National Gallery of Art & Sculpture Garden Highlights Tour

Explore masterpieces from around the world at the National Gallery of Art and its stunning Sculpture Garden

Tour Overview

In depth highlights tour to view the highlights of The National Gallery of America’s immense art collection. As you move through the galleries of the West Building, you’ll view the Gallery’s earliest masterworks, from the Italian 13th- and 14th-century works up through much of its 19th-century American art collections. You’ll learn about the development of the major genres of western art, such as portraiture, still-life, and landscape.

This tour also includes a truly unique underground exhibit – a moving walkway art installation located in the tunnel connecting the East and West Wings. The tour will conclude with a guided visit to the 6-acre Sculpture Garden containing incredible works of outdoor art illuminating the transition from the 2-dimensional world of painting to 3-dimensional treasures.

What's Included

  • Easy Access Admission to the National Gallery
  • Visit to the National Gallery Sculptor Garden

Highlights

  • See the only hanging Leonardo Da Vinci painting in the USA – it is quite possibly the most unusual painting on display in the world
  • See and admire some of America’s most incredible architecture in the Museum’s most magnificent interior design and spectacular courtyards and galleries
  • Learn about the life of some of the most incredible artists in history including Jan van Eyck and The Annunciation, Raphael and The Alba Madonna, Rembrandt’s Self- Portrait and Vincent Van Gogh
  • Discover the highlights of America’s most treasured art collection in the USA

Languages

  • English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does LetzGo's National Gallery of Art Highlights tour in Washington DC include?

LetzGo’s 2.5-hour National Gallery tour focuses on the West Building, guiding guests through major works from early European masters to 19th-century American art. Your guide covers key works by Jan van Eyck, Raphael, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, as well as the Leonardo da Vinci painting that is the only work by the artist in the Americas. The tour includes the remarkable underground moving walkway art installation connecting the East and West Wings, and concludes in the six-acre National Gallery Sculpture Garden, linking the experience of painting with major outdoor three-dimensional works.

Which Leonardo da Vinci painting is at the National Gallery of Art, and why is it significant?

The Leonardo da Vinci painting at the National Gallery of Art is Ginevra de’ Benci, painted around 1474, the only Leonardo in the entire Western Hemisphere. The portrait of the Florentine noblewoman is renowned for its pioneering use of atmospheric landscape background and the psychological intensity of the sitter’s gaze. LetzGo’s guide situates the painting within the wider West Building collection, from Jan van Eyck and Raphael through to Rembrandt and Van Gogh, ensuring the da Vinci receives the attention it deserves as one of Washington DC’s greatest art treasures.

What is the underground walkway at the National Gallery of Art, and why does LetzGo include it?

The underground moving walkway connecting the East and West Wings of the National Gallery is one of Washington DC’s most unusual art experiences, a kinetic light environment that transforms an ordinary transit corridor into an immersive artwork. LetzGo includes it as part of the tour because it represents the kind of surprising detail most visitors walk past without noticing. The National Gallery’s admission is always free, meaning LetzGo’s tour adds expert interpretation at no extra cost, one of the best-value cultural experiences in the United States.

What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy?

We offer free cancellation and free rescheduling on all bookings made more than 24 hours before your scheduled tour departure time. If your plans change, simply contact us as early as possible and we will rebook you onto another available date at no additional charge.

Cancellations or changes requested less than 24 hours before departure are not possible, and the booking will be treated as non-refundable. This policy exists because our tours operate with a limited number of guests, and last-minute cancellations prevent us from offering the spot to other travellers.

We strongly recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred date, particularly during peak travel seasons (June to September) when availability fills quickly. If you are booking for a group, please contact us directly before completing your booking so we can advise on availability and any group-specific arrangements.

Is this tour accessible for guests with reduced mobility or physical limitations?

We want to be transparent about this so that every guest can make an informed decision before booking. This tour is not currently recommended for guests using wheelchairs, motorised scooters or other mobility assistance devices. The tour route includes a significant amount of walking and covers surfaces that can be challenging, including cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs across both venues.

Strollers and baby carriages cannot be accommodated on this tour.

We also ask that all participants be in good general health. If you have a medical condition or are not accustomed to regular exercise, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking.

If you have specific mobility concerns and are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking — we will always advise honestly based on your situation, and we can explore whether alternative tour options or arrangements may be more suitable.

Email us on: info@letzgocitytours.com if you need further assistance.