Art Galleries and Museums Tour, Washington D.C

Art Galleries and Museums Tour

Looking for inspiring and notable art venues? Washington D.C. is well-appreciated for the wide range of art museums and galleries that it offers. Take this self-guided tour and discover the treasures hidden by these art institutions.

Guide Location: USA » Washington D.C. # of Sights: 11 Tour Duration: 3 hour(s) Travel Distance: 5.1 Km or 3.2 Miles

Please note:

This walk is also featured in the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" downloadable on iTunes App Store and Google Play. The app provides turn-by-turn GPS navigation to guide you from one tour sight to the next, so you will never be lost. The app offers additional walking tours in Washington D.C.. Check them out!

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List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour:

A) Art Museum of the Americas B) Corcoran Gallery of Art C) Renwick Gallery D) National Museum Of Women In The Arts E) Smithsonian American Art Museum F) National Portrait Gallery G) National Gallery of Art H) Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden I) National Museum of African Art J) Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art K) Freer Gallery of Art

A) Art Museum of the Americas

Prior to visiting the Organization of American States' Art Museum of the Americas, it is highly recommended that you explore its back garden. Just a short walk from the Mall, this remarkable piece of gardening contains boxwood, azaleas and annuals, plus a murky yet lovely pool presided over by a dominant statue of the Aztec god of flowers, Xochipili. The museum itself, established in 1976, holds a rich collection of Latin American and Caribbean art -- from colonial to contemporary – presented in various media. Also, it hosts regular exhibitions, educational programs and lectures devoted to the art and culture of OAS member states. Hours: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm

Image Courtesy of Flickr and izik

B) Corcoran Gallery of Art

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is the largest privately supported cultural institution in Washington, DC. The museum's main focus is American art. The permanent collection includes works by Rembrandt, Eugène Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Thomas Gainsborough, John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, Willem de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Gene Davis, and many others. There are always several exhibitions on display, regularly featuring contemporary work on the second floor with modern and early American work on the first floor.Founded in 1869, the Corcoran is the oldest and largest non-federal art museum in the District of Columbia. Construction of that building started before the Civil War. The building, near completion, was used by the government as a warehouse during the Civil War. It was finally completed in 1874 and the gallery opened to the public. Its mission is to be "dedicated to art and used solely for the purpose of encouraging the American genius."

Hours: Wednesday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Thursday-Sunday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kmf164. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

C) Renwick Gallery

Note: Closed until early 2016 for renovation.

The Renwick Gallery is a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The building itself is a National Historic Landmark having been built in 1861 as a private art gallery. During the Civil War the gallery was used by the Army as a storage facility. After the war ended, the building was refurbished and was opened in 1874 as a public art gallery. It has been used for various other purposes over the years and was finally opened in 1972 as the Renwick Gallery. It now houses the Smithsonian’s collection of decorative arts and crafts.

Kids will love seeing all the art that is created from clay and wood, mediums that they manipulate in school and at home. Another piece that kids of all ages will enjoy is the Game Fish by Larry Fuente. This colorful work of art is made from game pieces that are shaped to look like a trophy fish. It is beautiful and fun. Pieces are also made of glass, metal and fibers. A mass hanging of art in the Grand Salon is also a feast for the eyes. All pieces are from the 19th century to the present and include one-of-a-kind pieces. One of the most beautiful collections is the stained glass windows.

The Renwick Gallery is located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue, literally just steps away from the White House. Admission is free and they are open daily from 10-5 except they are closed on Christmas day. Allow at least a couple of hours at the gallery to see most of the exhibits.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and AgnosticPreachersKid. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

D) National Museum Of Women In The Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) has the distinction of being the only museum in the world whose sole focus is women artists. The home of the museum is the old National Masonic Temple and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is ironic that the Masons do not allow women to be members of their temples. The building was refurbished; beautiful marble staircases were added and the lodge is now home to the museum. There are four floors of art and exhibits to view. The fifth floor has a performance hall where public programs are held. Pictures are only allowed using the ambient light available. The museum features a permanent collection of around 3,000 works. There are also traveling

exhibitions to view.

Collections of art work in the museum begin in the 16th century with European artists and goes through the present. The works are comprised of paintings, sculptures, photographs, pottery, and works of silversmiths, wordsmiths and musicians. It is truly a remarkable collection with something for everyone.

