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Smithsonian Museum Tour: Explore Natural History
4.9
157 Ratings
Washington
Become a part of a 2-hour guided journey through the National Museum of Natural History that caters to a group of no more than 8 guests. Explore the fascinating world of minerals, mammals, and mummies that have been captivating spectators for more than 100 years.
Become a part of a 2-hour guided journey through the National Museum of Natural History that caters to a group of no more than 8 guests. Explore the fascinating world of minerals, mammals, and mummies that have been captivating spectators for more than 100 years.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Your guide will take you to visit the highlights of the collection, housed in a massive building that covers the area of 18 football fields. Gaze into the world-famous Hope Diamond, whose brilliant blue sparkle, and immodest size at 46 karats, captured the attention of former owner Marie Antoinette….
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Your guide will take you to visit the highlights of the collection, housed in a massive building that covers the area of 18 football fields. Gaze into the world-famous Hope Diamond, whose brilliant blue sparkle, and immodest size at 46 karats, captured the attention of former owner Marie Antoinette. Wander through the displays of gems and minerals, including the Dom Pedro Aquamarine, the world’s largest gem of its type, which glows brilliantly from within. Travel back in time to learn about death rituals while exploring real mummies from Ancient Egypt. Then step out of the past into the wild, exploring the mighty polar bears, elephants, and giraffes that roam across earth’s surface. From the land, jump into the sea at the Ocean Hall, where you’ll discover a live coral reef exhibit as well as a 45-ton whale, Phoenix, which is a replica of a real living what that the museum tracks. By the end, you’ll understand why so many people come to visit the 126.5 million artefacts housed at the National Museum of Natural History.
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What's Included
- 2-hour tour duration
- Semi-private museum experience
- Expert guidance by a professional art historian
- Small group size with a maximum of 8 guests
- 2-hour tour duration
- Semi-private museum experience
- Expert guidance by a professional art historian
- Small group size with a maximum of 8 guests
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
- 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
- It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
- A maximum of 8 people permitted per tour allowed
- A moderate amount of walking is involved, comfortable clothing and shoes recommended
- Notes: National Museum of Natural History and other attractions or museums in DC may be subjected to occasional closures…
- It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
- A maximum of 8 people permitted per tour allowed
- A moderate amount of walking is involved, comfortable clothing and shoes recommended
- Notes: National Museum of Natural History and other attractions or museums in DC 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.
Location
1010 Madison Dr NW
Madison Drive Northwest
Meet your guide on the large stairs at the Madison Drive NW entrance of the Museum of Natural History, facing the lawn of the National Mall.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(157 Ratings)
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Randydo736gq
Feb 1, 2025
Do It - This was a wonderful way to see the museum of natural history. Brenda was knowledgeable and moved at the perfect pace. I’d book another tour with her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
63heikos
Jan 27, 2025
Recommended! - Very good, informative tour. Eloquent, friendly guide who also merges world politics in his remarks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
518evelinag
Dec 29, 2024
Fun and informative - Brenda was perfectly balanced between providing interesting facts and commentary without being overwhelming. She managed to keep everyone engaged despite various ages and intrests. The tour was well paced for kids and adults and did not feel rushed or tedious. It was our favorite tour in D.C. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mauif88
Dec 15, 2024
Fascinating morning at the Natural History Museum - Amanda pitched the tour at exactly the right level for our daughters aged 11 and 14. To be honest, I’ve always been a bit bored at Natural History museums and was taking my children for their benefit, but for the first time found the dinosaurs section absolutely fascinating, thanks to Amanda. She managed to guide us through the highlights of the museum despite being inundated with school excursions and we definitely got a lot more out of it than if we had been going around ourselves.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
59fredrickh
Oct 6, 2024
Great for first time or repeat visitor - We had young kids and keeping them amused was a little difficult. But our guide tailored the tour to our needs and addressed them so well. The semi-private tour was as good as private since we were 5 people. 2 hours doesn’t really do justice to this amazing museum, so our guide was selective. He knew answers to our questions and was very patient, which is what we needed. I personally had been there before, but love the rocks, gems and minerals displays so much, I would go back again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
317geraldn
Sep 27, 2024
Museum of Natural History - Rebecca was very knowledgeable and approachable. She made sure we got a good overview of the museum while pointing out the highlights of the "bones and stones" exhibits. Glad I took the tour. Money well spent.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Slavko_v
Sep 19, 2024
A MUST SEE - The Smithsonian Museum is a fantastic place to visit, this is a must to visit. It is one of the best Museum's we have seen in our life. It is just brilliant throughout the whole museum.
100%
Review provided by Viator
Bigfella520
Sep 18, 2024
Fantastic Tour of Smithsonian Museum - Absolutely fantastic tour with Rebecca she was very knowledgeable. We had a great day with Rebecca who answered all our questions and showed us the highlights of the Smithsonian Museum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christopher
Sep 17, 2024
Excellent tour and guide - Our guide for this museum tour was excellent. He was extremely knowledgeable of not only the exhibits in the museum but also the history of the Smithsonian and many of the other attractions and memorials in the DC area. Our tour ran long by a few minutes but Christopher didn’t rush us off. He was very professional.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour771895
Aug 22, 2024
Tourist guide Brenda & Babylon Tours are highly recommended in Washington DC. - Our semi-private guided tour by Babylon Tours to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC this morning became such a wonderful experience only because Brenda made our day!
She is so knowledgeable about everything but most importantly knew exactly where to take us in this vast museum in the 3 hours that my wife and I spent with her. Brenda also has a great sense of humour and this made her explanations so much more enjoyable and memorable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor