ANACOSTIA. Housed in a former Civil War fortress, this community museum broke new ground by combining art outreach programs with museum installations. It seeks to both "influence and archive" the culture of the community, and since its inception in 1967, it has honed in more closely on African-American culture and heritage. The museum is also unique in that it doesn't collect just physical artifacts, but stories and accounts in the oral tradition to develop a more comprehensive cultural view. METRO: Smithsonian

NATIONAL MALL. Physician Arthur Sackler was fascinated by all things Asian, and the museum that bears his name is a magnificent showcase for the works that he painstakingly collected. Highlights of Sackler's collection include Chinese jades and bronzes, while the Vever Collection consists of an extremely rare collection of Islamic manuscripts from the 11th century through the 19th century. Japanese prints and portraits are also presented here, and the ImaginAsia program brings the East to life for children of all ages. METRO: Smithsonian

DOWNTOWN. This venerable museum began construction in 1859 and has the honor of being the oldest art institution in DC. The Corcoran has several impressive collections; the Clark collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces is one of the most noteworthy. The Walker collection focuses on dramatic works by Renoir, Monet and Pisarro. In addition to these European displays, several exhibits are devoted to contemporary American pieces by artists such as John Singer Sargent and Winslow Homer. On Sundays, the museum hosts a popular gospel brunch. METRO: Farragut West and Farragut North

DUPONT CIRCLE. Since 1973 this museum has offered an array of multi-cultural exhibits, with a strong collection of pre-Colombian art as well as an ever changing assemblage of African American, Caribbean, Native American, and Latino art. A full schedule of special programming includes concerts and lectures, along with performance art and video presentations. Well worth a visit! Admission is by contribution. METRO: Dupont Circle

NATIONAL MALL. This museum has three claims to fame: it was the first Smithsonian museum dedicated exclusively to art, it houses a fantastic collection of Asian art, and it has perhaps the world's most extensive collection of works by American James Whistler. Charles Lang Freer collected thousand of Asian art and artifacts during his lifetime and also purchased many pieces from his good friend Whistler. The Asian collection has expanded to over 20,000, though the American collection has remained unchanged per Freer's request. The Freer connects to the the Sackler Gallery via an underground exhibition space. METRO: Smithsonian