National Portrait Gallery

Art museum · Downtown

National Portrait Gallery

Art museum · Downtown

8th St NW & G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Highlights

Explore the National Portrait Gallery, a free museum brimming with captivating exhibits and stunning portraits of influential Americans, perfect for art lovers and history buffs alike.

8th St NW & G St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Get directions

npg.si.edu

@smithsoniannpg

@afar

"Architectural Courtyard Wonder An undulating steel and glass canopy wows visitors who enter the Kogod Courtyard. Inside you'll find diners from the museum's café, tourists soaking their weary feet in the shallow fountain running across the space, and students taking advantage of free Wi-Fi in the light and airy setting. The modern roof seals the center of the old Patent Office Building, currently shared by the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. Architect Norman Foster designed the roof to have minimal impact on the building by creating a support system that prevents direct contact and weight placement on it. Unlike most of the other Smithsonian Museums located on the Mall, this gem is found in the busy Penn Quarter of downtown D.C. It is my favorite place to bring visitors, not only for the impressive courtyard space, but also for the preserved architecture of the patent offices on the top floor. Check the Smithsonian's website for special courtyard workshops, concerts, or events. The museum is right near the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro on the green, yellow, and red lines."

The Best Museums in Washington, D.C.

View Postcard for National Portrait Gallery

@cntraveler

"A museum in Washington, D.C. where visitors can explore historical portraits, contributing to the city's accessible cultural offerings."

Why All Major Museums Should Be Free

View Postcard for National Portrait Gallery

Neshmarie Moroso

Google

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!

Cole Mellinger

Google

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.

Vanity Duran

Google

I had an incredible time visiting the museum. I started on the first floor, where I admired portraits of classic Hollywood stars. I was so intrigued that I decided to have a movie marathon featuring the stars I learned about during the gallery visit. The museum was quite large, and I managed to explore it in under two hours, as it stays open later than most museums—until 7 PM. I saw portraits of historic figures, including presidents, as well as beautiful art pieces and sculptures. I encourage visitors to allocate enough time to sit, read, and truly appreciate the portraits and art. There is a lovely courtyard in the middle of the museum where people can relax. It was such a wonderful experience that I would love to return and spend more time there.

willku9000

Google

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.

Chris Manley

Google

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.

A R

Google

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.

I Know Places

Google

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.

Ren Jax

Google

One of my favorite museums ever! The detail that goes into the curating of the exhibits is always far and above what I expect. On my recent visit, I enjoyed the images from the little discussed period in our nations history that covered the internment camps for Asian Americans during the second world war. A true testament to the imaginative resilient artists of the time, and their commitment to their work and their community. I also made it to the fourth floor, where I rarely go, and was duly inspired by the contemporary works on display. What ever committee or person, is in charge of writing the copy that goes along with the artwork is to be commended, too. Most explanations that accompany artwork can seem condescending, or incomplete at best. However, I have noticed for years how, in such a small space, the commentary is concise and always seems to capture the essence of what is being represented and manage to entertain the reader as well. Cheers!