So today we did the absolutely dream combo—exploring two incredible art spaces in one afternoon, and the best part? We just hopped on the bus straight from our Airbnb. No complicated Metro transfers, no getting lost. Just a smooth ride that dropped us off right at the doorstep of some seriously stunning art. This is my kind of DC day!

First Stop: The Phillips Collection—A Hidden Gem That Punches Way Above Its Weight

Walking into The Phillips Collection feels less like entering a museum and more like stepping into a gorgeous, intimate home (which, fun fact, it literally used to be—it’s actually housed in Duncan Phillips’s 1897 Georgian Revival mansion). The whole vibe is completely different from the massive Smithsonian museums. There’s this cozy, personal feeling that makes you want to linger.

The moment we walked in, we were greeted by masterpiece after masterpiece. The permanent collection here is absolutely packed with modern art treasures—we’re talking nearly 5,000 works of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modernist paintings. Duncan Phillips was obsessed with collecting “the art of his day,” and honestly, his taste was impeccable. You’ve got works by everyone from Renoir and Monet to Picasso, van Gogh, and Georgia O’Keeffe.

But let’s talk about the crown jewel: Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party from 1880. Oh. My. Goodness. This painting is absolutely breathtaking. It shows this group of friends relaxing on a balcony at a riverside restaurant in France, and there’s just something so joyful and alive about it. The way the light falls across the scene, the expressions on people’s faces, the little dog playing in the foreground—it’s the kind of painting you could stare at for hours. Duncan Phillips actually pursued this painting for a decade before finally getting his hands on it in 1923. Total legend move.

The Rothko Room: A Transcendent Experience

One of the most unforgettable spaces in any museum we’ve visited is The Phillips’s Rothko Room. It’s this small, intimate chapel-like space with four Mark Rothko paintings on the walls, soft lighting, and just a simple wooden bench. Rothko’s work is all about color and emotion, and sitting in that room surrounded by his soft-edged rectangles of deep reds, oranges, and earth tones is genuinely moving. Duncan Phillips literally designed this room as a meditative space, and you can feel it. It’s like the museum gets it—sometimes you don’t need crowds and noise; you just need to sit quietly with beauty.

And Then There’s “Out of Many”…

Timing-wise, we hit the jackpot because the Phillips is currently hosting this incredible exhibition called Out of Many: Reframing an American Art Collection, which runs through February 15, 2026. This show is phenomenal—it’s bringing together about 75 works that tell a much fuller, more diverse story of American art from the early 20th century to now.

What makes this exhibition special is that it’s not just featuring the “big names” everyone expects. It includes works by historically overlooked artists alongside better-known figures, and to do that, they brought in pieces from Howard University, the University of Maryland, and other important collections. The exhibition is organized into five thematic sections—People, Places, Spaces, Things, and Chronicles—and it’s basically celebrating how different artists across America have imagined and depicted the people, cultures, landscapes, and histories that make up this country. Given that 2025 is the 250th anniversary of the US, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

Quick Detour: Bonnard’s Magic

We also got to see works by Pierre Bonnard, and wow, this guy could paint. The Phillips has an incredible collection of Bonnard pieces—17 paintings, actually, because Duncan Phillips was totally obsessed with his use of color. Bonnard’s work has this dreamy, luminous quality. It’s easy to see why he influenced even Mark Rothko. The interplay of light and color in his landscapes is just mesmerizing.

Second Stop: IA&A at Hillyer—Where American Art Meets Celebration

After soaking in all those masterpieces, we wandered over to IA&A at Hillyer (International Arts & Artists), which is just a quick walk away, and they’re currently hosting an exhibition called FAPE Gift for the Nation 250. This show runs through November 30 and it’s basically a celebration of American art created specifically to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.

What’s cool about this exhibition is that it includes not just contemporary American art, but also a historic replica of the 1823 William J. Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence and pieces from their Original Print and Photography Collections. It’s a really thoughtful way of connecting past and present, showing how American artistic traditions have evolved while still honoring those foundational moments that shaped the country.​

The Best Part? Super Easy Access

Honestly, one of the highlights of the day was how easy it was to get there. Jumping on the bus from our Airbnb saved us so much time and stress. No parking worries, no navigating the Metro system—just hop on, grab a seat, and let someone else do the driving while you mentally prepare yourself for all the art-gazing ahead. 10/10 would recommend this method for exploring DC.

The Vibe

Both spaces have this wonderful, manageable scale that makes art-viewing feel less exhausting and more like a genuine experience. You’re not getting museum fatigue because you’re trying to sprint through endless galleries. Instead, you can actually feel the art, sit with it, let it hit you.

If you’re ever in DC (or planning a visit), make The Phillips Collection and IA&A at Hillyer a priority. Grab your bus pass, bring comfortable shoes, and be ready to fall a little bit in love with American and modern art. Trust us—your soul will thank you.