Some of the world’s best art is in D.C., whether on the walls of Smithsonian museums, moody private institutions, or tucked-away gems all over the city. With so many styles to choose from, galleries are a perfect place to escape the cold, stroll around and get inspired. Here, DCist writers highlight their favorite galleries in D.C.

Photo by NCinDC.

THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION: The first thing some people think about the Phillips Collection is that it charges admission, unlike a lot of other D.C. museums — but it’s worth it. The museum would be one of the top draws in many other cities. Billing itself as America’s first modern art museum, the collection includes works by many of the most well-known artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, like Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Goya, Degas, Miro, Rodin, Whistler, O’Keeffe, Hopper, Klee and more, plus a few older artists with similar themes like El Greco. Many of the works hang on the ornate, dark wood walls of Phillips’ 1897 mansion, which makes for a unique place to view the art, with the rest in more recent additions. The collection spans Phillips’ interest in impressionism, modern art (there’s an entire room of Mark Rothko’s color field paintings) and half of Jacob Lawrence’s 60-panel “Migration Series” documenting the journey of African Americans from the South to the North in the 1940s (the other half is in the MoMA in New York.) If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. — Andrew Wiseman

The Phillips Collection is located at 1600 21st Street NW.

THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY: In the Smithsonian family, the Portrait Gallery sometimes fades behind its popular cousin, the National Gallery. But the Portrait Gallery is worth getting off the Mall for a more one-on-one art experience. As the name implies, the paintings, photos, drawings and sculptures are usually of specific individuals. The subjects range from widely recognizable figures to anonymous, but they all have some story to tell. Permanent collections on civil rights figures, American presidents, and athletic champions are compelling, and exhibits of 1960s Time covers, abstract portraits, and Civil War-era D.C. will be up for the next several months.

The National Portrait Gallery is located at 8th and F streets NW.

Photo by Lance Couzens.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY: …That said, if you live in D.C. and haven’t visited the National Gallery, Thomas Jefferson would probably be really disappointed in you. The gallery features some of the most famous art in history, by artists like da Vinci, Van Gogh, Jackson Pollack, Matisse, Picasso, Rembrandt, Monet, and many more. There are lots of captions that give meaning and context to whatever you are looking at. I strongly recommend going to the Andrew Wyeth “Looking Out, Looking In” exhibit before it closes at the end of November, as it will change everything you thought you knew about windows.

The National Gallery is located at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.

FOUNDRY GALLERY: This artist-owned cooperative gallery in Dupont Circle showcases a variety of emerging artists from all over the world. Every month offers a new exhibit of works in all mediums and styles, plus an in-depth solo show by one member artist. Foundry seeks to provide an “alternative gallery experience” with their artist talks, workshops, receptions, and demonstrations”, and prices original pieces more affordably than commercial galleries.

Foundry Gallery is located at 1314 18th Street NW.

Via Transformer.

TRANSFORMER: Don’t be fooled by its size (the space is “cozy,” to put it politely), or its location (situated a few doors down from the P Street NW Whole Foods—not exactly gallery row), Transformer is one of the best curated galleries in the city. Blending exhibits from emerging artists in the city, to more transgressive and abstract exhibits, the small gallery is continually showcasing some of the best artists in the city. And don’t be put off by the small space; it adds to the intimacy of the artistic experience and allows you to interact with the artists showcasing their work. — Matt Cohen

Transformer is located at 1404 P Street NW.

HONFLEUR GALLERY: Located in historic Anacostia, Honfleur Gallery has presented contemporary art, both traditional and experimental, east of the river since 2007. While the gallery presents the works of artists from around the world, it also highlights local pieces most notably during its “East of the River” showcase. —Sarah Anne Hughes

Honfleur Gallery is located at 1241 Good Hope Road SE.

Photo by Mr. T in D.C.

