Loved it. Way less packed than other museums and I enjoyed the exhibits. 10/10 would go again

Contemporary art gallery. I really like the temple, solemn and you can contemplate. You can even leave a message to your departed loved ones.

Love the Renwick! it’s definitely one of the museums you can’t miss if visiting DC. They have rotating exhibits like the Burning Man exhibit which was stunning. I’m impressed every time. They also encourage photos which I enjoy :)

Definitely a cultural experience. Every exhibit was unique in its own right and captivating. I will definitely come back when they have a new installment.

I visited the Renwick Gallery with my family last fall and i was impressed with all the beautiful and extraordinary exhibits.The David’s best temple caught my gaze with its glow and I also love the disrupting Craft. A great museum rich in history and packed with lots of exceptional crafts. It’s a must see if you are visiting DC. I highly recommend to all tourists, locals, craft and art lovers.

This museum is perfect for those with a bit of extra time to spend in their day and nothing to fill it with. Its not overwhelmingly large making it easy to see all of the various pieces and exhibits. Also the floor format is circular allowing for easy circulation and no dead ends. There are staff around each corner for questions and beat of all, its free!

Small and unique. See art displayed in an very arty manner. Will broaden your horizon on what you depict as art. Small so it is not overwhelming, but very distinctive in presentations. Will definitely give you talking pieces.

Definitely the smallest Smithsonian I have been too; however, it is an excellent museum. I love how you are encouraged to take photos and share your experience. The pieces are interesting and very thought provoking. I definitely recommend it.

Second time of visiting and both times were beautiful. The artists whose works are shown are very talented and kudos to the team at the Gallery for always showcasing such beautiful arts.My favorites yesterday were the temple and the reforestation

This is one of my favorite museums. It’s easy to get there and pretty small and they change their exhibitions in every few months which makes you want to go and visit more often. It’s always fascinating seeing the new designs. it can get crowded at peak times but they control the amount of people that can enter which is very nice.

Wonderful gallery of some less traditional pieces. Great place to spend a couple hours checking out some art that extends beyond typical portraiture and sculpture. Conveniently located, free like all Smithsonians, and small enough to fully appreciate in 2-3 hours.

Really cool museum to hit when in DC, awesome rotating exhibits. We saw the Burning Man, Dustin Farnsworth, and Crime Scene Diorama exhibits on a few visits. It’s an easy walk from anywhere in DC, close to the White House, and worth a stop if you want to see something different.

This is a great museum. The exhibits rotate so its always good to come back. It very nice inside and the staff is great very patient and knowledgeable about things in the museum and other things in the city. Its not too big but Id say three hours is adequate to explore the whole thing.

First impression was not a great one as the security guard was rather gruff and abrupt. And while I understand security being what it is in these days, I dont appreciate a purse search to look at art. Men werent being asked to empty their pockets or get patted down, but purses get searched.We enjoyed the exhibit we went to see (Micheal Sherrill pottery) and had a nice chat with the desk person before we left.The museum store is smallish and has the usually pricey items as well as some regional artisan work which was nice to see.

Our experience at the Renwick gallery was great. It is a fun little art gallery with a variety of displays and styles of art. It looks small from the outside, but we spent an hour and a half inside and could have spent more time if we read everything more closely. One of the coolest parts is the large room on the second floor with a rotating display. I’ve seen it twice, and love how different it has been each time. Would definitely recommend as a stop during any DC tourist experience, or as a fun date spot for locals.

Gallery was showing a very diverse cross-section of art. Highlights for me were the Burning Man exhibit (as it has been held in the Nevada desert for several years) and the memorial temple (a massive room and wooden structure contained within) where you can write a note on a square of wood to remember/honor someone and leave it as part of the exhibit. Constantly changing exhibits so be sure to check it out!

Just few steps from the White House, One of the Best Galleries DC can offer.Just enjoyed everytime the new show and art that Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian can get! Of course no tickets needed, just come over and watch it yourself.

Beautiful installations, colorful art. Gift shop inside. A must see if you are in the area. Super close to the White House.

Awesome, quick gallery that is worth checking out. The temple and the art here are amazing

One of my favorite places to visit in DC because of its in-depth content and larger than life installations. The gallery is small enough where you can digest everything thoroughly without getting overwhelmed. Detailed descriptions accompany the art pieces. Each room encompasses a different installation. The Burning Man exhibit has been eye-opening, and includes a comprehensive history and future expectations of this whole movement.

