National Museum of Asian Art

Art museum · National Mall ·

National Museum of Asian Art

Art museum · National Mall ·

Asian art museum featuring Whistler's Peacock Room

Information

1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20004 Get directions

@eater

391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

Where to Celebrate Diwali Around D.C. | Eater DC

"On Sunday, November 5, the D.C. museum at 1100 Jefferson Drive SW lights up for a pre-festival Diwali celebration from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; I found the Freer Plaza event full of food and sweets, performances, craft-making sessions, and more, with cuisine from local Indian vendors including Rasa, DC Dosa, Trini Vybez, and Himalayan Soul Food and a sampling of traditional Diwali sweets from Swaadish by Neelmain (gallery 27) located outside the shop in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/2022/10/20/23414423/where-to-celebrate-diwali-holiday-india-dc-guides

National Museum of Asian Art

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"The Sackler Gallery Together, the Freer Gallery and the Sackler make up the Smithsonian's Museums of Asian Art. In 1987, the Sackler launched with a 1,000-piece collection and funds donated by Dr. Arthur Sackler, a research physician and medical publisher. Early Chinese jades and bronzes, Chinese paintings and lacquerware, Near Eastern ceramics and metalware dating from the 4th to 7th centuries, and Hindu and Buddhist sculpture from the 10th to the 18th centuries constitute the bulk of his gift. Accompanying the permanent collection are special rotating exhibitions showcasing various aspects of ancient and contemporary Asian art."

The Best Museums in Washington, D.C.

National Museum of Asian Art

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"Whistler's Peacock Room Once a dining room belonging to wealthy shipbuilder Frederick Leyland from Liverpool, then a private exhibition space at the mansion of wealthy Detroit industrialist Charles Lang Freer, American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler's Peacock Room is now a treasure of the Freer Gallery of Art. Adorned with oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, and wood, the room is filled with Freer's collection of over 250 ceramics from Egypt, Iran, China, Japan, and Korea as well as Buddhist sculpture and two parchment Bibles: a codex of the Old Testament books of Deuteronomy and Joshua, and the third-oldest manuscript of the Gospels in the world dubbed the "Codex Washingtonensis." Truly a blend of East and West."

The Best Museums in Washington, D.C.

Freer Gallery of Art

@eater

391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

What Does Asian Food Mean to America? A National Smithsonian Series Will Talk It Out. | Eater DC

"As part of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, the Freer and Sackler galleries are offering an online screening of Minari and hosting a film program tied to CULINASIA, and Smithsonian Associates has moved its programming to Zoom to open these museum events to a national audience." - Gabe Hiatt

https://dc.eater.com/2021/4/22/22396320/what-does-asian-food-mean-to-america-a-national-smithsonian-series-will-talk-it-out

National Museum of Asian Art

@eater

391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

River Cafe’s Ruth Rogers Will Cook at Zaha Hadid’s Hyde Park Sackler Gallery | Eater London

"An Italian institution and one of London's essential restaurants will stage a one-off dinner in the Zaha Hadid extension to the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park on 20 November, offering a four-course menu with a welcome drink; tickets for the event are priced at £150 and are being sold via the Serpentine-related booking channel." - James Hansen

https://london.eater.com/2018/10/26/18026362/river-cafe-ruth-rogers-zaha-hadid-hyde-park-serpentine-sackler-london-restaurant-news

National Museum of Asian Art

Jasmine

Google

The National Museum of Asian Art was not originally on my itinerary, but I am so glad that I ended up visiting. The museum is so extensive and the atmosphere is so calm. Something truly special about this place is its Peacock Room from the late 1800s. The room is beautiful with all the accented blue walls and gold paintings; it was like being transported in time and it is truly amazing how well preserved the room is. Their recent exhibition was also very interesting, and they have a lot of wonderful objects from Asia. There is also this relaxing outdoor, indoor garden space with a fountain in the center perfect for getting away from the National Mall crowds. It was so peaceful, and I enjoyed just sitting there and taking in the fresh air. They have restrooms inside, as well as a really nice gift shop. The staff were friendly, and I really enjoyed visiting. I highly recommend stopping by!

PQ D

Google

While not as big as other Smithsonian's, all the curated pieces along with serene atmosphere, make this a must stop. I know everyone likes to goto the bigger museums but this is on the national mall and has so much history from all over asia. Who knew fine china porcelain and jade made its way to Egypt dated back as far back as 1360? or that asian buddhist were trading with islamic territories in 1500s. I sure didn't. Anyways, lots of cool art to appreciate if you don't want to read any of the history.

