WASHINGTON, D.C.
The best way to spend a day in D.C.
The 15 best museums tours in Washington, with what each one covers, what it costs and how long to set aside. A shortlist for planning real days on and off the National Mall.
Guided African American history tour in Washington DC with bus commentary, Lincoln and MLK Memorial stops, and reserved museum entry.
Most Popular“Our guide Dre' was great! Professional and personable. He painted a great tapestry of our history in DC. Ending at the museum is perfect!”
Washington DC’s Museum of the Bible with early access, 7 floors of artifacts and interactive exhibits, plus optional Washington Revelations simulator.
“We only planned 3 hours and wish we would have planned 8”
A private, 2-hour highlights tour of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, built around gems, mummies, wildlife, and Ocean Hall.
“The museum has a lot of interesting exhibits. Our tour guide, Brenda did an amazing job walking us thru the geology and gems, mummies, dinosaurs and mammal sections. She was very knowledgeable and helped us maximize our experience by navigating the crowds. Really appreciated her communication prior to the tour with the google map link…”
Small-group DC African American history tour to the National Mall, ending with museum tickets for the African American History Museum.
“We paid full price even though parts of the tour were closed due to the day of the week. Had my party known or were informed about the closures, we would have chosen a different day and time for our tour.”
National Mall tour with 10 stops plus optional U.S. Capitol or museum entry. See the White House, memorials, and more with an expert guide.
“Great tour! Tyrone was very knowledgeable, the group was small and we weren’t rushed. Saw great sites done even got some restaurant recommendations”
4-hour African American history bus tour with timed Smithsonian entry. See key DC monuments, neighborhoods, and the stories behind them for $89.
“Our guide was extremely knowledgeable. The dr8ver was very experienced.”
Smithsonian Highlights walk with reserved Air & Space entry, small-group guiding, and must-see stops like the Hope Diamond and Wright Flyer.
“There was so much to see that you couldn’t possibly cover it in one day, but my tour guide Claudia did an amazing job. I didn’t care to spend as much time in the Museum of Natural History because I had spent a lot of time at that museum in New York many years ago.…”
A 2-hour Capitol Hill walk with U.S. Capitol entry plus Library of Congress (or Capitol Museums Mondays), Supreme Court views, and Grant Memorial stops.
“The tour guide didn’t conduct the tour. He only waited in line with us and we had a tour guide at the US Capitol. A waste of money.”
Guided access to the U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress, with timed entry, headsets, and a smart walkthrough of key DC government sites.
“What should’ve been a fabulous first turned into a not so much! I booked and some how the date got changed from tomorrow to today. Not sure if you’ve had this happen to you but whatever it was an accident. I contacted them right away as the tour was only an hour and a half…”
A 2.5-hour guided tour of Smithsonian American History in Washington, DC, covering iconic objects, with an English-speaking guide and free admission.
“Our tour guide, Leigh, was good, but when we went into the museum, it seemed like she was only hitting certain things and skipped a lot of stuff. Wasn't too impressed with her pushing her opinion and agenda on us when it came to things that we might have known or heard about the Star…”
Pre-book your Museum of the Bible ticket and spend about 3 hours in DC with walk-through scenes, rare artifacts, and a digital guide.
“Worth the visit. Informative and detailed presentations of the Bible and Reenactment of biblical times.”
A timed, small-group guided sprint through Washington DC aviation and space icons, with spacesuits, moon rocks, and expert stories.
“Ryan was a wonderful guide. We did a private tour of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum with him. He was incredibly pleasant, had an easy way with our kids, and gave a well informed tour with interesting facts. Our kids raved about him and he provided a great experience from start to finish! We…”
Small-group 2-hour guided highlights at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum: Hope Diamond, mummies, and Ocean Hall’s Phoenix whale.
“The disuasión concerning the Hope Diamond. Donna was our tour guide. Donna spent additional time with us discussing many other points of interest.”
2.5-hour guided National Gallery of Art tour in Washington, DC, with personalized highlights from da Vinci, Monet, Van Gogh.
“Stephen was great! Very knowledgeable and engaging with the children in the group. Best way to enjoy a museum in my opinion.”
A 2-hour guided sprint through the Smithsonian’s Natural History highlights, including dinosaurs, gems, mummies, and early humans. $75.
“We had a great visit to the Smithsonian natural history museum! Nur was fantastic and had a lot of great knowledge of the exhibits and Washington history! We loved our tour”
Every corner of the capital, and every way to see it.
