Combo: National Museum of Natural History + American History Museum - Semi-Private 8ppl Max
About this activity
Semi-private 5.5-hour guided tour of the Smithsonian Natural History and American History museums for up to eight guests, with a lunch break. This version is not wheelchair accessible.
Highlights
- The Nation’s T. rex and Fossil Hall
- Hope Diamond and Star of Asia Sapphire
- Egyptian mummies and animal exhibits
- The original Star-Spangled Banner
- Washington’s uniform, civil rights history and ruby slippers
Full description
See the Nation’s T. rex, Hope Diamond and Egyptian mummies at Natural History, then explore the Star-Spangled Banner, Washington’s uniform and Dorothy’s ruby slippers at American History. Your guide leads the 5.5-hour semi-private visit inside both museums for no more than eight guests. Museum admission is free to the public; lunch is at your own expense. This version is not wheelchair accessible.
Begin at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with the Nation’s T. rex, the Hope Diamond and Star of Asia Sapphire, Egyptian mummies, and displays of the animal world. After a break for lunch at your own expense, continue inside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Your guide brings the original Star-Spangled Banner, George Washington’s uniform and sword, the Greensboro Lunch Counter, Lincoln’s top hat and Dorothy’s ruby slippers into the broader story of the United States. The route pairs roughly 2.5 hours in each museum with a break; exhibit availability can vary.
Included / Excluded
- Guided semi-private visit inside both Smithsonian museums
- Professional tour guide
- Museum admission (free to the public)
- 5.5-hour tour including a break
- Food and drinks, including lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional gratuities
- Luggage and coat storage
Itinerary
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Meet at the designated Natural History Museum entrance, then spend about 2.5 hours with your guide among the Nation’s T. rex, Hope Diamond, mummies and animal exhibits. Admission is free to the public; the guided museum visit is included.
Lunch and walk between museums
Pause for about 30 minutes between museum visits. Food and drinks are at your own expense; the group continues to American History afterward.
Meeting point
Start Location
Natural History Museum — Madison Drive front stairs
1010 Madison Drive Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1010 Madison Drive NW.
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Semi-private group of no more than eight guests. This version is not wheelchair accessible.
- Provide a mobile phone number including country code.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
- This dated booking is valid only on its reserved date; lunch is at your own expense.
Know before you go
- TOUR MEETING POINT: On the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance to Natural History Museum
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before the reserved start time.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; allow time for museum security.
- Your guide leads visits inside both Smithsonian museums. General admission is free; temporary exhibitions may be excluded.
- Bring a valid photo ID or a clear photo of one.
Requirements
Information required at booking
- Full Names of each traveler
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 semi-private route is not wheelchair accessible. Expect museum security screening; bring only small bags. The group pauses for lunch between the two guided museum visits, with food and drinks at your own expense. Exhibits and temporary displays may change.