Smithsonian Natural History + Air and Space Museum Private Tour
Description
This 5.5 hour guided combo tour welcomes guests to experience the Smithsonian’s two most visited museums in Washington DC. This is your chance to experience the two most popular museums in Washington DC with the help of our expert guides navigating the crowds! Dinosaurs to diamonds, planes, planets and spacesuits; our guides have the stories to make them come alive. Highlights often include (but are not limited to): -Henry, the largest taxidermied elephant -Hope Diamond -The Nation’s T-Rex (Wankel’s T-Rex) -Meteorites -1903 Wright Flyer -1909 Wright Military Flyer -Spirit of St. Louis -Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is your chance to experience the two most popular museums in Washington DC with the help of our expert guides navigating the crowds! Start your day with the largest Natural History collection in the world. Stones, bones, and bugs clamor for your attention at the Smithsonian Natural History museum as the largest taxidermied elephant in the world trumpets your welcome (his name is Henry!). From the most famous single artifact in the Smithsonian collection — the (supposedly) cursed Hope Diamond — to the recently revealed renovated Fossil Hall with Mastodon, T-Rex, and Diplodocus looming over the path, your inner child will remind you of how fascinating the natural world’s mysteries are.
After a break to recharge, cross the famous National Mall to the Smithsonian Air & Space museum. Currently undergoing its own renovation, there is still plenty to see! Starting with a family in Ohio solving a problem not even Leonardo DaVinci could. We speak, of course, of the Wright Brothers who launched the world to literal new heights. The original Wright Flyer from 1903 gets its own exhibition gallery to set the stage for what comes after. From the first military flyer in 1909 (also a Wright Bros. creation) to the golden age of setting records and commercial aviation, imagine the guts it took to trust your life to this novel technology. Then head to the even more intimidating exploits in the space exhibits. Where you view some of the actual artifacts man set out to conquer the vast unknown in an inhospitable environment and then back to Earth’s warm embrace. But the highest heights are those of imagination that inspire us to the risk so much.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
- Notes: Natural History Museum, Air & Space 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.
Reviews(69)
Rebecca was an incredible guide
Amazing tour! Rebecca was wonderful- highly recommend her. True historian and very interesting. So much better to have a good guide then to just wander through the museum.
Rebecca is very lovely and knowledgeable. I enjoy her company today. Really recommend everyone to come to book the tour.
Paul is more than a guide he’s an authentic enthusiast who has knowledge in bucketloads and passion unmatched. He can pitch his stories for kids, adults or even experts. He’s a joy to listen to. Best guide I ever had.
We had a great time on our tour. Maureen had lots of insight and fun stories to share about her experience with the museum and the different artifacts that are exhibited here.
Our tour guide Christopher was awesome. The private tour was totally worth it. He knew how to navigate the big crowds and make sure we got a lot in. He had no problem focusing on the things we were most interested in seeing. Knew a ton of stuff. I have a hard time in museums like that trying to absorb all the info. It was nice to have someone give you an overview while you just take it all in, rather than have to read a million plaques. He took care of the times passes for us and showed us a good lunch spot.
We visited this museum as a family, be careful it is free but you have to book a slot in advance! Beautiful collection of planes that trace the history of air and space. Plan ~2h visit.
Brenda was our guide. She provides us detailed information about every museum the exhibits, historical context, and stories. Great customer service and great selections for every museum.my friend and I ( Joel ) really appreciate and highly recommend this tours
Annemarie was excellent — extremely knowledgable and very friendly. For additional tours I and my family would request Annemarie — she clearly enjoys her craft!
I signed up for the Natural History and Aaron Space tour. Maureen was an awesome guide. She was knowledgeable and packed a lot of interesting information into a short time. I would do it again 😊
