National Archives + National Portrait Gallery Tour 6ppl Max
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This 5.5 hour Semi-Private (8 Guest Max.) guided combo tour welcomes guests to skip-the-line and experience two essential museums in Washington DC. The 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
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 maximum of 8 people per tour allowed
Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
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
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”.
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!
Options
UPGRADE AS PRIVATE TOUR 10am
Private Walking Tour & Museum Tour; Professional Tour Guide Exclusively For You; Duration 5 - 5.5 Hours (Including Lunch Break); Private Transportation Included Between Tour Locations If Necessary
10am Semi-Private Guided Tour
"Semi-Private" Means Group Size Is Never More Than 8 Guests Maximum This option NOT FOR WHEELCHAIRS.
What‘s Included
Duration 5.5 Hours (Including A Lunch Break)
Tour Will Run, Rain Or Shine
SKIP-THE-LINE SEMI-PRIVATE TOUR ("SEMI-PRIVATE" MEANS GROUP IS NEVER MORE THAN 8 GUESTS MAX)
Skip The Line Entry to National Archives
Professional Tour Guide
Tour price does NOT include hotel pickup or drop-off (we recommend UBER or Taxi)
Tour price does NOT include gratuities (optional)
Tour is NOT available for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
36 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great guide
tdavis2317,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Maribeth was very knowledgeable and helpful and friendly.
Very, very good tour guide
theam829,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour guide with tons of information. Saw the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Magna Carta. Well worth the time and money.
Recommend AnneMarie for the National Archives!
Maddogarf,Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00AnneMarie did a wonderful job giving history and context during our tour of the National Archives. She was so incredibly knowledgeable and patient and made the whole tour feel very relaxed and comfortable, often encouraging the only child on the tour to frequently contribute. She ensured it was a wonderful experience.
Great experience - well worth the time and cost. I wish every tour could be this informative and exciting.
Steven G,Jan 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We learned and experienced more than I ever expected. Maribeth,our guide was excellent. She made history come to life!
A must!
angelicagK5716OM,Dec 16, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00AMAZING!!! Wow, I can’t express how much I loved this tour. It was my first time visiting D.C., and this experience was the perfect addition to my trip. Brenda, our tour guide, was absolutely fantastic—so knowledgeable and engaging. I’ll admit, I’ve never been much of a history buff and didn’t really enjoy it in school, but Brenda presented everything in such an interesting and approachable way. I not only understood the stories she shared but was completely engaged the entire time. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever enjoy learning this much! Brenda was patient and thorough when answering questions, making sure I fully understood and, as she put it, “filled in the gaps.” She kept the whole group involved with thought-provoking questions and vivid storytelling, which really brought the history to life. It’s a memory i’ll cherish forever. I would 100% recommend this tour—and especially Brenda as a guide—to anyone visiting D.C. It’s truly a MUST!
Fantastic national archives tour
Luz Angela P,Oct 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour by Maribeth was fantastic! It was amazing to be able to enjoy the archives to the fullest thanks to her explanations. It is not the same to just look at them than to have the historic stories being told to you in a fun and interesting way. Totally recommend the tour, you’ll learn, enjoy, and have fun.
Excellent Tour Today
pamelakF1982RR,Sep 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Annemarie was our guide through the 2 museums and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit with her. She was very knowledgeable and had interesting stories to share.
National Archives Tour
tannerb478,Aug 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour and very informative. asked what we were interested in and focused on that. Would certainly recommend! Kate was our tour guide - if you are interested in our American history ask for her you will not be disappointed.
fun people fun times :)
emilynI6917GM,Jun 20, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00despite only seeing a few documents and paintings, annemarie made the experience very worth while. upon arriving she already gave us a fun and welcoming energy, making us feel comfortable. we were able to make fun small talk with her even before the tour started, and she was chatting it up with the other members which made us all feel comfortable. not just that, she’s very knowledgeable on what was being displayed, especially the paintings, which was my favorite part!! i learned valuable facts which i definitely slept through back in my US history classes, she as well kept us engaged by asking us questions, and even pointed out little easter eggs which many people wouldn’t notice!! overall, super fun time!! with a great tour guide :)
Great experience!
AndraL 11,May 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Annemarie was great and I really enjoyed the history of the building as well and the murals inside. Very nicely done! I would go again!
Related Experiences
Operated by Babylon Tours DC