DC National Archives + National Portrait Gallery - Exclusive Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the United States’ turbulent history through works preserved in the National Archives before exploring the faces behind the history. This Exclusive, 5 to 5.5-hour Exclusive guided combo tour, is best way to understand the who and the what of the United States! Your guide will show you the documents and the people that have defined this country. This tour has the heroes and villains of history, culture, progress, and art of the USA.
Highlights often include (but are not limited to):
-The original Declaration of Independence
-The Constitution
-The Bill of Rights
-1297 Magna Carta
-Presidential Portraits -20th Century American -Obama Portraits
-Pocahontas Portrait
-Conservation Labs -Works by Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol, and Norman Rockwell
Additional Info
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: National Archives and other attractions or museums 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.
What To Expect
National Portrait Gallery
After a break to ponder the complexity of history (and grab a bite) your guide will lead you to the dual exhibition space of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Inside the local Washingtonians favorite Smithsonian space you’ll wander hallways that seamlessly flow between the two collections surrounding one of the most relaxing spaces in downtown Washington DC, the Kogard Courtyard. Your guide will take you to see the famous Presidential Portrait Gallery and you’ll hear stories of other famous Americans as you view their portraits in painting, sculpture, and video form. Make your way over to the Luce Center of the American Art portion and get a chance to peek inside the labs of the Lunder Conservation Center! Some of the most iconic figures in Art and History pop up in the most unexpected places in this criminally overlooked Smithsonian!
The National Archives Museum
The best way to understand the who and the what of the United States of America! Skip-the-line at the National Archives and start with the original handwritten “Charters of Freedom” housed in their spectacular Rotunda. Your guide will narrate the extraordinary circumstances that brought this nation into existence. Surrounded by documents and paintings giving depth and nuance to the founding period, no trip to the US Capital city is complete without a visit to the National Archives. But at Babylon we take it a step farther. In the Rubenstein Gallery, go even further to the philosophical foundations by viewing a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta. You will be guided around the room as the concept of citizenship, what it means and who is included evolves from the declaration that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”.
Options
10am Private Guided Tour
PrivateWalking Tour & Museum Tour;Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You;Skip-The-Line Entry to the National Archives;Private Transportation Included Between Tour Locations If Necessary
SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE 10AM
Semi-Private 8 Guest Maximum: Save money by booking a small group tour of 8 guests max. per guide This option NOT FOR WHEELCHAIRS.
What‘s Included
Tour Guide Exclusively For You (Does NOT apply if you choose "SAVE! BOOK SEMI-PRIVATE" option)
Guided Walking Tour & Museum Tour
Private Transportation Included Between Tour Locations If Necessary
Duration 5.5 Hours (Including Lunch Break)
Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine
Skip The Line Entry to National Archives
Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience
daniinapex,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We learned so much. Very entertaining.
Tour of the Capitol
Wander49361035623,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jim was an exceptional tour guide! He was very knowledgeable and accommodating!
Acing the Archives
Storyteller566087,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was informed, enthusiastic, and a good communicator. We learned much about the archives and were impressed with how she went the extra mile to answer our questions and make our experience pleasant.
Fantastic tour!
Roostravel2021,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Allen was an amazing tour guide! So informative and we learned so much from him!
We did the Library of congress tour with Maribeth today March 19 and she was FABULOUS!
DonnaMarieWilson,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Maribeth was very knowledgeable and entertaining! She had answers for everyone’s questions and was very apologetic that it was so cold and that the Supreme Court was closed! And we all knew it was not her fault. It is truely AMAZING how much information is stored in her head! You could tell she could have talked for days! Such a sweet lady… Very aware of everyone’s needs.
Great Tour
hillarym742,Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Annmarie was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and really did her best to give us the best bang for our buck with so many golden nuggets! I would highly recommend making a day out of one of her toys tours!
What an amazing tour!
DLewis33,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour of the National Gallery of Art was outstanding! Annemarie took us through the many highlights starting with a painting by Leonardo Di Vinci! She had so much information about every piece that we visited....facts that we did not know about the creation of the art, stories about the artists life, and history that brought each work new meaning for us! She is so knowledgeable about so many parts of the city! We will definitely be scheduling tours with her on future trips.
Awesome
Voyager10129397236,Jul 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Meghan is a scholar in this field. Absolutely awesome experience!! We never would have absorbed this much information without this tour.
Annemarie was great tour guide for the National Archives and Portrait Gallery.
NorthStar685898,Jul 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I give Annemarie five stars. Wonderful tour guide for the National Portrait Gallery and National Archives. You can tell she loves art.
This is a definite stop on your trip
Denise F,Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour guide....! What a pleasure to listen to a person with so much enthusiasm and knowledge ... Ask for Meghan
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Operated by Babylon Tours DC