National Gallery of Art, Washington DC: a practical guide
Quick answer
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is free and open daily 10am–5pm. It has two buildings linked by an underground concourse: the West Building (Middle Ages to 19th century, with the only Leonardo in the Americas) and the East Building (modern and contemporary art). Two hours covers the highlights.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
More National Gallery of Art guides
- National Gallery in 2 hoursWhat to see at the National Gallery of Art in 2 hours: Leonardo, Vermeer, Rembrandt, the Impressionists and the East Building, with order and timings.
- Hours & admissionNational Gallery of Art hours, free admission, security, entrances, the best time to visit without crowds and visitor services in Washington, DC.
- Must-see worksMust-see works at the National Gallery of Art in DC: Leonardo, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Raphael, Van Gogh, Monet, Rothko and more, with where to find them.
- With kidsVisiting the National Gallery of Art in DC with kids: a 75-minute route, the light tunnel, the Sculpture Garden, looking games and family facilities.
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Why it's worth it
Founded in 1937 with Andrew Mellon's collection, it is one of the world's great painting museums and part of the National Mall landscape. The neoclassical West Building holds European painting from the 13th century: Leonardo, Raphael, Titian, Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Impressionists. I. M. Pei's East Building covers 20th- and 21st-century art, from Matisse and Picasso to Rothko and Pollock.
How to plan your visit
- Enter the West Building from Madison Drive or Constitution Avenue and grab the free map.
- Start on the West Building Main Floor: Leonardo, Vermeer and the Impressionists are all there.
- Cross to the East Building through the underground Concourse, with Leo Villareal's Multiverse light installation.
- Large bags go through security; use the free coat check.
- With the AnyArt camera you can identify any painting and hear its story — handy where there's no audio guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Gallery of Art free?
Yes. Admission to the collection and most exhibitions is free with no reservation.
What are the National Gallery of Art's hours?
It's open daily 10am–5pm. Check the official site for holiday closures.
How long do you need?
About 2 hours for the West Building highlights and a quick look at the East; half a day to see both properly.
Is there a Leonardo da Vinci in Washington?
Yes: Ginevra de' Benci, the only Leonardo painting on permanent view in the Americas, on the West Building Main Floor.
Is it part of the Smithsonian?
No, though it sits on the National Mall beside the Smithsonian museums and is also free.