Washington DC is known for many things, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums. It’s also home to the National Gallery of Art, often found on lists of top museums both in the U.S. and around the world. And it’s no wonder, with free admission and a world-class art collection. But the National Gallery of Art is not the only place in DC to see interesting art exhibitions. There are at least a half dozen other museums and galleries on or near the National Mall, including the National Portrait Gallery, American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery, along with outdoor sculpture gardens. The best part? Free admission, which is hard to come by these days for a museum. This allows visitors and locals to pop in for a short visit, or spend hours browsing. Plus don’t miss the unique shopping opportunities found in the museum gift shops. So come along as we walk through the diverse collection of art museums in Washington DC.
*Updated January, 2024 Top Art Museums in Washington DC
The National Gallery of Art. DC is filled with history and the National Gallery of Art has a great story to tell. Development began in 1936 when Andrew Mellon offered then President Franklin D. Roosevelt his amazing art collection and the funds to build a national museum to house these works. As the collection grew over the years, the original museum building, now known as the West Building, was later joined by the East Wing, dedicated on June 1, 1978 (and built with funds from Andrew Mellon’s children). The current collection is quite extensive, and I was excited to see famous works from Degas, Monet, Raphael, Matisse and Picasso, to name a few.
Visitors might be surprised to know that the National Gallery is home to the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in North America. If you are short on time, try one of the various audio tours, or follow along on a free docent-led tour. Before or after your visit, be sure to stroll through the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which houses an outdoor ice skating rink during the winter months. It’s always fun to see the larger than life artwork in the garden. The National Gallery of Art also offers a few choices to grab a snack or lunch. 
The National Portrait Gallery. Take a short walk from the National Mall to the National Portrait Gallery and you won’t be disappointed. It's worth it just to see the National Historic Landmark Building. Start with the “America’s Presidents” Gallery, where visitors will find the only complete collection of Presidential Portraits that can be found outside of the White House.
The building is shared with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where you’ll find a vast collection of art including the work of Ansel Adams, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollack. Explore the newly expanded Galleries for Modern and Contemporary Art. Wander into the Kogod Courtyard during your visit. It’s a quiet spot to relax and grab a bite to eat. On occasion, you may stumble upon a special orchid exhibition in the courtyard. 
The Renwick Gallery. Not far from the White House, is the colorful Renwick Gallery, where the exhibits are never boring! The building itself is also a National Historic Landmark, and was the first building in the USA that was specifically built as an art museum.
You can usually count on the Renwick Gallery for something interesting. My daughter and I have seen two unique exhibits, Parallax Gap and Murder Is Her Hobby: Frances Glessner Lee and The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. In the latter exhibit, we examined a series of true-crime dioramas about the size of dollhouses, each recreating a crime scene right down to the miniature corpses. We learned that the dioramas were actually created to train real-life homicide investigators. It was definitely not something you would expect to find during your average art museum visit! The museum also hosted the popular No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, which filled the entire building. Don’t miss the beautiful glass chandelier from Dale Chihuly on the upper floor.
The National Museum of Asian Art. Back on the National Mall, the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, part of the Smithsonian Institution, make up the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, with a vast collection of Asian and American Art. The Freer is home to the famous Peacock Room. Explore the museum with apps like Sacred Spaces: Tibetan Buddhist Shrines, specifically designed to enhance the experience of the shrine room. Other cool things include family programs, discovery days, and special celebration events.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Love contemporary art? Then head to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, another no-fee museum on the National Mall where visitors can explore the modern art scene. The Sculpture Garden, home to more than 60 pieces of art, is currently closed for a major renovation. The circular design of the Hirshhorn Museum definitely stands out among many of the other historic buildings in DC. While admission is free, special exhibits, like the recent One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection require timed-entry passes. 
One more gem worth mentioning in the Smithsonian Institution collection is the National Museum of African Art. Along with its unique collection of African art, the museum shop is not to be missed if you are looking for unique items reflecting the culture of Africa. The Smithsonian website is a helpful resource for planning a visit to any of its museums, with the most current information regarding exhibits, hours of operation and tips for when to visit, such as early on weekends or late on weekdays. The Washington DC area is also home to The Phillips Collection and Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, both popular attractions with admission fees. I’ve heard the gardens alone at the Hillwood Estate are worth a visit! Finally, there’s always a lot of local buzz about ARTECHOUSE, described as “an interactive digital art gallery.” From what I’ve heard, it’s definitely a unique experience! The current immersive experience running in early 2024 is Beyond the Light, created alongside NASA scientists. The exhibit PIXELBLOOM: Timeless Butterflies was very popular during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Note that there is an admission fee, and tickets often sell quickly for popular exhibits. It's hard to say which of the free art museums Washington DC has to offer is the best. It seems that everyone who visits has their own personal favorites, and I think mine would have to be the National Gallery of Art. The only way to find your personal favorite is to visit all of them yourself! Explore our Guide to Visiting Washington, DC to help plan your trip and decide which of all the free attractions you want to see during your next visit. We have also created the Washington DC Bucket List as a good overview of fun things to do in Washington DC. DC art Museum Walking Route Map
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