Combo: National Archives Museum + National Portrait Gallery Tour - Semi-Private (8 Guests Max)
About this activity
A 5.5-hour semi-private guided tour of the National Archives Museum and National Portrait Gallery for up to 8 guests, with reserved skip-the-line Archives entry and a break between museums.
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
Visit two Washington, D.C. museums with an expert guide. Start inside the National Archives with reserved, skip-the-line entry to see the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. Explore documents such as the 1297 Magna Carta and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation when on display. After a break for lunch at your own expense, continue to the National Portrait Gallery for George Washington’s Lansdowne Portrait, presidential portraits and Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” portrait. The guided route lasts 5.5 hours, including the break; individual exhibits may change.
Begin with reserved, skip-the-line entry at the National Archives Museum. Your 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
- Semi-private guided visit inside both museums
- Reserved, skip-the-line National Archives entry
- Professional guide
- 5.5-hour tour including a break
- Small-group walking tour
- Food and drinks, including lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional gratuities
- Luggage and coat storage
Itinerary
National Archives Museum guided visit
Reserved, skip-the-line entry and guided visit to the Charters of Freedom, Magna Carta and other documents on display.
Lunch break and walk between museums
Take a break for lunch at your own expense, then walk to the National Portrait Gallery with your guide.
Meeting point
Start Location
National Archives Museum — front stairs meeting point
National Archives Museum, 701 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20408, USA
Meet your guide at the bottom of the National Archives front stairs, 701 Constitution Avenue NW, 10 minutes before start.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- This semi-private tour is limited to 8 guests.
- Provide a reachable mobile number, including country code.
- Full refund for cancellations at least 24 hours before tour start.
- The semi-private tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Know before you go
- Meet your guide at the bottom of the National Archives front stairs, 701 Constitution Avenue NW.
- Arrive 10 minutes before departure; late arrivals may miss the tour.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; bring only small bags for museum security.
- Your guide facilitates reserved, skip-the-line Archives entry; security screening still applies.
- Bring an ID or a photo of an ID showing date of birth.
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
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
This is a 5.5-hour walking tour with a lunch break at your own expense. The National Archives uses security screening; small bags are recommended. Permanent displays and specific works may change. Please provide a mobile number so your guide can reach you.