National Portrait Gallery

I had a wonderful experience at the National Portrait Gallery! The entire museum offers a rich and engaging journey through history, but what truly stood out to me was the modern art collection on the third floor. It was refreshing, thought-provoking, and full of emotional depth. The way the contemporary portraits challenge traditional ideas of identity and representation was incredibly compelling. I found myself spending most of my time there, captivated by the bold use of color, mixed media, and the raw personal stories behind each piece. It felt like a perfect contrast to the classical works downstairs, giving a complete picture of how portraiture has evolved over time. The gallery is well-organized, with friendly staff and a calm atmosphere that lets you really soak in the art. If you're someone who appreciates modern art or is curious to see how portraiture has expanded in recent decades, the third floor is a must-see. Highly recommend spending a few hours here—whether you're an art enthusiast or just exploring!

We visited the National Portrait Gallery, which is a highlight of our trip to DC. We've all seen these paintings in history books, but it's quite an experience seeing them in person. We went on a weekday and found it easy to get it, and being that it was free made it all the better. It also wasn't too far from the other museums and is close to Ford's Theater. If you're into history, you'll enjoy this place.

What an exceptional experience. The portraits portrayed Americans from the beginning to the present day. Some of the most impressive pieces include George Catlin's Indian Gallery, presidential portraits, and paintings depicting early prominent Americans. There are also beautiful landscape paintings that depict the natural beauty of the United States. Overall, the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum are must-stops for those who appreciate American art and American art history.

Most of the people come for the US presidents’ portraits, but there is a loooot more to see. Loved the way the gallery showcases the development of portrait painting and through that the history of the nation, the political and society changes, culture through the years, etc. The temporary exhibitions were a very nice surprise, such as the photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age by George Hurrell. Have in mind that in order to enjoy the whole gallery, you will have to spare a couple of hours, but it’s definitely worth it!

I didn’t have high expectations with a name like “The National Portrait Gallery” since it sounds like it would just be paintings of people. they do have those, but boy was I wrong. This is a really cool, really interesting art museum with all sorts of amazing art pieces ranging from beautiful historical pieces to really poignant and impactful modern art. I definitely recommend checking this place out if you’re in the area, and just like most of the museums and attractions in DC it’s completely free to experience.

We have been here twice. I recommend taking one of the docent led tours to really get the best from this wonderful museum. We visited on this day at the height of the Cherry Blossom festival with big crowds in abundance but this museum was not overwhelmed. Covering people and general art of America, highlights include sections devoted to the timeline of American history and our Presidents. It takes several hours to do this museum justice so if time is limited, do your research and choose a section upon which to focus.

What an outstanding gallery located near the White House. We primarily went in to see the presidential portraits on the second floor, which was really fun. Can't wait to bring the family back next time we are in town. The Gallery is free to enter.

This is one of my favorite places to visit in DC. Looking at all the portraits was really cool and the whole ambience of this place was beautiful. The courtyard in the interior is a must stop to get a coffee or snack or just sit and relax. I absolutely love seeing Barack Obama’s portrait and was so sad that Michelle Obama’s portrait was on tour and not there.