Amazing gallery and selection of temporal exhibitions. It never disappoints!

Easily accessible, free museum only a couple blocks from Lafayette Square. Really interesting changing exhibits are shown here. We We’re lucky enough to see Frances Glessner Lee’s “In a Nutshell” dioramas of unsolved murders scenes. The detail was amazing! So, go often to see the amazing exhibits here at the Renwick!

Great new exhibit mixing traditional pottery and glass blowing with technology. Awesome permanent collection including Gamefish and other great pieces. The Burning Man Temple is not to be missed.

What a Wonderful surprise. I wasnt planning on visiting this museum but stumbled upon it. Incredible Unique Art! This Museum should be on your list of places to visit while youre in DC.

Brilliant museum! Always consistent with compelling exhibits and beautiful works of art. Great for dates as well as family time!

Such a unique gallery. The exhibits are changed out every few months and they are always spectacular, with artist commentary and history for most every piece, and you can finish the whole museum in under 2 hours. One of the best free places to visit in DC for sure.

Small museum so easy to add this to your itinerary. Docent very knowledgeable. Interesting exhibits that appeal to all ages.

Loved loved loved it! Wonderful exhibit on Burning Man when we visited, along with other great exhibits that took a bit less space. The gallery is such an intimate yet roomy space that any exhibit could be staged well there. As part of the Smithsonian its also free, which is nice, too.

Very moving exhibits. I felt extremely affected by the top floor exhibit related to lost loved ones. It was so beautiful and it is an interactive project where people can bring notes and photos of their loved ones to leave at the exhibit. I hope I can return.

This place is fantastic. They always have really exceptional exhibits and the one right now is just that. Amazing! Go if you have the chance.

I visited the Burning Man exhibit and was blown away by the quality and scale of the work. The art became more powerful when given context and story with the effective displays. It was well placed in the space. Its a smaller museum, but well worth the visit. The gift shop was well curated.

Wonderful place for crafts and decorative arts. Good gift shop. No food service but lots of options outside. The great room on the second floor always has an amazing display.

The burning man exhibition was on when we attended and it was a really good one. The space within the museum was used really well and the exhibits combined interactive, traditional and contemporary style pieces that appealed to the whole family.Definitely worth a visit once you are done with the White House!Recommended

When we were there they had a great burning man Temple display which evoked several emotions. I thought of people who I have lost. Worth seeing and adding to. Not sure how long it will be there.

Art can often be deep and moving and the exhibits here, and the stories behind them, are no exception. Well worth the time.

This is my first time visiting this museum and I am truly impressed by indoor Burning Man Exhibition. Taking photos encourage here! There is a temple in the middle of the Exhibition it very nice and beautiful! Make sure to take your time and your photos.

Beautiful museum. Enjoyed the exhibits on display

A super cute free museum. While the two rotation galleries were both being refreshed when I visited, I still appreciated the permanent collection’s interesting variety of craft and decorative art. There was a good variety of pieces (including some concept art, craftwork that required incredible technical execution, and some that subverted the usual expectations of the genre). While the museum is small overall, every piece is deserving of attention and there were a lot of pieces I loved that were not by artists I had previously known. Definitely check this place out!

Stunning, quaint gallery with very modern and interactive exhibits. Not very large, one can definitely get through it in less than three hours. Located right in the heart of DC across from the White House. If youre looking for a place that puts a classic spin on contemporary art, this is the gallery for you.

This is a very nice museum, part of the Smithsonians. Its free, of course, and the staff is super welcoming. There is a collective exhibit in the lower floor of four artists. Its mostly sculpture. On the second floor theres a temple by David Best that will go to Burning Man. Visitors are encouraged to leave a message for their loved ones written in a piece of wood.There were two permanent exhibits that were closed though. That was a shame. I think they were renovating or doing some maintenance.

Seemed small after visiting several Smithsonian museums but the exhibits were among some of my favorite. Love the augmented reality glass log exhibit, the wood temple and the about everything else on display.

The Burning man exhibit was super cool. Visual stimulation at its best! Light, shapes, costumes, moving parts - all was really interesting to see! I wasnt quite prepared for the emotion that the intricate wood carved Temple brought me - it was a room for reflection, meditation, remembrance, and you can leave your own words of offering, written on wood cards. As customary, all will be burned at the culmination of the show.

