Of all the city's cultural institutions, the American Art Museum has the best location for a field trip, hands down. Situated squarely between the shopping and dining of Penn Quarter and the nightlife of Chinatown, the museum shares space with the National Portrait Gallery, making it the ultimate two-in-one destination. A retrospective on Korean-born artist Nam June Paik launched in mid-December includes 67 thought-provoking works, as well as 140 items from the artist's archive. Our tip? Trade a gloomy winter afternoon for a few hours with Paik's brightly lit, colorful creations.

Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Streets NW; 202-633-7970.

Photo: Courtesy of Smithsonian American Art Museum