Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max
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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 189 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max worth booking?
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max is a 2-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $10 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 189 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (189)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $10 per person
Join a 2 hour small group guided tour of the National Museum of Natural History, featuring rare marvels from around the world. The tour, which welcomes up to 8 guests, will lead you through the minerals, mammals, and mum
What you get
About this experience
Join a 2 hour small group guided tour of the National Museum of Natural History, featuring rare marvels from around the world. The tour, which welcomes up to 8 guests, 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
- Professional Art Historian Guide
- Small group of no more than 8 guests
Not included
- Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Accommodations for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
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
10am Small Group Tour
Group tour of 8 guests maximum: NOT FOR WHEELCHAIRS.
UPGRADE AS PRIVATE TOUR
Private Guide Just For You: Private Museum Tour; Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You; Duration 1.5 - 2 Hours; Wheelchair Friendly
Family Friendly Private Tour!
Family Friendly Private Tour!
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 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Babylon Tours DC
Know before you go
- 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 moderate amount of walking is involved, comfortable clothing and shoes recommended
- Notes: National Museum of Natural History 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.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – Important Details We stand by our commitment to providing the best tour experience. If for any reason your experience did not meet expectations, we offer a 100% Guarantee under the following conditions: 1. Contact Us Within 24 Hours – To qualify for any potential refund or resolution, you must reach out to us within 24 hours of your tour. 2. Give Us a Chance to Make It Right – Before posting any negative reviews online, please allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. We take pride in our customer service and are committed to finding a fair solution. To request a resolution, please contact us at after tour. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to ensuring every guest has an amazing experience!
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 189 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
189 verified traveler reviews for Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ryan best tour guide
Ryan is an excellent tour guide. Knowledgeable, friendly, funny, professional. Highest of recommendations.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour
Debra S. was excellent. She was extremely knowledgeable & moved the tour along nicely, seeing a lot of the exhibits. She was very professional & made the tour a “must see”. She was fantastic.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of Natural History with KATE
My family of four (two parents and 2 kids, ages 9 and 11) took a tour of the Natural History Museum with KATE (Katherine). We booked the “small group tour”, so we expected others the be on the tour with us, but it ended up just being us, which was a pleasant surprise. Kate walked us through the museum in about 2.5 hours. There is SO much in this museum, so it really helped to have her steer us around the the highlights. Her knowledge of the exhibits was incredible. There was no question she could not answer! Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Learned so much from Rebecca
This was a wonderful tour, and Rebecca was a fantastic guide. The time flew by! She showed us around the huge museum and learned a great deal.
via Tripadvisor
Best tour guide for Smithsonian
Leigh was an amazingly knowledgeable tour guide. The small group tour was great, but Leigh’s knowledge base and sense of humor made this truly special.
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
- $10 to $572
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 66
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max cost?
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Prices start at $10 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 Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max 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 Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 189 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 Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max?
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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 Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max 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 Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max?
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Around 66 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 Small Group Tour: 8ppl Max 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, Arlington Cemetery Small-Group Tour & Changing of the Guards, Washington DC "See the City" Guided Sightseeing Segway Tour. 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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