Got 2 glo up at the Yayoi Kusuma “Infinity Mirrors” exhibit a few years ago. Never seen lines like that for any museum but the staff handled it w ease and it was the greatest museum experience I’ve ever had. Gotta love those Barbara Kruger entrance murals Became a certified Hirshhorn member that day #squad

So many interesting exhibits. There was an exhibit on manifestos and three floors of different types of artwork. The entire museum took about 3 hours to walk through. There are also video exhibits that bring the experience to another dimension—especially for people who like modern art, this is such a captivating place with different perspectives and understandings.

My friend and I accidentally stumbled upon this place as we were on our way to the other more popular museums. This place is great!!! we are so glad that we found it. There is also a statue garden in front of the museum. be sure to check it all out. Highly recommend this place.

One of my favorite museums in the entire world! The museum is part of the Smithsonian which means free admission, and its not huge so it can be walked in a few hours max. The smaller size makes it a perfect venue for rotating exhibits. The circular layout is reminiscent of the Guggenheim in NYC. And a subtle thing I noted on my recent visit was that the escalator spits your out in a counterclockwise route on one level and a clockwise direction on the other. Very clever! The sculpture garden trumps the museums interior gallery--which is no small feat. Bravo on this excellent contemporary art museum in our nations capital.

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum beside the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., the United States. The museum was initially endowed during the 1960s with the permanent art collection of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. It was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft and is part of the Smithsonian Institution. It was conceived as the United States museum of contemporary and modern art and currently focuses its collection-building and exhibition-planning mainly on the post–World War II period, with particular emphasis on art made during the last 50 years.The Hirshhorn is sited halfway between the Washington Monument and the US Capitol, anchoring the southernmost end of the so-called LEnfant axis (perpendicular to the Malls green carpet). The National Archives/National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden across the Mall, and the National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian American Art building several blocks to the north, also mark this pivotal axis, a key element of both the 1791 city plan by Pierre LEnfant and the 1901 MacMillan Plan.The building itself is an attraction, an open cylinder elevated on four massive legs, with a large fountain occupying the central courtyard. Before architect Gordon Bunshaft designed the building, the Smithsonian staff reportedly told him that, if it did not provide a striking contrast to everything else in the city, then it would be unfit for housing a modern art collection.

The building structure is astonishing. The exhibits are very interesting for people who like modern and contemporary art.

Hands down one of the best contemporary arts museums Ive been to till now. The interiors and the pieces around the museum itself make you interested and curved walls lead you on. They showcase many unique exhibitions every month and some of them are utterly breathtaking and make you challenge your perspective. Would definitely recommend to all art enthusiasts!

Visited last year, and it was good.. Kids liked it much.. Im not too much into Art, but my kids were happy.. very courteous service, and its free ! good for a quick 1-2 hour walk through the museum.. Visit if you have time ... and if you are interested in arts :)

The exhibits were very interesting and fascinating. The view from one room was really cool, which is the photos I shared. The art is much more interesting!

The building layout is a little bit interesting; its all around a central escalator. The main floor has big windows and a comfortable seating area.The exhibit I saw was Manifesto: Art x Agency, which provided a good combination of historical context and interesting art. I saw a Magritte I hadnt seen before, and the Four Freedoms photos from just last year.It was great and I intend to go back.

- awesome museum- lots of stuff to take pictures of- its freePlan on spending 1 & 1/2 hours here to see everything- Id recommend this museum

Late review but I came just in time for the mirrors exhibit. This is my first time visiting this museum and I was very impressed. I only had time to see that one exhibit but will definitely come back to check out the other ones that I saw in passing which also piqued my interest. We spent hours going through the several things on display and enjoy every minute of it as it was attractive and also interactive.

The great Museum to visit. The work of some of the great places and people have been sum up under one roof. I liked the this museum since it very informative and scope of art is displayed in true sense. One of the best in Smithonian museums. The cool part is that the entry is free..

I went just to see the Mark Bradford exhibit- Pickett’s Charge. I am no Civil War history buff or scholar, but I was highly motivated to see this exhibit by an African American contemporary artist. It takes up the entire third floor outer circular perimeter and deserves more than just an half hour to fully appreciate. Like most exhibits at this modern museum, it’s not just abstract or pop art, but meaningful art that tells a story and will have a lasting place in art history.

