Tour the National Archives & American History Museum
Explore the National Archives and American History Museum in a group of 8 or fewer
Duration
5 - 5.5 hours
Ideal For
Up to 8 people
Includes
Guide, Museum tour, Tickets
Highlights
See key U.S. founding documents and iconic artifacts on a 5–5.5 hour semi-private, guide-led tour. Visit the National Archives and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History with time for a lunch break.
- Meet your guide at the corner of 9th Street NW and Constitution Ave
- View the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights
- Explore the Rubenstein Gallery and see a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta
- Walk through the Smithsonian National Museum of American History with your guide
- See highlights like the Star-Spangled Banner, First Ladies exhibit, and Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers
- Take a semi-private tour capped at 8 guests
What's Included
- Semi-private walking tour and museum tour
- Professional tour guide
- Admission tickets for the permanent collection
Things to know
Not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with walking disabilities. Guests over 16 must bring ID; oversized bags larger than a small backpack are not permitted. Lunch is not included, and gratuities are optional.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour start time. No refund within 24 hours of the start time. No-shows and latecomers are charged the full price. If you booked through a third party, cancel or reschedule with them.
FAQs
Bring identification if you are over 16. Travel light: bring only a handbag or small, slim backpack (no large bags or suitcases).
No. This tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not available for guests with walking disabilities. Wheelchair tours are only available as a private tour.
No. The tour includes a lunch break, but lunch is not included.
Meeting details
Meet at the bottom of the large stairs on Constitution Ave https://maps.app.goo.gl/LRbySdKn36CSMLyYA
More about the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History sits along the National Mall as one of Washington DC's most beloved cultural landmarks, holding the artifacts that tell the story of a nation. Stepping inside, you are surrounded by objects that shaped the American experience, from the original Star-Spangled Banner that inspired the national anthem to the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Pairing the Smithsonian National Museum of American History with a guided visit to the National Archives creates a powerful one-two punch, letting you trace the country's story from its founding documents to the everyday objects, inventions, and innovations that followed.
Inside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, your guide helps you navigate galleries that could easily overwhelm a first-time visitor, pointing out the must-see treasures and the quieter exhibits worth a closer look. You will encounter Abraham Lincoln's top hat, Julia Child's kitchen recreated in painstaking detail, and the gleaming locomotives and automobiles that moved a growing country forward. The contrast with the National Archives portion of the tour is striking. Where the Archives presents the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights under low light and hushed reverence, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History brings history to life with color, sound, and tangible objects you can stand inches away from. Together, the two stops offer both the founding ideas and the lived reality of American history.
This combo tour is perfect for families introducing kids to American history, history buffs who want context beyond the placards, and first-time visitors to Washington DC who want to make the most of limited time. Solo travelers and couples alike will appreciate the small-group pace and the insider knowledge of a guide who knows exactly where to linger. If you want to feel the full sweep of the American story in a single morning, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History delivers it in vivid, unforgettable detail.
Related locations
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Admission includedStep inside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and find yourself surrounded by the objects that shaped a nation. From the tattered original Star-Spangled Banner to Julia Child's home kitchen, the collections here are tangible and immediate. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History places you in direct conversation with American life, from its earliest days to the present.
