Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Review

Love this place. The courtyard/atrium is great place to read a book, draw, enjoy a cup of coffee. They have a coffee shop with decent pastries. Check out if they have events. Those could be fun, but crowded and noisy. Mr. Obama portrait is on your right on the second floor (F street entrance). Ms Obama is on your right on the third floor.

This place is HUGE. It cannot be fully explored in a day unless you run around. So much different types of art and approximately a third takes up actual portraits. The president's portraits are nice and landscape paintings are also beautiful. The center court is also worth a visit even if you cant see the galleries.

This is a beautifully spacious gallery that is free to the public. The paintings and installments are wonderful, quite the variety of artists all arranged into themes. Highly recommend a visit, even if just for a quick pop in. The covered courtyard is a great space for little kids to run around, too.

Favorite of all of the D.C. museums. Best kept secret of the bunch. Not just a gallery of stuffy old politician portraits. This is actually two museums in one place. National Portrait Gallery AND The American Museum. Great approachable art from a variety of American Artist and a huge variety of types of art from artist of all races. A nice change from the Euro centric art of the other National Galleries. Lots of women artist, African American, Asian artist represented here too. Photo portraits of civil war generals. Especially like the on of Gen. Ambrose who led or misled the disastrous Battle of the Crater in Petersberg, Va. (Read about this it is fascinating) The building was a patent office, I think, then a civil war hospital and now a museum. You can see graffiti left from the civil war soldiers if you know where to look. Also modern art and labs for conservation of art where you can see artwork repaired. And right at the Gallery Place Metro stop. Come and discover a new favorite artist.

Great place. If you love art or history this is the place to tour.

The gallery is very big. Inside there are many different exhibits to explore. All of them were very interesting and had a lot to look at. It wasn t hard to navigate but some exhibits led straight into another without a sign. A big variety of things to see. My favorite was the president portrait exhibit.

Beautiful bldg. Wheelchair available at main entry, but will need to do several steps with a railing or a long ramp to get to entry. Check out the portraits of Barak & Michelle Obama!

I have visited DC many times, but this was my first visit to the National Portrait Gallery. Wonderful time...my only problem was that 2 hours was not enough...Will be going back

We went more than once because there is so much to see. Don't miss the presidential gallery.

If you are Washington and the paintings it is a must to visit. in addition to being free to a large collection with several European frameworks that deserve to be seen

I like the portrait gallery for the single focused thematic element of thre art- all portraits! The catalog of president portraits is expansive filled with portraits and information on this country's political history.

They also have visiting exhibits - a small tribute to Kobe Bryant and a world portrait from Denmark - maybe my only surprise was that the special exhibits were only one painting each.

Interesting collection and a lovely indoor courtyard to see the sky during the winter months :)

It is now more than a portrait gallery, it includes a large collection of American art.

I didnt have much time to discover this museum but it was very interesting and They have very nice outdoor like garden inside where they have some performance. Will visit again next time

We went specifically to see the Obama portraits. It didn't disappoint!

Wonderful afternoon spent looking at a lot of great art!

Too much to see in just a few hrs, great treasure for culture

It is awesome! There are hidden 3rd floor. Go there and you'll find treasures...

Go by yourself so you don't have to feel compelled to make comments, just look and try to take it in by spending as much time or as little with each piece. If there are two of you split up and meet back up later. It's just too good to share your first time there.

You should plan your visit for 4 or 5 hours. It has a lot interesting stuff

Great diversity of art beyond portraits. Many are presented with great historical context. The architecture of the upper floor is quite remarkable in its own right.

Possibly an underrated member of the Smithsonian museums, this massive collection of paintings includes not only portraits of every president and other important figures in American history but also landscapes and other significant works of American art. You could spend more than an entire day here appreciating the extensive exhibits including many massive landscape paintings between 10-20 feet wide.

It was my first time visiting the Gallery. I was mesmerized by the all beautiful artwork. Worth a second trip.

