Washington DC · SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM TOURS

The 15 Best Smithsonian Museum Tours in Washington DC

45 tours  ·  from $59

Nineteen museums, no entry fee, and far more than one day can hold. These 15 pick a route through them, priced by length, with a note on which combine Natural History and Air and Space and which go deep on one collection.

Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry - The African American Civil War Memorial and Museum
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Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry

1.Guided African American History Tour with Reserved Museum Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,180 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours tracing African American history in Washington, DC, from Jamestown and the Civil War to the Civil Rights era. Guides such as Dre and Elvis lead the bus and walking stops, ending with reserved entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“very informative the guide was funny and so knowledgeable saw things I would have never seen. it was absolutely wonderful and I will recommend to anyone I know traveling to DC. I would take it again!!!!!”

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Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour - The Hope Diamond and the museum’s glittering minerals
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Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – Exclusive Guided Tour

2.Smithsonian Museum of Natural History – Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 446 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89Top rated

Spend about two hours with a private guide at Washington’s Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Expect major highlights such as the Hope Diamond, Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs, Henry the elephant, Ocean Hall, and the megalodon. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“Our guide Tim was very fun, knowledgeable, and gave us a great experience and detailed information at the Natural History Museum. We loved meeting Henry the elephant and the Magladon. Thank you!”

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African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket - The Capitol and White House: power built by enslaved labor
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African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket

3.African American History Tour with Museum of African American History Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Join guide Kenny for a 3.5-hour small-group tour of African American history in Washington, DC. Visit major memorials, historic neighborhoods, Frederick Douglass or Mary McLeod Bethune sites, and finish with same-day entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“I had an incredible experience on the tour led by Kenny, who was simply an outstanding guide. His deep knowledge of African American history, as well as the histories of other cultural groups in Washington, D.C., was truly impressive and unparalleled. From the moment the tour began, I felt at ease, as if I were his niece and he was sharing family stories with me. Kenny’s engaging storytelling made the history come alive, and his passion for the subject was evident in every word. I can't recommend this tour highly enough! As a delightful bonus, Kenny took us to a fantastic soul food restaurant called Ooh and Ahh at the…”

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Washington, DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry - Starting at the U.S. Navy Memorial
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Washington, DC: African American History Tour & Museum Entry

4.African American History Tour & Museum Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 312 reviews · 210 minutes - 4 hours · from $89

Travel by climate-controlled bus through Washington, DC, with guides such as Dre or Elvis Pate, stopping at major memorials, Howard University, U Street, and Civil War landmarks before entering the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on your own.

“Dre was awesome. Very informative, I learned a lot.”

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Smithsonian Museums Walking Tour with Reserved Air & Space Entry - Air and Space: the value of reserved entry
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Smithsonian Museums Walking Tour with Reserved Air & Space Entry

5.Smithsonian Museums Walking Tour with Reserved Air & Space Entry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Walk about two miles through Washington’s Natural History, Air and Space, and American History museums with a guide such as Shane, Christina, or James. You’ll see the Hope Diamond, Wright Flyer, dinosaurs, presidential objects, and space capsules, with timed Air and Space entry included.

“Lots of walking but we'll worth it. Our guide, Shane, was excellent. The venues were very good.!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!@@”

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Smithsonian Museum of American History Exclusive Guided Tour - Starting at 1300 Constitution Avenue
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Smithsonian Museum of American History Exclusive Guided Tour

6.Smithsonian Museum of American History Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Spend 2.5 hours with a private or semi-private guide at the National Museum of American History. Guides such as Rebecca, Leigh, Maribeth, and Ann Marie lead flexible visits through the Star-Spangled Banner, presidential objects, first ladies’ gowns, Dorothy’s slippers, and the Greensboro lunch counter.

“Great choice on what was and Ann Marie’s stories with the displays was excellent. Very enjoyable tour of both Natl Archives and Smithsonian with Ann Marie”

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The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Exclusive Guided Tour - Wright Flyer and the beginning of powered flight
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The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Exclusive Guided Tour

7.The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum Exclusive Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 214 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Spend about 2.5 hours with a private or semi-private guide at Washington’s National Air and Space Museum. Hear the stories behind the Wright Flyer, Apollo 11, moon rocks, Hubble, and the Space Race, while your guide adjusts the route to match the exhibits open that day.

“Ryan was great...very informative & made our tour run smoothly & gave us all the information in a clear & concise manner! Learned alot!!”

