
Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History
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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
4.4/5
Based on 56 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History worth booking?
Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History is a 3-hour experience in Washington DC, United States, from $30 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 56 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (56)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $30 per person
Explore two of the famed Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC's National Mall, the fascinating National Museum of American History, and the Museum of Natural History, one of the greatest collections in the world in three
What you get
About this experience
Explore two of the famed Smithsonian Museums in Washington DC's National Mall, the fascinating National Museum of American History, and the Museum of Natural History, one of the greatest collections in the world in three hours on this private and informative walking tour.
What's included
Included
- Entrance to Smithsonian museums of American History & Natural History
- A friendly, professional English-speaking tour guide for your own private group
Not included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and drink
- Transportation on the day (if required)
- Hotel pickup/drop-off
What you'll see and do
National Museum of American History
Begin with a private tour of the National Museum of American History, where your guide will give you an overview of American history, before exploring the exhibitions in more depth. - See several artefacts underpinning the American political and cultural landscape. - Explore exhibitions that focus on America’s triumphs, tragedies, wars, and protests. - Learn about American women's history, African American history, Latin American history, and any area you have particular interests in.
60 minutes here
Enjoy a short break before heading to your next destination, the Museum of Natural History, one of the world’s largest collections of the natural world. - Explore the museum’s highlights, including the Hope Diamond donated by Harry Winston, a T-Rex fossil, and a short film depicting the history of mammals over 200 million years. - Immerse yourself in earth’s many ecosystems, including the Sant Ocean Hall, where you can see some of the smallest and largest animals in the oceans.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Washington DC
Your guide will meet you by the flagpole located at the entrance to the National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This tour ends inside the Museum of Natural History located at 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States.
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel Curious
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 56 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
56 verified traveler reviews for Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
excellent
Kate was a great tour guide. She was so knowledgable and made each presentation interesting with lots of data and information and even small recreations of the costumes of that time period . all of the family found her very interesting
via Viator
Great toir
Very informative, thorough and well articulated. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in having a well guided private tour.
via Viator
Best Tour Guide
John Grant was the best tour guide we’ve ever had - he was thoughtful, super knowledgeable and was very dedicated to us having a great experience!
via Viator
Jalesa was very...
Jalesa was very informative and took us to the best highlights of both museums. Took the time to find out about our interests and made sure to include touring those.
via Viator
A+ tour
I loved our guide, Stephen! It was formative and he was very knowledgeable. He kept a hood pace and provided lots of information we wouldn’t have known walking around solo.
Response from the operator: Good day, thank you for your A plus rating! what a complement. We will be sure to pass on the lovely words to Stephen. We are delighted to know that Stephen's knowledge and guiding pace added to your lovely day. It sounds like you had an exceptional experience and that is what we aim for in all our tours that we deliver. We hope to have the honour of welcoming you back on another tour soon. Warmest regards.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $30 to $365
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Washington DC.
How much does Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History cost?
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Prices start at $30 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 Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 56 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 Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History?
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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 Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History?
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Around 20 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Two Smithsonian Museums Private Tour: American & Natural History 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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