National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

This is an extremely expansive art gallery, with multiple levels and two different buildings. You could easily spend hours here and not see it all. There is really something for everyone who likes art or history. There are amazing paintings and sculptures from every time period. I appreciate that there are benches to sit many different places. There are fountains with plants, a water fountain that goes behind a glass wall downstairs in the Cafe, and twinkle lights over a moving sidewalk. Restrooms are available on each floor. Food and drink is limited to the cafes. You can bring your own food and drink if it's closed in your bag. You do go through a metal detector upon entry and are subject to a bag search, but that was a speedy process for us. I especially enjoyed the impressionists art- Degas and Monet in particular. There is currently a photography and a furniture exhibit as well. The sculpture garden is worth walking through outside, and it is fun to go to the top tower level and see the Big blue rooster and city view. It was not crowded, even though we were there on a holiday.

My favorite place on museum row. Plenty of gorgeous art and it takes a solid three hours to even glimpse it all. The cafe is lovely for a sit and think, but I prefer finding a secluded gallery and bringing a book. All free and great views. Always use this as an escape from the city. Plenty of Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas.