Sightseeing

National Portrait Gallery

📍 Washington · USA

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3.4/ 5.0

★★★☆☆

Quick Facts

Location: USA, Washington
Category: Sightseeing
Opening Hours: Daily 11:30-19:00; closed December 25
Ticket Price: Free; no reservation required
Coordinates: 38.8890, -77.0300

Introduction

The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery shares the historic Old Patent Office Building with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and houses more than twenty thousand portraits of Americans from colonial times to the present. Its permanent America's Presidents gallery is the only place where visitors can view a complete collection of official presidential portraits from Washington to the current officeholder, alongside likenesses of artists, scientists, civil rights leaders and pop icons. The building itself, designed by Robert Mills in Greek Revival style, is one of Washington's finest, and the glass-canopied Kogod Courtyard on the third floor offers a luminous space to rest and photograph.

✨ Highlights

America's Presidents

The only complete collection of official presidential portraits from Washington onward, including the famous Obama portrait.

Shared with SAAM

Two national museums under one roof satisfy both art and history interests in a single visit.

Old Patent Office Building

Robert Mills' Greek Revival masterpiece is one of Washington's finest 19th-century public buildings.

Kogod Courtyard

A soaring glass-canopied courtyard on the third floor is perfect for resting, dining and photos.

American Portraiture

From Pocahontas to Lady Gaga, four centuries of notable Americans offer a unique cultural lens.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Time：Weekday mornings for quieter galleries

→Getting Here：Metro Red/Yellow/Green Line to Gallery Place-Chinatown

→Tours：Free English-language docent tours and multimedia guides available

→Opening Hours：Daily 11:30-19:00; closed December 25

→Ticket Information：Free; no reservation required

💡 Tips

• The second-floor Presidents gallery is the highlight; visit it first while energy is high.

• Plan three to four hours for both museums and note which collection each work belongs to.

• The courtyard cafe is a great place to recharge under the luminous glass canopy.

• Major portrait shows rotate often; check the website before visiting.

• Photography is allowed without flash or selfie sticks; some special shows forbid photos.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of National Portrait Gallery?

Daily 11:30-19:00; closed December 25

How much is the admission for National Portrait Gallery?

Free; no reservation required

Any practical tips for visiting National Portrait Gallery?

The second-floor Presidents gallery is the highlight; visit it first while energy is high. Plan three to four hours for both museums and note which collection each work belongs to.