Combo: National Archives Museum + National Portrait Gallery Tour - Private
About this activity
Private 5.5-hour guided visit to the National Archives and National Portrait Gallery, with reserved skip-the-line Archives entry and a lunch break.
Highlights
- Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Rare 1297 Magna Carta and other founding-era documents
- Washington’s Lansdowne Portrait
- Civil War, suffragette and presidential portraits
- Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” portrait of Barack Obama
Full description
Explore the founding documents at the National Archives, then see how portraits tell the story of American leadership at the National Portrait Gallery. Your private guide connects the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights with Washington’s Lansdowne Portrait and later figures. Reserved Archives entry and a break are included in the 5.5-hour route.
Begin with reserved, skip-the-line entry at the National Archives Museum. Your private guide introduces the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, then explores documents such as the 1297 Magna Carta, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and letters connected to George Washington and Alexander Hamilton when on display. After a lunch break at your own expense, continue to the National Portrait Gallery. George Washington’s Lansdowne Portrait, images of Civil War figures and suffragettes, modern presidents and Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” portrait show how Americans have represented leadership and identity. The 5.5-hour route includes about two hours at the Archives, a break, and 2.5 hours at the Portrait Gallery; individual exhibits may change.
Included / Excluded
- Private guided visit inside both museums
- Reserved, skip-the-line National Archives entry
- Professional guide exclusively for your party
- 5.5-hour tour including a break
- Wheelchair-friendly private tour
- Food and drinks, including lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional gratuities
- Luggage and coat storage
Itinerary
National Archives guided visit
Reserved entry and a guided visit to the founding documents, Magna Carta and changing Archives exhibits.
Lunch break and walk to Portrait Gallery
Break for lunch at your own expense and travel to the National Portrait Gallery.
Meeting point
Start Location
National Archives Museum — front stairs meeting point
National Archives Museum, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA
Meet at the bottom of the front stairs, 701 Constitution Avenue NW. Arrive 10 minutes early.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Provide a mobile number with country code so your guide can reach you.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
- This private museum tour is wheelchair-friendly.
Know before you go
- Meet your guide at the bottom of the National Archives front stairs, 701 Constitution Ave NW.
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before departure.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and allow time for security screening.
- Your guide uses reserved, skip-the-line Archives entry and leads both museum visits.
- Bring an ID or a photo of an ID.
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
Reviews
We booked this tour to get as much as possible out of our time at The Met. What we didn’t know we were getting was a personalized experience full of captivating stories about the artists' lives and the people who brought the art to the museum. Robin was a wealth of knowledge and a highlight of our trip to New York!
Spent a great day with Charlie he was very engaging and shared lots of information and entertaining stories with us. He took great care of us and we would recommend him for any future tours.
Mark, tour guide for the Metropolitan Museum is an outstanding teacher: engaging; entertaining; professional; personable; experienced and deeply knowledgeable as a result of a lifelong passion and relationship with the Met. He loves what he does and cares deeply about sharing his knowledge and insight to spark curiosity and inspire his clients--his students--to understand context and meaning of each piece or work of art reviewed. My wife, a retired professor emeritas and myself both left thoroughly impressed and grateful to have been taught by best and most captivating guides we have had the privilege of meeting on one of our many travels and adventures. Hire the best. Hire Mark. Worth every penny and every minute of your time you can afford at the Met. Like us, you will look forward to coming back for another teaching session from Mark. In my case, hopefully we will be back on my birthday next year! (Thanks again Mark!)
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
Bring an ID or a photo of an ID. Security screening and lines may still occur despite reserved Archives entry. Exhibits can change. The private tour is wheelchair-friendly; contact Babylon Tours in advance for access needs.