The Phillips Collection

Many of the great works in this still-intimate museum, despite a major expansion, were lovingly and sometimes shrewdly acquired by the institution's founder, Duncan Phillips, who is credited with introducing modern art to America. This is an especially good time to visit the Phillips because 60 of its masterworks, including Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party," have been reinstalled after a four-year tour to museums elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. Coinciding with the reinstallation, is the reopening of the relocated Rothko Room in the Phillips' Sant Building. Mark Rothko's four large color field paintings are positioned exactly as they were in the former, identically sized space -- "to overwhhelm the walls, saturating the room with color and sensation," according to the museum. more

Considering almost every museum in DC is free, you might not think to check out the Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle, but it shouldn't be missed. The museum is in a mansion, similar to the Barnes Collection outside of Philadelphia except the building is not quite as extravagant, and the art is all approachable and intimate. There is usually a visiting exhibit, almost all of reknowned artists, but be careful, the place can get packed on weekends. more

The Phillips collection is a drop-dead gorgeous assemblage of art. You will not find this anywhere else in the world. Even the traveling exhibits from this collection are just a teasing sample of the sheer volume of beauty that is here. It might just be that I'm a sucker for Renoir, not to mention Whistler or El Greco or dozens of others whose names escape me. Maybe that's it. But I really think that even if you think "art" is stupid, you'll find something beautiful here. This is one museum in DC where I don't mind paying to get in. more

The Phillips Collection is one of my favorite museums in Washington. The atmosphere is intimate and warm. You feel like you are in a private mansion. The works are magnificent and you have time to pause and appreciate everything. The exhibit ,Edward Weston, was a superb collection on abstract photography.The green pepper, the halved cabbage, all were a teaching tool, but couling the photos with a few contemporary painters was not that effective.Stick to ane media. student/alex. more

It's been my experience that the Phillips gets some of the best exhibits that hit DC, including the spectacular Miro and Calder exhibit that just recently left. They generally change the special exhibits every few months and advertise on their website and all over the metro. Unfortunately, it is usually an expensive admission, $13 last time I checked, or $11 if you're a student. Pretty hefty compared to the Smithsonians. Also, even though the audio guides are free, you might be better without them, the people on the Calder/Miro exhibit's audioguides were pretty ineffective. more