E
Having an experienced tour guide made a big difference
Debra was our tour guide. Beautiful young lady, full of knowledge and excited to share and explain, not only the artifacts, but the story behind them.
National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max
+34 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 5h 30min
- Price from
- $225 / person
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 82 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 8
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Meeting point
- Meet on the bottom of the front stairs of the National Archives Building on Constitution Ave. NW
- Confirmation
- Instant
Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Washington DC
Description
This 5.5 hour Semi-Private (8 Guest Max.) guided combo tour welcomes guests to skip-the-line and experience the two “must see” museums in Washington DC. This is the best way to explore the experiment that is the United States of America! Start with our founding document and end with an exploration of what has happened since. Our guides provide stories, context, and anecdotes for the dynamic results. Highlights often include (but are not limited to): -The original Declaration of Independence -The Constitution -The Bill of Rights -1297 Magna Carta -Lincoln’s Top Hat -First Ladies exhibit -Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers -Star-Spangled Banner
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is the best way to skip-the-line and save time, to explore the experiment that is the United States of America! Start with the original handwritten “Charters of Freedom” housed in their spectacular Rotunda. Your guide will narrate the extraordinary circumstances that brought this nation into existence. No trip to the US Capital city is complete without a visit to the National Archives. Surround yourself with documents and paintings that offer both depth and nuance to the period that founded the United States of America. And at Babylon we take it a step farther. In the Rubenstein Gallery, go even deeper into the philosophical foundations by viewing a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta. Your guide will encourage you to explore the concept of citizenship, what it means and how the criteria for those included have evolved from a declaration which stated “all men are created equal”.
After a break to ponder the complexity of history (and grab a bite) your guide will lead you to the Smithsonian American History Museum. This museum is a caretaker for an incredible blend of scholarly history and pop culture whose memories create a unique bond among the people who experienced them. Your guide will introduce you to the most famous items in the collection, like the flag that flew over Ft McHenry inspiring the poem that was eventually adapted into the National Anthem. Featured too is the most visited exhibition in the history of the Smithsonian: the First Ladies exhibit. While you’re there, see why the most requested artifact is Dorothy’s Ruby Red Slippers — displayed not too far from the top hat Abraham Lincoln wore that fateful night to Ford’s Theatre. Your guide will provide stories and background to expand on the reason these items (out of hundreds of thousands in the collection) serve as living touchstones for the concept we call the United States of America.
Highlights
Guarantee of no more than 8 people in our group
Duration 5.5 Hours (Including A Lunch Break)
Professional Tour Guide
What's included
Included
Guarantee of no more than 8 people in our group
Duration 5.5 Hours (Including A Lunch Break)
Professional Tour Guide
Not included
Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
Traveller Ratings
4.9
82 reviews
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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)
- A maximum of 8 people per tour allowed
- Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- Notes: The National Archives & American History Museum and other attractions or museums in London 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long does National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max take?
National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max lasts about 5h 30min. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max cost?
Prices start at $225 per person for this Washington DC experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet on the bottom of the front stairs of the National Archives Building on Constitution Ave. NW. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is National Archives + American History Museum Tour 8ppl Max offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(82)
P
Archives & American History museum tour
Good way to see the museums & get additional information from the guide about the various exhibits,
P
Totally Worth it
We are on a big history quest, and for the important sites we just get so much more out of it with the tour, but the small group it is easier to make sure we cover what is important to us.
P
Exceptional Experience
Excellent experience. Good pace but definitely a full day. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and very responsive to our interests.
A
Excellent
Maribeth did an excellent job. I particularly thought we would not have been able to appreciate the archives without her assistance.
F
Great Tour & Guide.
We had a fantastic tour. Maribeth was so knowledgeable and her ability to guide us through both the Archives and the Museum made it a breeze to hit all the key elements. Her knowledge is immense and she involves you in the moment, bringing history to life. Not an easy task. Recommend both her and Babylon highly.
R
National Archives & American Museum with Maribeth is a Must Do Tour!
My husband and I had an amazing tour with Maribeth. She was very sweet and extremely knowledgeable. She provided great insight and factual tidbits for each exhibit we visited. Additionally, she had lots of interesting stories and historical information to share with us. Maribeth was very flexible with regards to time spent at each museum and structuring the tour around our interests and needs. We highly recommend her for any tour! She was amazing!
D
A must see
It was a great tour a must see. Christopher was full of knowledge and stories on all the main and important things to see. He makes sure he involves everyone during the tour which was great. So glad we did it and doing it in a small group and then you can go about after and see everything else.
L
A must see with a tour guide
Annemarie was very knowledgeable about the National Archives. From the moment we started until the end of the tour, she continually provided fun facts about the history of the building and the contents that it held. She took the time to focus and educate us on the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
K
A special experience!
Annemarie was wonderful. Right on time, very friendly. She took care to engage with each member of the group including my two children (10, 13).
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