The gallery is a wonderful experience that touches and stimulates one's entire existence. Had a great rainy day visit except someone stole our two big logoed umbrellas," Free advertising". Watch the gallery entrance flooring and steps on rainy days as you will slip and slide. With the popular and much sought out presentations (Obamas) there needs to be elevated displays in order to view the exhibit or place a time movement clock to avoid the crowds seeking to to take "selfies" and shoving family albums without regard for other patrons. Worth the time spent and the price is right (Free). Stays open late...

Wonderful art and they have performances in the courtyard.

One of Top Art Galleries in the World - Always Surprises Me!

A favorite DC museum. Great collection ranging from official presidential portraits to miniatures.

I recommend for a first date after happy hour. Very vividly beautiful art.

Come to Washington if you are here. There is also work by Paik. It takes a little while to see the whole picture but it is not bad if you like painting. I am impressed that there are pictures of past presidents. We should have something like this ...

Loved it!!!! Spectacular museum. Tons of information to soak in. You'll need as much time as you can give it.

So much to see! Great gallery and the courtyard is perfect enjoying a nice cup of coffee.

Beautiful galleries and the architecture alone is worth visiting.

When you re visiting DC, be sure to stop by the National Portrait Gallery! The lines have died down to see the Obama portraits, so if you haven t seen them yet, you re in luck!

Our family spent all day at the Gallery, it's amazing. The people who work there are so helpful. It's very clean and beautiful .

Great atmosphere and helpful staff, most of the portraits are not to my liking, but there are a few excellent exhibition, including the Frank Underwood portrait.

Very impressive place. The magnitude is awesome. No matter who you are, you will not be disappointed with touring this place.

Phenomenal collection, I could spend a week in here!

A wide variety of art work and give short bios on who the artist is or the subject of artwork

Great place to relax and spend some time here looking at some wonderful art

Away from National mall but you should not miss this museum. There is much more than portraits here.

It is an exciting museum, with many works to discover. Everything is very well explained so you can learn about new artists. The patio is very cozy to study, read or just have a coffee. I recommend it as a must see in DC!

Portrait of presidents, people of history and more. The Obama portrait is also available. Downtown DC

Currently hosting several very good exhibits that are worth taking the time to see it.

Always worth a visit. I particularly enjoy the gallery of portraits of presidents of the United States. The oldest are the most interesting, especially Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson and others. Interesting portrait of Abraham Lincoln painted years after his death and several life masks of his face.

It's huge so give yourself some time but the art and pictures are beautiful!

Such amazing art. The highlight was the portrait of Obama. So worth the trip.

Very nice exhibits, especially the Sylvia Plath exhibit. Food court was plain and over-priced, which I guess is on par for museums (not sure why)

Wonderful selection of art in a gorgeous building. Most info blurbs are also in Spanish, which was refreshing

Very beautiful museum. Spend whole day to see all of the arts.

The items on display did not particularly interest me but this is not my field of expertise so I kept that out of my rating, what made this place a 4 star is the generally friendly and helpful staff yes... but go into the middle of the building and see the atrium style courtyard and you'll know how it got 4 stars. P.S. Skip the coffee from their coffee shop - it is not very good, its barely sufficient even if you need a caffeine fix.

Interesting excerpts about each president as well as to see what they looked like.

I have come here with lunch and eat in the atrium. Then walk around and check out the portraits. What a fantastic way to spend your lunch time.

So much to see and read about. It was incredible. We loved our time here!

The art is great. Mostly for the story behind those depicted. A large number of Hudson River School painters and the largest collection of prephotograph Native American portraiture on the surface of the earth.

Amazing museum, with art from several different eras and movements. Head to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the same building and it branches out to art beyond portraits. Especially good collection of contemporary art on the top floor.

Slightly confusing layout but nonetheless an amazing museum with great artwork

Amazing gallery space with innovative and fresh exhibitions.