A. H.

Google

National Museum of Asian Art — A Quiet Masterpiece with a Few Doors Closed Tucked beside the bustle of the National Mall, the National Museum of Asian Art offers a welcome breath of calm — a sanctuary of balance, texture, and timeless craftsmanship. After days immersed in the power and motion of D.C.’s other museums, this one felt like an exhale. Every gallery draws you into a different world — from delicate brushstrokes that seem to breathe on silk, to sculptures that have stood longer than modern nations. The lighting, the spacing, the stillness — everything is intentional. It’s the kind of place where you don’t just look at art; you slow down enough to listen to it. As a Marine veteran, I’ve learned to appreciate discipline and precision — and these works embody both in ways that transcend culture or era. There’s a meditative strength here that speaks softly but powerfully. That said, I’m giving it four stars rather than five because several sections, including the tea ceremony exhibit, were closed during our visit. It was disappointing not to experience the full range of what the museum offers, especially knowing how much ritual and mindfulness are embedded in those traditions. Still, even with a few doors closed, this museum left a lasting impression — a reminder that peace, like art, is often found in quiet places.

Google

This is a true hidden gem in DC. The exhibitions are fascinating, covering a wide range of cultures and histories in different parts of Asia, and it’s never too crowded, which makes the experience much more enjoyable. The museum is spread across two beautiful buildings with plenty of space to sit down and take a break as you explore. The outdoor garden is peaceful and a wonderful place to walk around or just relax for a bit. The staff were also very friendly and helpful, making the visit smooth and welcoming. Plan for at least 2 hours to really enjoy everything this museum has to offer.

Meda W.

Google

The Museum of Asian Art was just okay. We found it hard to navigate and honestly pretty boring. Only about half of it was actually Asian art. The rest was Western or Egyptian. It looks like parts might be under construction, so maybe not everything is out? Therw was some japanese and chinese items, western and egyption. No thai, no Philippines, Vietnam, india, ect. But there's Egyptian. So many are not represented. Other museums in the area actually have more Asian art and cultural items than this one. Staff were very friendly and the building itself is nice. Its free. Spent maybe 30 mins.

Aleksei K.

Google

It's an absolutely outstanding place for a visit if you are in DC. After going there for the first time, my wife begged me (for not too long) to go there for the second time though we had a tight schedule for visiting other museums. Its exhibition is a bit misleading though. It starts with vibrant exhibits and, then, kind of gets more and more flat. It may seem to you that you've seen everything, but you, actually, need to go downstairs and, then, you dive in more and more treasures. Next time I go to the museum, I will definitely start from its lowest level and then will go up to the other exhibitions. Highly recommended.

Leah C.

Google

One of the more peaceful and underrated museums in the Smithsonian. I spent about 90 minutes which was enough time to see everything in the two buildings (Sackler and Freer). I appreciated the variety of Asian cultures and time periods represented. They have also clearly made an effort to ensure their artifacts are authentic and legal. My favorite exhibits were the Chinese Jade, Reasons to Gather Japanese Tea Practice Unwrapped, all the pottery, and the Syrian Glass. The courtyard is beautiful, too. The peacefulness and smaller size of this museum was a welcome break from the rest of the National Mall. I also liked that the museum connected to the Museum of African Art for people who want to continue exploring art from around the world. Highly recommend this museum!

Vincent L.

Google

My first visit museum in DC. This beautiful and free museum excited me to see more in DC. The collections made me feel proud of being an Asian. I like Chinese paintings the most because I felt I was back to that ancient era when reading the paintings and characters. The peacock room was phenomenal. It was like a living room of a extremely rich man. Everything had a unique beauty of each Asian culture.

Andrea U.

Yelp

The National Museum of Asian Art consists of the Smithsonian Institution's 2 Asian art galleries, the Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery are situated in connecting buildings on the National Mall. I wandered through a maze of small galleries featuring Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Islamic, Indian Subcontinent Art with a spectacular courtyard on the middle. I particularly loved the kabuki theater and peacock room.

Terri C.

Yelp

Morning time it was literally no one (compared to the crowds at the Natural and definitely the African America one.). But by 12- the crowds were picking up. The security is very present everywhere making their rounds- super attentive!! The displays and presentations were very nice. Most popular based on photos taken, was the Japanese exhibit. It is a great diverse option for everyone to explore in the context of inclusion and pluralism. There were the bar codes that was not working. Hope it will improve and work again next time we visit. Will be back to finish off the rest of the museum. Love that this is free too!!

Ailun H.

Yelp

Really beautiful museum! My friend and I stopped by after dinner for the "IlluminAsia | Asia After Dark" event that was happening this past Friday. We didn't get to see a lot of the exhibit because we wanted to spend time making origami but I got to see a few rooms which were all beautiful (the intricate designs and colors were very pleasing to the eyes). The event was fun and I enjoyed making origami with my friend and several others. Super happy to see this event happening during AAPI month :) I would come back to look at other rooms in the museum. The museum is huge with lots to explore.

Shannon T.

Yelp

A wonderful museum! I visited DC for a business trip and had some downtime in between. I haven't been to DC in 7 years and wanted to check this Smithsonian museum out for a while. I had the assumption this was a small museum, but no! There's 4 levels, the 3 levels are underground which is pretty cool. The Peacock Room and Tibetan exhibits were really beautiful. Each exhibition room/area is dedicated to a specific country. Downstairs they also have some Yemen exhibits, something that I've never seen before. Museum staff are very friendly and helpful here. I was on a time crunch so I think I spent around less than 2 hours here, but I would go back again.

