Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Tour - Private
About this activity
Explore the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History on a 2.5-hour private guided tour. Museum entry and a guided visit inside are included; admission is free to the public. See the Nation’s T. rex, Hope Diamond, and Egyptian mummies.
Highlights
- The Nation's T. rex
- Hope Diamond and Star of Asia Sapphire
- Henry the African Elephant
- Egyptian mummies
- Arctic narwhal
Full description
Follow your private guide through the Smithsonian’s fossils, gems, wildlife, and ancient cultures. See the Nation’s T. rex, Hope Diamond and Star of Asia Sapphire, Henry the Elephant, Egyptian mummies, and an Arctic narwhal. Featured displays may change when objects are on loan or under restoration.
Travel through the history of life on Earth inside the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with a guide exclusively for your group. Stand before the Nation’s T. rex, admire the Hope Diamond and Star of Asia Sapphire, and meet Henry, the museum’s African elephant. Discover Egyptian mummies and the Arctic narwhal while your guide explains how these specimens reveal the natural world. This private guided visit lasts 2.5 hours. Museum entry is included; Smithsonian admission is free to the public. Exhibits may change when objects are on loan or under restoration.
Included / Excluded
- Private guided museum visit inside the Smithsonian
- Professional guide exclusively for your group
- Museum admission included (free to the public)
- Wheelchair-friendly private tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Optional gratuities
- Temporary exhibitions
Itinerary
Natural History Museum — Madison Drive NW stairs
Meet your private guide at the large stairs outside the Madison Drive NW entrance, facing the National Mall.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Spend 2.5 hours exploring the museum with your private guide. Highlights generally include the Nation’s T. rex, Hope Diamond, Henry the Elephant, Egyptian mummies, and an Arctic narwhal when on display.
Meeting point
Start Location
Natural History Museum — Madison Drive NW stairs
1010 Madison Drive Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Meet outside at the large stairs facing the National Mall.
Get directions →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 on the large stairs at the museum’s Madison Drive NW entrance, facing the National Mall.
- 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. Admission to 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.