I love art! I love art displayed in great spaces. My favorite is street art like graffiti, but this gallery is amazingly fitting for what it houses. As a Smithsonian gallery, of course it is free! The huge building (multiple connected buildings) is the perfect place for displaying art. The various nooks, rooms, and spaces allows for enough space to ponder, reflect, and enjoy without being overly crowded. I would guess that the majority of people come to see the portraits of U.S. Presidents. Of course that wing of the gallery was the most crowded. Still, patrons were respectful enough to take turns enjoying the portraits without crowding or rushing you. The Kehinde Wiley portrait of Obama is more than phenomenal and iconoclastic. Black artist's rendition of the first Black President all in a style that is unlike all that preceded it, speaks volumes. Even though I have seen it many times in pictures or media, seeing it in person is just grand! Also, I was struck by two unlikely Presidential portraits for this ultra liberal Democrat. The Richard Milhous Nixon and the Dwight Eisenhower portraits were outstanding. The Nixon portrait is by Norman Rockwell so it makes sense because I leave an affinity for his work ("The Problem we all live with." Of Ruby Bridges being escorted into a segregated school flanked by U.S. Marshals is one of my favorites by him). The Norman Rockwell signature on the portrait is the most iconic part for me; check it out. The gallery's curators do a wonderful job of mixing artists and mediums. Of note, too, is that space and importance is also reserved for underrepresented perspectives of women, African Americans, and other underrepresented groups. The Henry O. Tanner room houses several of his works. On my most recent visit there was a James Baldwin photo exhibition that was remarkably moving. Perhaps my favorite pieces were two sculptures and one painting. The first sculpture is named "The Death of Cleopatra." She is seated on a marble throne that has two Sphinx men carved into the chair's arms. Against a. Lack background and intensely lit, it moves me. The other sculpture is of a black man and it is striking in its detail. The piece is called "Portrait bust of an African man" by May Howard Johnson. He just is stirring into your soul. It is made of bronze so the skin tone is perfect! Look into the eyes and become mesmerized! The other piece is a 1936 oil painting by the Black artist Allan Rohan Crite titled "School's Out." The color and composition will amaze you and looking at it closely you will see that every subject is a woman teacher or school girl. I have seen other works by Crite, but this one is my favorite and he is climbing up my favorite 20th century artist list! Whether you are an art connoisseur or novice, you will be at home here. Not stuffy, free, and photographs are encouraged!!! The gallery is beautiful and filled with GREAT art. Restrooms are plentiful and in the middle of the gallery is a covered courtyard where you can enjoy food and drinks. I could spend a whole weekend just exploring and enjoying the art. Five stars.

We visited the National Portrait Gallery on Day of the Dead. The celebration itself seemed catered to young children, with lots of activities. The gallery itself has a variety of art. Paintings, sculptures and photographs from different time periods. It's one of my favorite places to visit in DC.

My family or art enthusiasts were visiting DC for a few days, and when looking for things to do while they were here - I knew the National Portrait Gallery would be a definite 'must see' for them while they were here! The National Portrait Gallery did not disappoint. We spent over 3hrs walking through the various sections of the gallery, admiring works from painters, sculptors and artists from various other mediums. You could easily spend the entire day here - and likely, to see the entire gallery, you will need several visits. We were all super impressed and influenced by all of the beautiful paintings on display; and this has become one of my favourite galleries in the DMV area. Parking can be a little tricky, so you may want to take the metro in. Alternatively there is limited street parking and a bunch of parking garages nearby to choose from.

I was touched by my visit to the Portrait Gallery. I went with my mom during our stay in DC and I wish I lived closer because I could see myself coming in multiple times a week. The building was beautiful and the collection of pieces was nothing less than impressive. There was a particular portrait that stood out to me. It was an oil painting I believe of the late actress Tallulah Bankhead. She reminded me so much of myself with the style of her hair, the expression in her eyes, and the wise, delicate, and melancholy vibe. This painting encouraged me to look her up. She was a tough woman who braved through Hollywood and a difficult life through grit, perseverance, and courage. Traits I also see in myself. This is a valuable piece in the collection, though I feel it is also underrated. I believe they need to have merchandise with this painting on it. I would buy it! I loved all of the other galleries in the museum as well including the presidential portraits and even the indoor flower garden. The reason why we needed to leave was to catch a train back to New York. I wouldn't have left until closing otherwise. One thing I noticed that needed to change was that they were charging money for sanitary products in the bathroom. If men had periods they would be free. What if someone doesn't have change? Would they just have to suffer through it? Other than that it was a great trip and I enjoyed myself.

It is the National Portrait Gallery and is nicely done. I loved the Presidents exhibit it was like going back to school. This is a wonderful way to burn some free time and learn.

The National Portrait Gallery is exactly what it sounds like . . . a HUGE collection of portraits. The thing that makes this great is that it's directly connected to the Smithsonian American Art Museum . . . so you can go up and down, across, and back . . . and break up your viewing. See some portraits here, check out some American art there . . . some realism, some creative pieces. Black and white photography, mixed with brilliant colors. I enjoyed the performing arts section, which included everyone from jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie to hiphop legend LL Cool J. From John Wayne to Elvis. Folk legends, opera singers. There is also a "champions" section, which covers athletic stars over the years. There are various galleries on war heroes, authors, choreographers, scientific pioneers, woman leaders, Black leaders/heroes, indigenous people, and a whole gallery on presidents. It's free, easy to enter . . . again, you get two museums in one place . . . and a nice cafe/outdoor area between the two.

Hadn't been here in years. The G street entrance has a ramp! Stepped inside and checked out the President's Gallery focusing primarily on the cast of characters from Hamilton the musical. Visited a few of the other galleries and saw some other inspiring figures from US history before heading to the Washington Monument. Great experience!

