About

The nation’s first collection of American art offers an unparalleled record of the American experience, capturing the aspirations, character and imagination of the American people throughout three centuries. The museum is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world, including works by such stylistically diverse luminaries as John Singleton Copley, Winslow Homer, and Georgia O’Keeffe, housed in one of the oldest public buildings constructed in early Washington.

Highlights

Early American Art, 19th and 20th–Century Art; Contemporary Art; Photography; Modern Folk and Self-Taught Art; African American Art; Latino Art; New Deal Art; and the Luce Foundation Center for American Art, an interactive public study center.

Dining

Temporarily closed.

Courtyard Café
The Café offers a fresh and seasonal menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Using primarily local, organic, and sustainable ingredients, the lunch menu includes salads, soups, quiche, sandwiches, and a selection of cheeses. The Café also offers desserts, such as cheesecake, bread pudding, and kid-friendly cookies and cupcakes.
11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.* daily (Lunch menu served until 3 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. weekends)

Free visitor Wi-Fi
Discounts are available for Smithsonian Members with a valid membership card.
*Subject to early closure for non-public museum events.

Group dining packages »

Getting Here

Metro station: Gallery Place/Chinatown (9th Street exit); Red, Green, or Yellow line

There is no public parking facility for the museum. Limited metered parking and commercial lots are available—see parking map. Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.

Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).