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National Portrait Gallery

Art Museum

Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown, Washington

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9.1^/10

1,274

ratings

Ranked #3 for exhibits in Washington
"portraits of Michelle and President Barack Obama."(10 Tips)
"Great art, including the gallery of presidential portraits."(8 Tips)
"Also do t miss the photography section and special exhibitions."(5 Tips)
"President portrait gallery is amazing."(4 Tips)

180 Tips and reviews

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Christopher FarrellJanuary 13, 2017
This is a must-see for D.C. visitors. Great art, including the gallery of presidential portraits. Really cool that there are free lockers for stowing bags and coats while walking the galleries.
Erin MerchantJanuary 23, 2017
Well edited and curated exhibits surrounding the presidential portrait gallery. Worth taking the time to browse the small galleries and hang out in the Kogod courtyard.
Upvoted 1 week ago
Sofia CaseJanuary 4, 2016
Tom has been a docent for 35 years and leads tours e/o Sunday @ 11:45 and 1:30. He is incredibly knowledgeable and his tours are the most enjoyable, inspiring and engaging! Tell him Sofia sent you 😉
Upvoted Mar 16
Lenny GalloJuly 22, 2016
Probably my favorite museum in DC. What makes this place so fun is that they have famous artists painting other celebrities and historical figures. Always something fun in their special exhibits.
NicholasAugust 21, 2017
Expansive and entertains easily for several hours. Checkout the American Presidents exhibition and an excellent collection of contemporary art as well. Free lockers for your personal items.
Brooke HardingOctober 23, 2019
Wonderful gallery, check out the portraits of Michelle and President Barack Obama. Side note, the atrium is a great place to work or read a book to escape the heat in the summer!
Upvoted Feb 26
Yasaman MahdianJuly 19, 2019
Amazing amazing amazing. It’s worth multiple visits. One of the best museums in D.C. Definitely a must.
Upvoted Feb 26
Joao Veloso JrFebruary 13, 2018
Save at least a couple of hours for the outstanding tour. In addition to the permanent exhibition, you will get always more! I’m glad presidents portraits goes from classic to modern.
Lucille FisherNovember 9, 2015
Excellent galleries, specially the President's section. Also do t miss the photography section and special exhibitions. Great museum shop as well.
Ananda LeekeJanuary 22, 2012
Had the best time at the National Portrait Gallery last weekend. Saw the Gertrude Stein exhibit and learned so much about her interesting life. Also viewed the Black List exhibit for the 3rd time!
Jazmin VitulloNovember 8, 2015
This was a great place to go to. Liked it. Thought a family member said they had found something in the newspaper about a art piece and we never found it.
Chris R (thechristophe)December 22, 2016
Exhibitions rotate, but worth going to see the Presidential portraits. Good place for free lockers (you can leave and visit other museums).
L KJanuary 28, 2017
Magnificent collection of both modern art and portraits. The variety of styles, people, and stories makes for an excellent museum day.
Rick FlynnAugust 25, 2013
Plan several hours, or better yet, divide it into at least two trips. The Portraits are beautiful, but the descriptions of each one was better than four years of history classes.
CozmikDecember 3, 2011
I've used this amazingly naturally-lit spot as back up for quite a few of my wedding shoots as back up when Mother Nature was moody. Fabulous glass ceiling! Good people-watching too.
Puck PeijnenburgOctober 14, 2014
Love this museum specially the modern part. One of the better art museum in the city.
Miguel de LeonMay 19, 2015
Twinned with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Mind your staircases. (Go all the way to the top to see some quieter galleries.)
Lucie MelahnNovember 6, 2011
Museum is divided in half - one half is the National Portrait Gallery, the other half is the Museum of American Art, which is outstanding. Check out the folk art on the bottom level.
Tom JanssenJuly 29, 2016
Check out the amazing life-sized painting of President Francis J. Underwood! Also the courtyard is very nice, well maintained and quiet.
Camille WrightMarch 7, 2015
Great for people with different tastes. One side (west side) is traditional art, while other side (east side) is modern. Very interesting.
Hannah LuddyJanuary 11, 2017
