TourTruth score 9.2 out of 10
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Washington DC Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum Tour 2.5 hr
TourTruth score 8.1 out of 10
Very goodTop 16% in Washington DC
31 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Washington DC
- 2 hrs 30 min
- Updated November 1, 2026
Explore the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum on a guided 2.5-hour visit inside Washington’s historic Old Patent Office Building.
About this tour
Step inside Washington, DC’s historic Old Patent Office Building, where portraits and American art share a remarkable setting. This 2.5-hour Washington DC Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum tour brings two major collections together under one roof.
With a guide, explore the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, discovering American-made works and the stories behind them. Choose the exclusive option for a private guide; the semi-private option does not include one. The tour is wheelchair accessible with the exclusive option, and mobile tickets make arrival straightforward. Meet on the stairs outside the G Street entrance, in front of the National Portrait Gallery sign. Keep bags small, as large bags and suitcases are not permitted through museum security. Some rooms require quiet or limit speaking, and collections may change during the year.
Make time for two distinctive museums in one visit and experience Washington DC Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum with a guide who helps bring the art and history into focus.
Highlights
- Explore two iconic museums housed in the historic Old Patent Office Building
- See portraits and American-made art on a guided visit
- Enjoy a private guide when booking the exclusive option
What's included
Included
- Guided museum tour
- Private guide with the exclusive option; not included with the semi-private option
- Wheelchair-friendly tour with the exclusive option; not included with the semi-private option
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on ViatorViator
4.96 / 5 · 24 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
5.00 / 5 · 7 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Important information
- Wheelchair accessible with the exclusive option; accessibility does not apply to the semi-private option
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller
- Nearby public transportation is available, including wheelchair-accessible options
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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- Provide a mobile phone number with country code
- Meet on the stairs outside the G Street entrance, in front of the National Portrait Gallery sign
- Large bags and suitcases are not allowed; only handbags or small, thin backpacks may pass security
- Some rooms require quiet or restrict speaking; the guide will explain rules before entry
- Museum closures may occur without notice; if opening is delayed by more than one hour, an alternative will be offered, with no refund or discount
- Collections may vary throughout the year
- Appropriate dress is required for entry to some sites
- Lines may form due to security measures, even with skip-the-line or no-wait access
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The guided museum tour lasts 2.5 hours.
Which museums are visited?
The tour visits the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, both housed in the historic Old Patent Office Building.
Is the tour private?
A private guide is included with the exclusive option. It is not included if you choose the semi-private option.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
The tour is described as wheelchair accessible with the exclusive option; this does not apply to the semi-private option.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet on the stairs outside the G Street entrance, in front of the National Portrait Gallery sign.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.96 on Viator and 5.00 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Washington DC
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 8.1. Top 16% in Washington DC means it ranks in the top 16% of tours in Washington DC by this score.
Provider rating distribution in Washington DC
How many tours in Washington DC have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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