We discovered the Renwick during an earlier trip to DC while looking for a bathroom near the White House. It is free, as ate most Smithsonian museums, and always seems to have some cool new art exhibits. Be sure to find time for a trip in here. And thr bathrooms are nice and clean, if you were wondering.

Magnificent place! Free. Incredible displays

One of the best galleries which I’ve been so far. Really unique and memorable collection of modern art.

Wonderful smaller art gallery that focuses on artists at the beginning and middle phases of their careers. Its across the street from the White House, so getting to it is slightly harder, especially if you are mobility impared. I woukd highly recommend this gallery even if you dont know the artists of the current exhibits.

I visited the burning man experience. My niece and I wanted to be the simulator experience. The nasty worker said was very rude and nasty. Other than that the exhibit was amazing. I cannot take people’s action in account for how wonderful the museum is. Definitely a must see!!!It wasn’t too crowded on the Monday we went which was Labor Day. It was difficult to get some good picture of the mushrooms because of the crowds but still enjoyable. The exhibit is very tranquil and nice.

We went to see the Burning Man exhibit. Beautiful gallery, with lots of different rooms. We easily spent 3 hours in here, there was so much to take in, on all sensory levels. Lots of interactive art, including a VR experience, and a carved wooden chapel with little pieces of wood that you can write to loved ones who have passed, and add to the exhibit. Very well produced, all together.

A pretty small gallery (though the current exhibitions extend onto adjacent streets), but full of great pieces. They now have displays from the Burning Man Festival, showcasing some of the most famous pieces of art, buildings, and pieces from the desert-based event. There is also information about the history of Black Rock City: how it came to be, how it evolved, and the different traditions, principles, and annual themes which govern the annual event. It’s not all staring at things either: many of the exhibits are interactive, including the Temple, a virtual reality exhibit, and more. Additional art pieces can be found in adjacent streets, which are detailed on maps. Would definitely recommend checking it out.

Quite a small museum but large in terms of quality over quantity. Youre encouraged to take pictures and I love the incredible support these artists receive. Best part is the entry is completely free and make sure to check out the gift shop for goodies!

Best little Smithsonian out there. Seriously, great museum, with a lit of interesting, even quirky art. Fascinating wooden chapel on the upper floor, and augmented reality art on the lower.

A perfect art display. Thank you so much!

Wow !!! Its so amazing place and i wasnt able to come out of that place!!! I suggest to everyone

The No Spectators | Burning Man exhibit currently running at the Renwick is a MUST see. Though you can walk through this exhibit within 30-40 minutes, I have now been 4 times to see it all. The volunteers are helpful and friendly, and the displays are massive and thought-provoking. The Renwick is basically located in the White House backyard, so it is easy to catch both in one swing.

Small but Beautiful gallery with unusual objects darts. Unique pieces with great description cards. Part of the top floor is currently featuring a temple of remembrance that is very peaceful.

Visited for the Burning Exhibit. This is a small museum but still kept us busy for nearly two hours.

Excellent gallery. Loved the exhibits and layout of the place. Dont recommend bringing a backpack. You will have to wear it on your front.

Pretty nice. Free and has some various art exhibitions on 1st floor. Didnt overly care for current stuff overall except for a few pieces. 2nd floor had an excellent furniture piece and then an unreal carved wood room that was awesome and you can write a note or memory on a wood card and place it around the room or even sign the walls or write a note. Really cool place.

We were deeply touched when we discovered this Art Exhibit dedicated to those who grieve for someone they lost. We were simply sightseeing when we found it. Thank you.

The Renwick Gallery is the best kept secret in terms of the mall and the Smithsonian museums. I like to describe it as the Goldilocks of museums - it’s not too big (a huge plus if you’re fatigued by the history and art smithsonians) not too small, and the content is always something that everyone is interested in! If you’re traveling with someone who gets bored easily in traditional museums, bring them here. Every exhibit that has been in the museum since its reopening has been breathtaking and fascinating. And the big room is always a delight.

Its a great stop if you happen to be in for t of the White House/Executive building. The current exhibits are awesome.

