Metro Weekly

Five spaces to “chill” during your tours of area museums

National Gallery Tunnel and Fountain Photo by Todd Franson
National Gallery of Art‘s Tunnel and Fountain
Photography by Todd Franson

We’ve all been there before. The point at which your legs ache and your knees threaten to buckle. Such can be the case for any museum tour, which usually requires a large amount of walking — an arduous exertion for even those in top physical shape. But luckily, several area museums have incorporated spaces for visitors to sit and rest while enjoying the surroundings. And some are more than just simple benches: the atrium at the National Portrait Gallery features a café, dining tables, a WiFi network that guests can access, and several shallow pools of water inside an internal courtyard. Other venues get back to nature by offering visitors a glimpse of the outdoors, whether it’s the elaborate shrubbery surrounding various art sculptures at the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, or carefully tended gardens featuring seasonal flora at the Arboretum. We’ve chosen five of the best museum spaces to relax and renew your energy during your visit. After all, sometimes you just need to pause a moment, take in your surroundings, and enjoy the experience. 

 
Rothko Room at the Phillips Collection Photo by Max Hirshfeld
Rothko Room at the Phillips Collection
Photography by Max Hirshfeld

  

Hirshhorn Museum's Sculpture Garden Photo by Todd Franson
Hirshhorn Museum‘s Sculpture Garden
Photography by Todd Franson

 

United States National Arboretum Photo by Todd Franson
United States National Arboretum
Photography by Todd Franson

 

Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery Photo by Todd Franson
Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery
Photography by Todd Franson

 

National Gallery of Art: Leo Villareal's "Multiverse" light sculpture tunnel Photography by Todd Franson
National Gallery of Art: Leo Villareal’s “Multiverse” light sculpture tunnel
Photography by Todd Franson

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