The museum is also instrumental in beautifying New York Avenue (where the museum is located in Washington, D.C.). There is a sculpture project going on to bring art to the entire street around the building. There are already sculptures in place, so the entire area is a delight to view. The NMWA is located at 1250 New York Avenue, N.W. and is open 10-5 daily except on Sundays when the hours are noon-5. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. There is a fee to visit this museum.

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E) Smithsonian American Art Museum (must see)

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is a museum in Washington, D.C. with an extensive collection of American art. The museum displays a variety of American art that covers all regions and art movements found in the US. The museum has two innovative public spaces, the Luce Foundation Center for American Art and the Lunder Conservation Center. The Luce Foundation Center is the first visible art storage and study center in Washington, D.C. It presents more than 3,300 objects in 64 secure glass cases, which quadruples the number of artworks from the permanent collection on public display. The Luce Foundation Center features paintings densely hung on screens, sculptures, crafts and folk art objects arranged on shelves, and miniatures and medals in drawers that open. Large-scale sculptures are installed on the first floor. The Lunder Conservation Center is the first art conservation facility that allows the public permanent behind-the-scenes views of preservation work.

Tip: The covered courtyard makes a great place to enjoy a snack (bring your own or visit the café) or just for a rest stop.

Opening Hours: Daily: 11:30am-7pm

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Aude. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

F) National Portrait Gallery (must see)

The National Portrait Gallery is an art gallery in Washington, D.C., administered by the Smithsonian Institution. Its collections focus on images of famous individual Americans. It resides in the National Historic Landmarked Old Patent Office Building, located just south of Chinatown in the Penn Quarter district of downtown Washington.

The third oldest federal building in the city, constructed between 1836 and 1867, the marble and granite museum has porticoes modeled after the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Hallmarks of the National Portrait Gallery's permanent collection include the famous "Lansdowne" portrait of George Washington; the Hall of Presidents; and its extensive selection of portraits of remarkable Americans from all walks of life. Since its reopening on July 1, 2006, the Portrait Gallery has also focused on contemporary portraiture in its "Portraiture Now" series, and in its triennial contemporary portrait competition, the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

Why You Should Visit: Fabulous variety of historical and cultural portraits in a range of styles!

Tip: Watch for free performances (often held in the atrium area in the middle of the museum) and tours, which help connect the public with the pieces. Also, be sure to visit the wonderful Luce Foundation Center in the East Wing. It has three mezzanine floors packed with other art forms (sculpture, paintings, crafts) and the architecture is spectacular.

Opening Hours: Daily: 11:30am-7pm

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Bobak Ha'Eri. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

G) National Gallery of Art (must see)

The National Gallery of Art is a national art museum, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The museum was established in 1937 for the people of the United States of America by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, with funds for construction and a substantial art collection donated by Andrew W. Mellon. The Gallery's collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, medals, and decorative arts traces the development of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas and the largest mobile ever created by Alexander Calder.

The Gallery's campus includes the original neoclassical West Building designed by John Russell Pope, which is linked underground to the modern East Building designed by I. M. Pei and the 6.1-acre Sculpture Garden. Temporary special exhibitions spanning the world and the history of art are presented frequently.

Why You Should Visit: The collection is presented in a conventional way but very effectively – you can just start at one end and travel to the other, then back again. Between sections are little garden spots with fountains, ideal to make a stop and soak the atmosphere. There are audio guides and tours available free of charge and there is no entrance fee.

Tip: Come as early as possible and start in the West building. Be the first one to go upstairs to the central atrium for the best photos of the amazing space with massive columns and fountain under a Pantheonic dome.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 11am-6pm

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Gryffindor. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

H) Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum beside the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. The museum was initially endowed during the 1960s with the permanent art collection of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. It was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft and is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It was conceived as the United States' museum of contemporary and modern art and currently focuses its collection-building and exhibition-planning mainly on the post–World War II period, with particular emphasis on art made during the last 50 years. Nowadays it is one of the "big five" modern art museums in the U.S. The building itself is as much of an attraction as anything inside. Notable artists in the collection include: Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, Henry Moore, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Franz Kline, Hans Hofmann, Morris Louis, Kenneth Noland. Outside the museum is a sculpture garden, featuring works by artists including Auguste Rodin, David Smith, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons.

Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Adam, L'Iconoclaste Banal. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

I) National Museum of African Art (must see)

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art began as a private museum in 1964 and then became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1979. The museum is subterranean with a beautiful garden planted on top and is connected to the Arthur M. Sackler and Freer Gallery of Art.

A large portion of the artwork comes from areas of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The collection includes sculptures, musical instruments, paintings, photography, jewelry, and furniture. Masks are also included. There are about 9,000 pieces in the collection including the Walt Disney-Tishman collection.

Part of the museum's focus is education. The Warren M. Robbins library houses an impressive 32,000 volumes on African culture, history, and art. The performing arts are also on display at times with dance and music being performed. Radio Africa provides free streaming so the music of Africa can be heard around the world.

The Museum is located at 950 Independence Avenue, SW on the National Mall. The main entrance is located in the Enid Haupt Garden. Admission is free and docent tours are available at selected times (check before going).

Why You Should Visit: Much beautiful and symbolic art of all kinds, while the building itself, in its twisting walls and stairs, is clearly part of the attraction. While there are many outlandish and interesting masks, there are lots of other media as well, and the sculptures are particularly fascinating. There's usually no noise, no distraction and you have time to look, admire and think.

Tip: You will need to spend at least a couple hours to explore it all, as each of the 3 levels takes time to really enjoy.

Opening Hours: Daily: 10am-5:30pm

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J) Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of Art is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The gallery opened in 1987 after Dr. Sackler donated his collection of Asian art to the Smithsonian. He also donated some $4 million to help build the museum so the art could be appreciated by all.

Art exhibits include ceramics from Southeast Asia as well as sculpture from the same area and the Himalayas. There is a special section devoted to the arts of China. Coming soon to the gallery will be a permanent exhibit called the Buddhist Shrine Room.

The Sackler Gallery along with the Freer Gallery boast one the largest collections of Chinese art outside of China. The collection of jade is absolutely stunning and some of the pieces are 5,000 years old. Also do not miss the lacquer collection. The work on the food boxes is truely amazing.

Be sure to check out the traveling exhibitions. The Sackler Gallery is renowned for bringing in exhibits of Asian art. Additionally, the Gallery is home to an extensive Asian art research library. This library is open to the public, no appointment needed. About half of the volumes collected are in

Asian languages.

The majority of the Gallery is located underground. Because of that design there is an amazing rooftop garden that is at ground level on the Mall. The gardens carry on the Asian theme of the collections in the Gallery.

Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Image Courtesy of Flickr and rosemanios. Sight description based on Wikipedia.

K) Freer Gallery of Art (must see)

The Freer Gallery of Art, along with the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, forms the Smithsonian Institution's national museums of Mediterranian and Asian art. The Freer contains art from the Mediterranian, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Muslim world, the ancient Near East, and ancient Egypt, as well as American art. It is located on the south side of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and along with the Sackler Gallery, has an annual average of 900,000 visitors.

The Freer adheres to the mission statement of the Smithsonian, which is to increase and diffuse knowledge through exhibitions, research, and publications. The Freer houses 25,518 objects spanning 6,000 years of history, including but not limited to ancient Egyptian stone sculpture and wooden objects, ancient Near Eastern ceramics and metalware, Chinese paintings and ceramics, Korean pottery and porcelain, Japanese Byōbu, Persian manuscripts, and Buddhist sculpture. Collections span from the Neolithic to modern eras.

Why You Should Visit: As free, massive, art galleries go, this is quite respectable. The Freer has more permanent exhibits and the Sackler has more temporary exhibits. The two spaces – Freer & Sackler – connect to each other underground, making a substantial enclave (and quite a nice place to be in bad weather). Then again, if the weather is nice, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a beautiful aboveground courtyard towards the western side.

Tip: If you do nothing else, visit the Peacock Room, a magnificent result of Whistler's imagination and talent (under natural light every 3rd Thursday). The coolest, most Instagrammable installation has got to be Terminal – a gold & thread maze using the spires found on top of temples and mosques.

Opening Hours: Daily: 10am-5:30pm

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Raul654. Sight description based on Wikipedia.