Back to museums

Smithsonian American Art Museum

ArtHistoryClosed · Opens 11:30amFreeGallery Place–Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green lines) — directly beneath the museum

SAAM holds one of the world's largest and most inclusive collections of art made in the United States — colonial portraits, the biggest New Deal art collection anywhere, folk and self-taught work, and Nam June Paik's neon-wired Electronic Superhighway. It occupies the Old Patent Office Building, begun in 1836 and one of Washington's oldest public buildings, which it shares with the National Portrait Gallery as the Donald W. Reynolds Center. The Luce Foundation Center puts more than 3,000 objects in visible open storage across the third and fourth floors, and the galleries stay open until 7pm every day of the year. Note: the galleries for 18th to early 20th century art are closed for a renovation running until autumn 2026; the rest of the museum is open as normal.

What's On

Now
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004

Nearest station: Gallery Place–Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green lines) — directly beneath the museum, Metro Center (Red, Orange, Blue, Silver lines), Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines)

Show on map

Hours

Mon11:30–19:00
Tue11:30–19:00
Wed11:30–19:00
ThuToday11:30–19:00
Fri11:30–19:00
Sat11:30–19:00
Sun11:30–19:00

Admission

Free

Free admission, no tickets required. Some workshops and special events are ticketed.

Accessibility

Barrier-free access via ramps on both sides of the 8th and G Streets NW entrance. MetroAccess Paratransit should use 800 G Street NW. Free audio guides in English, Spanish, ASL and Descriptive Audio; ASL, verbal-description and dementia-friendly tours are offered.

Nearby

National Portrait Gallery

ArtFree1 min walk

National Building Museum

Architecture5 min walk

National Archives Museum

ArchitectureFree7 min walk

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Design7 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Smithsonian American Art Museum free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Smithsonian American Art Museum is free. Free admission, no tickets required. Some workshops and special events are ticketed.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Smithsonian American Art Museum?
Smithsonian American Art Museum is open Daily 11:30–19:00. Closed 25 December. The galleries for 18th to early 20th century art are closed for renovation until autumn 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Smithsonian American Art Museum?
Smithsonian American Art Museum is located at 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC 20004, in the Penn Quarter area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Gallery Place–Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green lines) — directly beneath the museum, Metro Center (Red, Orange, Blue, Silver lines), Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green, Yellow lines).
What can I see at Smithsonian American Art Museum?
Three centuries of American art inside the Greek Revival landmark where Lincoln held his second inaugural ball. Current highlights include Bisa Butler: Tender Monuments, Experience America, Galleries for Folk and Self-Taught Art.
Do I need to book Smithsonian American Art Museum in advance?
Smithsonian American Art Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free admission, no tickets required. Some workshops and special events are ticketed.. 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 Smithsonian American Art Museum?
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.
Is Smithsonian American Art Museum accessible?
Barrier-free access via ramps on both sides of the 8th and G Streets NW entrance. MetroAccess Paratransit should use 800 G Street NW. Free audio guides in English, Spanish, ASL and Descriptive Audio; ASL, verbal-description and dementia-friendly tours are offered.

Frogvixen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

DirectionsVisit Website