Lurine J.

Yelp

Very cool museum, I always enjoy walking around museums and looking at and reading about art. The entrance is free as this is a part of the many Smithsonian museums in DC, I believe. There is no food only water, and it's an inside voice kind of place. Take your time through this museum, it's beautiful piece of art after beautiful peice of art in store for you.

Gilbert G.

Yelp

I came here in mid-November 2023 for a brief one hour visit, but you could easily spend 2 hours here if you prefer to read things at a leisurely pace. What's nice about this Smithsonian museum is that it did not feel crowded and instead had a calm, peaceful atmosphere for viewing the exhibits. This Smithsonian museum is a hidden gem with a superb collection of Asian art organized in two buildings. The first building is the Freer Gallery which has a lovely courtyard, Whistler's famous Peacock Room (be sure to see this if your time is limited), and galleries organized by nation or region (i.e., Japan, Korea, China, India, etc.). Each day, there's a free 1pm guided tour which provides an introductory overview of the collection. The second building is the Sackler Gallery, which is mostly underground. Here you can find the gift shop, restrooms, and a variety of rotating exhibits, with street level access to the Haupt Garden (back side of the Smithsonian Castle). Also, there's a direct route to the Museum of African Art. The gift shop has a lovely collection of books and items to browse!

Sharika M.

Yelp

What an underrated museum! Do walk to this museum as it passes the Washington Monument and the beautiful Smithsonian office. The staff here was incredibly nice and made sure I saw all the exhibits. I spoke to some of the staff, like small talk, which was really heartfelt. The first floor is like a square and in the middle is this gorgeous garden and fountain. This museum is digestible if you're looking for something smaller than the National History Museum. Highly recommend!

Alexis B.

Yelp

I'm trying to make my way to every museum in DC, and on that quest, I visited the National Museum of Asian Art a few weeks ago. It's a Smithsonian - so one of the amazing and free museums on the National Mall that are part of what makes DC such a great place to visit. The museum is beautiful and definitely worth a visit if you have an interest or appreciation for Asian art. The museum has collections of American Art, Ancient Egyptian Art, Ancient Near Eastern Art, Arts of the Islamic World, Biblical Manuscripts, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, Japanese Art, Korean Art, South Asian and Himalayan Art, and Southeast Asian Art. While the collections are vast, I'd admit to preferring a more contemporary collection. The highlight of the museum for me is the Peacock Room. The story there? A shipping magnate in London hired Whistler to redecorate the dining room of his London townhouse. The shipping magnate wasn't pleased with the room but kept it intact until he sold it in 1904 to Charles Lang Freer, who had it taken apart and shipped to Detroit, and it's been in the US every since. It's incredible - all golds and greens and luxurious. Definitely don't miss it (it arrived in 2022 and has no end date, but it might not be there forever). Definitely worth a visit if you're visiting DC and its National Mall museums.

Margo C.

Yelp

One of my favorite museums...it is not so gigantic as to be overwhelming but it packs in many amazing displays without being crowded or confusing. The rooms are organized by country and there is a beautiful gift shop on the ground floor with unique items for sale (I found some very cool holographic postcards). There is also a wonderful courtyard garden to relax in... I was just stunned by the creativity, beauty, and craftsmanship of the ancient artifacts, sone dating back 5000 years...this is a must-visit for museum, history, and art lovers...

Emily C.

Yelp

A very underrated museum filled with many well-preserved historical and cultural relics from Asian countries. It is truly amazing that these historical pieces are free and available to the public for viewing. They have free tours every day where knowledgeable docents go into great detail about some of the pieces. Do not skip this museum!

Munsa M.

Yelp

Had a great time here!! We didn't realize there was a free tour at 1pm everyday but happened to make it just in time for it and it was so helpful and informative!! We loved all the collections especially the Indian one. I wish they had a separate area for Nepal and more southeast Asian pierces from Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand.

Morena G.

Yelp

What a magnificent art museum to visit. It was my first time checking it out and I'm glad I put it on my trip itinerary.

Solongo Nicole E.

Yelp

Came here for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Concert with Anna Sato and Toshiyuki Sasaki. It was a beautiful performance and completely free at the Freer Gallery of Art. Love the beautiful events available for the community here in DC, keep an eye out online for these hidden shows! The performance was amazing, and even had audience participation for one of the songs. Anna and Toshiyuki introduced each song and explained background facts about themselves and their music before performing. They were wonderful! If you ever have a chance to go see them, definitely do!

Pam D.

Yelp

I went to the Lunar New Year Celebration this morning and really wanted to attend the opening ceremony and some lectures, but all the lines were extremely long! I even went early. Oh well. I was still able to get some pastries from Rose Ave. Bakery, and I saw some nice exhibits. All the event staff I talked to were very kind, and I'm glad it was a great turnout for the museum.

William C.

