Sight guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Visiting National Gallery of Art
The free National Gallery's neoclassical West Building holds Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci, the only painting by Leonardo in the Americas, plus Vermeer, Rembrandt and a superb French Impressionist collection.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
National Gallery of Art is a gallery in National Mall, Washington, D.C.. Allow 2–3 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Gallery
- Area
- National Mall
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art, free, rainy day and architecture
- Best months
- March–May
About National Gallery of Art
The free National Gallery's neoclassical West Building holds Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci, the only painting by Leonardo in the Americas, plus Vermeer, Rembrandt and a superb French Impressionist collection. I. M. Pei's angular East Building, linked by an underground concourse, covers modern and contemporary art, and the Sculpture Garden becomes an ice rink in winter.
Tip: Use the underground concourse with its light-filled cascade wall to move between the two buildings.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: National Mall.
Best time to visit National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- March: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- April: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very busy crowds.
When to visit Washington, D.C. has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
National Gallery of Art is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen National Mall and Lincoln Memorial.
- No. 10 of the 20 sights in our Washington, D.C. things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 4-day plan.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- Day 5 of the 7-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Washington, D.C..
- One of the picks in museums in Washington, D.C..
- One of the picks in washington, D.C. on a rainy day.
Near National Gallery of Art
Also in National Mall, so you can walk between them:
- National Museum of African American History and Culture — 4–5 hours, free
- National Museum of American History — 2–3 hours, free
- National Museum of Natural History — 2–3 hours, free
If you like National Gallery of Art
- United States Capitol — Capitol Hill, 1.5–2 hours
- Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial — West Potomac Park, 1.5–2 hours
- Library of Congress (Jefferson Building) — Capitol Hill, 1–1.5 hours
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center — Chantilly, Virginia, 2–3 hours
Staying near National Gallery of Art
Where to stay in Washington, D.C. compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at National Gallery of Art?
Plan 2–3 hours. With National Museum of African American History and Culture nearby, it fits a half-day in National Mall.
+Is National Gallery of Art free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit National Gallery of Art?
March–May, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Use the underground concourse with its light-filled cascade wall to move between the two buildings.
+Do I need to book National Gallery of Art in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.