With over 85,000 it would take over a week to look at every piece of art for just 10 seconds across the top three art museums in DC. Very few people have that time. So we found the pieces that you cannot leave without seeing and put them all on one tour!
At the National Gallery of Art we show statues by Degas and Rodin, explore the works of renown Renaissance artists such as Raphael, see the only Da Vinci in the Western Hemisphere. With your guide you will find hidden among the maze of galleries the works of Monet, Vermeer, Georgia O'Keeffe, Picasso, Whistler, Dali, and Andy Warhol.
Then at the National Portrait Gallery and American Art museums we explore the iconic "America's Presidents" exhibit, featuring portraits of leaders who shaped the nation. As we walk through the halls where President Lincoln celebrated his second inauguration we see world renown art using creative materials and styles as well as portraits found on American currency.
Tour Options
Gallery Highlights Small Group
Art Museum Highlights: Explore the must-see works found in the National Gallery of Art, Portrait Gallery, & American Art Museum
Small-Group Guided Tour
Private National Gallery Tour
Private : See the National Gallery of Art with your own personal guide!
Duration: 3 hours
Customizable Itinerary: Private tour means you can customize, including option to sub out a museum to spend more time in the National Gallery of Art.
Itinerary
10 min
Start at the Unscripted Guided Tours DC Welcome Center where you can charge your phones, refill water, and enjoy a mini museum to DC's past. Your guide will give an introduction before embarking to the National Gallery of Art.
110 min
With over 3,000 works of art, the National Gallery of Art can be overwhelming. Your expert guide will help you navigate the labyrinth like building and ensure you see all the can't-miss items.
25 min
See the iconic American President's collection as well as famous portrait found on American Currency
30 min
Marvel at iconic artworks by renown American artists using unique materials and styles
Highlights
English Tour guide
Bottled water
Rain Ponchos
Cold Wet Towels
DC City Map
What's included
Included
English Tour guide
Bottled water
Rain Ponchos
Cold Wet Towels
DC City Map
Not included
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
5.0
24 reviews
5
23
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
National Gallery of Art, American Art & Portrait Gallery - 8 max lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $129 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 this tour 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 at the Unscripted Guided Tours DC Visitor Center at the corner of 7th and D Streets NW, on the 7th Street side.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is this tour 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
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Reviews(24)
J
JD_S
June 26, 2026
Excellent Tour
Claudia was so knowledgeable and interesting in what she explains about the artwork. I was the only one on the tour and the company still ran it, very uncommon in these times with tour companies. I have been asked to move or cancel so many times when I am the only one. Claudia even tailored everything to fit my interest and didn’t emphasize what I had already seen elsewhere. It’s a quick tour of so many brilliant pieces that you will want to return and spend more time investigating on your own. This tour will give you a solid overview of everything.
L
LightPacker359895
April 15, 2026
Fun and fascinating.
We had a great experience and learned so much about the national Gallery of art. Seeing it in person really helps make it stick. AlthoughI have lived in DC for nearly 50 years, I did not really know my way around the Gallery until this tour.
Our tour guide, Claudia, was Kknd, fun, and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this for everyone who wants to know more about art in general, and especially the National Gallery of Art.
A
Alejandro_D
September 2, 2025
National art gallery
Our tour guide was Christina. She was very friendly and knowledgeable. She asked what are favorite paintings were and made sure we saw them. She not only showed us some important pieces but also provided details about the painting and the artist. I am so glad I chose a private tour of the National Gallery of Art in DC. I only hope that in future visits to any art museums I am fortunate enough to have someone like her.
K
kristisV362OX
May 25, 2025
A+++
Absolutely fantastic tour! Definitely two of our favorite hours of that day. Our tour guide, Claudia, was outstanding and super knowledgeable. Highly, highly recommend!
J
Janet_G
April 16, 2025
Great tour! Not to be...
Great tour! Not to be missed. Saw the best of the National gallery in two hours. Highly recommended!
G
GoPlaces484479
April 15, 2025
Kristen was exceptional! So knowledgeable, friendly and personable..she was our guide on Library of Congress also ..exceptional
Kristen was so knowledgeable, organized, engaging and absolutely inspiring to learn more about so many artists..she was our guide at the Library of Congress and her expertise in her subject matter made the experience profound..
C
Colleen C
March 30, 2025
Knowledge and great with people.
We loved our tour and our guide was top notch. She provided insight with her art history background to masterpieces. She was very inclusive to all of the guests.
F
F4844URdougs
January 17, 2025
Impressionist and renaissance art were highlights for us at the National Gallery!
Our guide, whose name is escaping me sorry, is a history PhD student and therefore very knowledgeable about European and American history over a wide period of time. Her art knowledge was impressive as well and she was very personable as she described the various renaissance, impressionist art etc and answered all our questions. We were fortunate in that she was able to spend some extra time with us in the impressionist rooms, beyond the allotted time. We learned a lot and the art was overwhelming!
C
Curiosity23522424776
November 30, 2024
Great tour of the NGA
If you want a guided tour of the highlights of the National Gallery of Art, then this tour is great! Our guide Claudia gave us a lot of valuable information about the artworks we saw. She took us on a tour that seemed to guide us through the different time periods and styles of art, while picking individual pieces that captured the key concepts and artists that are most important and popular. I got a lot out of it and it was a very fun time!
E
elvira_m
November 28, 2024
Thanksgiving walk through the National Gallery
The Da Vinci portrait Of Ginevra is worth visiting. No crowds. Beautiful galleries. Our tour guide was well informed and enthusiastic.
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National Gallery of Art, American Art & Portrait Gallery - 8 max
