National Gallery of Art


After 3 years of renovation The National Gallery if Art reopened last fall with 12,250 more square feet for art. The National Gallery is a treasure trove of great art and just celebrated its 75th anniversary. Note it's not a part of the Smithsonian. My mom used to take me here a lot as a child, but this was my first visit in many years. She enjoyed watching all the films they show - classic and contemporary cinema from around the world. Be sure to reserve a lot of time for your visit to enjoy everything as there's so much to see. The new space includes the roof terrace, an outdoor sculpture terrace overlooking Pennsylvania Ave. On the roof is an eye-catcher giant 14.5 foot tall sculpture, an electric cobalt blue "Hahn/Cock" on loan on from the Glenstone Museum.



The museum is made up of two buildings and a sculpture garden that turns into an ice-skating rink in the winter time. The East building focuses on modern art and contemporary artists, while the West building focuses on Renaissance art. They have a good directory so you can focus on the type of art you like. The two buildings connect underground through a concourse walkway. Ten years ago they installed a light sculpture that has 41,000 computer programmed LED lights that run on a program along the 200 foot underground space. This moving walkway connects you to their cafe and gift shop which is huge and a lot of fun to browse through.


Admission is free and the museum offers free Wi-Fi! Handicap parking is allowed right in front of the museum and courtesy wheelchairs are available to borrow. Free concerts are held in the  garden room on Sunday evenings. It's definitely one of the premiere art galleries in the world and always an interesting place to spend a few hours.




32 comments

  1. I love the National Gallery of Art. We were there last April and it's definitely a must-see for anyone visiting that area.

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  2. LOVE when museums are free of charge - makes the exploration of our art and history so much more attainable. And - what a fabulous relaunch! A celebration of 75 years never looked so good, right?

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  3. I also love when museums are free! It makes it much easier to visit with children and expose them to art at an early age.

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  4. I would love to visit the National Gallery of Art. I went there when I was younger, but I don't remember that much about it. I would love to see it again.

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  5. how fun! I wish we had more stuff like this around where I live.

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  6. I'd love to go here. Going to have to make a trip soon, I went as a kid but it's been so long.

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  7. I love museums! This one looks and sounds so cool! Definitely would go if I had the chance.

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  8. I grew up in the DMV and always took field trips to all the DC museums. Your post makes me wish I had appreciated them more because now I'm dying to go!

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  9. We went there many years ago when my daughter was quite young. We all enjoyed it, but I wish we could go back now that she's older.

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  10. I love places like that, it is fun to just take time and enjoy the place. I also love to expose my children to museums.

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  11. I love museums and I always find art galleries to be so much fun. Great that they have Wi-Fi and handicap parking.

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  12. I love going to free museums & galleries - especially the ones in large cities are beautiful! Great pictures too xx

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  13. Sounds like a great place to visit. I live in near D.C. but I still haven't been there. We definitely should plan a visit to this gallery when we get a chance.

    Belle | One Awesome Momma

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  14. Never even been to DC, maybe one day. That moving walkway light display looks great. Not sure on the large cobalt cock, looks cool though.

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  15. I LOVE free museums! They are like every mother's godsend on a rainy day. haha This one looks great!

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  16. How exciting! I have never been to the The National Gallery of Art, but because it's free I need to keep in mind that I should visit this some day!@

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  17. As a military wife who could barely handle her busy schedule I am truly glad I came across your post. Wow, that sounds so fun and exciting. I haven't been there yet. The National Gallery of Art looks like a wonderful place to visit.

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  18. A free museum how fun! I am loving that big blue rooster!

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  19. i love visiting museums. You had wonderful experience. i felt like visiting there too.

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  20. Sounds like a place I would like to go. And wow, I can't believe it is free!

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  21. I adore art museums. One day I am hoping my family can take a trip to DC, it's only 3 hours away! And how awesome that the National Gallery of Art is free?!

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  22. I love going to galleries and museums. It's so much better when they're free too!

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  23. What a cool museum! It looks like you had an awesome time and I'm kind of obsessed with that giant blue rooster.

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  24. That would be so much fun to check out. I love art and am amazed about some peoples talents!

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  25. The National Gallery of Art would be a great place to take my high school students. They would love to be able to view art and write about it.

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  26. I've never been but definitely would love to visit. How amazing is that the admission is free! The pictures are so lovely, esp the last one. Matchy-matchy :)
    xox Nadia
    www.mielandmint.com

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  27. I love to visit museums. The National Gallery of Art is one of the museums that I would love to visit. Those LED lights really brighten the underground space and it's amazing!

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  28. This looks like it was so much fun. I'd love to do something like this with the whole family. It would be great!

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  29. I've never been there but it sounds amazing! I would like to go sometime. I love art. I'll have to put it on my list.

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  30. I have never been but looks like it is definitely worth the trip and an all around great experience.

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  31. I've never been here before but I love checking out these places when I visit the area! Definitely worth a trip to see it!

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  32. I'd love to visit and experience the walkway with all the LED lights - it looks amazing. That, and the blue cockerel!

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