Smithsonian Natural History Museum Guided Tour
From$95.4
2 hours
Washington DC, USA
About this activity
Experience a personalized 2-hour guided tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, featuring iconic exhibits like the Hope Diamond and the Hall of Human Origins.
Highlights
- Explore the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals
- Discover the Hall of Human Origins
- Marvel at the Hope Diamond
- Visit the Insect Zoo
- See the Giant Squid Exhibit
Full description
Dive into the wonders of the natural world with a 2-hour guided tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Led by an expert guide, you'll skip the lines and embark on a journey through iconic exhibits such as the Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, the Hall of Human Origins, and the Insect Zoo. Marvel at the dazzling Hope Diamond and the fascinating Giant Squid Exhibit. This tour offers an engaging and informative experience, perfect for families, history buffs, and science enthusiasts alike. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore one of the world's most renowned museums in a fun and exciting way!
Included / Excluded
- Expert guide
- Skip-the-line entry
- Personalized tour experience
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
1
Your guide will take you to visit the highlights of the collection, housed in a massive building that covers the area of 18 football fields. Gaze into the world-famous Hope Diamond, whose brilliant blue sparkle, and immodest size at 46 karats, captured the attention of former owner Marie Antoinette. Wander through the displays of gems and minerals, including the Dom Pedro Aquamarine, the world’s largest gem of its type, which glows brilliantly from within. Travel back in time to learn about death rituals while exploring real mummies from Ancient Egypt. Then step out of the past into the wild, exploring the mighty polar bears, elephants, and giraffes that roam across earth’s surface. From the land, jump into the sea at the Ocean Hall, where you’ll discover a live coral reef exhibit as well as a 45-ton whale, Phoenix, which is a replica of a real living what that the museum tracks. By the end, you’ll understand why so many people come to visit the 126.5 million artefacts housed at the National Museum of Natural History.
Duration: 2 hoursAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour is wheelchair accessible.
- Stroller access is available for families with young children.
- Service animals are permitted inside the museum.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as the museum is extensive.
- Photography is allowed, but flash is prohibited in certain exhibits.
- Food and drinks are not permitted inside the museum.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
- Notes: Natural History Museum and other attractions or museums in DC may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.
Traveler reviews
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Must see museum. Right guide makes it even more memorial.
Excellent Guide. Knowledgeable, took care of everyone in the group, loud clear voice. This made the museum which itself is a masterpiece, exceptional.
Kamalkant_AJul 9, 2026VIATOR
Maureen is fabulous and...
Maureen is fabulous and fun! I specifically wanted to see the jewelry Marjorie Merryweather Post donated so she customized our tour around that. I have booked several different tours with Viator and have all great experiences.
Rhonda_CJul 7, 2026VIATOR
Lynn was a GREAT guide
Our tour guide Lynn was very knowledgeable and did an outstanding job touring us through the museum of natural history at the Smithsonian
KentB377Jul 5, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Debra was amazing!
Had a great tour with Debra. She had so much knowledge and a masters in archeology! Couldn’t imagine a better guide.
AshleyStocktonJul 4, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Amazing guide
The tour was well worth the cost. Meghan was an amazing story teller. I hate history but she made me interested in everything she said. I am so glad we didn’t go to the museum without a guide. We would have been overwhelmed and just read signs the whole time. I highly recommend you do this tour when you go to the natural history museum.
Clarissa WMay 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Additional information
It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
Notes: Natural History Museum and other attractions or museums in DC may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.