Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Review

If you are looking for a really good place to check out in the D.C. area after 5 pm (closing time of other popular attractions like the Air & Space museum, Museum of Natural History, and so on), the portrait gallery is a great option.

The painting are pretty good! In addition to appreciating art, going through different sections of the galley will provide a nice overview of American History - early settlers, Presidents, etc.

There is two museums in one, and it s beautiful. Definitely will need some time to go thorough all of it because there is couple floors.

I love the Atrium that has a foundation in the floor and they exhibits are great.

Unfamiliar portraits of familiar people. Very well done.

Beautiful, Spacious, one of the best courtyards in the region always the fastest and best exhibits.

An amazing place! All types of art are on display. Portraits, sculptures and modern artwork. The presidents portrait section is a great walk through history. Be ready to spend some time here if you want to see it all. This Smithsonian museum is not on the National Mall, so plan your transportation or be ready to walk through the city to get there. Also check the hours of operation, some of the museums open at different times.

Loved seeing all the portraiture of American presidents and others. Historic artwork on display.

Best museum in town to stop in for a few minutes or spend a few hours

Moved up my list of must do stops for a week long tour of DC. Spend time reading about and viewing each President looking his best. Interesting works from all areas of our National presence. Scene's and works from many of our countries finest artists.

Unbelievably beautiful. The art in this gallery is so nourishing to the soul and meets the need for the aesthetic that makes for good living.

Extensive collection of art and beautiful architecture

Been to the Museums in Dc many times but never this one. Nice place and the atrium is nice.

My daughter and I truly enjoyed visiting the gallery. We especially liked the portrait of President Obama. We feel that it was an accurate depiction of this great man and that his character and integrity were quite evident. The only "constructive criticism" I have to make is that we found it a bit confusing to navigate our way through the gallery.

Very good museum with a lot of significant portraits

A more pop-culture, social view of history. Seek out your favorite celebrities and influential figures to learn not just their biographical staples, but how each felt at the moment of his or her portrait sitting. This Smithsonian also has the best items in the gift shop.

Love the Natl Portrait Gallery but took docent-led tour today and found it too political for my taste...talk of #MeToo and how there are people represented who might not be as well respected as when their portraits were first added. Really?

This place is beautiful. There is an atrium where you can bring your own food and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. It was busy when I went, everyone seemed to be visiting the Obama portraits, which are on differente floors.All in all, a fantastic experience!

Fabulous works, pretty unreal. Worth the whole afternoon if not more. The sculpture garden also hosts Jazz in the Garden. Perfect for any summer evening (don't forget the sangria cash!)

One of the best museums in Washington. Open late, not too busy awesome atrium. Great place to visit that shouldn t be missed.

It's a great free place to explore. Make sure you go in all the little side rooms. There are some amazing pieces hidden throughout. Don't forget to focus on the areas that interest you. There's too much to give it all the time it deserves.

Wow Great Exibits and plethora of HISTORICAL figures.

Not much of an art critique, but it was interesting

Nice venue. We went there for a concert. Lots of place around to eat.

One of the best free museums in DC or should I say the country. A must see on any visit to the Capital.

An interesting and educational place to visit with a nice center court yard where you can relax and enjoy a snack and drink.

Great court yard and snack bar. Great collection and new exhibitions. Nice location.

Great collection in a beautiful building in a lively part of DC. One of my favorite museums in the city. A must visit!!!

Great spaces from the atrium for lunch, the top floor library stacks, and exhibit space curated with impactful American art and portraiture works

Portraits, yes. But in addition this museum offers American Art and many wonderful special exhibits.

This was my favorite of all the art museums in the DC area. The section featuring all of the presidents is a definite highlight. The gift shop is a bit overpriced, even by DC museum standards (40 bucks for a t-shirt featuring the Obama portrait was a bit much). Regardless, it's a good place to spend several hours looking at interesting art exhibits.

The courtyard is a perfect space to relax and escape the rain. The light on a grey day is lovely.

The Portrait Gallery has a surprisingly good modern collection upstairs! If they'd bring back their outdoor wine bar (overlooking the Spy Museum), it would be wonderful.

