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National Gallery of Art

ArtHistoryClosed · Opens 10amFreeArchives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines)

Created for the nation in 1937 by an act of Congress and endowed by Andrew W. Mellon, the National Gallery of Art spans three connected parts. John Russell Pope's domed neoclassical West Building (1941) carries European and American art from the Middle Ages to the late 19th century, including Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci — the only Leonardo painting in the Americas — alongside Raphael, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Monet and van Gogh. I. M. Pei's sharp-angled East Building (1978) handles modern and contemporary art, with a monumental Calder mobile in its atrium and tower galleries devoted to Calder and Rothko. Across 7th Street, the 6.1-acre Sculpture Garden rings a central fountain with works by Louise Bourgeois, Roy Lichtenstein and others. Admission has been free since the day it opened.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Constitution Avenue NW, between 3rd and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC 20565, United States

Nearest station: Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines), Judiciary Square (Red line), Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, Silver lines)

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Hours

Mon10:00–17:00
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuToday10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

Free

Admission is always free; no timed passes are required for the permanent collection or special exhibitions.

Nearby

National Archives Museum

ArchitectureFree4 min walk

National Air and Space Museum

HistoryFree4 min walk

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

DesignFree5 min walk

National Museum of the American Indian

ArtFree5 min walk

Visitor Information

Is National Gallery of Art free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Gallery of Art is free. Admission is always free; no timed passes are required for the permanent collection or special exhibitions.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of National Gallery of Art?
National Gallery of Art is open Open daily 10:00–17:00. Closed 25 December and 1 January. The Sculpture Garden keeps the same daily hours, but stays open until 20:00 Wednesday–Saturday during the summer season (roughly early June to early September), when Jazz in the Garden runs on Fridays.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Gallery of Art?
National Gallery of Art is located at Constitution Avenue NW, between 3rd and 9th Streets NW, Washington, DC 20565, United States, in the National Mall area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines), Judiciary Square (Red line), Smithsonian (Blue, Orange, Silver lines).
What can I see at National Gallery of Art?
Two landmark buildings and a sculpture garden on the National Mall, holding America's only Leonardo — and always free. Current highlights include West Building Sculpture Galleries, Dear America: Artists Explore the American Experience, Back and Forth.
Do I need to book National Gallery of Art in advance?
National Gallery of Art is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is always free; no timed passes are required for the permanent collection or special exhibitions.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit National Gallery of Art?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

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