Two-Day Itinerary: 8 Must-See Museums in Washington, DC, Washington D.C., USA

With world-class collections spanning Asian treasures, Renaissance masterpieces, modern installations, and presidential portraits, Washington, DC offers one of the finest concentrations of art museums in the United States. This self-guided two-day itinerary takes you through eight outstanding museums on and near the National Mall, including four Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art.”

I’ve designed my self-guided 2-Day National Mall Art Museum Itinerary around four museums each day. I include the walking distance between art museums. Also you definitely will want to take breaks between the art museums so you don’t burn out. I suggest stopping at the cafes in the art museums to ponder what you see. Or take a moment to just sit and stare in the garden rooms or courtyards.

Before diving into the art museums, start with my complete Two-Day Smithsonian Itinerary for an overview of the National Mall. If you’re planning a longer stay in Washington, DC, be sure to explore my guide to DC Neighborhoods and Hidden Gems Near the Smithsonian to discover historic districts, gardens, public art, and lesser-known attractions beyond the museum walls.

Opened in 1923, the National Museum of Asian Art consists of the historic Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, which opened in 1987. The Freer is an elegant Italian Renaissance-inspired building clad in Stony Creek granite. Most of the Sackler Gallery is hidden underground beneath the Enid A. Haupt Garden. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).