Lovely Gallery with some great portraits and information on each individual. Free to enter. No advanced reservations required. Conveniently located in the Penn Quarter area...only a 15 minute walk to the White House and a 15 minute walk to the National Mall. There is a large center area where the Orchid show currently is. Huge space with lots of tables and seating. There is also a small cafe selling Starbucks-like items there. The Gallery is separated into a few areas including American Presidents, 20th Century Americans, Champions (Sports) and Portraits from 1600-1900. Lots to see and learn...and of course, some awesome portaits. I loved the variety is art styles they covered throughout the Gallery. They realy did try to mix it up...which made it interesting. Great experience...highly recommended.

I enjoyed seeing the actual portraits depicted in many books and museums of the biggest names in our nation's history.

If you are interested in the Presidents, American art, or portrait art then you will find something here. If you're not interested in those things, it's still a pretty neat place and being absolutely free, what do you have to lose? The Presidential portraits are the big draw for most of us and they are pretty great to see. There are many other things here, including other famous people. The entire central courtyard is a lovely enclosed space with seating and access to a small cafe that has coffee, drinks, and some light snacks. This is an excellent place to have a break from your day if you are a tourist, and a great place to sit for a bit for anyone in my opinion.

I absolutely love the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.! Y'all! This place never gets old! The portraits on display here are top-notch. Plenty of photo ops for the gram. Another plus? Admission is free. Movers and shakers to U.S. presidents cover every inch of wall space. My favorite? The portrait of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States. Shout-out to Kehinde Wiley for creating this masterpiece. Definitely a must-see! Since I'm all about that museum life, I recently stopped by the National Portrait Gallery. Got to see their latest addition...a commissioned portrait of Oprah Winfrey. Kudos to Shawn Michael Warren for painting this portrait of the media legend. Wow! It's all that and a bag of chips! Special mention: Can't leave out Kogod Courtyard. It's the perfect place to chillax. Bright and airy with lots of green space. The glass ceiling is pure fire! Run, don't walk to the National Portrait Gallery. If you're a tourist or local, this gem of a museum is worth checking out! Pro tip: Searching for a gift or souvenir? The Museum Shop has everything from jewelry to posters to books. They also have unique toys and games for kids.

The National Portrait Gallery is a national treasure and may be my favorite place in DC. Like the other museums, this one is free with a set of static exhibits (don't miss the presidents' portraits) and rotating ones. On this trip I peeked in on the Environmentalist portraits on display. I love that the galleries come with Spanish language, large print, and braille materials.

A wonderful exhibit with tons to see. I love coming here and you'd be surprised how much there is to see.

Endless art that is as inspiring as it is beautiful. It's a pleasure to come to such a magnificent Smithsonian, it never gets old & I keep finding something new!

This is a must see museum! All the original official portraits of president's are displayed with some really interesting stories. Be sure to visit, it's free!

Free, short and sweet, beautiful atrium with a modern unique fountain system that basically comes out to several shallow puddles that little kids will spend hours playing in. No tickets needed and fully free. I happened upon the docent led tour and that was a nice 1 hour (or optional extended) knowledge builder with some key highlight portraits. Highlights included Beyonce and the Obamas' portraits.

Awesome place to visit and spend the day. There were no lines when we visited and we walked right in and enjoyed the gallery. I highly recommend it!

Vey big museum with many interesting and beautiful paintings. Make sure you have enough time when visiting.

Loved the pictures of Barack and Michelle. There was one of the tRumpster but Milan is was a no show. Plenty of the other presidents were well represented.

This is one of my favorite museums in DC. I love the permanent exhibits and the new exhibits. I love to enjoy the peaceful nature of the atrium. Sit, relax and enjoy a snack between walking the museum. Love it.

The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is a historic art museum. The Gallery opened its doors in 1968. Images of famous Americans (from visual, performing arts and new media) who have shaped the United States of America. Along with the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the museum is housed in the historic Old Patent Office Building in the Washington, District of Columbia. This is a must see if you're ever in the area!!!

What a great way to spend your afternoon! Beautiful artwork! I loved the presidential area.

