Address and Hours
Admission is Always Free
SAAM is located at the heart of a vibrant downtown cultural district and presents American art from the eighteenth century to the present. The museum is open daily except December 25.
Getting Here
Two museums in one historic location. Sharing its space with the National Portrait Gallery, SAAM is a twenty-five minute walk from the Renwick Gallery, which is near the White House. SAAM is a fifteen minute walk from the Smithsonian Castle on 9th Street NW, directly north of the National Mall.
Public Transit
Access ramps are located on both sides of the 8th and G Streets NW entrance. The museum is above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station, which is served by the Green, Yellow, and Red Metro lines.
Parking
There is limited on-street parking at meters; several paid parking garages are available in the neighborhood.
Common FAQs
Frequently asked and answered questions about visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. except December 25 and Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025.
No, tickets are not required to visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum or its Renwick Gallery.
Yes! We have free audio guides for selected artworks on view at SAAM’s main building available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, ASL, and Descriptive Audio. You can start using them by navigating to our Audio Guide page.
SAAM is located at Eighth and G streets NW in the Penn Quarter neighborhood in Washington, DC. The museum is above the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station, which is served by the Green, Yellow, and Red Metro lines
Free, docent-led walk-in tours at SAAM's main building start at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. daily. Tours last approximately one hour. All walk-in tours are subject to volunteer docent availability and last-minute cancellations may occur. Check with the Information Desk when you arrive to see what is offered.
Visitors are required to pass through screening at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the effort to standardize security throughout the Smithsonian Institution. Check the Smithsonian's visitor guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
At SAAM’s main building, visitors are required to walk through a metal detector; those who cannot go through the metal detector will be hand-screened with an electronic wand by security personnel. Help speed your entry by limiting the number and size of personal belongings and bags brought on-site.
Security officers are located throughout the building to protect the Museum, its collections, and most importantly, our visitors. Please feel free to ask them for assistance. A Security Desk is located by the Museum entrance/exit at the G Street and F Street entrances.
At SAAM’s Renwick Gallery, visitors are required to have their bags hand-screened by security personnel.
The Smithsonian American Art museums welcomes all visitors and is committed to making its collections and galleries accessible to everyone. We offer a range of programs for both adults and children with disabilities.
Access ramps are located on both sides of the museum’s 8th and G Streets NW entrance. All visitors may enter SAAM's main building using either the entrance located at 8th and G Streets NW or the entrance located at 8th and F Streets NW. If you are using MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 800 G Street NW as the address for our building. Barrier-free access and restrooms are available. View more information on accessibility at the museums.
Accessible restrooms are located on all floors of SAAM.
Service animals are welcome at Smithsonian museums. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Audio Guides
Experience the Museum Your Way
Smartify's free personalized tours are tailored to your interests and the time you have available. Simply answer a couple of quick questions and we'll hand pick a collection of unmissable objects and captivating stories just for you.
Highlights
The innovative Luce Foundation Center for American Art allows visitors to browse thousands of artworks from SAAM's collection.
The glass-enclosed Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard is one of the most magnificent gathering spaces in Washington, DC.
The Lunder Conservation Center with its floor-to-ceiling glass walls allows visitors to see into the laboratories where conservators preserve artworks.
Current Exhibitions at SAAM
Shopping and Dining
The light-filled Courtyard Café offers a selection of baked goods, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and beverages.
Support SAAM
Ensure that American art is available to all with a gift to fund research, exhibitions, and programs at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery.
Host your next event at one of our two elegant and dazzling museum venues. Let us make your event unforgettable!