Part of the Smithsonian Institution, National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of famous Americans. The gallery began with Charles Willson Peale's private collection of portraits, formerly called American Pantheon or Peale's Collection of Portraits of American Patriots. Since the gallery's inception in the 1960s, the collection has grown exponentially with acquisitions from around the world and a triennial portrait competition. Be sure to visit the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, an architectural marvel with a glass roof. Make National Portrait Gallery a part of your Washington DC vacation plans using our Washington DC trip itinerary planner.
Create an itinerary including National Portrait Gallery
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
National Portrait Gallery reviews
-
My favourite museum among all the Smithsonian Museums. You will find amazing artworks and portraits of influential figures. Definitely worth the visit! more »
-
Note that this is not on the Washington Mall - but happily, adjacent to a metro stop! There is so much to see here you could easily spend two days. A great collection of contemporary and historic... more »
-
Obviously you cannot rate this place anything less than a full 5 stars. It's a beautiful, welcoming, and inspiring museum. The portrait gallery section was awesome and the suffragette display they had open is great to inspire students and women all around the country to fight for equal rights. Of course, the presidential portrait are the best. President Obama, Clinton and Kennedy's are the best. 10/10 would go again.
-
Beautiful building and loved the exhibit of the presidential portraits. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Free admission and beautiful art. Located near Capital One arena in Chinatown. Plenty of restaurants and other attractions to pair with a visit. Probably my third favorite museum in DC (Natural History and Spy Museum).
Plan your trip to Washington DC
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Washington DC
Museums in Washington DC
Hidden gems in Washington DC
Side trips from Washington DC
Historic Sites in Washington DC
Trips to National Portrait Gallery by other users
12 days in New York City, Washington DC & Miami
BY A USER FROM GEORGIA
New York City
Washington DC
Miami
11 days in New York City & Washington DC
BY A USER FROM GEORGIA
New York City
Washington DC
12 days in Continental USA
BY A USER FROM BELARUS
New York City
Washington DC
Las Vegas
30 days in United States
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Eastham
New York City
Washington DC
60 days in United States
BY A USER FROM AUSTRIA
New York City
Washington DC
Orlando
21 days in Mid Atlantic
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Washington DC
Gettysburg
Philadelphia