This little museum is full of surprises. My favorite of the Smithsonian museums. This gallery is full of amazing portraits and on this particular visit, the Champions exhibit was very cool especially if you're a sports fan. The Champions exhibit, had portraits (traditional and contemporary), sculptures, and mural size pieces from all spectrums. Yogi Berra, Arthur Ashe, Bobby Hull, , Jack Dempsey, etc. They were all in appearance. Really wonderful set. No, you won't be greeted with fanfare as this is really an adult museum. You can enjoy the peace and quiet. The staff is friendly and present when you need them. The presidential portraits are the main show, but this museum really is a great way to burn up time and enjoy pieces of America. There is a atrium at the center of the building with places to sit and chill.

The museum was combined with Smithsonian art museum. I enjoyed the portraits of presidents and contemporary arts with variety of the mediums!

An amazing free dc museum that is a great to visit anytime you're in Chinatown. They have a cafe and courtyard where you can go to just relax and take in the views of the flowers and plants. A lovely space and I'll continue to visit on my lunch break.

I love the National Portrait Gallery. I know D.C. is filled with a ton of amazing museums, especially art ones, but the National Portrait Gallery is up there. I always enjoy visiting this art gallery, filled with portraits of famous leaders and beyond. Unlike most of the other Smithsonian museums, the National Portrait Gallery is located in the downtown area of D.C., not along the National Mall. However, it's walkable from the National Mall, so this should not discourage you from visiting the National Portrait Gallery if you're visiting the area. Plus, it's surrounded by a ton of restaurants and shops, and is nearby Ford's Theater and the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro stop. In my most recent visit to D.C., I visited the National Portrait Gallery after having lunch nearby, and the place wasn't busy on a weekday in the latter part of the day. It seemed that most people here were hanging around the atrium of this museum because it's a wonderful place to just hang out in and have lunch, with tables and chairs set up in this brightly-lit area with a ton of windows. I love all of the exhibits here, but love the presidential portraits. This museum holds official portraits of the presidents and is the largest collection outside of the White House. It was very cool to see the different styles of the portraits, especially for those portraits where the president selected an artist to do so, which tells more of the president's personality. I highly recommend visiting this collection if you're limited on time at this museum. However, this museum has a lot of beautiful exhibits to see. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! The National Portrait Gallery is easily accessible, with a massive collection of portraits of well-known figures and beyond. Do yourself a favor and spend some time here.

Love the art work! Had a great time exploring the National Portrait Galley for hours. The place is huge, so be prepared to get your 10,000 steps in. There is plenty of seating if you want to take a break or just reflect. I enjoyed the self guided tour and the ease of using my mobile to learn more about specific pieces.

Came here on a Tuesday evening, since it closed at 7. We probably arrived around 5pm. We weren't greeted when we walked in and were looking for maps of the building but couldn't find any. The Gallery is HUGE!!!! Staff within the exhibits were nice and helpful to us when looking for certain portaits (ie. THE OBAMAS! :)) Free. Open every day until 7p, except Christmas!

This is a fun museum to visit as portraits can be a very striking artistic medium. On my most recent trip, they had an exhibit about Frederick Douglass which was well curated and chronicled his life through photos, paintings, and other arts, as well as the lives of those he influenced and inspired. There was also a poignant series, "I Dream a World: Portraits of Remarkable Black Women," featuring a legendary group of women. The excerpted collection highlighted their lives and accomplishments. The presidential portrait gallery offered an enriching way to learn about our nation's history, but it was quite crowded. We also enjoyed their modern portrait collection, which featured decorated athletes and celebrities.

You can't beat a free historically significant museum with famous art on multiple floors. You could easily spend hours or maybe all open hours here. A great museum. I have been before so I wanted to focus on their temp exhibits which were pretty disappointing. Both I went to see were incredibly small collections that really didn't need to be advertised. They were a small wall at most. Nice gift shop, but any historical figures are only from one political party. I feel like the Smithsonian should exist outside political leanings? Maybe I'm alone there. Still a great permanent collection.

Awesome free art museum! It's a stunning building and an amazing collection. A national treasure.

Another incredible free experience in the DC area! Hundreds of beautiful pieces to look at here and three floors of history to discover. From Presidents (the horrifying, looming 45 portrait "welcomes" you into that wing - it elicits some BIG feelings) to athletes to historical portraits through time, I would plan to spend a good chunk of time in this museum. But also, I had a really enjoyable experience in just the hour I had! The building itself is also really beautiful with sprawling staircases and rooms. It is attached to the art museum so you can leave time if you've got the stamina to do both. The Presidents wing was my favorite, as I discovered that Calvin Coolidge was a TOTAL hottie. Terrible policy, but at least he died a 10. I know these kinds of revelations are PRECISELY the kind of high level learning the Portrait Gallery hopes we all walk away with! Happy exploring!

