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Washington Smithsonian Museum Tour 5.5 hr

TourTruth score 8.4 out of 10

Very goodTop 11% in Washington DC

35 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Washington DC
  • 5 hrs 30 min
  • Updated October 31, 2026

Explore two iconic Smithsonian museums in Washington, DC, and spot famous treasures with a professional guide in a group of up to 8.

About this tour

See the stories behind some of the Smithsonian’s best-known treasures on a small-group visit to two landmark museums in Washington, DC. This 5.5-hour Washington Smithsonian museum tour pairs the National Museum of Natural History with the National Museum of American History, with a professional guide leading the way.

Discover famous objects including the Hope Diamond, historic flags, and the Ruby Red Slippers, while your guide helps you find the collections visitors come to see. The group is capped at 8 guests, creating a more personal way to explore these neighboring museums. Meet at the large stairs by the Madison Drive NW entrance to the Museum of Natural History, facing the National Mall lawn.

Allow time for security and follow any quiet-room rules your guide explains. Museum hours and collections can change, and occasional closures may require an alternative visit. Book your Washington Smithsonian museum tour to explore two celebrated collections with an expert guide.

Highlights

  • Explore two of Washington, DC’s most iconic Smithsonian museums
  • Spot famous treasures, from the Hope Diamond to the Ruby Red Slippers
  • Hear stories and insights from a professional guide
  • Enjoy a small-group visit with no more than 8 guests

What's included

Included

  • Professional tour guide
  • Small group guarantee: maximum 8 guests

Not included

  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a stroller
  • Nearby public transportation is available
  • Moderate physical fitness is recommended
  • Provide a mobile phone number, including country code
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  • At least 2 guests are required; if the minimum is not met, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund
  • Museum closures may occur without notice; if opening is delayed by more than 1 hour, an alternative will be provided, but refunds or discounts are not available
  • Appropriate dress is required for entry at some sites
  • Large bags and suitcases are not allowed; only handbags or small, thin backpacks can pass through security
  • Security lines may form, even with skip-the-line or no-wait access
  • Some rooms require quiet or restrict speaking; your guide will explain the rules before entry
  • Museum collections may vary throughout the year
  • Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Museum of Natural History, facing the National Mall lawn

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The guided tour lasts 330 minutes, or 5.5 hours.

How many guests are in the group?

The group is limited to 8 guests, and at least 2 guests are required for the tour to run.

Which museums are included?

The tour visits the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History.

Where do we meet?

Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Museum of Natural History, facing the National Mall lawn.

What should I know about Museum entry?

Large bags and suitcases are not allowed, and some rooms require quiet or restrict speaking. Museum closures and collection changes may occur.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 5.00 from 35 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

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 8.4. Top 11% in Washington DC means it ranks in the top 11% 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.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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