This Museum has all the documents of our nation. Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights. This is worth the visit alone. There is no photo taking of any kind as the light damages the documents. The Declaration has faded so much due to it being affected by light that it was moved here to avoid further damage to it. In time I believe it will completely disappear from history. This Gallery has many historical exhibits that are interactive and also very informative for all ages. As American History is no longer being taught in schools like when alot of us went to school this is how we can show our children and grandchildren what our country was founded on and how blessed we are to live here. The freedoms taken for granted today are here for all to take advantage of. This is a must see and make sure you leave alot of time to enjoy it. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. JIM

Another one that i can keep going to. Not too big but take your time. Modern museum

Went specifically see the Burning Man exhibit. IT WAS AMAZING. Treat yourself and GO! Pictures dont do it justice, you have to see it to experience it all.

Its free, and allows pictures. A lot of beautiful pieces and interactive exhibits. Worth a visit!

This museum was so spectacular to look through! The art was so interesting and i prefer this type of museum over all the others

A contemporary art museum which is definately a must see. Not too big but loaded with some fantastic pieces.

It was wonderful to see so many people at the Renwick in between special exhibits. The second floor has recently been redone, with old favorites and some new works. Every time I see the piece by Lino Tagliapetra Im reminded of the Renwicks breathtaking exhibit of his glass several years ago. The gift shop is a good place to find unusual handcrafted gifts that are unique and reasonably priced.

I was so happy to learn about this little gem of a museum. The Renwick has kind of quirky things, but thats what makes it so interesting. One of the photos I attach is of a bracelet.The other that looks like a clock with a drape over it is a sculpture made of wood. The drape is wood. Lots of other treasures too.

Ever changing collections never cease to inspire and delight me. We just saw the Burning Man exhibit. An eye opener and a whole subculture that was new and intriguing. They had a virtual reality component and plenty of screens to extend the experience. All for free! How lucky we are!

This gallery is much smaller than any on the National Mall, which should come as no surprise. It contains a couple of very interesting exhibitions and engaging artwork. It feels much quieter and more peaceful than many of the other Smithsonian art galleries. In my experience it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to visit and is worth a stop if youre near the White House.

It was super amazing Art Gallery. The murder histories was interesting, old collections were super awesome. The train track and house dome view, and the paintings were amazing. Its too highly structured and well managed. It has free access for everyone.

I enjoyed the size of the space they have to work with, not too big not too small, but just right. Smooth room flow. The burning man exhibit was exceptionally well done, especially the temple which had a calm peaceful spiritual atmosphere that was a pleasant surprise. The art presented engaged my senses in a multitude of different ways and at different intensities. Even the shopping space unique gifts contributed to the experience and they avoided selling the cheep stuff found at other museums in the area.If your a redneck without much artistic intrigue, you should probably avoid this, not that there’s anything wrong with that...~happy viewing~

We always check out the Renwick each visit to DC. Everchanging exhibits in each room. A must see in DC!

Dedicated to art - Learned so much from this DC Landmark. Most loved the Display about the Gallery itself.

This museum is right across the street from the Old Executive Office Building (kitty corner from the White House). Because its a little off the National Mall, many folks miss it which is a shame because it has some great exhibits. I really like the fact that its a bit smaller than some of the other Smithsonian museums, so you can fit a visit in, and still have the time and energy for other activities.

Current exhibition on first floor was underwhelming with exception of the giant bust sculpture. The real action was on the second floor! Very nice! The wooden meditation room was very impressive and Burning Man was great.

Whats not to love about a free art gallery in the heart of the nations capitol which holds objects dart rather than the usual expected paintings? This amazing gallery, saved by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the 60s has something for everyone from sculpture to textile to woodcrafts to print and much more. Dedicated to modern art that you will not see anywhere else. Currently, the second floor is open but the first floor is being entirely renovated with a new exhibit that is scheduled to open in mid June 2019. Still well worth seeing even if only one floor. Of special note is the temple room, an amazing art achievement. Oriental in design, made entirely of small, light pieces of wood laid tongue and groove. The room is for quiet meditation intended to honor a specific and important person in your life and you may pick an empty wooden tile and write your Reflections or poetry or the name of the person upon it and place it in with the other pieces jigsaw-like. If you are visiting DC its a must-see, and if you live in the area and have never visited or its been awhile go back and see it when the new exhibit opens. They should be charging, but were grateful its free.