Didn't have a lot of time to stop here. But they are one of the museums that you don't need a ticket in advance, and they are open after 5pm, which helps. Inside there is a beautiful atrium. So if you just need a break from the walking, I found this a lovely place to stop and enjoy the quiet and all the flowers.

Incredible works of art and a great learning experience for all ages. The garden area is serene despite its popularity.

I got a twofer at the National Portrait Gallery...the annual D.C. Orchid Exhibition and a Women's History Month Festival. They had some unusual orchids that I loved! I always enjoy the events at this museum, but I wish there were more performances when I was there. It was still nice to be around happy people and beautiful flowers on this cold, rainy day. And I got to check out Oprah Winfrey's new portrait...beautiful!

The portrait gallery is beautiful. I came here to see Michelle & Barry (the Obamas) but their portraits are on tour and won't be back until November. I did enjoy everything else though.

One of the many free museums in DC. Plenty of popular artwork can be found here, including all of the president's portraits, which were my personal favorites. Can spend several hours here. They also have a cool courtyard in the center of the building where people like hanging out or doing work on your laptop.

Just a short distance from Chinatown in Washington DC. Enjoyed paintings and photographs of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, Admiral Nimitz for whom the Nimitz freeway is named, Margot Fonteyn, Joan Baez, the Supremes, Mickey Mantle, Katherine Hepburn, Robert Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the four women Supreme Court Justices -this was before Justice Barrett joined in 2020. Thought the picture of Clinton looked like he had a bad case of acne. Not too fond of the Watergate section and waiting for a section on the Insurrectionist Politicians of January 6, 2021 to open.

My experience at the free Smithsonian National Portrait Museum was fantastic and although I did spend a little time browsing through the museum, I spent much of my time spending the last hours of my work week working remotely from the center atrium. I, and so many others, sat on my laptop and was able to join calls (with headphones) from a remote location which didn't require admission/a purchase. The only draw back of this location when working was the lack of outlets (I walked around and was only able to locate two floor outlets). I can be easily distracted when working in public areas, but that was not the case here. The tables are well spaced and the noise level remained calm (slightly above a library, but definitely below a coffee shop or cafe). The museum itself was easy to find and was right off the metro. Once I entered, I was greeted by a security guard and was able to ask questions of the information desk -- specifically, I was looking for the portrait of President Obama surrounded by leaves which I learned is currently on rotation in Boston. I will be back soon to visit the rest of the museum, and I will definitely be back to spend time in the atrium!

great selection of diverse art & a beautiful spacious courtyard cafe, perfect to dodge the rain and cold.

Revisited after a couple of years. Still my favorite museum in DC. If you go soon, you can see the Watergate exhibit. We were lucky enough to tag along on a curator guided tour. Amazing. Also, don't miss the Boochner Portrait Competition. Walk through the presidential portraits and keep going. It is so worth it. Amazing work. (You can vote once a day on-line for the People's Choice awards, too.)

Beautiful building. Loved President Obama's portrait on the second floor and Michelle Obama's on third. I also loved John Lewis and JFK's.

