The Phillips Collection
America's first museum of modern art, opened in 1921. Its signature work is Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, and it also has a Rothko Room for quiet contemplation.
The Phillips Collection was founded by collector Duncan Phillips in his own residence, and its galleries retain the intimate scale of a home. Its most famous work is Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party. Other holdings include works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Monet, Degas, Picasso, and Georgia O'Keeffe, as well as the Rothko Room, designed specifically for four paintings by Mark Rothko and ideal for sitting and looking quietly. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Adult admission is about US$16-20, and some time slots for the permanent collection offer discounts. It is located near Dupont Circle, about a 3-minute walk from Dupont Circle station on the Metro Red Line. The surrounding area is home to embassies, so you can easily combine a visit with Dumbarton Oaks and Georgetown.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00 (extended on Thursdays); closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Dumbarton Oaks
- The White House
- Georgetown
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Smithsonian's National Zoo
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- National Mall & Lincoln Memorial