Wonderful time and worth the line to see Kuzama exhibit.

A very well done modern art museum. I was truly in awe. The video flag, and manifesto were some really unique highlights. Loved the Warhol and Pollack works that were there as well.

Been a while since I have walked through the Garden. Notice they removed several sculptures and replaced them with plants. There was no sign of replacements coming. Other than that amazing statutes

As a local, my absolute favorite museum. Its a the perfect size with modern, contemporary artists and often an interactive tech components that really makes you feel like youre a part of the exhibit. The exhibitions also change every few months, making revisiting well worth the trip. Like most other museums in DC, its also free.

Love the exhibitions. Very creative and good arts displayed. Well managed museum.

Nice place to see some different different types of artwork. Roughly 4 flies of different exhibits displaying various genres of modern to contemporary artwork.

Was a very unique experience. Spent about 3hrs here! I got here before it opened. Luckily there was a lobby they opens early

Not a big fan of the art exhibit of the married couple fighting in the lobby. They kept yelling and throwing other art exhibits at each other but I respect that artistic decision and I quite enjoyed the acting. Besides that a great art museum with captivating paintings and truly inspired exhibits. Just go to it its free and its good

The Hirshhorn has improved so much! I think everyone realizes this. The different temporary exhibits have been so wonderful and special. I have seen so much great art. There is a variety in the kind of art that they decide to show, both in terms of their temporary exhibitions and their permanent collection. There is always a good variety of modern artists who have decades upon decades of work and experience, as well as more experimental and newer artists. They choose to show everything art can possibly be, which I absolutely love. They also have a variety of events to check out. The museum is constantly trying new things and I really appreciate it. I can visit a few times a year and see new stuff!

The space is fine, but the collections are less than inspiring. Twenty years ago the artwork and special exhibits were spectacular. Modern art today is dark and colorless. The constant emphasis on Marxism is over the top. This is not the fault of museums. They take whats out there. What we need today is a RETRO modern art museum or perhaps space dedicated to the masters. The sculpture garden is fine. Staff is very sweet. Curators, get creative...

Varied interesting collections inside and out. Not a huge museum but worth an hour or two! There is a nice coffee shop and reading area on the main floor and a small but well stocked gift shop on the lower level; unfortunately the courtyard Dolcezza gelato shop is closed in the winter

Best Mall museum for contemporary and modernist art. Somewhat undervisited but would you want it to be like Air and Space? No, you wouldnt. Good gifte shoppe. Coffee bar staffed by attractive young people. You should go.

This place is crazy amazing! Its really the only modern art museum I go to regularly. And this time Marcel Duchamp exhibit made me so happy....

Funky museum with varied exhibits. Small size allows you to see most everything they have to offer. Definitely see the sculpture gardern.

A great museum! Check their site they always have pretty cool exhibits here. The shape of this museum makes it very interesting and in the summer they have a balcony that has great views overlooking the national mall. If you like art then Id say check it out. It is free like most museums in the district.

If you love modern art, then the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is the place to go. Not as vast as the other museums on the National Mall, but you get a good dose of very creative film art. The building has a unique circular layout and beautifully simplistic.

Great museum that gets too easily lost among the Smithsonian museums. A must-visit of great exhibits with a statue garden in front.

I loved the variety of mediums and inclusion of digital work. The museum shows modern artworks from their collection, but also brings in work, and expands with new acquisitions. They are working to engage children with Pepper the robot and storytime. I appreciated the level of engagement on the tour and how knowledgeable the gallery guides are. I enjoyed a tasty mocha at the small cafe and spent a while in the densely packed gift shop staffed by a very nice woman.

Awesome place. The exhibits are always outstanding. Not too many children here like the other smithsonians. Smaller overall size is really nice because its not overwhelming. My favorite!

Very modern, unique art. We went to the top and walked down. Cant beat free admission, this is a good spot if youre really into art.

How much you love it might depend on the exhibits and what you like, but the space is really cool and I like the circular layout. Also, the coffee counter in the bottom is awesome. And the sculpture garden is great on a nice day.

I feel like if you enjoy contemporary art and get it, this would be a cool museum. Being a professional creative myself (video producer), I really didnt understand most of it, and didnt always feel comfortable having my two year old around some of the art. Bizarre experience overall. But, like the rest of the museums on the mall, its free.

