Kogod Courtyard (American Art Museum)

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Kogod Courtyard (American Art Museum)

Photo: Zack Frank, Smithsonian American Art Museum · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

🏠 Indoor · Washington

1.5 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 5.0
1–3 yrs
★ 5.0
3–5 yrs
★ 5.0
5–10 yrs
★ 3.0
  • 🚗
    About 35 min drive
    From Rockville · Parking: Downtown garages about $15–25; Metro to Gallery Place-Chinatown puts you at the door
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Lots of shade
    Rain-OK · Fine on cold days · Handles heat
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 1.5 hours
    Best seasons: Winter · Spring · Summer · Fall

The huge courtyard between the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Portrait Gallery, covered by a wavy glass roof, with a thin sheet of water flowing across the floor, a few trees, and lots of tables and chairs. Free and climate-controlled, it's where DC parents agree to let kids run on rainy and freezing days, with a cafe right there.

💡 Tips
The courtyard opens at 11:30 and stays open until 7pm, later than the museums. Free music on many weekend afternoons. Both museums are free too, and big kids will recognize a few of the presidents in the Portrait Gallery.

What this place offers

✓free
✓indoor
✓glass roof
✓water floor
✓cafe
✓restrooms
✓stroller friendly
✓air conditioning

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This weekend's weather in Washington

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌦️
Sat 10/17
Showers · 47–60°F · 56% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 45–63°F · 4% rain

Location

Washington, Washington, DC