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Smithsonian American Art Museum

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC: Hours, Address, Smithsonian American Art Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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Smithsonian American Art Museum

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Smithsonian American Art Museum
4.5
1,558
#23 of 504 things to do in Washington DC
Art Museums • History Museums
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11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
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About
The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares its collections, programs, and exhibitions in two locations in Washington, DC. SAAM’s main building is located at the heart of a vibrant downtown cultural district.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown / Chinatown
How to get there
  • Gallery Place • 2 min walk
  • Metro Center • 6 min walk
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584 within 10 kms
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42 mArt Galleries • Speciality Museums
National Portrait Gallery
3,528
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0.2 kmArenas & Stadiums
Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture
35
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9
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74 mFarmers Markets
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Popular mentions
4.5
1,558 reviews
Excellent
1,093
Very good
366
Average
81
Poor
13
Terrible
5
Sherri M
Plainville, MA152 contributions
Most of the SAAM is currently closed for renovation - very disappointing
Jun 2022
Thoroughly disappointed. Had been thoroughly looking forward to going back to the SAAM; built a day of our trip around that with great expectation. Showed up and found that virtually all of the SAAM is closed. The Portrait part of the museum is open, but almost all of the SAAM art work in not accessible. I just double checked the SAAM website, and there is NO indication of the extent of the closure. And I had actually sent an email to the museum (they don't take phone calls) asking about the works I wanted to see, and I never got anything except an automated response. The employee we talked to indicated it was for renovation, and that none of the art work had even been moved anywhere so it could be on display. At least the National Gallery of Art is exceedingly clear about what is closed, and has relocated some of it's most popular pieces from the affected areas to another part of the museum. Really big bummer.
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Emily M
United States1,024 contributions
Nice art museum
Mar 2022
Co-located with the National Portrait Gallery and has a beautiful atrium in the center (especially nice on a cold or rainy day). Lots to see, check what special exhibits are there as well. Good for art, special exhibits, and learning about history through art.
Written 30 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI535 contributions
Nice collection of aweseme art but some challenges in seeing it all!
May 2022
Despite many visits to our nation's capital, this was our first time visiting this Smithsonian Museum, given that it is several blocks off the National Mall. Both the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery are housed here. Having a limited amount of time here, about 90 minutes, I had checked the SAAM website to ascertain whether works by favorite artists are held by SAAM and in what galleries they are hung so, with list in hand, we headed to see the Gilded Age and Impressionism galleries designed to bring out the best of some awesome works of art!! Beyond that, we found it difficult to get around, with some galleries closed and the courtyard and mezzanine being prepared for post-closing events whose guests were already wandering about the museum. The map we picked up at the front desk was less than helpful in locating several smaller galleries on the upper floors. The security guards tried to assist us, and while we saw some terrific galleries and works along the way, there were still things we could not locate.
Written 26 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Eriko
Santa Monica, CA151 contributions
short or long tour
Apr 2022
Depending on your interests, you can stay as long as you want, and breeze through the galleries you are not interested in. Our feet were tired from all the walking, but we really wanted to see the Art Museum, so we breezed through the areas we didn't have the energy for and paused and absorbed through the galleries wer liked! There is something for everyone. There are benches to sit on to rest in most galleries too.
Written 5 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
David821966
East Northport, NY31 contributions
Best Court Yard anywhere!!
Feb 2022
Nothing can fulling describe the S. Art Museum. We spend a lot of time in the court yard area gazing and the wonderful orchids and other plants. Loved this attraction.
Written 24 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dean_Amy-2004
Gettysburg, PA5,570 contributions
Venetian Glass Exhibit
Feb 2022 • Family
We went to see the Venetian glass exhibit on the first floor of the museum. Beautiful pieces to view and learn about. Be sure to check out the portrait gallery on the other side of the building.
Written 19 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Chris B
Conroe, TX207 contributions
Great stop, very large museum to visit
Jan 2022 • Solo
Stopped by here as it was free and near another museum I viewed. Whil it was a few blocks off the national mall and it was very crowded for a Saturday afternoon. Overall a good stop that can take hours to go through. I would suggest starting at the top where there are less people and working your way down.
Written 23 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lalocadr19
Hollywood, Florida6,544 contributions
good to see!
Nov 2021
Good to see, my favorite part of the museum is the military history. The museum has plenty of memobilia for you to see, from Dorothy red shoes from the Wizard of Oz, electronic history and entertainment actors, and actress area.
Written 5 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
margatemensch2016
Coconut Creek, FL736 contributions
An Impressive Collection of Quality American Art
Dec 2021
In early December,I was fortunate enough to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum located close to the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station.I appreciated its very comprehensive coilection of American Paintings and Sculpture. This review concentrates on its excellent collection of American Paintings from the 19th and Early 20th Century in their permanent collection.
Personal 19th and Early 20th Century favorites were;Henry Durrie's"Winter Scene in New Haven",William Haseltine's"Lago Maggiore",Frederic Church's"Cotopaxi",Albert Bierstadt's"Gates of Yosemite",Edwin Weeks'"Hindu Merchants"(the paradigm of fine Orientalism),George Inness'"Niagara",Henry Ossawa Tanner's "Head of Jew,Palestine",Childe Hassam's"South ledges,Appledore",Albert Thayer's"Cornish Headlands",and Rockwell Kent's"Winter in the Berkshires"
I also liked the temporary exhibit,relating to "Venice,John Singer Sargent,And Murano".I saw wonderful glass creations produced by Murano Craftsmen. Murano is an island very close to Venice.I also saw noteworthy paintings at this exhibit by John Singer Sargent("Venetian Woman"),Frank Duveneck("Water Carriers")Maxfield Parrish("Venetian Lamplights"),and Luigi Taddei("Saint Mark's Body Venerated by Doge"),and James McNeil Whistler.
I highly recommend this free art museum.I spent a day and a half studying its impressive art collection.
Written 8 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kinda Invisible
Greater Seattle Area280 contributions
Timeless
Sep 2021
Oh, I loved this place! Take your time, let your mind wander, and enjoy whatever is in front of you. Not all of the exhibits or halls are open but it was well worth our time.
Written 21 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Smithsonian American Art Museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Smithsonian American Art Museum tours on Tripadvisor