Yelp

The National Museum of Asian Art is a unique experience. Let's start with a difficult issue. It's named for a Sackler, the family that made billions of dollars that they could then donate to get their name on museums, schools and parts of hospitals. They made this money selling opiates that have killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. From what I understand, their contract with the Smithsonian does not permit removing their name. So when you walk in, it's an opportunity to think yet again how horrible this family is. Blood money. So putting this aside. This museum is just incredible. The architecture of the space is fantastic, it's just so much fun to appreciate this. The permanent collections are great, the Tebetan Buddhist shrine is an amazing room. And the special exhibits are not to be missed. We delighted in the "Paintings from Royal Udaipur" which show life from the 1700s amd 1800s in and around palaces on a magnificent lake. There was also "Unstill Waters", contemporary photography from India. I find that immersing myself in art from different cultures so important. We have a very western orientation for obvious reasons. Other societies have different ways to express themselves. Art helps us to better understand and live along side these cultures.

Brian F.

Yelp

The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art contains both the Freer Gallery of Art and the Sackler Gallery and mainly showcase a variety of different Asian art pieces from different countries like Chinese, Japan, Korean, Iran, Cambodia, and many more. Like the other museums in Washington D.C., this museum is free. The Freer gallery art pieces were on the top floor and ranged from tomb treasures, gold and silver luxury items, to weapons and emblems. The Sackler gallery was downstairs and contained wine horns and vanished Korean architecture. One of the most memorial parts of our visit was an exhibit on the Killing Fields of Cambodia in the 1970s. It included oral history from multiple people who lived through those times. One of those people was Loung Ung, a human rights activist and author of the novel "First They Killed My Father" turned into a feature film directed by Angelina Jolie. The stories were riveting and the sights were terrifying. We spent about an hour here skimming through most of the art but I would allot closer to two hours if you want to take things more slowly.

David M.

Yelp

Not an overly sized museum compared to some in DC but loved it as I'm fascinated with different Asian countries. It is organized by different countries and offers a great gift shop at the bottom of the museum. All the artwork, sculptures, and pottery is amazing and constructed in a beautiful way. A fantastic museum to check out if you are into Asian culture and art

Jerry D.

Yelp

It was good seeing some of the different Asian arts, that I have not seen elsewhere. Lots to absorb. Some parts are under construction. But I really enjoyed myself !

Jonathan B.

Yelp

Totally worth checking out! Lots of interesting art to see! Don't miss out on this museum while you're in the area!

Luana C.

Yelp

A lovely museum where you can take-in art from various Asian cultures across millennia. If you have the opportunity to visit the museum more than once, I recommend that you divide and conquer to absorb the most information without feeling overwhelmed. The descriptions that accompany each piece are interesting and are best savored in short bursts (90 mins or so). If you have only a short amount of time available for this museum, the Peacock Room is a delight to the senses.

Annie R.

Yelp

We walked into the Smithsonian visitor center just to explore. Then we walked to the back where the gardens are, and saw the back entrance to the National Museum of Asian Art where we haven't gone to yet. From the outside it didn't look as big, but then when you actually go in, it's a really spacious and cool design. Lots of stairs by the way! But it works for how thing are displayed. I love the history and the artifacts and just the beauty of some historic Asian art. Really cool videos shown as well. I highly recommend it.

Mark N. T.

Yelp

I visited here during the 2022 Sakura Cherry blossom festival. The good thing is everything was free. I found a locker. I stored my bags. I walked around but didn't have time. I checked only Japanese-related exhibitions. I saw a lot of pictures from the Edo period. Many people talked about American history. But, please check here!

Heying D.

Yelp

Ah, I didn't have enough time to explore everything but this is the most suspenseful museum I've been to! It is an immersive experience and I loved to play spy for a while. It was extremely interesting to see what means, education, and background spies have. I loved it here!

Matthew U.

Yelp

When in DC you have to take in a museum or two. It is so easy to do so. As another reviewer has said, Freer and Sackler is easily overlooked. I, at first, didn't even think that this was a museum from the outside. I honestly thought it was a auditorium for performances or something along that line. But once I had visited the Castle, got my barrens, and planned out my day, I knew better. I immediately headed here and allowed myself an ample amount of time to look through the exhibits. There is a lot to go through here, but it is also one of those places that you can set your own pace. Don't forget that you can always come back and have another look whenever the times strikes you. Like most museums I had discovered on my trips to DC I found what was interesting to me and took in that area a little bit more than others. The layout is fairly simple to follow, each area is numbered, so you can just easily follow that path, or hop about as you like. It is mostly a circular layout with a courtyard in the middle. As you go around you explore different areas of Asia, each with it's own unique exhibits. I took time in the Peacock Room, and honestly who wouldn't, to admire how beautiful and intricate the room is. The story behind the room is quite fascinating as well. After you take in the first floor you can start to descend further downward and explore more exhibits. Some are smaller than others, but they use the space wisely. I took another few minutes to take in Encountering the Buddah. It was breathtaking. After you have taken everything in you can start to ascend to make your way out, or you can make your way over to National Museum of African Art. Pretty decent thing to be able to continue on with your museum trek. Head over to another museum without having to go outside.

Steve A.