LONGVIEW GALLERY: LongView Gallery focuses on art by regional and local artists in their beautiful, modern space in Shaw. Monthly exhibits kick off with fun yet classy opening receptions, and the featured artists represent a wide range of genres. “In Rainbows” by Gian Garofalo is currently on display, and includes super colorful and geometric pieces. If you’re in the market to buy, gallery staff is knowledgable about design and helpful in coordinating framing and delivery. (Note: What was formerly known as the DCist Exposed Photography Show was hosted inside LongView.)

LongView Gallery is located at 1234 9th Street NW.

HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN: I used to think modern art was weird, but now I look at like being in the movie Inception without worrying about Limbo. There is something for everyone at the Hirshhorn, which blends the abstract, the poignant, the structured and the fantastical in their curation. Barbara Kruger’s word art “surrounds the viewer with language” in a claustrophobic but cool way. The “Days of Endless Time” collection brings “meditative forms of perception” to classic subject matter. And the Hirshhorn’s 40th anniversary collection “At The Hub Of Things” honors the museum as a place where diverse artists and themes converge.

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is located at 700 Independence Avenue SW.

Jamie Smith and Leigh Conner. Photograph by Lucian Perkins.

CONNERSMITH: One of the best galleries in D.C. is currently without a home. Connersmith Gallery, named for its owners Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith, announced the sale of its Florida Avenue NE space to Capital Fringe this summer and closed soon after with a final student showcase. While it’s not yet known where Connersmith’s next space will be (we’re waiting to hear back), we anxiously await the return of the contemporary art gallery and its bold exhibitions. —Sarah Anne Hughes

PULITZER PRIZE PHOTOGRAPHS GALLERY AT THE NEWSEUM: If a picture is worth a thousand words, the Newseum’s Pulitzer Prize photo gallery basically sums up the world since 1942. It is the most comprehensive collection of Pulitzer-winning photos that has ever been on display, and they each carry massive weight. Every photo beautifully captures one of the most important news stories from its corresponding year, and all the emotions that went along with it. In elevated Newseum fashion, the exhibit offers interactive touch screens with 15 hours of video and audio interviews with the winning photojournalists. There is also a 19-minute film about the photos.

The Newseum is located at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

THE FRIDGE: Located in an alley off Barracks Row, The Fridge feels like one of the most accessible galleries in D.C. Showcasing the work of new and established street artists, like D.C. muralist Aniekan Udofia, The Fridge also hosts performance artists. If an actual piece of art is out of your price range, clothing, stickers and other items designed by artists are available. —Sarah Anne Hughes

The Fridge is located at 516 8th Street SE.

Photo via Zenith Gallery.

ZENITH GALLERY: Established in 1978, Zenith is known for its eclectic collection of paintings, sculpture, neon, photographs, tapestries and 3-D mixed-media pieces. Sometimes home decor and jewelry is exhibited, too. Renown owner and arts commissioner Margery Goldberg seeks out “exceptional artists at varying stages of their careers,” many of whom “are now well-known and established, while others are young bright lights on the horizon.” In December, Zenith presents the work of “Firepainter” Peter Kepart, known for painting with fire. Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 13th, when there will be an on-site demonstration (fire-friendly weather permitting).

Zenith Gallery is located at 1429 Iris Street NW.

THE LAWRENCE A. FLEISCHMAN GALLERY: The whole Smithsonian American Art Museum is great, but don’t overlook this small gallery nestled inside next to the courtyard. It is the primary exhibition space for the Archives of American Art, and features interesting behind-the-scenes documents of famous art, such as snapshots, diaries, letters, and sketches. Themes change every few months; past favorites include exhibits on the Monuments Men, love letters and lists written by American artists, and a history of the modeling profession (as in posing for artists). Artist diary entries are now on display in “A Day in the Life” through February 2015. They provide “firsthand accounts of appointments made and met, places seen, and work in progress — all laced with personal ruminations, name-dropping, and the occasional sketch or doodle.”

The Fleischman Gallery is located on the first floor of the American Art Museum at 8th and F Streets NW.