Love art! Some very modern minimalist pieces were not my cup of tea, but overall enjoyed our visit. Wish we had more time.

Nice museum out of all the Smithsonian museums on the Mall. Contemporary art is my kind of tea here, but this museum fits the ticket well. Exhibitions are very well organized here, with an emphasis on modern and post-classical themes. Wonderful place to visit if you only have a few hours!

Very interesting exhibitions. I loved Manifesto: Art x Agency. A must se in DC for anyone that enjoys modern art.

Amazing museum. You literally walk up to the ascending galleries. Some very thought provoking exhibits are in store for you. I saw a sobering, yet vital Holocaust remembrance replica exhibit. Haunting as it was, the great detail made it an educational must see. Another climb of the walkway ramp brought me to a panoramic Pickets Charge by L.A. artist Mark Bradford. It references the last battle of the Civil War, but is such a stunning assembly of assets that you really have to see it in the museum. The Hirshhorn might not be the first stop on your agenda when you hit the mall, but the rewards of a visit are impactful.

Never seen anything quite like it. The entire museum (not counting the plaza and sculpture garden, which are also worth visiting) is comprised of six rotating exhibits split between three levels - two above the entry level and one below. It’s definitely not for everyone and there is adult content in some of the exhibits (it’s not for children) but I thoroughly enjoy my time here every time.It’s a quick visit, especially if you don’t do the whole thing so I recommend coming here after or before seeing aerospace, American History, or natural history for a nice change of pace.

We visited this museum in early January. It was easy to get into unlike some of the other more popular museums on the Mall. The building itself is interesting. The Mark Bradford exhibit worked well in the circular gallery of the cylindrical building. The museum is also quite manageable to visit. You can see everything in an hour or so.

Really interesting modern and contemporary art exhibits!

Beautiful museum on the inside and out! Perfect for dates. The exhibits are always very interesting and the store has the coolest finds. So much to see here!

It was nice experience for our kids. Three levels of art. The sculptures outside were interesting as well.

Such an interesting Museum for contemporary art! Is refreshing to find a collection like this within the Museums and exhibitions at DC

This place was very interesting! Art is in the eye of the beholder.

A fabulous Smithsonian. This is the contemporary and modern art museum of the Smithsonians collective on the National Mall. The building itself is impossible to miss as it stands in stark contrast to the majority of buildings on the Mall. Inside all the galleries are laid out in the circular patter of the building itself. The art inside varies and although not to my particular taste, I found it thought provoking and worthy of a visit. My only negative experience was with the over zealous and rude security staff. I was sitting in the coat check room on the floor using a wall outlet to charge my phone. A female security guard approached me and in a directive rude way told me unplug my phone, that I wasnt allowed to use the wall outlets. Obviously a petty person on a pathetic power trip of some sort. I complied with her instruction and unplugged my phone. I then went to the front desk and told them what had happened, the staff told me the security officer was wrong and called a supervisor guard over and informed him of the situation. I then went right back down stairs directly to the woman, informed her she was wrong and that Ive informed the museum staff and her supervisor and then proceeded to plug my phone back in and continued charging it. Petty people with nominal authority always make for comical encounters.

Love coming to see the new exhibits. This is a must stop spot in DC.

Interactive, fun, thought-provoking modern museum. We especially enjoyed the activities for kids. Check the website to see times.

Was so glad we did this! Pulse exhibit was cool. It left me wanting more!

Amazing !! I love how you get to learn a little more about an exhibit by listening to the artists

Modern art museum right on the Mall.Easy access. Free entry. Small cafe serving nice coffee and cakes in the foyer.Escalators and lifts to all floors.Some displays were really very interesting and thought provoking. Others appealed less. But I guess thats the nature of art.Lots of security staff around which felt a little claustrophobic, but again I guess thats a cultural thing.All in all an interesting way to spend 2 or 3 hrs but not as extensive or far reaching as some modern art museum I have been to.

Enjoy both the infrastructure of the museum and the works of art within. The circular layout with more exhibition spaces branching out around it is unique.I appreciate when Mark Bradford uses the curvature of the walls to showcase his eight huge canvases; a mixed media piece collectively named Picketts Charge. They are worth your time sitting in front of them to soak in the colors, texture, and emotion they seek to trigger.There are some construction going on during my visit and so, the experience was a little distracting. Nevertheless, I am glad to have visited it.