Yelp

Another art museum. It's so easy to find one in DC, especially in this particular area. The Freer and Sackler Galleries is easily overlooked. One reason is because of the location. You have to go behind the larger museums to find this. It's well hidden from the middle of the National Mall, so you can't see it. Luckily there's a good way to find it. The Smithsonian Castle is located in front of here, so just head that way. It's one of the museums surrounding the Enid A Haupt Garden. This is located on the west side. It's separated into two buildings. The building closest to the garden is the Sackler Gallery. It has many rotating exhibits. The last time the main exhibit was of Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi, who inspired many classic paintings and sculptures. It also had many other Chinese artifacts. The second building is the Freer Gallery. It contains many rooms filled with artifacts from different countries. This building is the bigger one. Each room represents a country. There's artifacts from China, Iran, Japan, Korea, and the United States. It also has an exhibit of Islamic art. There's many cultures represented here. It may not be renowned like the National Art Gallery but it has lots of interesting art and artifacts. It's also great for something that's free. This doesn't get crowded like those more popular museums, so that's another reason.

Grace H.

Yelp

It's not the flashiest museum within the National Mall area, but it is close to the Smithsonian metro station stop. Honestly I decided to give it a try because it was raining and I didn't feel like walking any further. If you want, you can use the free lockers to put away any bags or coats. The Hokusai pieces were really nice and of course I enjoyed the Peacock Room since I'm such a big fan of birds. Downstairs the "Encountering the Buddha" exhibit was very immersive. I appreciated all the resources there were to learn more about Buddhist history and culture. Besides the relatively smaller size compared to the other surrounding museums another hesitation I had was with the 'Sackler' name, given their involvement with the opioid crisis, but it was definitely worth a visit. There wasn't a line at all to get in (that might have been partially due to the fact that I visited during a weekday) and if you like Asian art there were some pretty impressive collections.

Sarah K.

Yelp

If you're looking to learn more about Asian cultures/history, I would definitely recommend coming here. They have a large Buddha exhibit, and I learned so much about Buddhism. The art is breathtaking and they truly have amazing artifacts that represent the rich historical background of Asia. I loved that I could read about the history, as well as see a piece of it right in front of my eyes! They also have a Hinduism exhibit, and I learned so much about the different gods and their beliefs. I will definitely be back! The museum is free, but they do have a bag check.

John B.

Yelp

The Freer and Sackler complex perhaps suffers in comparison to the National Art Gallery across the Mall. Then again, what doesn't? As free, massive, art galleries go, this is quite respectable.The two spaces connect to each other underground, making a substantial enclave (and quite a nice place to be in bad weather). Then again, if the weather's nice, you can enjoy the piece and quiet of an aboveground courtyard towards the western side. Trying to cover all of Asia results in a bit of a sampler approach; each culture gets a room with a few pieces but you don't get a deep or comprehensive exploration of any one place. Nonetheless, it's certainly impressive, and worth spending something on the order of a couple of hours in. Not the #1 attraction in downtown DC by any means, but a worthy part of the scene.

Sanjay G.

Yelp

Not crowded... if you are art fan, you can see this in peacefully... It's in same stretch (I call it museum mile, as most of the famous museums, are in this stretch), capitol building to Washington monument. It is just next to Smithsonian Castle (Visitor center), 7'0 clock. I don't know much about arts, but what I heard from the guide was, freer and Sackler was two persons and it's their personal collection and they donated it later. It specializes in Asian art and sculpture. It has Asia-japan-Islamic-India-Buddhist and more, art gallery. Art pieces are elegant. In the basement, you can sit and see short movies on Projection. There is a beautiful garden behind this with tables and umbrellas around

Victoria V.

Yelp

This is a hidden gem of Smithsonian's. There is so much history and beauty here. I suggest doing some research beforehand to learn what is inside so that you appreciate help more upon entering. The current Buddha display is fascinating. But, my favorite exhibit was the peacock room. Whistler's watercolor will take you to new places with its beauty.

Xinting Y.

Yelp

This museum definitely has one of the best collections of Asian art in American. It went through a major renovation recently and reopened in 2017. I was especially impressed by the Chinese art collection, there aren't too many pieces, but many of the them blew my mind. One copy of the marvelous Chinese painting 'nymph of the Luo river' by Gu Kaizhi (洛神赋图-宋摹本) was here. You can see only part of the long scroll but there will probably be no one else competing with you! There are so many other cool things. For example, you cannot play the ancient Chinese bells displayed in the Sackler gallery, but there is an interactive screen that you can tap each bell virtually and hear the sound. Not to mention the fabulous peacock room by James Whistler in the Sackler gallery. Both museums seem small but each one took me a whole day. There is so much to see and I had so much fun!

Marissa J.

Yelp

This place has so many artifacts from Asia is great to see while in the area. It a must while in the national mall, the Japanese room is the best in museum and of course the artifact that has so much history is great to see. No fee to enter.

Austin G.

