National Archives Tour: Explore American History

Discover the treasures of American history on a 5.5-hour semi-private tour of the National Archives. Skip the line and explore iconic documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, along with fascinating exhibits on First Ladies and more.

Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The National Archives Museum - This is the best way to skip-the-line and save time, to explore the experiment that is the United States of America! 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. No trip…
What's Included
  • Small group ambiance with a max of 8 guests
  • Insightful 5.5-hour walking and museum tour
  • Enjoy a break for lunch during the tour
  • Tour operates in all weather conditions
  • Led by an expert professional guide
What's Not Included
  • 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
Additional Information

Embark on a 5.5-hour semi-private guided tour (limited to 8 guests) that gives you exclusive skip-the-line access to Washington DC’s two most essential museums. This adventure offers an unparalleled journey through the unfolding narrative of the United States of America - beginning with its birth and culminating in an exploration of its ongoing…

Location
National Archives Research Center
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Meet your guide on the corner of 9th Street NW and Constitution Ave.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(54 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
723jackeyv
Dec 12, 2024
American Time Travel - This tour was amazingly inspiring and educational. Our tour guide Annemarie was knowledgeable, friendly and overall passionate of what she does. I appreciated the time she spent with us and answering our questions and not making us feel bad when we didn’t know the answer. We need more people like Annemarie to teach our American history.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurengl8884cd
Nov 30, 2024
Informative, fascinating tour! - Tour review I am so grateful that I got to see the National Archives for the first time with Annemarie! She was friendly and knowledgeable, and gave us just the right amount of context and explanation for the things we were seeing. Plus, she peppered it with some interesting facts you wouldn’t always get from a history book. Most interesting to me was what she told us about the murals in the Rotunda. Without her there, I wouldn’t know how to interpret what I was seeing, and I would just look at it as two stately paintings. I wouldn’t have learned about the choices the artist made and combined it with the real history. The tour felt like it went by quickly! Annemarie is really knowledgeable, friendly, and has a nice speaking voice and demeanor…you never feel like you’re being lectured, instead you feel like you’re learning interesting things from a like-minded friend. 10/10 recommend!! Also appreciated skipping the line, maximizing our time there!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sallysk6691kc
Nov 15, 2024
Really great tour Annemarie - Fabulous trip, Annmarie was so interesting and knowledgeable, we learned so much. I would strongly recommend anybody going to the national archive take this tour. Without it, you will miss so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager30187644935
Oct 29, 2024
Great tour with Maribeth - Great tour with Maribeth, great to get the history behind these super historical documents, plus a few extras in the museum section. Thank you Maribeth!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bill_l
Oct 29, 2024
Outstanding Tour - Our tour guide Brenda was outstanding. My wife is totally blind and I have mobility issues. She went the extra mile to make sure we were comfortable and her informative style made our day. You have a Jewel in Brenda!
Review provided by Viator
767nathanv
Oct 20, 2024
Great!!! - Great experience with a wonderfull guide Maribeth! Would advise it to everyone. I will book Babylon Tours again the next time I need a tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
292dtg
Oct 13, 2024
We discovered another treasure at the National Archives Museum: Our Tour Guide, Donna! - We booked the small tour of the National Archives Museum and it could not have been more of an informative, historically-charged delight! Our tour guide, Donna, met us well in advance of the appointed time and ensured that we were welcome and engaged from the outset. Her manner and style were equally matched with the breadth of historical knowledge she shared. The approximately two hour tour flew by and left us hungry for more information. It was so refreshing to have this experience. We toured many museums on this recent visit, but our absolute favorite tour was this one led by Donna of Babylon Tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I2714lvcatherineg
Oct 12, 2024
Annmarie is the best!! - Our guide Annmarie was great!! So knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend this tour. I learned so much and this was my 2nd time to the archives.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
516kyndallp
Sep 29, 2024
Great experience! - Annmarie was a great guide and we learned do much that we would have missed on our own. I highly recommend the semiprivate option.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Constancec710
Sep 21, 2024
Celebrating Democracy at the National Archives Tour - Donna was friendly and professional, knowledgeable and fun. We had a wonderful experience learning about the beginnings of our nation and the courage of men who founded it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 8 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today