About Activity
Experience 250 years of American history on this 3-hour guided walking tour led by a local historian & professional tour guide.
Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where you’ll explore pivotal moments from the American Revolution to the 20th century and beyond. Rather than wandering aimlessly, you’ll follow a carefully curated narrative that makes history engaging, accessible, and relevant.
Head to the National Archives Museum, where you’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry. Inside, view the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, some of the most important original documents in world history.
Throughout the tour, the small group size allows for meaningful interaction, questions, and discussion, creating a more personal and enriching experience than large group tours.
Includes
- Entrance & Guided Tour of American History Museum
- Walking Tour with Local Tour Guide
- Skip the Line Access into the National Archives
Departure Point
- Meet your guide OUTSIDE the American History Museum, Constitution Ave. (note there is a National Mall entrance but that is the other side!) We are not affiliated with the information desk. Please be sure to find your DC by Foot guide specifically or contact us directly at the phone numbers provided.
Return
- We end the tour inside the Archives Museum if you want to to explore more of the exhibits.
Stop At: National Museum Of American History Duration:
1 hour 30 minutes Rather than wandering aimlessly, you’ll follow a carefully curated narrative that makes history engaging, accessible, and relevant.
You will see:
-Star-Spangled Banner: The original flag that inspired the U.S. national anthem during the War of 1812.
-Jefferson’s Writing Desk: The small portable desk where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.
-Gunboat Philadelphia: A Revolutionary War vessel recovered from Lake Champlain, offering rare physical evidence of early American naval warfare and the fight for independence.
-Julia Child’s Kitchen: The kitchen where Julia Child filmed The French Chef, representing postwar cultural change, the rise of food media, and how everyday Americans embraced new ideas and lifestyles.
-John Bull Locomotive: One of the oldest surviving steam locomotives in the world, illustrating how railroads powered America’s industrial growth, westward expansion, and economic transformation.
Stop At: The National Archives Museum Admission Ticket:
Tickets are included Skip the Line Access into the National Archives for a guided tour
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 Suitable for all physical fitness levels For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Fabulous Guide - Fun Informative TourClare_K
Vicky our guide was terrific. She tailored the tour to our interests, and shared her enthusiasm for
history and fun facts with us. The displayed collection at the American History museum is ever changing and we saw both classics and new quirky aspects of US culture. We were able to “skip the line” for the Archives & saw the “Big 3” (actually 4) - the Magna Carta, The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. the Museum shop at Archives is by far the best!
One on one tourZ9093LLjuliel
Oct 14, 2026, 11:55:05 AM Collin ,was very professional and kind to us. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating to our needs. I would recommend him to anyone.
It was an amazing...Megan_M
It was an amazing experience. So happy we had Colin.. he knew everything! He brought us to exactly what we wanted to see and had a wealth of knowledge.
Highly Recommend!Rachael_W
Katherine went above and beyond to provide all sorts of insight! I was lucky to have learned/reminded of awesome historical facts! Thank you for a wonderful tour!
Best way to see two museumsJim_B
Vicki was great. She had done lots of research. Highly recommendany tour she guides. No waiting for museum entry.
American History and Archives! Excellent!Deanna_B
Katherine was excellent and fun and accommodating! Very knowledgeable and passionate! Awesome experience!
Great tour that hit the...Steve_M
Great tour that hit the highlights at each venue. If you don't have a lot of time to spend visiting the museums, this is the tour for you! Tour guide, Katherine, was great, knowledgeable and full of information!
I was lucky enough to...Todd_L
I was lucky enough to have a private tour. Colin was incredibly knowledgeable about so many different things.
American history museum is not worth visitingMichelle_C
Our tour guide was excellent, very friendly and knowledgeable. She did the best with what she had to work with. Unfortunately, the American history museum was a disappointment. I don’t think the museum conveys the story of American history-the absence of the origins of our country and the founding was shocking. It should be the backbone and foundation of the experience - but instead the museum was something that didn’t flow-I don’t think the museum curators are American or maybe they don’t have an understanding or appreciation of American history. I wanted my son to have what he learned in his American history class come to life. I don’t think that is too much to expect from the Smithsonian. I hope this feedback can get back to museum leadership and its curators. America has a beautiful and sometimes not beautiful history-but tell the story remembering the people here are proud of their heritage and should leave the AMERICAN history museum with pride and appreciation of where our country started, how far its come, what our country has meant to the world and the bright future we have ahead.
Sooo much to see in a short time, but great information! Would have liked more time at History museum.
Vicky’s the best! Nathan_H
I took the tour with Vicky and she was awesome! Both tours were the perfect balance of her narrative yet flexibility for what each tourist wanted to see - which is not what I am used to with a tour guide. I was particularly impressed by her obvious love for both the United States as well as the history she took us through; she has certainly perfected her craft. I hope I get to tour with her on my next visit to Washington!
P. S. - Make sure you have cash ready for the end of the tour! You will want to leave her a great tip.
Good sampling of the museums with knowledgeable tour guide .. a bit pricey though. May be best to book direct versus using a third party.
This walking tour was great. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the event very personal and she has a great personality y'all. She knew her way around the venues which helped to give us time to enjoy the highlights without feeling rushed. I would recommend this for anyone who wants to see important items from America's past. Also a good tour on a hot or rainy day because you are inside for almost all of it.
Katherine was great! Hilarious, great storyteller and historian. Learned a lot and had a wonderful time!!
Becca did a grest job! She is extremely knowledgeable and personable. I learned so much and really enjoyed the tour!Kathi_H
It was an excellent experience. I learned so I much and am awestruck at the details I learned. It was great.
May 24, 2026, 10:44:26 PM She was fun, engaging and hit the hi-lights of each museum. Pointed out things we might have missed and kept a good pace.
Great tour and insider accesshookedinaf
We loved this for with access to the Rotunda, Katherine our guide was a wealth of information. We saw a lot and learnt a lot definitely recommend this tour for your DC itinerary
Fantastic Tour Led by an Amazing GuideRicardo_F
Had an amazing time on this tour! Katherine was incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and truly made the experience even more enjoyable. Her personal insight into all of the key exhibits added so much depth and made everything more engaging and memorable. You can really tell she has a great deal of expertise and passion for what she does. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone looking for an informative and enjoyable experience!
Katherine was an...Ronald_H
Apr 15, 2026, 10:53:32 AM Katherine was an excellent tour guide. She was very knowledgeable about the museum and the national archives. She was able to beat the lines and had a special entrance to the archives. We were able to see new displays without any crowds.
Canden's Stories were 100% Awesome! Sally_M
So fun! The guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. The family I was traveling with had two kids who hung on her every word. Canden is such a great tour guide. I loved walking right into the Archives via the exit, I felt so VIP. The view down Penn Ave was incredible and heading to the top of the postal tower was the highlight. I really enjoyed the stories about DC history.
Had an amazing tour! They were engaging, informative, and so kind! 10/10 would definitely recommend!
This tour was great! The guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. This made my trip to DC so memorable. I learned a lot and had a great time!
