountains and an impressive collection of contemporary sculptures.
The entire complex is accessible to wheelchair users; courtesy wheelchairs are available at the east and west entrances. Services and resources for visitors with vision and hearing impairments are available as well.
The National Gallery of Art and its sculpture garden are located on the north side of the National Mall, between 3rd and 9th streets along Constitution Avenue. It is easily reached by metro—the nearest stop is Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter—and the Washington DC Circulator Bus on the National Mall route. Driving is not recommended, as parking in the area is extremely limited.
The gallery is open from 10am to 5pm Monday through Saturday and 11am to 6pm Sunday, with some holiday closures. It offers a variety of concert and lecture series throughout the year; check the website for a schedule. Washington DC can have extreme weather conditions, so aim to visit in spring or autumn for pleasant temperatures and colorful foliage.
The National Gallery of Art offers seasonal interactive, educational programs for families, kids, and teens. From Art Investigations, which help kids to use observations to analyze specific works of art, to hands-on studio workshops led by museum educators, there are programs suited to all ages. Check the website for registration details and timing.
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