Amazing little museum in the heart od DC. I go as often as I can, since whats being shown changes often. Easy to navigate, helpful staff, and best of all, not all that crowded ever. Theres a lot of stairs, so that may be an issue for some, also parking is limited and could be a hassle. If youre planning a trip to the White House, its a no brainer to stop.

Interesting museum right next to the White House. Very cool/crafty displays. The temple area upstairs is beautiful, and humbling

The easiest way to get here is to take a taxi or walk.The exhibits changes and is always fun with several interactive displays.A definite must see and it is free.Do take your time to enjoy and take in all the displays, especially since there are many hidden displays within some of the bigger displays.

Beautiful little art gallery with exiting exhibits and wonderfully crafted pieces!

An often overlooked museum of incredibly beautiful and creative American art. The current Burning Man Art exhibit is exceptional... all the previous exhibits I visited were too.

What a PHENOMENAL stop. My hands-down favorite art gallery in DC. We were fortunate enough to visit during the PULSE exhibit, and was absolutely astonished with its curation. Bravo to Renwick. BONUS: Yayoi Kusama sculpture in the courtyard.

The Smithsonian Renwick Gallery (free entry) is located in the registered National Historic Landmark building on Pennsylvania Ave. just a couple minutes from the White House. Here you can enjoy a delightful 19th century architecture as well as interesting contemporary craft and decorative art installations and exhibitions. Opening Hours are 10am to 5.30pm daily.This building was constructed during the late 1850s to early 1860s and was to be Americas first art museum. Unfortunately the American Civil War broke out and it was to be used for military administration purposes for nearly a decade before returning to its original intent. Not long after, it would be referred to as Americas Louvre and to this day, the building is considered one of the finest examples of Second Empire architecture in North America.Within the building, you will find two floors which make up the Renwick Gallery. There are decorative crafts and pieces to see as well as large scale installations which are clever in their design and intriguing to view.I particularly enjoyed Patrick Doughertys Shindig on the ground floor a couple years back. Here Dougherty crisscrossed sticks to create structures that fit into their surrounds, making something of a community of hive like units. These were delightful constructs that were very interesting to see and look around.Overall, the Renwick Gallery is a nice change of pace for art fans who want to see something interesting and different. The location of the gallery convenient if you intend to visit attractions near the White House and well worth 30-45 minutes of your time if not more if you enjoy this type of sightseeing during your travels.

Great burning man exhibit with various installation pieces to enjoy as well as a section on the history and evolution of the movement. Definitely be sure to try stepping on one of the light pads underneath the mushrooms for a cool example of art meeting technology.

Very unique art but well worth the visit.

No Spectators was my second time at the Renwick, the last was 29 years ago. Its a beautiful old gallery and they do a wonderful job when they put on a show.The sculptures around town are a brilliant touch for the current show, give the people a feeling of what its like to be out there were, Its so far! to get to the next thing.

Very lucky to visit this museum when the burning man exhibition happened in August 2018. Especially it is free admission. Feel like walking into a quite intimate spaces, but the museum has quite large exhibition to display.

Went to burning man exhibit! It was wild...fun...interesting but very crowded on a Saturday! You wont see anything like it in along time! Take your time and experience the living art!

Absolutely love this place! Its small permanent collection is full of interesting others and youll pick out new details on every visit. The feature exhibits are almost always fantastic and give you many reasons to come back. Kids will be fascinated by the LED icicle lights.

Lovely! A very nice free gallery with some great crafts and art. I especially liked the second floor temple. Definitely worth a visit if you have the time.

You can see very creative arts here.

Awesome place and great exhibit for burning man!

Experiencing Burning Man there was colossal... simply unforgettable

The Burning Man exhibit is fantastic! I never really got Burning Man but after touring this exhibit I really want to experience it for myself. Dont forget to go upstairs before you leave.

You never know what you are going to witness when you walk into renwick. The place always changes other than their second floor permanent collection. There are some very cool and interesting showings that come through. Depending on the popularity of the exhibit you want to visit renwick during the day to avoid long lines. It is free to see all of the exhibits but donates are welcomed.

Amazing installments in a space that is not overwhelmingly huge. Great for a shorter trip.

Love this modest gallery! Great exhibits year-round and easy to get to.

Great space, go check it out no matter what exhibit is going on.When we went it was the Burning Man exhibit. Well worth the free admission.