Sightseeing
IconicThe White House
FreeTour the State Floor rooms of the president's home, including the Blue, Red and Green Rooms, on a free tour requested ahead of time.
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
MuseumsRainy-Day PickHistory BuffFree
Renwick Gallery
1661 Pennsylvania Ave NW · Washington, DC
Why you should go…
The Renwick Gallery is the Smithsonian American Art Museum's branch for American craft and decorative art, at Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street, steps from the White House. The building, a National Historic Landmark designed by James Renwick Jr., was built as Washington's first art museum to hold William Wilson Corcoran's collection. Inside you walk through craft galleries and the Grand Salon, renamed for donor David Rubenstein.
- #art museum
- #american craft
- #smithsonian
- #decorative arts
- #historic building
Good to know
General museums guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
Check the special exhibition separately
Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.
Look for the free window
Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.
Travel light through the door
Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.
Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons
School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Renwick Gallery, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.
Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
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National Cherry Blossom Festival
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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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World War II Memorial
FreeCircle a fountain plaza ringed by 56 granite pillars and two arches honoring Americans who served in World War II.
0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
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Smithsonian National Museum of American History
FreeDorothy's ruby slippers, the actual Star-Spangled Banner, and Julia Child's kitchen, America's attic, free on the National Mall.
0.7 mi awayMore like this
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Smithsonian American Art Museum
FreeBrowse American art from the colonial era to today, watch conservators at work, and wander thousands of objects in open storage.
0.9 mi awayMore like this
