Washington DC Smithsonian Museum Tour 5.5 hr - Image 1
Washington DC Smithsonian Museum Tour 5.5 hr - Image 2
Washington DC Smithsonian Museum Tour 5.5 hr - Image 3
Washington DC Smithsonian Museum Tour 5.5 hr - Image 4
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Washington DC Smithsonian Museum Tour 5.5 hr

TourTruth score 7.9 out of 10

GoodTop 19% in Washington DC

31 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Washington DC
  • 5 hrs 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore Washington, DC’s Natural History and American History museums with a guide, from the Hope Diamond to Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers.

About this tour

Explore two of Washington, DC’s most celebrated museums on a guided Smithsonian Natural History and American History museum tour. Over 5.5 hours, including a lunch break, your guide leads you through standout exhibits and helps you find the objects that bring natural wonders and American stories to life.

Look for the Hope Diamond, the nation’s T. rex and a megalodon jaw at the Natural History Museum. Then discover treasures at the American History Museum, including the Star-Spangled Banner, Lincoln’s top hat, the First Ladies exhibit, the Greensboro lunch counter and Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers. The featured collections may vary throughout the year, and some rooms require quiet or limit speaking; your guide will explain any rules before you enter.

Meet on the large stairs at the Natural History Museum’s Madison Drive NW entrance, facing the National Mall lawn. The tour is wheelchair accessible, though this feature does not apply to the semi-private option. Make time for two Smithsonian landmarks and see the stories behind their most memorable exhibits with a knowledgeable guide.

Highlights

  • Admire the Hope Diamond and the nation’s T. rex
  • See the Star-Spangled Banner and Lincoln’s top hat
  • Find Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers and the First Ladies exhibit
  • Explore two iconic Smithsonian museums with a dedicated guide

What's included

Included

  • Guided combo tour of the Natural History and American History museums
  • Tour guide exclusively for your group, except with the semi-private option
  • Wheelchair-friendly tour, except with the semi-private option
  • 5.5-hour duration, including a lunch break

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

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

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Natural History Museum, facing the National Mall lawn
  • Provide a mobile phone number with country code
  • Museum closures may occur without notice; an alternative may be offered if opening is delayed by more than 1 hour, with no refund or discount
  • Large bags and suitcases are not allowed; only handbags or small, thin backpacks may pass security
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  • Some rooms require quiet or restrict speaking; your guide will explain before entry
  • Collections may vary throughout the year
  • Wheelchair accessible; nearby public transportation and wheelchair-accessible transportation are available
  • Infants and small children can ride in a stroller
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Appropriate dress may be required for entry
  • The exclusive guide and wheelchair-friendly features do not apply to the semi-private option

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 5.5 hours, including a lunch break.

Where do we meet?

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

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is described as wheelchair accessible, but this does not apply to the semi-private option.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I know about Museum entry?

Large bags and suitcases are not allowed. Museum closures and collection changes may occur without notice.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.92 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 7.9. Top 19% in Washington DC means it ranks in the top 19% 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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