National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum
Twin Smithsonian art museums sharing a historic building with a glass-roofed courtyard — free.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
Home to the presidential portraits (including the famous Obama paintings) and a serene glass-canopied courtyard that's one of the best free places to just sit in DC.
Our read - 02
The catch: it's a bit off the Mall in Penn Quarter, so footsore tourists often run out of time before reaching it.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
You are watching the budget
On a budget, National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum still earns its price.
You only have one day
Even on a tight schedule, National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum earns the hours.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum works.
You are traveling solo
Solo, National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum works.
Think twice if
You are traveling with kids
With kids, it depends on the day.
You want the trip to feel easy
For relaxation, National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum is hit or miss.
Plan it well
- Cost
- Free
- Timing
- Afternoon, with a coffee break in the Kogod Courtyard
- Allow
- 1.5–2 hrs
- Accessibility
- Fully accessible with elevators
- Getting there
- Gallery Place-Chinatown station, directly above the museum