Yelp

The Freer and Sackler Galleries are the Smithsonian's originals and despite its small space, you should pay it a visit. It's on the National Mall and free and has one of the most beautiful courtyards in DC. Here are a few interesting facts about the galleries: 1. Opening in 1923, it was the first art museum in the Smithsonian network. 2. Charles Freer, a business man and private art collector, designed the museum to house his collection. He planned the museum knowing he wouldn't live to see the opening. 3. To prevent "museum fatigue," the space is intentionally kept small preserving its domestic feel. 4. Its courtyard was once called "the most beautiful spot in Washington" and also housed peacocks in the 1920s. 5. The museum is mostly dedicated to Asian art but there is a small collection of American art. Enjoy!

Rabia J.

Yelp

Smithsonian's Freer/Sackler Galleries do true justice in portraying Asian arts to the fullest. The museum also has a good museum shop worth taking a look at for unique souvenirs. Recently I went to see Inventing Utamaro, a classical Japanese artist whose famous works are being showcased after many years. This exhibition is going to be on display until July 9th 2017. It's one to see if you like Asian art. In the arts of Islamic world, the exhibition of different artists from Afghanistan was a unique one as well. Overall there is a lot more Asian art here but a few contemporary and American artwork as well. This museum is multi story and always a good one to visit while in DC. I'm looking forward to going back in fall 2017 when the exhibition of cats of Ancient Egypt will open.~

Chris L.

Yelp

Hasn't heard of this museum tucked into the Smithsonian museums so made a point to visit. Came back early on a Saturday cause I like japenese art. It covers Asian art in particular including a lot of pottery from the various cultures. For me there wasn't a lot of interest in this museum and I moved through it quickly. There are a few quite beautiful pottery items and I liked the paintings best. They do have a beautiful courtyard. I could have sat there a long time. The layout of the bottom floors of the museum is a little wonky. There's a large painting on the B1 staircase but it's a large light right in from so hard to get a good view at it. I also saw one of the young ladies there get attitude with a Asian visitor. He was asking for some information and a piece of art and she got attitude. Not good.

Kimi S.

Yelp

I have been to the Freer and Sackler Gallery about a million times in my lifetime but experiencing it through the lens of my small child this past weekend has given me a newfound appreciation for it's beauty. Even in light misting rain, the courtyard is an idyllic spot to collect your thoughts. I'd love to read a book on their covered patio while the sunlight pours down on me but my daughter thought this was the perfect spot to nurse and listen to the flowing water fountain. The exhibits I found most interesting were: + The Peacock Room: An ornate dark blue and gold dining room that was transferred from a London mansion that is filled from top to bottom with pottery and artwork. It's truly stunning and it was amazing to see baby girl's eye dart everywhere as she tried to take the whole scene in. + Body Image: How the divine body was incorporated into ancient Indian art (definitely gave me an appreciation for my own self!) + Ancient Tea Preparations in China and Japan - As a serious tea drinker it's really cool to see all of the ritual that was put into this + Encountering the Buddha: Loved seeing how many different cultures view Buddha and they even have a replica of a Buddhist alter that you can walk into complete with Buddhist monks chanting in the background (Baby even let out a few chants of her own!) + The coolest most Instagrammable installation has got to be Terminal which is a gold and thread maze using the spires found on top of temples and mosques A morning of fun all for the price of free!

EunSung K.

Yelp

My favorite museum at the National Mall, a hidden treasure with amazing Buddhist art, middle-eastern art, and the art of Whistler. There is an amazing inner court yard that is a quiet place to read and write. Also, there is an amazing garden behind this museum. When I lived in D.C., I came here often. It also features the Peacock room. I especially love the Buddhist art, and collection of art from East Asia.

karen k.

Yelp

That a wonderful exhibit on Ikat is currently on display. I was able to see the weave structure up close. This is one of my favorite of the Smithsonian galleries. Be sure to check out their tax free gift shop. A treasure and lovely space

Kelly M.

Yelp

Liked the Sackler better than the Freer. The Freer just seemed....sparse, covering too much territory from Japan to Korea to Islamic to India. That's like half the world. The Sackler had an exhibition on Chinese empresses with a 2:15 docent-led free tour. What more could you ask for? Both are beautiful buildings right outside the Smithsonian Metro stop.

Mandy P.

Yelp

Came here for their lunar New Years festival. A lot of great activities, food, and performances. They also have some wonderful exhibits and offeer free tours. I have enjoyed the empresses of China and the peacock room. A lot of beautiful art and antiquities here.

Courtney K.

