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The West Building of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

No. 18 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 2,847,587 visitors in 2025

National Gallery of Art

Washington, D.C., United States · City guide: Washington, D.C.

America's national art museum on the Mall: Old Masters, Impressionists and modern art, all free.

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Photo: AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The National Gallery of Art is No. 18 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 2,847,587 visitors in 2025, down 28% on 2024. It was founded in 1937 with the collection of the financier Andrew Mellon, and its West Building, designed by John Russell Pope, opened in 1941.

The East Building, designed by I. M. Pei and opened in 1978, shows modern and contemporary art. Entry is free.

The East Building of the National Gallery of Art, designed by I. M. Pei
The East Building of the National Gallery of Art, designed by I. M. Pei. Photo: AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings are the quietest. Check the official website for hours.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    Ginevra de' Benci

    The only painting by Leonardo da Vinci on public view in the Americas.

  • 2

    Vermeer and the Dutch masters

    Works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and their contemporaries.

  • 3

    French Impressionists

    A rich collection of Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne and Van Gogh.

  • 4

    East Building

    Pei's angular building with modern art, including works by Mark Rothko and a roof terrace.

  • 5

    Sculpture Garden

    Modern sculpture around a fountain that becomes an ice rink in winter.

Getting there

The museum is on the National Mall at Constitution Avenue. The nearest Metro stations are Archives–Navy Memorial–Penn Quarter (Green and Yellow lines), Judiciary Square (Red line) and Smithsonian (Blue, Orange and Silver lines).

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
Entry is free; no tickets are needed for the collection. Check the official website for hours.
Time needed
Two to four hours for the highlights of both buildings.
Currency
US dollar (USD). Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere. Tipping is customary: around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants and a dollar or two per drink in bars.
Visa & entry
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most EU countries, Australia and Japan) need an approved ESTA before they travel; most other visitors need a visa. Canadian citizens generally need neither for a short visit. Apply only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check travel.state.gov for the current rules.

Official information: National Gallery of Art (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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