
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 466 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour worth booking?
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour is a 2-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $105 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 466 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (466)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $105 per person
Join a 2 hour exclusive guided tour of the National Museum of Natural History, featuring rare marvels from around the world. The tour will lead you through the minerals, mammals, and mummies that have been wowing visitor
What you get
About this experience
Join a 2 hour exclusive guided tour of the National Museum of Natural History, featuring rare marvels from around the world. The tour will lead you through the minerals, mammals, and mummies that have been wowing visitors for over a century.
What's included
Included
- Duration 2 Hours
- Tour Guide Exclusively For You (Does NOT apply if you choose "SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE" option)
- Wheelchair Friendly (Does NOT apply if you choose "SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE" option)
- Guided Museum Tour
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Washington DC
Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Museum of Natural History, facing the lawn of the National Mall.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Museum of Natural History, facing the lawn of the National Mall.
Options you can book
SEMI-PRIVATE 8ppl Max. English
Save money by booking a small group tour of 8 guests max. per guide This option NOT FOR WHEELCHAIRS.
Family Tour! for KIDS or TEENS
Family Friendly Private Tour! for KIDS or TEENS
Private Museum Tour
Private Guide Just For You!: Private Museum Tour;Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You;Duration 1.5 - 2 Hours;Wheelchair Friendly
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Babylon Tours DC
Know before you go
- 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 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.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 465 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
465 verified traveler reviews for Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Must do and book with Kate
Our tour guide Kate was knowledgeable. What an awesome educational experience
via Tripadvisor
Kate, was an amazing tour guide. She really gets into character and ensures you get the best experience. I do recommend!
The tour was amazing! We especially loved that Kate our tour guide would dress up into character!!!!
via Viator
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.
via Viator
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.
via Viator
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
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $105 to $572
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 163
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour cost?
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Prices start at $105 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Washington DC usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Washington DC is not rushed.
Is Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 466 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Washington DC, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour?
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Around 163 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Washington DC can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Washington DC and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Exclusive Guided Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Washington DC within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Washington DC?
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Washington is the rare city where the headline attractions cost nothing and the scarce resource is access. Timed entry to the Smithsonian museums, Capitol and White House tours, and the night monument runs by bike or bus are what fill up. Our ranking rewards operators who secure the passes themselves rather than telling you to sort it out at the door. On Outty we rank every Washington DC experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Washington DC Small-Group Sightseeing Experience, Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour, Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Washington DC?
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Late March to April for cherry blossom, or September to November for cool museum weather. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Washington DC?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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