Yelp

Bottom Line: Peaceful and well curated subterranean museums with some very old Asian art. I've been curious about the Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery for a long time so I am glad I finally got a chance to visit these two museums featuring mostly Asian art. Moreover, I am glad I got a chance to see the Freer Gallery before it closed on January 4, 2016 for a long (one to two years) renovation. Even if you don't love Asian art it is certainly worth stopping by this Smithsonian museum to give it a try. Not only is admission "free", the front door is just steps away from the Smithsonian Metro Station on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. As I loosely understand it, the Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery were once physically separate buildings. Thanks to a renovation of the Sackler Gallery in 1993, the buildings were connected underground. The original collection for the Freer Gallery comes from Charles Freer, a Detroit business man and philanthropist. Like the Freer Gallery, the Sackler Gallery is named for its founder and philanthropist Arthur M. Sackler, who made his fortune in medical publications and pharmaceuticals. In 1983 he donated his $50 million collection of Asian art to the Smithsonian and the museum in his name opened in 1984. Something that is really cool about these museums is that they are mostly underground. The subterraneous element makes these museums seem more The three exhibits I enjoyed most were (1) The Peacock Room at Freer Gallery, (2) Peacock Room: REMIX at Sackler Gallery and (3) Sōtatsu: Making Waves at Sackler Gallery. The stories behind the Peacock Rooms are interesting and the original Peacock Room, as well as the remixed room, are fun to look at. The story behind Stoatsu and the waves he made is also interesting and I really enjoyed the color and flow of his art. Other pieces in the gallery were super cool because they were very old, older than the Smithsonian Institute, older than the United States and older than Christopher Columbus!

Yami D.

Yelp

The staff was incredibly rude no good morning or anything polite they'll just look at you and completely ignored you. I was asking something simple as directions to the restroom to one of the security staff members while she was looking at her Apple Watch for texts she looked up as if I was bothering her and rudely told me over there as in the direction of the bathroom and off we went as she went back to her test reading while leaning against the wall also the security at the entrance also very rude I mean they are dealing with tourists at least show some happiness. The ART was IMPRESSIVE and BEAUTIFUL but Unfortunately in all the Smithsonian's we visited the temperament was pretty much the same. Rude and unpleasant.

Sean M.

Yelp

The Freer | Sackler is one of my top favorite museums available at the Smithsonian! It has an extensive collection of artwork that spans all of Asia (includes the Middle Eastern works) and not just the cultures that are limited to what is popularity thought of as Asian. The current top exhibits at the time of this posting include: - The Peacock Room - Empresses of China's Forbidden City - Encountering Buddha The museum also hosts a variety of events that are free to the public and very engaging. I would totally recommend the Freer | Sackler gallery for those who are looking to do a museum crawl with a limited time!

Elizabeth L.

Yelp

The Tibetan shrine is definitely worth seeing, the exhibit is laid out very well. I hate the layout of this museum: a majority of doors are locked so you must thread your way through trying to find the appropriate exit or entrance. Also the free map here was not helpful, even the guide we asked for directions from was confused looking at it. In the pavilion, the huge painting of the Chinese empress is also a must see- she is stunning! As for the peacock room, it was beautiful, but had nothing on the overall effect of the shrine downstairs.

Ieshia T.

Yelp

Gorgeous grounds. I didn't get to go in since it was a "teen" event but I enjoyed walking the grounds and taking pictures of the many varieties of plants and flowers

Warfare S.

Yelp

Beautiful event & Museum!! Had the pleasure to attend the reopening this past weekend. It was fantastic night of asian art and demos.

Alan A.

Yelp

My wife an I have been going to the Freer and Sackler Galleries for over 40 years. The galleries specialize in Asian art and sculpture. There are multiple floors and the works on display are amazing. There is even a Buddhist temple. One of the highlights of a visit to the Freer is the Peacock room. The Peacock Room, originally designed by architect Thomas Jeckyll, was once the dining room in the London home of Frederick R. Leyland, a wealthy shipowner from Liverpool, England. When asked for advice about what color to paint the shutters and doors, James McNeill Whistler (of Whistler's Mother fame) took over and eventually transformed the entire room. He enhanced the room with golden peacocks, painting every inch of the ceiling and walls to create an elegant setting in which Leyland could display his blue-and-white porcelain as well as Whistler's painting The Princess from the Land of Porcelain. Freer purchased the room and installed it in the Freer Gallery of Art. This is a permanent display and a must see when visiting DC.

Jon L.

Yelp

Went here w/Liat to see the 'Art of Tea' exhibit surrounding the Shugura tea storage jars. Quite educational on the history of tea and it's origin as an art form

Ann P.

Yelp

I fell in love with this gallery back in undergrad. You have to go to the peacock room and then head down to the peacock room remix! It's a temporary instillation. I believe it will be installed through 2017! So there is plenty of time to check the remix room out. The remix room by Darren Waterston is perfection. You can even take a look at his sketches and design plans for the room. The exhibit plans really puts you into his mind!

Amanda J.

