Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum - Private
About this activity
Explore the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum on a 2.5-hour private guided tour. Reserved entry and guided visits inside both museums are included. See presidential portraits, Civil War figures, New Deal art, and works by major American artists.
Highlights
- Lansdowne portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart
- Barack Obama Hope portrait by Shepard Fairey
- Portraits of Civil War leaders Grant, Sherman, and McClellan
- Pocahontas portrait
- New Deal Works Progress Administration art
- Art by Whistler, Sargent, Hopper, Cassatt, and Hockney
Full description
Explore two Smithsonian museums in the historic Old Patent Office Building with a guide exclusively for your group. Trace American history through portraits of presidents, Civil War leaders, and other influential figures, then explore the development of American art. Reserved entry and a guided visit inside both museums are included.
Begin at the National Portrait Gallery, where the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington, Shepard Fairey’s Obama Hope portrait, Civil War figures, and a portrait of Pocahontas reveal different views of American identity. Continue into the Smithsonian American Art Museum for New Deal WPA art and works associated with Whistler, Sargent, Hopper, Cassatt, and Hockney. Your private guide connects the people, history, and art across both collections. Individual works may be unavailable when galleries change or objects are on loan.
Included / Excluded
- Private guided visits inside both Smithsonian museums with reserved entry
- Professional guide exclusively for your group
- 2.5-hour guided museum tour
- Wheelchair-friendly private tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and drinks
- Luggage or coat storage
Itinerary
National Portrait Gallery — G Street NW entrance
Meet your private guide on the stairs outside the G Street NW entrance, near 8th Street NW, 10 minutes before departure.
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
With your guide, see portraits of George Washington, Barack Obama, Civil War leaders, and Pocahontas; individual works may be unavailable.
Meeting point
Start Location
National Portrait Gallery — G Street NW entrance
National Portrait Gallery, 8th St NW & G St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Guest meeting point for both museums; near 8th Street NW.
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 the tour for a full refund.
- This private tour is wheelchair accessible.
Know before you go
- Meet your guide on the stairs outside the G Street NW entrance to the National Portrait Gallery, near 8th Street NW.
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start.
- Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Your private guide will facilitate entry and accompany your group inside both museums.
- Bring a photo ID or a clear photo of one.
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 2.5-hour private guided visit covers both the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. Reserved entry is included, though security screening may still take time. Temporary exhibitions are excluded and individual artworks can change or go on loan. Your private guide is exclusive to your group; the tour is wheelchair accessible.