The two buildings of the National Gallery hold one of the world's foremost collections of paintings, sculptures, and graphics, from the 13th to the 21st centuries. If you want to view the museum's holdings in (more or less) chronological order, it's best to start your exploration in the West Building. Opened in 1941, the domed West Building was a gift to the nation from industrialist and Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon. The rotunda, with 24 marble columns surrounding a fountain topped with a statue of Mercury, sets the stage for the masterpieces on display in more than 100 galleries.

The only painting by Leonardo da Vinci on display in the Western Hemisphere, Ginevra de'Benci is the centerpiece of the collection's comprehensive survey of Italian Renaissance paintings and sculpture; it also includes Raphael's The Alba Madonna and Sandro Botticelli's Adoration of the Magi. The masters of painting light, Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer, anchor the magnificent collection of Dutch and Flemish works. The gallery of gorgeous French Impressionist masterworks by superstars such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas, is unmissable.

Walk beneath flowering trees in the sculpture garden, on the Mall between 7th and 9th streets. Granite walkways take you through a shaded landscaped and sculptures from the museum's permanent collection, including Roy Lichtenstein's playful House I; Miró[ac]'s Personnage Gothique, Oiseau-Eclair; and Isamu Noguchi's Great Rock of Inner Seeking. The huge central fountain becomes a skating rink in winter.

There are many free docent-led tours every day. An introductory tour gives an overview of the collection's highlights; specialized tours focus on specific aspects of the collection. Check the Web site or front desk for more information. A recorded tour of highlights is available for a $5 rental fee on the main floor adjacent to the rotunda. If you'd prefer to explore on your own, avoid being overwhelmed by taking a cheat-sheet tour: pick up the laminated "What to See in One Hour" (the same guide is available for the East Building collections), which pinpoints 12 must-see masterworks. The guide is also on the museum's Web site.

The Gallery has a full calendar of concerts, films, lectures and other events, many free to the public. The outstanding museum store has one of the country's largest selections of books on art and art history, beautiful posters, prints, reproductions, stationery, and gifts.