Yelp

Only the Sackler half of the gallery is opened right now, as the Freer half will be reopened in October 2017 after a renovation. I found this museum completely on accident during MLK when I followed a sign for the "Turquoise Mountain: Artists Transforming Afghanistan" exhibit. I really liked that this exhibit let me touch the art and familiarize myself with a kind of art I don't know anything about. I only discovered that the rest of the Sackler was opened since it is connected to the African Art Museum, and I simply ended up here. I only had time to see sublevel 3 on the first trip here, but I thought the Turquoise Mountains and "Sky Blue: Color in Ceramics of the Islamic World" were cool enough to organize a trip back the next month to see everything else. At 4:30 PM on a Friday in February, there was a few really large business groups and a Muslim political group in on giant guided tours for the "The Art of the Qur'an" exhibit. It was really cool to see so many people from so many places all excited to see this exhibit! I enjoyed reading the plaques, but I didn't know enough to see a distinct difference from each piece of art to the next. I really needed a guided tour for this exhibit, but I still enjoyed it. One of the biggest highlights for me here was the Chinamania, which is beautiful hills of china. It complements the exhibition Peacock Room REMIX, a contemporary installation that reimagines the Peacock Room in ruin. These two pieces next to each other were really cool and made an interesting stop. The other exhibits were less memorable, and most of this museum only turns over once a year so I don't see myself returning until after the Freer reopens. I hope the flow is better once the whole place is open, as it is very maze-like for now. However, even with these minor downsides, I cannot think of any other museum that features contemporary, eastern, Islamic, Chinese, and Himilayan art.

@eater

391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

Where to Celebrate Diwali Around D.C. | Eater DC

https://dc.eater.com/2022/10/20/23414423/where-to-celebrate-diwali-holiday-india-dc-guides

National Museum of Asian Art

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

The Best Museums in Washington, D.C.

National Museum of Asian Art

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

The Best Museums in Washington, D.C.

Freer Gallery of Art

@eater

391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

What Does Asian Food Mean to America? A National Smithsonian Series Will Talk It Out. | Eater DC

https://dc.eater.com/2021/4/22/22396320/what-does-asian-food-mean-to-america-a-national-smithsonian-series-will-talk-it-out

National Museum of Asian Art

@eater

391,113 Postcards · 10,988 Cities

River Cafe’s Ruth Rogers Will Cook at Zaha Hadid’s Hyde Park Sackler Gallery | Eater London

https://london.eater.com/2018/10/26/18026362/river-cafe-ruth-rogers-zaha-hadid-hyde-park-serpentine-sackler-london-restaurant-news

National Museum of Asian Art

Jasmine

Google

PQ D

Google

A. H.

Google

Meda W.

Google

Aleksei K.

Google

Leah C.

Google

Vincent L.

Google

Andrea U.

Yelp

Terri C.

Yelp

Ailun H.

Yelp

Shannon T.

Yelp

Lurine J.

Yelp

Gilbert G.

Yelp

Sharika M.

Yelp

Alexis B.

Yelp

Margo C.

Yelp

Emily C.

Yelp

Munsa M.

Yelp

Morena G.

Yelp

What a magnificent art museum to visit. It was my first time checking it out and I'm glad I put it on my trip itinerary.

Solongo Nicole E.

Yelp

Pam D.

Yelp

William C.

Yelp

Brian F.

Yelp

David M.

Yelp

Jerry D.

Yelp

It was good seeing some of the different Asian arts, that I have not seen elsewhere. Lots to absorb. Some parts are under construction. But I really enjoyed myself !

Jonathan B.

Yelp

Totally worth checking out! Lots of interesting art to see! Don't miss out on this museum while you're in the area!

Luana C.

Yelp

Annie R.

Yelp

Mark N. T.

Yelp

Heying D.

Yelp

Matthew U.

Yelp

Steve A.

Yelp

Grace H.

Yelp

Sarah K.

Yelp

John B.

Yelp

Sanjay G.

Yelp

Victoria V.

Yelp

Xinting Y.

Yelp

Marissa J.

Yelp

Austin G.

Yelp

Rabia J.

Yelp

Chris L.

Yelp

Kimi S.

Yelp

EunSung K.

Yelp

karen k.

Yelp

Kelly M.

Yelp

Mandy P.

Yelp

Courtney K.

Yelp

Yami D.

Yelp

Sean M.

Yelp

Elizabeth L.

Yelp

Ieshia T.

Yelp

Gorgeous grounds. I didn't get to go in since it was a "teen" event but I enjoyed walking the grounds and taking pictures of the many varieties of plants and flowers

Warfare S.

Yelp

Beautiful event & Museum!! Had the pleasure to attend the reopening this past weekend. It was fantastic night of asian art and demos.

Alan A.

Yelp

Jon L.

Yelp

Went here w/Liat to see the 'Art of Tea' exhibit surrounding the Shugura tea storage jars. Quite educational on the history of tea and it's origin as an art form

Ann P.

Yelp

Amanda J.

Yelp

National Museum of Asian Art

Information

Postcards

Media

Where to Celebrate Diwali Around D.C. | Eater DC

What Does Asian Food Mean to America? A National Smithsonian Series Will Talk It Out. | Eater DC

River Cafe’s Ruth Rogers Will Cook at Zaha Hadid’s Hyde Park Sackler Gallery | Eater London

You might also like

Where to Celebrate Diwali Around D.C. | Eater DC

What Does Asian Food Mean to America? A National Smithsonian Series Will Talk It Out. | Eater DC

River Cafe’s Ruth Rogers Will Cook at Zaha Hadid’s Hyde Park Sackler Gallery | Eater London