Something for everyone! Look for the portrait of the four female Supreme Court justices on the second floor, and watch for Obama's portrait to go into the presidents' gallery soon.
Arminda KlierAugust 21, 2013
The special exhibits were very interesting and definitely worth a look - hopefully that is always the case as they rotate in and out!
Ray LinNovember 25, 2013
Fun game to play in the presidential exhibit is doppleganger naming. Also, the courtyard is amazing. Walk on the water.
Deb LJuly 3, 2015
Fabulous variety of historical and cultural portraits in a range of styles! Chuck Close's portrait of President Bill Clinton is great.
Sharon YounkinNovember 19, 2017
you could spend an entire day there. Don't miss the cafe/courtyard as well as the gift shop!
Angie HarmonSeptember 22, 2014
Been here 10+ times
The black obelisk (Untitled) is a portal--get up close and you can see tiny stars. It's not dust. Now you can sound like you "get art."
Nicole DApril 18, 2014
Check out The American Cool Exhibit, the picture of Bill Clinton and really take the time to see the Luce Foundation Center.
DC Preservation LeagueMarch 9, 2011
Patent Office Building was built between 1836-1867. It served as a temporary barracks and hospital during the Civil War and was the site of Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural ball.
KarenDecember 19, 2021
Can't-miss: the presidential gallery - do them in order. Take your time.
Ananda LeekeJanuary 22, 2012
Loved seeing the Black List exhibit last weekend for the third time. Two of my favorite portraits are of artist Kara Walker and museum curator Thelma Golden. Very inspiring women.
eric bornemannJanuary 12, 2021
Smaller museum but neat courtyard and temporary exhibits.
Lucie MelahnNovember 7, 2011
American folk art exhibit on ground level has crazy stuff, totally worth seeing. the massive, elaborate shrine made of crumpled tinfoil is worth the visit.
emkayJuly 24, 2013
The atrium is wonderful indoor urban space. The "One Life" exhibit on Martin Luther King, Jr. Is quite nice -- enough photos to be interesting, but small enough to see on one's lunch break.
LolaMarch 16, 2023
Amazing paintings, portraits, sculptures, courtyard
LolaMarch 16, 2023
Wonderful portraits, American artists and paintings, courtyard
Upvoted Feb 26
Amy CummingsFebruary 25, 2018
Michelle Obama’s on the first floor and Barack is on the second. You’ll probably have to wait in line.
Hannah HMay 9, 2012
Avoid the crowded streets and bring your lunch inside to enjoy in the Kogod Courtyard. Don't miss the Great Hall on the 3rd floor.
Chad HornerMay 13, 2018
great to see the new Obama portraits but don’t underrate the rest of the museum
K12 IncJune 24, 2011
Did you know? The Gallery building (formerly the U.S. Patent Office) served as a hospital during the Civil War. Among the nurses who tended the wounded soldiers there was the poet Walt Whitman.
HarjitApril 30, 2013
Awesome portraits, gorgeous artwork by talented artists. Beautiful and cool looking courtyard too.
CharApril 21, 2018
Always a great experience. Exhibits are interesting and well thought out!
stepherApril 21, 2015
The place to see the official Presidential portraits... and Stephen Colbert near the entrance by the restrooms if they haven't moved him already.
Erik BrokJuly 27, 2015
The modern and contemporary art section on the top floor is fantastic.
Jared CampbellDecember 12, 2016
Been here 5+ times
The courtyard is a great place to hangout and relax if you need a moment of peace and quiet.
Jared SOctober 5, 2011
The Obama Hope poster isn't currently on display. Check back again. Still features great exhibits. Check out the modern art on the top floor.
Jon HusseyJanuary 28, 2010
Been here 5+ times
Check out the "portraiture now - communities" exhibit. Three artists w/ portraits of different communities: a 25-member family in CO, a small town in Iowa, and a group of artist friends in Philly.
Terry OliverOctober 1, 2012
Interesting rule here: you can have a back pack, but you cannot carry it on your back. You must carry it in front or at your side. Or check it into the free locker.
Christopher PopovJuly 6, 2016
Perhaps this museum was a little lackluster since a lot of the high profile portraits are at the other national gallery but I would probably skip this one and dedicate your time elsewhere
Daycation DCMay 2, 2017
Check out the highlights tour to learn more history about the portraits. Don't miss the President portraits! Read more
Meredith StewartAugust 19, 2011
The courtyard is the best place to feel like you're outside without being outside. Nice light, great place to bring your lunch.

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