Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Gaithersburg

"The National Gallery of Art is a large campus with two buildings and the 6-acre Sculpture Garden. The museum’s West Building is easily recognizable thanks to its Roman-style architecture, while the East Building is more modern in appearance. You’ll find thousands of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and prints inside the museum, including the only original painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Western Hemisphere."

"National Gallery of Art | The permanent collection compromises of pieces from the Middle Ages to the present day. Highlights include: Rogier van der Weyden, Portrait of a Lady, Leonardo da Vinci, Ginevra de’ Benci, Rembrandt van Rijn, Self-Portrait and Vincent van Gogh, Self-portrait."

"It's easy to spend a full day at the National Gallery of Art, which showcases a whole range of artworks and masterpieces from the 11th century to the... Top ChoiceMonument in National Mall"

"The Smithsonian American Art Museum shares space with the National Portrait Gallery in a historic Greek Revival building that is one of the oldest public buildings in Washington, D.C. The American Art Museum is home to one of the largest and most inclusive collections of American art in the world. More than 7,000 artists are represented in the collection, including major masters such as John Singleton Copley, Gilbert Stuart, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Joseph Cornell, Jacob Lawrence, Helen Frankenthaler, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Lee Friedlander, Roy Lichtenstein, Nam June Paik, Irving Penn, Martin Puryear, Robert Rauschenberg and Bill Viola. Be sure to visit the National Portrait Gallery and see the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House."

"National Mall Open Wednesday-Sunday, 11:30am-7pm Permanent exhibits at the NPG include America's Presidents, the nation's only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House. You can also check out portraits of creative geniuses, from P.T. Barnum to Elvis; and Champions, a mix of legendary figures from the world of sports."

"It houses tens of thousands of pieces, seen by over 2 million visitors a year, within a Greek Revival frame. The gallery’s indoor courtyard is also one of D.C.’s most beautiful interiors."

"DC's best mecca of modern art The Hirshhorn is a favorite for fans of modern art and sculpture. Guests can view an exhibition "Art and Commodity in the 1980s," and the mind-bending art of "What Absence is Made Of." Past showcases gave a platform for Ai Weiwei, Yoko Ono, and the insanely popular Infinity Mirrors display. An exhibit on Baselitz will open in June and run through September 2018."

"The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum dedicated to contemporary culture and art. Located near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum offers tours, a cafe, exhibits, monthly events, and a museum shop for people of all ages and all interests. They also have a storytime event for children (ages 6 and younger) that features book readings, arts, and crafts."

"A cylinder with a hollowed out middle, the Hirshhorn Museum is a visually stunning building from the outside as well as the inside. Its location set amidst a number of more traditional buildings makes it stand out even more. The structure, housing an incredible modern art collection, should be on your list of places to see."

"With an astounding collection of over 3,000 artworks, The Phillips Collection was the first museum of modern art to open in the United States. This impressive space is home to works by classic masters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, alongside Modern marvels Paul Klee, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz, and Ellsworth Kelly. One of the space’s most renowned features is the ‘Rothko Room’ – a separate space designed in collaboration with the artist himself in which visitors may observe four of Rothko’s hypnotic paintings."

"The first Thursday of the month, the country’s earliest museum of modern art hosts a cocktail party with food and live music. The stunning collection of Impressionist and modern artists features works by Cezanne, Matisse and El Greco as well as Picasso and O’Keefe. Couples have been known to pop the question while viewing the collection’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Renoir."

"The Phillips Collectionis all about contemporary organic furnishings. Not a single tree is cut while preparing the items from their Origins Collection. The pieces are designed by artists and prepared by artisans from all over the word."

"American University Museum (AU) is located on American University’s main campus at the Katzen Arts Center. It consists of a three-story, 30,000 square-foot museum and sculpture garden. It hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary art from around the globe."

"Duration: 2 to 4 hou. Hillwood was the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, a pioneering businesswoman, engaged citizen, generous philanthropist, and distinguished collector. As the heir to the Postum Cereal Company, later General Foods, Marjorie (1887-1973) was among the wealthiest women of her time."

"This beautiful museum and estate offers a collection of 18th and 19th century French art and art treasures from Imperial Russia. There are also lovely gardens that should offer a scenic area for kissing. Don't pick the flowers, though!"

"Hillwood Estate is a heritage and decorative arts museum which opened in 1973. It was the former residence of Marjorie Merriweather Post."

"The Washington Post called the National Museum of African Art the most “important research facility for African art in America.” The museum, which will reopen on July 16, boasts a broad collection of 9,000 pieces, including sacred objects, textiles, ancient Egyptian carvings, musical instruments and so much more."

"A part of the Smithsonian family since 1979, the National Museum of African Art is the only museum dedicated to the study of African art and culture with an emphasis on sub-Saharan artistic achievements. Admire the continent's diverse and..."

"daily, closed December 25.Location:950 Independence Avenue SW. The National Museum of African Art features exhibits from the continent of Africa. Contemporary and traditional art is on display for people to see, admire and be inspired by."

"Asia meets America is the theme for these two Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. The Freer includes James McNeill Whistler's famed Peacock Room, while both museums include masterpieces of Asian art. Visiting Tips: Download the Freer Thinking Audio App, which uses your location on your phone to alert you to museum highlights."

"This spacious beer garden in Navy Yard just south of Capitol Hill whisks you away from Washington DC to the brauhauses of Munich. The Brig is open year-round and serves up German beer in traditional glass beer steins, giant pretzels, and sausage. It is really fun to go during the day on the weekends when the atmosphere is jovial and the beer is flowing."

"The sister restaurant to Merrifield’s Uncle Liu’s, Mala Tang is where Arlingtonians go for Chinese hot pot. The menu also offers a variety of appetizers and Sichuan dishes such as cumin lamb. Hot pots are customizable with dippers like fish balls, prawns, “mala’ spicy beef, and a number of vegetables."