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Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max - Ocean Hall, a Coral Reef, and a 45-Ton Whale
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Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max

8.Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Spend two hours with an art historian guide at Washington’s National Museum of Natural History. In a group capped at eight, you’ll see the Hope Diamond, Egyptian mummies, dinosaurs, giant animals, and Ocean Hall, with time-saving stories that help this huge museum make sense.

“Our tour guide, Amanda, was amazing. We so appreciated her expertise. She pay particular attention to our grandson. We had a great time.”

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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour - Meeting your guide outside the museum
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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour

9.Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 159 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

Spend two focused hours inside Washington’s Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with an English-speaking guide such as Nur, DC, or Maurice. You’ll follow a highlights route through dinosaur fossils, gemstones, mummies, early human tools, plants, animals, and hands-on exhibits, with museum entry included.

“Nur was awesome, had a fun way of sharing knowledge and very personable!”

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Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Guided Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max - The Wright Flyer and the beginnings of flight
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Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Guided Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max

10.Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Guided Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Explore Washington’s Air and Space Museum with an English-speaking guide and no more than eight people. See the Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 objects, moon rocks, and more. Morning and afternoon departures are available, though construction may change the route.

“Brenda is a wonderful tour guide! She made the museum come alive with riveting stories and fascinating anecdotes about key displays and exhibits. We were visiting with our teenage kids and she worked hard to keep them engaged and spark their interest. She is very knowledgeable, very experienced and clearly enjoys her job. Her "local knowledge" of the museum also made our visit very efficient. With her leading the way we likely got a full days worth of benefit from just a 2 hour tour. We recommend her without reservation.”

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Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max - Dorothy’s ruby slippers and America on screen
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Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max

11.Smithsonian Museum of American History Semi-Private 8ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Spend 2.5 hours inside the National Museum of American History with a guide and no more than seven other people. Expect major objects, First Ladies’ gowns, Civil Rights history, pop culture, and useful stories from guides such as Mary Beth, Rebecca, Brenda, and Tony.

“Super organized, expert guide, made it easy getting through crowds to next site plus being g thoughtful that our group stay as a group as a courtesy for other visitors. So polite and checked if we had any questions after he shared stories made us feel warm abd wel one of we had other questions”

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DC Monuments Day or Night American History Electric Cart Tour - The Washington Monument is a quick photo stop
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DC Monuments Day or Night American History Electric Cart Tour

12.DC Monuments Day or Night American History Electric Cart Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59Best value

Ride an open-air electric cart from downtown DC to Capitol Hill, the National Mall, the White House, and major memorials. Guides such as Fernando, Elmira, and Saul add history and humor, while brief stops allow photos. Choose daylight, sunset, or a city-lights ride.

“Amazing experience tour guide was amazing. I give it 10/10 an fill most definitely go back. I came from Alabama”

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Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Guided Tour 8ppl Max - Meeting your guide outside the National Air and Space Museum
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Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Guided Tour 8ppl Max

13.Smithsonian Air & Space Museum Guided Tour 8ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 89 reviews · 2h 30m · from $95

Spend 150 minutes with an English-speaking guide at Washington DC’s Air and Space Museum. Groups max out at eight, with private tours available. Expect the Wright Flyer, Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 Command Module, moon rock, astronaut gear, and stories from guides such as Rebecca, Paul, Amanda, and Leigh.

“Leigh was incredible ! She made the tour engaging and taught us so much. I highly recommend her.”

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City Bus Tour, Seasonal Cruise, Optional Air & Space or Monument - The Capitol and White House: quick exterior views
City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Smithsonian Museum Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Monuments & Memorials Tours

City Bus Tour, Seasonal Cruise, Optional Air & Space or Monument

14.City Bus Tour, Seasonal Cruise, Optional Air & Space or Monument

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $87

Spend about six hours touring Washington DC by air-conditioned bus with a guide, stopping at the Capitol, White House, war memorials, and more. Seasonal dates add a Potomac cruise, while optional upgrades cover the Washington Monument, Air and Space Museum, or African American History Museum.

“Tyrone made the trip entertaining! Saw more sites than the DC at dusk tour. Tyrone threw in great history facts and great places to eat!”

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National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max - A lunch break that keeps the day moving
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National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max

15.National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $166

Start at 10 a.m. with a guide such as Brenda or Christina at the National Archives. See the Declaration, Constitution, Magna Carta, Star-Spangled Banner, First Ladies’ gowns, and Dorothy’s slippers before ending at the American History Museum.

“We had a great tour before this one. Did not sign up for private tour but it ended up that way. The museum and archives are surreal.”

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New in Smithsonian Museum Tours

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