Smithsonian National Museum of American History Tour - Private
About this activity
Explore the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on a 2.5-hour private guided tour. Museum admission is included. See the Star-Spangled Banner, Greensboro Lunch Counter, Lincoln’s top hat, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers with your own guide.
Highlights
- The Star-Spangled Banner
- Greensboro Lunch Counter
- George Washington’s Uniform and Sword
- Abraham Lincoln’s Top Hat
- Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers
Full description
Explore the Smithsonian National Museum of American History with a guide exclusively for your group. This private guided visit connects artifacts from the Revolution, presidential history, the Civil Rights Movement, and American pop culture. Museum admission is free to the public and included with your guided visit. Featured objects may be unavailable while on loan or under restoration.
Trace American history through the objects that witnessed it on a private guided museum visit. See the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the national anthem, and examine George Washington’s uniform and sword alongside Abraham Lincoln’s top hat. At the Greensboro Lunch Counter, learn about the 1960 sit-in and the movement for desegregation. First Ladies’ gowns and Dorothy’s ruby slippers reveal how fashion, entertainment, and everyday life help tell the national story. Your guide shapes the visit around your group’s interests while connecting each artifact to its wider historical context. Museum admission is included, though the Smithsonian is free to the public. Exhibits can change when artifacts are on loan or under restoration.
Included / Excluded
- Private guided visit inside the museum
- Museum admission included
- Professional guide exclusively for your group
- Wheelchair-friendly private tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional gratuities
- Temporary exhibitions
- Food and drinks
- Luggage or coat storage
Itinerary
Constitution Avenue museum entrance
Meet your private guide at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History private guided visit
Explore the Star-Spangled Banner, Greensboro Lunch Counter, George Washington’s uniform and sword, Lincoln’s top hat, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers with your private guide. Displays may vary.
Meeting point
Start Location
1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, USA
1300 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Important information
Know before you book
- Please provide a mobile phone number with country code for day-of-tour contact.
- Full refund when cancelled at least 24 hours before the tour starts.
- This private museum tour is wheelchair-friendly.
Know before you go
- Meet your guide outside the National Museum of American History at 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20560.
- Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
- Your guide will facilitate museum entry.
- Bring a valid photo ID or a clear photo of it.
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
This private guided museum visit is wheelchair-friendly. Museum admission is included, although the Smithsonian is free to the public. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early. Security screening may involve a wait; large bags and suitcases are not permitted. Exhibits can change when artifacts are on loan or under restoration.