Treasured and unexpected visages from all eras of American history. Social movements, politics, war, sports, music, and all parts of our culture are represented in the form of portraiture and art. A window into the soul of America --the good, bad, and ugly-- through art. Not to mention having one of DC's best interior spaces.

A great place. Loved the paintings and sculptures. You should check it out

Everybody really liked all the portraits. You could spend a long time.

Womens exhibit and Mid sentence exhibits were excellent The huge map of the USA just before the 20th century was amazing
Recommended

It's a free Smithsonian museum, so already it's going to be good. This one starts off like a standard art museum, but then continues and continues, with many classic works from my high school history books, a huge library of busts and portraits, a giant modern art area, some great pieces and many interesting stories. The courtyard in the middle of this building may just be my new favorite place to go in all of DC to get out of the weather and relax. Overall, the National Portrait Gallery proved to be one of the best experiences I've had in DC.

We had a marvelous tour of highlights of the collection. I have a new appreciation of portraits as humanizing forms.

I could have spent a week in this gallery. A wonderful walk through history!

Premier museum and well worth a visit, for visitors and city dwellers alike.

The greatest artists in America painting the greatest Americans.

American history, its land and people through the eyes of artists spanning 3 centuries!
The presidential portraits will give you a thrill.
Tap into your patriotism, and immerse yourself in the American experience.

My fav Smithsonian museum building consisting of two musuems NPG and SAAM. Both have beautiful art pieces. I have been there countless times. Less crowd compared to other musuems. Don't forget to relax and soak at the best courtyard of the town.

Awesome, so cool to put faces to so many of the names I've heard about my whole life.

Good art combines with interesting history. Comfortable chairs when resting is called for.

Amazing place, all the president's portraits are in this gallery.

Im not a art guy at all. But its nice that this museum is free. There were a few things that were interesting spent about a 1.5 hours there.

Amazing. Even my 9 year-old niece said it was her favorite destination in DC.

A crazy mix of old, new, historical, contemporary works of art. Definitely worth visiting on your trip to DC.

I've been here several times- but only for catering work purposes. Think it's a bit ridic, that they have a woman's rest room with only 3 stalls! I know there are other rest rooms, but regardless, this place is too HUGE to have any one ladies room with 3 stalls!!

Absolutely worth to visit. Check out the Childrens zone for activities!

Fantastic, way more interesting than I thought it would be and I wish I had more time to explore. I'll be back.

It is very interesting!
Obama's portrait is great, I love it very original and different !!
The best of the gallery that has a more extensive schedule than other museums and you can go with children x the afternoon after school

If ur looking for a great place to clear ur head, this is it.

For someone who doesn't like art, such as myself, i must say, this is one of my favorite museums in DC. It actually got me interested in seeing and learning more about art and it's history. Highly recommended, even with little kids. And make sure to have a drink or meal in the center courtyard. Absolutely beautiful building.

You can get lost here for hours if you are an art fanatic. Also TURIST friendly and FREE

God, I love this place. There are so many different things to see and do here. My favorite spots are the huge, sunlight courtyard with so many places to sit, the conservation center, and the giant, neon outline of the United States. A great place to take pictures and enjoy with anyone.

Saw portraits of all the presidents but main reason I went was to see the new one of President Barack Obama. It did not disappoint. Easy to view but have to stand in line if you want a photo with you in it.

Hard to describe the serenity and solitude you feel when here, even when there are crowds. I spent just an hour or so here which could have easily been a full day. There were a couple gallery halls where I had to pull myself away from due to how captivating the art is. This is one of those places that will force you to appreciate the value of art and how it can convey emotion. I'm not really that into fine art but this place had such an array of historical and pristine art that I found myself on a journey through the halls and it became an experience. I know it sounds weird but just give it a chance, man. Good spot for a date in my humble opinion.

The 1968 Civil Rights exhibit was powerful. It will draw an emotional response from anyone who can identify with the ongoing fight for equality and depicts both heroes and unsung contributors to the cause.

An interesting collection of art that works it's way through American history. Allow several visits to do everything!

Always great. I wish the security folks had more information but they were good about directing us to someone that could answer some questions we had.