Each year I have visited the National Portrait Gallery, and I have loved it. The most visited (and my favourite collection) is the US presidents. Of course, you do need to have an interest in history to enjoy the collection. However, it is a nice way to spend an afternoon refreshing yourself on those big blanks we often draw between the more famous presidents. The captions are interesting and help focus your mind on not just the president, but the time that they governed. Note, some of the reviewers thought the captions had a partisan tone against Republicans. I disagree but you can decide for yourself. For example, Clinton's scandals, Wilson's segregationist sentiments, Carter's economic challenges, and Johnson's foreign policy failings - all 20th-century Democrats were identified. It was just facts (of course there are alternative facts too. If the real facts challenge your preferred reality), and unfortunately, we are all prone to gloss over the truth to fit our preferences ... but a real democracy requires a well-informed citizenry to think about all sides even when it doesn't fit their preferred realities. This includes scrutinizing our leaders ... past and present, so that hopefully the future will be better. I believe this collection is a nice, neutral forum to facilitate (at least in part) that goal. For me, it is interesting to think about our evolution as a country and despite the imperfections of our how we were blessed to have certain presidents while at the same time sighing in relief that we survived despite other presidents. However, the museum includes lots of other portraits and interesting sculptures illustrating the American experience. There are also some nice landscapes and portraits of non-famous Americans. On this last visit, we were there for 2+ hours and only visited one floor, so I think you could spend about 3 - 4 hours if you are into this genre. The courtyard is beautiful with its glass ceiling and running water and a nice spot to relax or even wait for a loved one if you aren't into this museum. The price is just right ... Free!! Plus, I don't think the National Portrait Gallery always gets the love and attention it deserves, but I look at this as a plus. Since it usually means fewer people and more breathing room for you to enjoy the high-quality exhibits. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Visited in August 2021 and the whole family enjoyed this gallery way more than we thought we would. The Obamas were on loan to the Art Institute of Chicago, so we didn't even get to see those. But this large museum should be on the list for any adults and adults w/kids, teenagers or older. Presidents and noblemen get a lotta play here, but also women of note from the 1800s and especially recently; with a whole wing of famous women photography exhibit being a standout. After awhile you get the feel for what you like, and can breeze past the portraits and onto some amazing landscapes, or portraits of Indigenous leaders, or sports heroes. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

This museum is great. The building is beautiful. It has a very nice architecture and lots of nice areas for pictures. You will find old portraits and modern pop culture portraits. The most busy area is the portraits of the presidents. It has a portrait for every US president. Lots of people in this area taking pictures and hanging out. They also have some unique sculptures. This museum doesn't get too busy. You wont have to wait in line.

we missed michelle's portrait but atleast her husband & beyonce were there! a great mix of old & new

I cannot wait to visit DC again so I can see the gallery all over again. There was so much to see and we tried to fit it all in one trip but everything was beautiful. There were a lot of people but since there are so many rooms and exhibits, it doesn't feel too crowded. We were able to take a lot of photos without being in the way of other visitors and we could really take our time to see everything.

The National Portrait Gallery, one of the many Smithsonian art museums, is truly a treasure. I love that it is connected to the Art Museum which has a very different mission. The Gallery is able to emphasize faces- singular and multiple. There are paintings, 3D works, lots of photographs which I really appreciate. There are also so many interesting and creative special exhibits available that returning here every month is not too often. There are also some extraordinary painted scenic portraits of America. And of course, who could forget the display of the Presidents? As other reviews have mentioned, the atrium that connects the Portrait Gallery to the Art Museum is an extraordinary space. It's easy to enjoy a short visit here. But there's so much to appreciate, you can spend an entire afternoon.

I recently took myself on a date to the National Portrait gallery. As a DC resident for over 5 years, I can't believe that I waited this long to swing by. I spent many hours in the portrait Gallery, people watching, reading different descriptions of the art, and being amazed by the talent around me.  Diversity of Art: I did not expect such diversity in the artwork here. Many portraits, but also landscapes, abstract art, and modern art all in one. There are artists from all over the US, and spanning many time periods and mediums. I was also impressed by the focused exhibits on female and minority painters-- the museum does not overlook or minimize these beautiful American artistic contributors. The presidents are always a huge hit, of course, but there is so much more to this museum beyond that! I especially enjoyed the DC specific exhibit, featuring information on influential figures from DC with names still that live on and add character to the city!  Kogod Courtyard: In the middle of the Portrait Gallery is the Kogod Courtyard, which is really stunningly beautiful! Enclosed and featuring flowing water and muted tones, it is the perfect spot to do some works, have lunch, and soak in the unique beauty and culture of DC. Though there were lots of folks there when I stopped by, it was relatively quiet in the courtyard, as well, which made the experience even more relaxing.  Friendly Staff: The staff was friendly, non-pretentious, and accommodating. I feel that they added to the experience, and never made me feel uncomfortable or out of place as someone newer to much of the art that I was seeing.  Not too crowded: I stopped by on a summer Friday afternoon and genuinely expected the museum to be more crowded, but was pleased to find that  Beautiful Building Architecture: The building itself is beautiful, and is an example of Greek Revival architecture. In the building, you will find many skylights, balconies porticos, and circular staircases-- it is really such a magical place!   Of course...Best of all-- FREE! FREE! FREE! DC blesses us with such beauty that we should never take for granted!  Cons: There really are no cons on my end after my experience here. Take your kids, partner, or self out to this museum for some culture and relaxation in the heart of DC! This is a great experience for all ages