Excellent museum for any occasion. They allow you to get close enough to appreciate the art, pictures are *mostly* allowed, and they have many different exhibits, themes and art forms on display for all to appreciate. Oh yeah, and it’s free

A great multi-story contemporary art museum. Look for docent-led tours of the various exhibitions; free, along with the rest of the Smithsonian. Great architecture as well.

It took 2 hours to see all the pieces and it was really good curated. The gift shop is small and overal it is a relatively small museum that you can spend your afternoon in it.

Highlights influential artists with an abundance of text. The sculpture garden also has a beautiful tree.

The Hirshhorn (free entry) is a contemporary and modern art museum and member of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The museum is located along in a round shaped building that has been likened to a spacecraft parked at The Mall. It is next to the Smithsonian Castle. Opening Hours are 10am to 5.30pm daily.The museum includes several floors of exhibition space focusing on works from the last 50 years. During our last visit in May 2016, we particularly enjoyed the Linn Meyer Our View from Here exhibition featuring a range of shapes formed solely by uninterrupted individual lines. This was beauty in simplicity and something we both really enjoyed seeing. Quite original, methodical and delightfully interesting images formed by Meyer.We also enjoyed the Suspended Animation films shown on the lower level as well as the peculiar Belief + Doubt exhibition by Barbara Kruger. Here the entire space is covered in intriguing phrases and sayings of various sizes, making use of black, white & red colour. It is an original art form that immerses viewers in language in all directions, which has the great effect of capturing your attention to provoking your thoughts.There is a small gift shop on the lower level of the Hirshhorn but no restaurant or cafe here. There are some tables outside in the plaza area as well as sculptures scattered around the main building. For those who enjoy this art form, you should definitely allow time for the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, just across the Jefferson on the Mall.In the end, we like the Hirshhorn Museum, finding this to be a nice complement to the NGA and other art museums and galleries around the city. The contemporary art exhibitions here, at least during our recent visit, were child and family friendly and overall, pretty good works.Note: You can visit the Hirshhorn Museum website before deciding to include a stop here during trips to D.C. They have a updated list of current and future exhibitions so you can have a think about what is available to view during the period of your intended visit to the capital ahead of time.

Look closely, youll get out so much more.

Art is very objective and this particular art museum is not for everyone. If you do not like abstract and non-conventional art forms, you are better off going to another museum. It is a fairly small gallery compared to the other art museums in the area, but they are limited by the size of the building.

If you are looking for a great selection of contemporary art, this is the place to go!

Modern art museum with unique and creative art pieces. For a quick visit, allow an hour and a half. If you are into art and art appreciation, this is a half day to full day stop.

I love this museum! Its not huge, which means you can get through it in under an hour if youre quick (2 hours is better), but they always have great stuff on display.

Great museum of contemporary art. Arts exhibited here directly or subliminally stimulate our five senses. (Or 6th.) In addition, the shop and cafe were great, too

I love this museum as it is so abstract and different from most others. We spent hours inside exploring everything that there was to see.

I always love their exhibits. There isnt much going on in the winter months but during the summer? Oh its a great time!

How do you rate an art museum? In any event, the Hirshhorn is unquestionably deserving of five stars. Fantastic permanent collection and the rotating collection is almost always eye opening. Perhaps best of all, this museum doesnt usually have the extreme crowds of other museums on the Mall (except for some of the higher profile temporary exhibits).

Very cool spot!! Modern art thats sure to spark thought. Very interesting layout. Also, good coffee on the main floor!

Fun free exhibits that often change and have interactive components. Would recommend. Took my wife here on our first date! Was lovely and romantic.

This is a wonderful museum of contemporary art. It is quite small which makes it lovely for a couple of hours. The exhibits are really exciting and we did a really fantastic tour. It was my favourite Washington Museum and absolutely worth a trip!

Just an amazing place to visit and see what other peoples minds can create!!!

Really like the layout and walk through of this building. Three floors of art, a delicious coffee spot, and one of the best museum gift shops ever! Really unique items, books, art, jewellery to choose from.

I dont know much about modern art but I do appreciate the clean space and sculptures.

A great place for eclectic art in the middle of DC. Within the national mall area, it’s easy to navigate and free to enter.

Great free museum in nice location close to many parks with mature trees

Overall pretty interesting museum....free and plenty of space.

