Country Inn By Carlson, Stafford, VA

AIRPORT - DCA. This eye-catching Greek Revival structure was built in 1850. Originally a bank, the unique...

AIRPORT - DCA. This eye-catching Greek Revival structure was built in 1850. Originally a bank, the unique apricot-colored building later served as a hospital during the Civil War. Years later it became what it is today ­ an excellent museum with a broad range of fine art from local and regional art on display. Performances by the Alexandria Ballet are often on the schedule. METRO: King Street, then DASH bus

Hours: Gallery Thu-Fri, Sun Noon-4pm; Sat 1pm-4pm
Event Dates and Times Vary

NATIONAL MALL. Physician Arthur Sackler was fascinated by all things Asian, and the museum that bears his name is a...

NATIONAL MALL. Physician Arthur Sackler was fascinated by all things Asian, and the museum that bears his name is a magnificent showcase for the works that he painstakingly collected. Highlights of Sackler's collection include Chinese jades and bronzes, while the Vever Collection consists of an extremely rare collection of Islamic manuscripts from the 11th century through the 19th century. Japanese prints and portraits are also presented here, and the ImaginAsia program brings the East to life for children of all ages. METRO: Smithsonian

Hours: Daily 10am-5:30pm

ANACOSTIA. Housed in a former Civil War fortress, this community museum broke new ground by combining art outreach...

ANACOSTIA. Housed in a former Civil War fortress, this community museum broke new ground by combining art outreach programs with museum installations. It seeks to both "influence and archive" the culture of the community, and since its inception in 1967, it has honed in more closely on African-American culture and heritage. The museum is also unique in that it doesn't collect just physical artifacts, but stories and accounts in the oral tradition to develop a more comprehensive cultural view. METRO: Smithsonian

Hours: Daily 10am-5pm

NATIONAL MALL. This museum has three claims to fame: it was the first Smithsonian museum dedicated exclusively to art,...

NATIONAL MALL. This museum has three claims to fame: it was the first Smithsonian museum dedicated exclusively to art, it houses a fantastic collection of Asian art, and it has perhaps the world's most extensive collection of works by American James Whistler. Charles Lang Freer collected thousand of Asian art and artifacts during his lifetime and also purchased many pieces from his good friend Whistler. The Asian collection has expanded to over 20,000, though the American collection has remained unchanged per Freer's request. The Freer connects to the the Sackler Gallery via an underground exhibition space. METRO: Smithsonian

Hours: Daily 10am-5:30pm

DOWNTOWN. This Smithsonian-run museum is dedicated to the study and collection of African art from all time periods and...

DOWNTOWN. This Smithsonian-run museum is dedicated to the study and collection of African art from all time periods and regions, with a focus on sub-Saharan areas. Located on the Mall, largely underground in the Smithsonian Gardens complex, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 7,000 pieces, including masks, jewelry, carvings, photography, and artifacts made from materials such as wood, metal, ceramic, and ivory. The collection of ritual objects is particularly extensive and educational. METRO: L'Enfant Plaza or Smithsonian

Hours: Daily 10am-5:30pm

DOWNTOWN. This venerable museum began construction in 1859 and has the honor of being the oldest art institution in DC....

DOWNTOWN. This venerable museum began construction in 1859 and has the honor of being the oldest art institution in DC. The Corcoran has several impressive collections; the Clark collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces is one of the most noteworthy. The Walker collection focuses on dramatic works by Renoir, Monet and Pisarro. In addition to these European displays, several exhibits are devoted to contemporary American pieces by artists such as John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer. On Sundays, the museum hosts a popular gospel brunch. METRO: Farragut West and Farragut North

Hours: Wed, Fri-Sun 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

NATIONAL MALL. The Smithsonian ­ for many, the image of the 19th-century sandstone "Castle" immediately...

NATIONAL MALL. The Smithsonian ­ for many, the image of the 19th-century sandstone "Castle" immediately springs to mind. The Institution itself is larger than most realize (19 museums and the National Zoo in DC alone) and granting only one day to "do the Smithsonian" is a mistake. Always-popular stops are the National Air & Space Museum and the National Museum of American History; however, the beautiful National Museum of the American Indian has emerged as a hot attraction, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington-Dulles serves as a fascinating repository of nearly 80% of the Smithsonian's air and space collection. METRO: Smithsonian

Hours: The Castle & Smithsonian Information Center Daily 8:30am-5:30pm Most Smithsonian Facilities Daily 10am-5:30pm

DOWNTOWN. You can't miss the Hirshhorn, a unique cylindrical museum visible from the Mall. Managed by the Smithsonian,...

DOWNTOWN. You can't miss the Hirshhorn, a unique cylindrical museum visible from the Mall. Managed by the Smithsonian, the Hirshhorn houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art and is surrounded by a peaceful tree-lined sculpture garden. There are more than 5000 paintings and 3000 pieces of sculpture displayed here, including works by Jasper Johns, Edward Hopper and Andy Warhol. METRO: L'Enfant Plaza (Maryland Avenue exit)

Hours: Museum Daily 10am-5:30pm
Sculpture Garden Daily 7:30am-Sunset

GEORGETOWN. This private facility has been open to the public only since 1994, but the Kreeger, with 200 works collected...

GEORGETOWN. This private facility has been open to the public only since 1994, but the Kreeger, with 200 works collected in a post-modern mansion near Georgetown, has earned a fine reputation for its varied displays and its artist-outreach programs. From the 1940s through the 1980s, Carmen and David Kreeger spent their insurance fortune building this magnificent mix of works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Munch, Kandinsky and more. Lectures and concerts are frequently held here. Reservations are required for weekday visits to the museum. No reservations needed for Saturday tours.

Hours: Museum (Sep - Jul) Fri-Sat 10am-4pm
Guided Tours Tue-Thu 10:30am, 1:30pm; Fri-Sat 10:30am, Noon, 2pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

DOWNTOWN. This stunning, sinuous museum ­ crafted of limestone and set amid forty "grandfather" boulders...

DOWNTOWN. This stunning, sinuous museum ­ crafted of limestone and set amid forty "grandfather" boulders and an extensive planted landscape ­ acknowledges the Native American experience in culture, cosmology, craft, and history. Almost a million artifacts represent communities from North, South, and Central America, mesmerizing visitors with their age, beauty, and utility. The building also serves as a gathering space, complete with library, gift shop, theaters, and a cafe with authentic Native American dishes. METRO: L'Enfant Plaza

Hours: Daily 10am-5:30pm