The Hirshhorn now seems to be all about their special exhibits. I stood on lines for over three hours to see the Kusama Infinity Mirrors exhibit, only allowed 30 seconds in each room. Totally worth it. I loved Nicolas Party: sunrise, sunset, and went as often as I could knowing it would be painted over and never seen again. But there were also selections from the permanent collection of paintings and sculpture. Now Brancusi, Moore, Giacometti, Dubuffet, Hopper and all the other masterpieces from the collection are nowhere to be seen. I was ready to head out when I saw Big Man sitting in the corner by the escalators. It was nice to see a familiar...face.

Great place lots of fun but ask yourself how does art make you feel

This was my favourite place whilst visiting DC. A must do.

I guess this place shifts its exhibit showings every few months. I was impressed, but not taken back like I thought I would be. I shall return for further analysis though. I didnt have enough time to really sit with the artists work. So next time ill show the artwork a bit more respect.

Expand the mind through the ever changing exhibitions of modern art at this amazing museum. And yes, demand that your school trip makes a stop at this museum when visiting DC.

There are some really interesting art installations. Its not that friendly for wheelchairs or those with strollers. We went to the door it said to to get in and were initially yelled at and when we tried to go around told we had to go through the entrance we just tried. The elevator opens into the middle of an exhibit which you dont initially know

I dont understand modern art. Interesting kinda but not my cup of tea. I also didnt make it through the whole thing so take this review with a grain of salt.

Not a big fan of contemporary art but modern section is good. However I prefer the East wing of NGA

The museum for the people. Morden art cool sculptures and artifacts. Must see!

Whenever in Washington DC and lover of contemporary art, go and see the amazing exhibition What Absence Is Made Of. Not the classic retrospective but thematic on how artists have represented ideas instead of objects. From the folder What Absence Is Made Of also explores the personal and cultural anxieties surrounding advancements in computer animation, avatars, and artificial intelligence, as well as technology that makes the body obsolete. I went back twice. Existing peices from the collection with brandnew work acquired specifically for this exhibition.And a great App that explains based on a picture of the work, not a number on the wall. Well done Hirshhorn museum! Blown away...

Modern Art.

Amazing FREE contemporary art museum. Well lighted, clean, and as an art nerd there was a lot to see there that both I hadnt seen and wanted to see. Great collection, beautiful building.

Like all the museums in the Smithsonian, the Hirshhorn is amazing and so fabulous that its free. Wonderful exhibits, and an outdoor sculpture garden as well. Easy to get to from the metro. Parking isnt too bad at certain times.

Part of the Smithsonian Institutes collection of free museums in DC, the Hirshorn Museum is a relatively small art museum featuring impressive architecture, modern art, and a sculpture garden located just across the street. Enjoy a variety of artwork including sculpture, photography, performance, and digital media.

Interactive and educational. This free museum has and incredible collection of art. Be ready to dedicate 3 hours to experince all of the video art and interactive stations. I cant wait to return

I live coming here to see the modern art and new exhibits.

Great phallocentric exhibit. A must see if you are into erections.

Amazing place to visit for very unique and modern art. Be sure to try the iced latte at the coffee shop

What absence is made of...... This is a fascinating exhibit and worth taking the time out to visit. I believe this is a permanent one, so should be there throughout the year. Other exhibits are also great. Nice little cafe on the ground floor.Their basement is interesting.... A statement of sorts in its own way

Super interesting exhibits. As with any modern art museum some displays felt over wrought or had a lot of pretense without substance but some pieces were inspiring and thought provoking. Definitely worth a visit. The building itself is quite neat with its hollow cylindrical shape.

I found my new favorite art museum. It was great to see some of the works on view were specifically made/installed for this museum and its architecture.

Neat little museum with some super! well! curated! special exhibitions. The current Baselitz exhibit in is not to be missed! It charts a perfect course from the unsettlingly dark early works thru the mad figurative fracture paintings thru the subtle, luminous recent works. I felt like the last few portraits would ascend thru the gallery ceiling and become the starry sky of a new galaxy.Oh, and if you havent been before, you missed Yayoi Kusama last year. So dont miss this one! Its literally free; theres no excuse.

I love this museum. Amazing collections in an interesting building. People who work here are very kind and helpful especially the Italian-American lady at information desk.